Elevate Northland

What Elevate Northland does

Elevate Northland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Community Development Corporation founded in 2018-2019 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, where it manages 43,000 square feet of coworking, co-warehousing, and event space at the intersection of Morse Road and I-71. The organization serves a multicultural Northland neighborhood that is home to the nation's largest Bhutanese-Nepali population and the second-largest Somali population in the United States, with additional focus on New American entrepreneurs, immigrant-owned small businesses, and community-serving nonprofits. Its operational footprint includes office rentals, warehouse space starting at $1.20 per square foot, dedicated bays with garage access at $1.35 per square foot, and an open lobby event space available at $25 per hour for groups up to 50 people.

The organization's programmatic portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) the B.E.G.I.N. (Building Entrepreneurs in Northland Growth Network) free business training program, delivered in partnership with Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services and funded by Chase Bank, which teaches immigrant entrepreneurs about US business paperwork, banking systems, taxes, and government navigation with translation services; (2) the newly designated Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), selected by the State of Ohio in July 2026 to serve entrepreneurs across nine Central Ohio counties; and (3) community-building events including the annual Northland Unity Festival, youth symposiums, and the Northland Market. Supporting digital assets include the Northland Global District Restaurant Map (an interactive OpenStreetMap-based directory of 80+ international restaurants) and an Online Vendors marketplace featuring local makers. Facility expansion with new community rooms and AV-equipped meeting space is scheduled for Spring 2026.

Revenue is generated through three streams: monthly space rental income from small businesses and nonprofits, grants and donations from foundations (Columbus Foundation, Center for Human Kindness), corporate sponsors (First Merchants, Fifth Third Bank, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Chase Bank), and government sources (City of Columbus), and program fees for entrepreneurship training. The organization reported receiving over $225,500 in grants in 2025 and $70,000 in additional commitments in 2026 for the MBAC launch. Operating with a lean team of approximately 5 employees under Executive Director Lynnise Smith (appointed 2025), Elevate Northland is governed by a board chaired by co-founder Alice Foeller, with co-founder Jenny Leal also serving on the board. The organization does not disclose annual revenue, operates without external equity, and holds no patents or proprietary technology assets beyond its community-built digital directories.

Name

Elevate Northland

Legal name

Elevate Northland

Website

https://elevatenorthland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Elevate Northland is a 501(c)(3) community development corporation operating a 43,000 sq ft coworking, co-warehousing, and event center in Columbus, Ohio's Northland neighborhood, serving immigrant entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits across Central Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Development and Business Incubation Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Business Service Centers (56143), Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

Keywords

• Community development services
• Coworking and co-warehousing
• Entrepreneurship training
• Minority business assistance
• Nonprofit workspace rental

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbus, OH

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Space Rental Income: Monthly rental of office, warehouse, and meeting space to small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs. Revenue generated from flexible membership tiers and per-hour event space rental.
2. Grants and Donations: Funding from foundations (Columbus Foundation, Center for Human Kindness), corporate partners (First Merchants, Fifth Third Bank, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants), and government sources (City of Columbus). Grants support capital improvements, facility renovations, and community programming.
3. Program Fees: Revenue from entrepreneurship training programs like B.E.G.I.N. (Building Entrepreneurs in Northland Growth Network), which partners with ETSS and is sponsored by Chase Bank.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Elevate Northland is a Community Development Corporation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit that manages 43,000 square feet of coworking, co-warehousing, and event space at Morse Road and I-71 in Columbus, Ohio. The organization rents office, warehouse, meeting, and event space to small businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs, and delivers entrepreneurship training (B.E.G.I.N.) and one-on-one business advising through the State of Ohio-funded Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center serving nine Central Ohio counties.

Product overview

Elevate Northland is a community development corporation and 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a physical hub for small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations. The organization manages 43,000 square feet at Morse Road and I-71, offering coworking space, cowarehousing, and event rental services. Its programmatic offerings include the B.E.G.I.N. Business Training program for entrepreneurs and the Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center for Central Ohio. The organization also operates an online restaurant directory (Northland Global District Restaurant Map) and vendor marketplace, alongside community events like the annual Northland Unity Festival. The portfolio functions as a coordinated ecosystem: physical space provides infrastructure while training programs and business assistance services support economic development and entrepreneurship within the diverse Northland community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• B.E.G.I.N. Building Entrepreneurs in Northland Growth Network - a free business startup training program for international residents and New Americans, offered in partnership with ETSS and funded by Chase Bank.
• Northland Unity Festival
• Tier 1 Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC)

Products and services

• Coworking and Co-warehousing Space

Quantifiable outcome

• Served 506 families across 25 ZIP codes with 4,554 meals through Our Helpers partnership (November 2025)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Partner in delivering specialized small business startup classes for international residents and New Americans through the B.E.G.I.N. program. ETSS provides expertise in serving immigrant communities.
• The Ohio State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Supporting partner in the MBAC coalition committed to expanding economic opportunity throughout Central Ohio's business support ecosystem.
• Northland Community CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Quasi-governmental organization supporting civic life in Northland. Provided support letter for MBAC application; President Christine Osero voiced public endorsement of Elevate Northland's regional leadership role.
• Northland AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Nonprofit community organization that Elevate Northland is part of, working together on community branding initiatives and gathering feedback to shape Northland's future.
• Morse Road Special Improvement DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Community partner supporting the MBAC coalition for regional economic development in the Morse Road corridor and greater Northland area.
• Freedom EquityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Supporting partner in the broad MBAC coalition committed to strengthening entrepreneurship and economic opportunity throughout the region.
• Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Community partner supporting MBAC application, representing Northland's largest immigrant population group (Bhutanese-Nepali community).
• New African Immigrants CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Community partner supporting MBAC application, representing Northland's significant African immigrant population including the second largest Somali community in the nation.
• MLW SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Supporting partner in the MBAC coalition providing expertise for entrepreneurial support services.
• Kitchen DeliciousminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2026Supporting partner in the MBAC coalition representing food business entrepreneurship in the community.
• Lead the Way Learning AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2026Venue partner for the 2026 Youth Symposium: Lead Where You Are, providing space for students ages 12-18 to learn about leadership development.
• Delta Omicron Sigma Alumnae Chapter, Sigma Gamma Rho SororityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2026Co-organizer of the 2026 Youth Symposium focused on developing next-generation community leaders in Columbus.
• COTA (Central Ohio Transit Authority)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Provided 200 Day Passes as in-kind transit support to help remove barriers for residents accessing the center and community resources.
• Our HelperscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Nonprofit tenant operating Community Free Store from Elevate Northland warehouse space. Elevate Northland stepped in to support when Our Helpers faced a funding crisis in mid-2025, ensuring the Free Store remained open to serve immigrant and refugee families.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Make City: Nonprofit community development organization supporting small business and creative economy in underserved neighborhoods; comparable mission to Elevate Northland's neighborhood-based economic revitalization work.

Broad incumbents

• Industrious: Premium national coworking and flexible office operator; comparable core product (coworking/event space rental) to Elevate Northland's Center, though serving enterprise clients rather than nonprofits/immigrant entrepreneurs.

Direct peers

• BUILD: Youth entrepreneurship education nonprofit teaching business skills to high school students in underserved communities; comparable to Elevate Northland's youth symposium programming and community-facing entrepreneurship training.
• Pacific Community Ventures: Nonprofit providing one-on-one business advising and capital access to under-resourced entrepreneurs; parallels Elevate Northland's MBAC advising model and B.E.G.I.N. training cohort approach.
• DreamSpring: CDFI delivering microloans, advising, and training to small business owners, especially women, people of color, and immigrants; comparable funding mix (corporate/bank partners) and target entrepreneur profile to Elevate Northland.
• Accion Opportunity Fund: CDFI providing small business loans and bilingual advising to underserved entrepreneurs; comparable immigrant-focused training and bank-funded model.
• Enterprise Community Partners: National community development nonprofit combining affordable real estate with economic opportunity programs; comparable in pairing physical asset stewardship (like the 43,000 sq ft Elevate Northland Center) with small business and community programming.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI that finances and supports local community development efforts, including coworking/community facilities and small business support in underserved neighborhoods; closely matches Elevate Northland's mix of physical infrastructure and place-based economic development.
• Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE): Nonprofit delivering entrepreneurship curricula and teacher training in under-resourced schools; parallels B.E.G.I.N. training format and mission of building business skills in diverse communities.
• Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC): Nonprofit focused on economic development in distressed urban communities, providing business advising, capital access, and research; comparable to Elevate Northland's MBAC and B.E.G.I.N. programming serving immigrant entrepreneurs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/elevatenorthlandcbus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elevate-northland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Elevate Northland