We are excited to announce that Ashley Lowes, of Target Corp., has joined the Advisory Board of Launch Minnesota.

Ashley leads internal and external communications for Target’s technology, data sciences, and cybersecurity team. She works with press and other local and national stakeholders to highlight Target’s technology prowess and team. She also partners with Target’s chief information officer and other senior technology leaders on executive positioning and thought leadership.

Ashley joined Target earlier this year following several years leading global communications and marketing for JetBlue Technology Ventures, JetBlue Airways’ venture capital arm in Silicon Valley. She elevated the fund’s profile through media, content development, events, partnerships and social media. She also counseled 25+ portfolio companies on public relations strategies and helped design the fund’s platform program.

Ashley is new to Minnesota, coming from the Bay Area with her husband who is a Minneapolis native. She is also on the board of the Glen Nelson Center, an arm of American Public Media Group, which invests in and partners with emerging media and journalism ventures.

She will join the nine other members of the Launch Minnesota Advisory Board – all of whom have unique backgrounds in technology and entrepreneurship.

We know that growth of new businesses and startups always accelerates during economic downturns – and it’s critical that we help foster their growth now.

In November, Launch Minnesota held an online event marking the first anniversary of the program and celebrating Minnesota’s startup community.

Launch Minnesota provides financial incentives, training, and grants to technology startups. So far, it has awarded nearly $2.4 million in grants to 77 startups. Just over $820,000 remains to be granted this fiscal year.

This program was created with bipartisan support during the 2019 legislative session. It provides special consideration for startups in Greater Minnesota, as well as businesses started by women, veterans and people of color.

Launch Minnesota aims to serve as a front door for Minnesota’s startup community, connecting entrepreneurs and organizations across the state with each other and with the state’s wealth of resources.

The Launch MN Network – which began forming in March – unites six regions, seven hubs and over 60 public and private partners to improve coordination and increase capacity across the state’s startup ecosystem.

Growing entrepreneurial talent is also a priority for Launch Minnesota. It has partnered with the University of Minnesota to help create and host the Minnesota Expert Exchange and on expanding lean startup education.

Thank you to Ashley and to the other Launch Minnesota Advisory Board members for stepping forward to serve. Your work makes a tremendous difference.