What NEOO Partners does

NEOO Partners, Inc. is a Black-owned, mission-driven professional services firm specializing in creative urban planning, placemaking, and commercial real estate advisory. Founded in 2018 in Saint Paul, Minnesota by D'Angelos Svenkeson and Denetrick Powers, the firm operates through two regional entities — NEOO Midwest (St. Paul) and NEOO Deep South (Jackson, Mississippi) — and maintains a stated presence in six cities. Its core offerings are organized into seven service lines: Commercial Real Estate, Long-Range Planning, Technical Assistance, Community Development, Research Studies and Data Collection, Transit-Focused Planning, and New Developer Training, all delivered as project-based consulting engagements.

The firm does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its work product consists of master plans, feasibility and economic impact studies, community engagement deliverables, owner's-representation services, and developer training programs. Notable projects include the $302M Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment, the $300M+ Brooklyn Center 81-acre downtown plan, the $150M JXN Tech District in Jackson (partnered with an Amazon Applied Science Manager), the Ramsey County Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan, and the award-winning Rochester Riverfront Area Wide Plan. The company holds Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification in Minnesota and five additional Southeastern/South-Central states, which is a key procurement lever for federally funded infrastructure work.

NEOO generates revenue through professional services fees on a project-by-project basis, sourced predominantly via inbound referrals (the firm describes business development as "99 percent inbound") supplemented by competitive RFP responses. Its customer base is concentrated in U.S. municipal and county governments, with additional work for transit authorities, nonprofits, healthcare systems, and emerging BIPOC developers. The firm had approximately 23 employees as of August 2023, operates without institutional investment, and is wholly founder-owned.

Name

NEOO Partners

Legal name

NEOO Partners, Inc.

Website

https://neoopartners.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NEOO Partners is a Black-owned urban planning, placemaking, and commercial real estate consulting firm serving U.S. municipal governments, nonprofits, transit authorities, and emerging BIPOC developers with planning, community engagement, and owner's-representation services from offices in Saint Paul, Jackson, and four other cities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Urban Planning and Real Estate Consulting Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Public-Private Partnership (PPP) & Infrastructure-Adjacent Real Estate Advisory (BPAJANAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

Keywords

• Urban planning consulting
• Commercial real estate advisory
• Community engagement services
• Transit-oriented development
• Economic development strategy

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Paul

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Commercial Real Estate Advisory Services: Professional consulting services for small businesses, nonprofits, and emerging developers including lease negotiation, property acquisition support, and real estate transaction representation.
2. Urban Planning and Long-Range Planning Services: Comprehensive planning services for municipalities including master planning, transit-oriented development planning, and small area plans.
3. Community Engagement and Technical Assistance: Stakeholder engagement, community outreach, and technical assistance services for public and private sector clients on development projects.
4. Economic Development Consulting: Economic development strategy development, market analysis, feasibility studies, and inclusive growth planning for counties and cities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NEOO Partners is a Black-owned creative urban planning, placemaking, and real estate consulting firm delivering commercial real estate advisory, long-range municipal planning, community engagement, transit-oriented development planning, and technical assistance for emerging developers. Services are delivered through project-based consulting engagements for government agencies, nonprofits, and private developers, with a particular focus on community-centered development that engages BIPOC and underserved communities across 10 regions in the United States.

Product overview

NEOO Partners is a Black-owned real estate consulting and urban planning firm offering a comprehensive suite of services focused on community-centered development. The firm's core offerings include commercial real estate advisory services, long-range municipal planning, technical assistance for emerging developers, community engagement, and transit-focused planning. These services are delivered through project-based engagements across 10+ regions nationally. Notable project portfolios include transit corridor planning (Blue Line Extension, Purple Line), major mixed-use developments (Brooklyn Center, Upper Harbor Terminal, JXN Tech District), community facility development (Victoria Theater Arts Center, Neighborhood House), and economic inclusion strategies (Ramsey County ECI Plan, WeLoveLakeStreet Recovery). The firm also provides specialized programs like the Cultivate Arts engagement initiative and developer training services. NEOO operates from two locations: NEOO Midwest in St. Paul, MN and NEOO Deep South in Jackson, MS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Real Estate Services Advisory and representation services for small businesses and developers in commercial real estate transactions, including lease negotiation, property acquisition, and development support. Targeted at small businesses, nonprofits, and emerging developers that lack access to high-quality commercial real estate expertise.
• Long-Range Planning Municipal and regional planning services including comprehensive plans, fiscal analysis, master planning, and strategic planning for economic development. For city, county, and regional government clients.
• Technical Assistance One-on-one support and mentorship for emerging and diverse developers, including training, networking opportunities, and access to funding resources. For emerging and BIPOC real estate developers.
• Community Development Community-centered development strategies that engage residents, businesses, and stakeholders in shaping local projects and investment decisions. For municipalities, nonprofits, and developers seeking authentic community input.
• Community Engagement Services Stakeholder engagement, business outreach, and relationship-building services using the proprietary NEOO Way engagement model focused on truth, empathy, and transparency. For public and private sector clients on development projects.
• Research Studies and Data Collection Cultural corridors studies, SWOT analysis, cultural asset mapping, and market research services to inform planning and development decisions. For municipalities, transit agencies, and private developers.
• Transit-Focused Planning Transit-oriented development planning and station area planning for bus rapid transit and light rail corridors. For public transit agencies undertaking station area and corridor planning.
• Visioning and Master Planning Place-making, master planning, expansion planning, and visioning studies to create shared community visions for development. For municipalities, nonprofits, and private developers.
• New Developer Training Education programs for first-time real estate developers covering pre-development activities, funding sources, pro-forma development, and project scheduling. For emerging and BIPOC developers seeking to complete their first projects.
• Cultivate Arts Arts-based community engagement program that builds artist capacity and activates the creative economy through culturally representative activities along transit corridors. Engaged corridor communities at 35 different events with over 3,400 residents.
• WeLoveLakeStreet Recovery Fund Support Pre-development support services for businesses impacted by civil unrest, including education on funding sources, pro-forma development, and structuring development schedules. Helped 27 Lake Street businesses source vendors and financing for rebuilding.
• Brooklyn Center 15-Acre Pilot Site Development Owner's representative services for a $300M+ mixed-use development including 750+ housing units and a 30,000 SF BIPOC and immigrant entrepreneurship incubator and market plaza. For the City of Brooklyn Center.
• JXN Tech District Master planning and development management for a $150M, 14-acre tech district in Jackson, MS featuring 400+ housing units, innovation spaces, maker labs, and event venues. For JXN Tech District / Dr. Nashlie Sephus.
• Upper Harbor Terminal Redevelopment Master planning and community engagement for a $302M, 48-acre riverfront redevelopment including private development and public amenities.
• Victoria Theater Arts Center Owner's representation and development management for transforming a 100-year-old theater into an arts and community space in St. Paul's Frogtown and Rondo neighborhoods. For the Victoria Theater Arts Center nonprofit.
• Ramsey County ECI Plan County-wide economic development strategy designed to achieve inclusive economic growth for Ramsey County, in partnership with Fourth Economy, Center for Economic Inclusion, and MZ Strategies. Winner of the 2021 Excellence in Economic Development award. Engaged over 2,000 stakeholders during COVID-19.
• Ramsey County Emerging Developers Program Technical assistance and cohort learning program for emerging and diverse developers interested in affordable housing development, delivered in partnership with Baker Tilly and Ramsey County.

Quantifiable outcome

• Engaged over 2000 stakeholders during COVID-19 pandemic for Ramsey County ECI Plan
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fourth EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership with Fourth Economy, Center for Economic Inclusion, and MZ Strategies to develop Ramsey County's county-wide economic development strategy focused on inclusive economic growth.
• Baker TillycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Baker Tilly and Ramsey County to offer one-on-one technical assistance and cohort group learning to emerging and diverse developers interested in affordable housing development.
• Gamble AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGamble Associates led the Rochester Riverfront planning effort with NEOO as a subcontractor providing economic development and community engagement services. The $195,000 contract covered planning for 2.5 acres of city-owned land.
• SWA GroupminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSubcontractor on Rochester Riverfront project providing landscape architecture and planning services.
• OmloopminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSubcontractor on Rochester Riverfront project providing signage and wayfinding services.
• Duluth Library FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Duluth Library Foundation and MSR/LHB for architectural design to convert Downtown Library into a multi-purpose, regional community service center. City matching $150,000 grant.
• Wendel CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and engineering management firm leading River Cities Transit Center redevelopment. NEOO is a consultant on the project providing minority urban planning perspective.
• Marko Management ConsultantsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConsultant on Rock Region Metro River Cities Transit Center project.
• Crafton TullminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCivil engineering firm on Rock Region Metro River Cities Transit Center project.
• Willdan Financial ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEconomic development group on Rock Region Metro River Cities Transit Center project.
• Ecotone AnalyticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProject partner with NEOO for Delta Health System South Campus feasibility and economic impact study. Proposed objective data indicators for economic impact, retail gap analysis, and feasibility analysis.
• MIG, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally acclaimed planning firm leading City of Arlington's Comprehensive Plan update. NEOO providing market readiness studies and economic and fiscal impact analyses. MIG received 2023 Daniel Burnham Comprehensive Plan of the Year award.
• AlatuscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment partner for City of Brooklyn Center 15-acre Pilot Site redevelopment alongside People for Pride in Living and Resurrecting Faith World Ministries.
• People for Pride in LivingcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment partner for City of Brooklyn Center 15-acre Pilot Site redevelopment.
• Resurrecting Faith World MinistriescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDevelopment partner for City of Brooklyn Center 15-acre Pilot Site redevelopment.
• Dr. Nashlie Sephus (Amazon)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Sephus, Applied Science Manager for Amazon and Jackson native, partnered with NEOO to lead master planning and development execution for JXN Tech District. The $150M project is led by Dr. Sephus on 14 acres of vacant lots.
• Consortium and Sunnarborg DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Consortium and Sunnarborg Development for 10-acre housing development atop City of Duluth Enger Golf Course Driving Range. $80M+ total private development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• RCLCO: Real estate advisory and consulting firm providing market analysis, feasibility, and development strategy for large mixed-use and TOD projects; comparable in service mix (feasibility, market studies, advisory) to NEOO's commercial real estate practice.
• HR&A Advisors: National real estate and economic development advisory firm advising public and private sector clients on large-scale development strategy; comparable as a broader incumbent playing in the same RFP-driven economic development and TOD advisory space.
• Baker Tilly: Full-service advisory firm partnering with NEOO on the Ramsey County Emerging Developers Program; comparable as a broader incumbent providing economic development and affordable housing advisory that overlaps with NEOO's emerging-developer service line.

Direct peers

• SWA Group: Landscape architecture and planning firm subcontracted alongside NEOO on the Rochester Riverfront project; comparable as a planning-adjacent design consultancy frequently co-engaged on riverfront, park, and corridor plans.
• Raimi + Associates: Planning, economics, and sustainability consulting firm advising public agencies on equitable development, climate, and community planning; comparable as a similarly positioned planning consultancy with equity- and community-centered offerings.
• James Lima Planning + Development: Urban planning and real estate economics firm that co-led the City of St. Paul Downtown Investment Strategy with NEOO; directly comparable as a planning consultancy doing downtown and TOD economic strategies for municipal clients.
• TischlerBise: Fiscal and economic impact analysis firm serving municipalities and developers on fiscal impact studies and development feasibility; comparable as a niche consultancy frequently engaged alongside or by NEOO on municipal planning assignments.
• Fourth Economy: Economic development consulting firm that partnered with NEOO on the Ramsey County ECI Plan; comparable as a similarly sized, mission-oriented consulting firm advising counties and cities on inclusive growth strategy.
• MIG, Inc. Nationally acclaimed planning firm leading the City of Arlington Comprehensive Plan update with NEOO as subcontractor; comparable as a planning consultancy serving municipalities with similar comprehensive-plan and engagement workstreams.

Others

• WXY Studio: Urban design and architecture firm focused on civic, public realm, and community-centered projects; comparable as an adjacent design consultancy that often partners with community planners on the same municipal engagements NEOO targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/neoopartners
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/neoopartners

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 NEOO Partners