Rural Business Innovation Lab 2026 Application

What is RBIL?

The Rural Business Innovation Lab is a cohort-based entrepreneurial development program tailored for entrepreneurs seeking to scale in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin. By fostering peer networks rich with innovative ideas, professional expertise, and resources, RBIL enables startups to address challenges and seize opportunities.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

RBIL welcomes applications from businesses meeting the following criteria:

Applications are due March 5th, 2026.

  • Rural Location: Businesses must be headquartered in or planning to relocate to a rural community.

  • Ability to Scale: Entrepreneurs must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and demonstrate potential for national or international growth while scaling within rural MN and WI.

  • Commitment to Innovation: Companies creating unique products, services, or solutions to address challenges are strongly encouraged.

  • Challenges to Address: Applicants must identify at least one business challenge they cannot solve independently. RBIL equips participants with resources to overcome these obstacles.

  • Revenue: Annual revenue between $10,000 and $5,000,000. Two slots are reserved for pre-revenue companies.

Priority consideration is given to rural entrepreneurs with scalable business models. Up to two slots are reserved for pre-revenue startups. Entrepreneurs from historically underserved populations are also strongly encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit https://www.cedausa.com/ruralinnovation/.
Email *
Contact name *
Contact phone number *
Contact email address *
Business name (if applicable--unnamed startup concepts are also welcome to apply)
Business address *
Business website (if applicable)
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and what motivated you to start this business? *
Briefly describe your business and business model (max 3 paragraphs)
 *
What has been your revenue to date? And what is your projected revenue for 2025?
Have you ever taken out a loan or taken on investors?
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If yes, how much of the business do you currently own?
How many employees do you have, and how many do you intend to have over the next 12 months?
Why are you interested in participating in the Rural Business Innovation Lab? (max 2 paragraphs)
 *
Please describe the business challenge(s) that you would like to address with your consultant. 
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How did you hear about the Rural Business Innovation Lab?
All RBIL participants will be required to complete brief periodic reports on their business venture, including job, wage, and revenue growth. This information will be kept confidential; it is only to be used anonymously in aggregate form for grant fund reporting. If selected to be part of RBIL, do you agree to fulfill this requirement? *
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