RED FLAGS

“There is a politeness that is pervasive in Minneapolis that can feel welcoming for visitors,” says Coven co-founder

Bethany Iverson. 3 “But it’s challenging to build a business here.” People are generally hesitant to share what they really think out of fear of offending someone, says Iverson, which can make it difficult to get honest feedback. The culture is riskaverse. “People appreci- ate the security of their corporate jobs,” says John Stavig, director of the Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota. “The cost of going into entrepreneurialism seems higher here.” This sentiment was echoed by a recent survey of more than 100 founders by Beta.MN that found the appeal of a corporate career has diminished people’s willingness to start a company.