Redesign

What Redesign does

Redesign Inc. (legally Seward Redesign, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) founded in 1969 and headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with EIN 23-7290844. The organization develops and preserves affordable housing, owns and manages commercial real estate, and provides technical assistance, lending, and coworking services to small businesses in the five neighborhoods of Greater Longfellow (Seward, Longfellow, Cooper, Howe, and Hiawatha) in South Minneapolis. Redesign operates an integrated model that combines real estate development with community-based business services targeted at BIPOC, immigrant, and women entrepreneurs.

The organization's core products span four lines: affordable housing (over 900 units developed or preserved, including Seward Towers at 640 units, The Cooperage at 60 units, Wadaag Commons at 39 units, and The Bessemer at 128 units); commercial property management of approximately 100,000 square feet across 9 properties serving 45 small business and nonprofit tenants supporting over 300 jobs; the Longfellow Collaboration Hub coworking space (floating desks at $250/month, dedicated desks at $350/month); and small business support services including low-interest and profit-based business lending, one-on-one consulting and technical assistance (700+ hours annually to 100+ businesses), and storefront improvement grants of up to $5,000. The organization is also partnering with Ever-Green Energy to develop Longfellow Community Energy, a nonprofit district geothermal utility.

Redesign's revenue model combines earned rental income from commercial and residential properties with philanthropic grants from foundations (McKnight Foundation, Target Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, The Minneapolis Foundation, Shavlik Family Foundation), corporate sponsors (Ameriprise Financial, BMO Harris), and government contracts (City of Minneapolis, Minnesota DEED). Distribution is direct-to-customer through relationship-based engagement and partner referrals from neighborhood organizations and business associations. The organization is governed by a resident-led volunteer Board of Directors and operates with a lean internal staff of approximately 7 employees, supplemented by partner organizations such as CommonBond Communities for housing operations.

Name

Redesign

Legal name

Redesign Inc.

Website

https://redesigninc.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Redesign is a non-profit corporation that provides real estate development services for residential and commercial properties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development Real Estate Services

NAICS

Residential Remodelers (236118), Residential Building Construction (23611), New Multifamily Housing Construction (except For-Sale Builders) (236116), Residential Building Construction (2361)

SIC

General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Renovation, Remodeling & Tenant Improvements (General Contracting) (IMAFAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Structural Expansion (Foundation, Framing & Load-Bearing Modifications) (HSAPADAN), Full Gut Renovation (Studs-Out Remodel) (HSAPAEAA), Independent Living Community Development & Construction (Senior Housing Developers) (HLADAAAH)

Keywords

• Community development corporation
• Affordable housing development
• Commercial real estate management
• Small business technical assistance
• Coworking space operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Philanthropic Support and Grants: Sustains operations through philanthropic support from foundations, corporations, and government funders including McKnight Foundation, Target Foundation, Xcel Energy Foundation, and various banks.
2. Business Technical Assistance Services: Provides comprehensive business assistance including consulting, technical assistance, and storefront improvement programs. Funded in part by Ameriprise Financial, BMO Harris, City of Minneapolis, and other partners.
3. Low-Interest Business Lending: Offers low-interest and profit-based small business financing to entrepreneurs for expansion, equipment acquisition, or relocation to the service area.
4. Residential Housing Rent: Developed or preserved over 900 units of affordable and market-rate housing including Seward Towers (640 units), The Cooperage (60 units), Matthews Park (24 units), and others.
5. Government Contracts: Government contracts support operational sustainability alongside philanthropic funding.
6. Commercial and Industrial Space Rent: Owns and manages nearly 100,000 square feet of commercial and industrial space across 9 properties, generating rental income from small business and nonprofit tenants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Redesign is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation that develops, owns, and manages affordable housing and commercial real estate in South Minneapolis while delivering small business support services including consulting, technical assistance, low-interest lending, and storefront improvement grants. The organization also operates the Longfellow Collaboration Hub coworking space and partners with community-based developers to expand BIPOC-owned commercial real estate.

Product overview

Redesign Inc. is a nonprofit Community Development Corporation (CDC) providing community development services through an integrated portfolio of real estate and business support products. The organization operates a property management division owning and managing 20 commercial and residential properties, a Longfellow Collaboration Hub coworking space, small business support services including lending and technical assistance, and affordable housing development. Key products include commercial property leasing, the Historic Coliseum Building multi-tenant commercial space, business financing programs, and housing developments across the Greater Longfellow neighborhood. The portfolio spans nearly 100,000 square feet of commercial space supporting 45 small business tenants and over 900 units of housing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Property Management Owns and manages approximately 100,000-105,000 square feet of commercial and industrial space across 9 properties, providing affordable space to 45 small business and nonprofit tenants and supporting over 300 jobs in Greater Longfellow.
• Affordable Housing Development Develops and preserves affordable and market-rate housing in South Minneapolis, with over 900 units developed or preserved including Seward Towers (640 units), The Cooperage (60 units), Matthews Park (24 units), The Bessemer (128 units), and Wadaag Commons (39 units).
• Longfellow Collaboration Hub A coworking workspace at 2708 East Lake Street offering Floating Desk memberships at $250/person/month, Dedicated Desk memberships at $350/desk/month, plus a $100/month organization access fee. Includes 24/7 access, conference room booking, mailing address services, concierge, Wi-Fi, kitchenette, and other amenities for entrepreneurs and mission-driven community organizations.
• Small Business Technical Assistance Comprehensive one-on-one business consulting and technical assistance delivering 700+ hours of service annually to 100+ small businesses, covering financing navigation, marketing, real estate development support, and operational guidance for BIPOC, immigrant, and women entrepreneurs in Greater Longfellow.
• Small Business Lending Low-interest and profit-based small business financing offered to entrepreneurs for business expansion, equipment acquisition, or relocation to the Greater Longfellow service area, provided through partnership with other lenders.
• Storefront Improvement Program Façade improvement matching grants of up to $5,000 available to eligible businesses in designated areas of Minneapolis through the City of Minneapolis Great Streets program, supporting investments in marketing, windows, signage, placemaking, and walkability improvements.
• The Historic Coliseum Building A restored 1917 landmark building at 2700 East Lake Street providing over 70,000 square feet of flexible commercial space for 14 small business and nonprofit tenants, redeveloped through a community ownership model to advance equitable, community-rooted real estate.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700+ hours of one-on-one service to 100+ small businesses annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core partnership, development partner, strategic initiative, service provider and coalition partner.

• CommonBond Communitiescore partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for The Cooperage senior housing development (60 units) and Seward Towers preservation (640 units). CommonBond provides affordable housing services and property management expertise.
• Schafer Richardsondevelopment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for The Bessemer (128 units of market-rate housing), the first apartment building in the Seward neighborhood built without income limits in 40 years.
• Noor Companiesdevelopment partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEast African woman-owned development company partnered on The Bessemer and Wadaag Commons (39-unit affordable housing with community co-design).
• Ever-Green Energystrategic initiativeTechnology or IntegrationPartnering to develop Longfellow Community Energy, a nonprofit district energy utility that would deliver low-carbon heating and cooling through geothermal energy network.
• Alicia Belton (Urban Design Perspectives)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to stabilize and rehabilitate the Historic Coliseum Building as part of community ownership model supporting BIPOC entrepreneurs.
• Janice Downing (CommonSense Consulting@Work)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Coliseum Building redevelopment, providing consulting expertise for the community-rooted real estate project.
• Chris & Shanelle Montana (Du Nord Social Spirits)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIPOC business owners partnering on Coliseum Building restoration, advancing equitable development and community ownership models.
• Worku Mindaye (Shega Foods)core partnershipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity entrepreneur partner in 50/50 co-ownership of 2610 East 32nd Street, representing innovative community ownership model with first-time developer of color.
• Locus Architectureservice providerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerArchitecture firm partnered to support restaurant kitchen buildout and improve building exterior at 3300 East Lake Street for Sonora Grill.
• Lake Street Councilcoalition partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Lake Street Recovery coalition focused on rebuilding corridor after 2020 civil unrest with economic justice focus.
• City of Lakes Commercial Land Trustcoalition partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand trust partner in Lake Street Recovery coalition working on community ownership models.
• Neighborhood Development Corporationcoalition partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC partner in Lake Street Recovery coalition supporting economic development.
• Latino Economic Development Centercoalition partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic development organization partner in Lake Street Recovery coalition focused on Latino community support.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• City of Lakes Community Land Trust: Minneapolis land trust preserving permanently affordable homeownership, founded by Redesign board member Cara Letofsky. Comparable to Redesign's mission of preventing displacement and preserving community-controlled real estate in Minneapolis.
• CommonBond Communities: Twin Cities-based affordable housing nonprofit and direct co-development partner with Redesign on Seward Towers (640 units) and The Cooperage (60 units of senior housing). Highly comparable as a regional nonprofit developer/manager of affordable multifamily housing.
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL): Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, employment training, and family services. Highly comparable to Redesign as a community development organization combining housing, workforce, and economic opportunity programming in the Twin Cities.
• Aeon: Minneapolis-based nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable housing with thousands of units across the Twin Cities. Directly comparable to Redesign's affordable housing development and property management operations.
• Neighborhood Development Center (NDC): St. Paul-based CDC supporting BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurs with business development, technical assistance, and commercial real estate. Highly comparable in mission and small business support focus, with Gabriela Ortiz-Riera having interned there.
• Urban Homeworks: St. Paul-based CDC focused on affordable housing development and community development in the Twin Cities. Comparable to Redesign as a faith-rooted, neighborhood-based community development corporation.
• Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative: Twin Cities-based collaborative of congregations developing and operating supportive and affordable housing. Comparable to Redesign's affordable housing pipeline and community-ownership ethos.
• Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC): Minneapolis-based nonprofit supporting Latino and other small business owners with technical assistance, lending, and commercial space. Coalition partner in Lake Street Recovery and directly comparable to Redesign's business support services for underserved entrepreneurs.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Community Partners: National nonprofit CDFI investing in affordable housing and community development across the U.S. Comparable to Redesign as a major funder/peer in the affordable housing and community development ecosystem, though operating at much larger scale and national scope.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI supporting CDCs and community development, and an active Lake Street Recovery coalition partner with Redesign. Comparable in mission and program mix (lending, technical assistance, real estate) but operating at far greater scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SewardRedesign
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/redesign-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Redesign