JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – When it comes to business startup or continuing to operate a local business, it can be helpful to receive guidance from different agencies.

Innovate ND is an arm of the North Dakota Department of Commerce and is a program designed to provide resources to entrepreneurs and inventors.

Carla Valentine is the Program Manager for Innovate ND. She says participants can receive up to $40,000 in funding by completing four business development phases.

Valentine pointed out that entrepreneurs had to have a solid idea of what issues their business or product would address before moving forward with funding.

Valentine stated that the program was revised to add the additional fourth phase and more funding possibilities for entrepreneurs.

She said another key to the program is setting them up with local entrepreneur center’s like the one in Jamestown.

Individuals interested in joining the program are encouraged to enroll at www.NDCommerce.com/InnovateND

Listen to a full Let’s Talk About It with Carla Valentine below: