Star of the North

Minnesota businesses build what matters. We are a state of problem-solvers, innovators and legacy-makers. Here, companies find a collaborative ecosystem where talent and ideas thrive. Plus, the state’s infrastructure and economic diversity provide stability for growth today and agility to shape tomorrow. Explore why you should do business in the Star of the North.

Minnesota is a Top 10 State

Minnesota is a headquarters economy, home to a diversity of businesses strengthening the global economy for the better. The state consistently ranks highly for the factors important to business success today: skilled and hardworking talent, innovation ecosystems, unparalleled quality of life, and foundational infrastructure, to name a few.

Whether your business is saving lives, feeding the world, exploring future energy resources, or entertaining the masses, explore what’s possible in the Star of the North.

“There is no place in the world I would rather do business than Minnesota.”
— Kristen Knox, CEO, Microbiologics

Microbiologics CEO Kristen Knox / Credit: Paul Vincent

Meet Some Minnesota Businesses

Why Minnesota For Business

Minnesota businesses have a legacy of building things that last while changing the global economy for the better. Their foundation is built on an economic landscape characterized by diversity, ingenuity, collaboration and perseverance. Explore why business leaders are choosing to build and expand in Minnesota.

Why Minnesota

Key Industries

Advanced Manufacturing

The backbone of the state’s economy. Minnesota's diverse, technology-driven advanced manufacturing sector is particularly strong in high-tech manufacturing, including computers and electronics, medical devices and vehicles. 

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Life Sciences

Home to the country's top-rated hospital (Mayo Clinic) and largest health insurer (UnitedHealth Group). In “Medical Alley,” businesses have access to an ecosystem of public, private, and non-profit partners focused on passionate collaboration and innovation for the greater good.

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Minnesota Apples at the State Fair's Agriculture Horticulture Building

Food & Agriculture

A food production and agricultural powerhouse. Minnesota ranks fourth in the nation in total value of crops and fourth in agricultural exports, making it one of the top producers of food in the country. Not surprisingly, Minnesota is home to global leaders in food production and distribution, including the nation’s largest privately held company, Cargill.

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Clean Tech & Renewable Energy

Minnesota ranks among the top states for environmental friendliness and sustainability practices and has thriving companies in a broad range of clean technology and renewable energy clusters, including biofuels, water technology, and wind and solar power.

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Solar panels at Blattner's Sartell headquarters

Technology

Minnesota has long been home to technology companies that transform the world for the better. Key to Minnesota’s success is our tech-savvy workforce and a thriving and innovative ecosystem of higher education institutions, R&D, and public-private partnerships.

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Start & Grow

Locate & Expand

Foreign Investment

Frequently Asked Questions

Minnesota is one of the best states to start, grow or locate your business. In fact, CNBC ranked Minnesota among its top 10 best states for business in 2025. Minnesota is also home to:

The #1 health tech cluster in the world (Medical Alley)

The top-rated airport in the U.S. (Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport)

More than 1,200 foreign-owned businesses

Hundreds of thousands of small and emerging businesses and a thriving startup ecosystem

In Minnesota, businesses have a legacy of building things that last while changing the global economy for the better. Whether a company is opening its doors for the first time or expanding, business leaders agree that Minnesota is the Star of the North.

There are numerous benefits to doing business in Minnesota. Minnesota's top-ranked education systems, engaged workforce, and statewide investments in skills training provide a talent pool that is defining the future of the global economy. The state’s north-central location in the U.S. and first-rate infrastructure seamlessly connect companies with customers and suppliers worldwide. Alongside an unmatched quality of life, the state offers many incentive opportunities to grow and expand your business.

In Minnesota, you will find a network of more than 1.2 million other companies, as well as 46 million potential customers in the region.

Yes. Minnesota is highly competitive in offering business-friendly incentives, grants and loan programs to support private industry with everything from workforce training and new equipment purchases to how to get started. The State’s dedicated Business Development team can assist with identifying the right opportunity for you at a state level, as well as connecting business leaders with relevant local city and county level tax credits and incentives.

The State’s Business Development team is the single point of contact to match companies making location and expansion decisions with the best tools and resources. Whether your plans involve expanding an existing business, relocating from another state, or consolidating or establishing a new operation in Minnesota, this team can help you make it happen.

The Business Development team will leverage workforce development and training resources, business and community finance programs, and partnerships with key statewide stakeholders to help companies. This includes assisting with site identification, helping address site due diligence needs, facilitating navigation of the permitting process, or offering finance assistance and workforce training and development tools.

Minnesota is a top destination for foreign investment. Today, the state is home to the operations of over 1,200 foreign-owned businesses from about 40 countries. These notable companies, which include Allianz, Coloplast, DiaSorin, JBS Foods, Rosenbauer and Uponor, employ over 164,000 people and have invested $40 billion in property, plant and equipment in the state as of 2025.

In Minnesota, foreign businesses find:

The #1 health tech cluster in the world (Medical Alley)

The top-rated airport in the U.S. (Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport)

One of the most highly productive and active workforces in the nation

Reliable and stable infrastructure; Minnesota is ranked #7 nationally

Hundreds of thousands of small and emerging businesses and a thriving startup ecosystem

If you have questions about doing business in Minnesota, the Office of Foreign Direct Investment guides foreign companies through the advantages of expanding or relocating in Minnesota.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is your guide to doing business in Minnesota and is prepared to answer any question at any stage of your business.

Looking to expand or locate a business in Minnesota? Contact DEED’s Business Development team.

Looking to start or grow a small business? Contact the Small Business & Innovation Office by filling out this form, calling (800-310-8323) or emailing [email protected] to ask a question or book a consultation.

Are you an international business looking to build a US-based operation? Contact Elise Buchen, International Business Development Manager and Protocol Officer at [email protected] and 651-387-0335.

Do Business in Minnesota

Star of the North

Minnesota is a Top 10 State

“There is no place in the world I would rather do business than Minnesota.”
— Kristen Knox, CEO, Microbiologics

Meet Some Minnesota Businesses

Why Minnesota For Business

Key Industries

Advanced Manufacturing

Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

Clean Tech & Renewable Energy

Technology

Explore Minnesota For Your Business Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Business in Minnesota

Star of the North

Minnesota is a Top 10 State

“There is no place in the world I would rather do business than Minnesota.” — Kristen Knox, CEO, Microbiologics

Meet Some Minnesota Businesses

Why Minnesota For Business

Key Industries

Advanced Manufacturing

Life Sciences

Food & Agriculture

Clean Tech & Renewable Energy

Technology

Explore Minnesota For Your Business Needs

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Minnesota a good place to do business?

What are the benefits of doing business in Minnesota?

Are there incentives or support for businesses in Minnesota?

Is Minnesota a good place for small businesses?

How can I locate or expand my business in Minnesota?

Is Minnesota a good state for foreign investment?

What are the top industries in Minnesota?

Who can help me with my business in Minnesota?

Just so you know...

“There is no place in the world I would rather do business than Minnesota.”
— Kristen Knox, CEO, Microbiologics