Who WE Are
A Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area Nonprofit for Entrepreneurs
Our Story
We started We Invest In You because we've been the entrepreneur on the wrong side of the desk.
Looking back, our founder is certain of one thing: success could have come sooner, with far less stress, if affordable capital had been available from the start — and if he hadn't had to spend so much of that time raising money instead of running the business.
We Invest In You is what we built instead, so the next generation of Minneapolis/St. Paul entrepreneurs don't have to lose valuable time.
Our founder was in his twenties, building a business with two partners, when a loan officer at a downtown bank told them flatly: they didn't have enough assets for their personal guarantee to mean much. So they borrowed from individuals at high rates and spent years hunting for the next round of investors just to keep the doors open. It took nearly two years of hustling before the same bank finally considered them a desirable customer.
How We’re Structured
We Invest In You is a 501(c)(3) private foundation. Our coaches are volunteer business leaders and industry experts that are giving you advice centered on your business, not someone else's balance sheet.
Our Mission
We provide below-market loans and expert coaching to entrepreneurs across the greater Minneapolis–St. Paul metro who have a real business, real revenue, and real potential — but not reasonable access to capital.
We fund entrepreneurs of every gender, race, orientation, background, and age. The only requirements are a viable business and a willingness to be coached. We move quickly so you don't miss your moment, and stay conscientious of your business as it grows to help you succeed.
We measure our success the same way you do: by whether your business is stronger, and whether you and your employees are better off, sooner than you would have been otherwise.
Meet the Board
Founder
Ted yoch
An entrepreneur who has built, lost, and rebuilt businesses across decades in commercial real estate, banking, manufacturing, and digital marketing. Ted founded We Invest In You in December 2020 to give back to the entrepreneurial community that shaped his own career.
President & Director
Gary Pedersen
A financial professional with 25+ years in retail finance and operations, plus 16 years as Senior Vice President of a national content publishing agency. Gary brings a career of operational discipline to the organization's day-to-day leadership.
Board Member
Tom Klingen
Founder of Reacor, Ltd. and a 38-year veteran of commercial real estate investment, with deep experience financing, negotiating, and scaling businesses of every size.
Board Member
Steve yoch
A business attorney of over 35 years and partner at Felhaber Larson, bringing legal and governance expertise to the board.
Board Member
Gwen Martin
A serial entrepreneur who has led multiple Best-Places-to-Work and Inc. 5000 companies, and an active mentor to entrepreneurs and executives across the Twin Cities.
Board Member
Greg Yoch
A business leader with 30+ years across marketing, sales, and entrepreneurship, including as former President and Owner of Murals Your Way.
Contact Us
Ready to Start a Conversation?
If you're running a business in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area with at least one year of real revenue and a growth idea, we'd like to hear it.
