Smart North

We believe that in a post pandemic and George Floyd world, digital equity will become either a great equalizer or a great divider for Minnesota’s most marginalized communities. Smart North’s mission is to drive digital equity and transform livability in MN.Smart north is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

Our Story

Smart North is a Minnesota based, 501 C(3) organization with a mission to promote digital equity and improve the quality of life in the state. The organization works with underserved and BIPOC communities to establish community tech hubs and offer various services such as youth-led tech support, workforce training, services for adults, and a tech talent pipeline. The goal is to equalize opportunities and address the digital divide in the post-pandemic and post-George Floyd world.

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Smart North

We are executing our mission through three core pillars:

1

Advancing Digital Equity

In an effort to bridge the digital divide, our Community Tech Hubs offer a range of programs in 21st century skills to marginalized communities in Minnesota. These programs include mentorship, training, and career pathways for youth, adults, and small businesses.

2

Transforming Livability

Smart North has helped cities and communities across Minnesota learn, evaluate, and deploy smart and connected city solutions. By enabling these solutions, we hope communities can build resiliency and develop digital solutions for a post pandemic 21st century digital life, work and economy.

  • Smart Streetlights
    Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
  • Workforce Innovation Tech Committee
    Ramsey County, Minnesota.
  • Resilient Communities ProjectTowerside Innovation District, Minneapolis.

3

Cultivating Thought Leadership

Smart North hosts an annual event during the Twin Cities Start-Up Week on the ‘Future of our Cities and Communities’ to connect thought leaders, projects, and the ecosystem around digital equity, 21st Century Technologies, and the community. These events represent an effort to connect independent thinkers with similar interests under the familiar goal of bettering the world through digital tech.

  • For more information on this year’s Future of our Cities and Communities event and footage from last year, click here

Our Leadership

Smart North's Founders and Board Members

Sabina Saksena

CEO & Founder at Cytilife

Will Preble

CEO at Aeterna Media

Tayo Daniel

Co-Founder of Aeterna Media

Tom Fisher

Director at Minnesota Design Center, University of Minnesota

Ben Wallace

Co-founder of Minify Energy

Our Partners

Community Tech Hub: Sabathani

Community Tech Hub: Deer River

Smart Street Lights: Grand Rapids

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources, opportunities.

Why Community Tech Hubs?

Community Tech Hubs represent an effort to change the story for underserved communities and their youth. We believe that in a post pandemic and George Floyd world, digital equity will either become a great equalizer, or divider for Minnesota’s most marginalized communities. Smart North’s mission is to drive digital equity and transform livability in MN.

In the past two years, Smart North has doubled down on driving digital equity within underserved and under-addressed Minnesota communities with a Community Tech Hub initiative focused on providing youth 12- 20+ years access to the latest technology tools and skills to partake in the 21st-century opportunities. Our first location is in the George Floyd Square neighborhood at the Sabathani Community Center, in South Minneapolis.

Smart North has been actively working for a year with the community leaders, youth, and local organizations such as civic, public, private, academic, and entrepreneurial in the neighborhoods around George Floyd Square in Minneapolis to co-create this initiative..

Sign up for courses!

All Programming is focused on 21st century, niche-based skills that prepare students for emerging and future careers that are in high-demand. Our courses are co-created, supported and delivered by Knowledge and Industry Partners.
View our fall course schedule launching on November 28th and apply today.

Career Pathways Development

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Mental Health & Wellness

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Driving Digital Equity

One of our key initiatives is setting up Community Tech Hubs, which offer programs in 21st century skills. We provide grassroots access to training, mentorship, and career pathways for youth, adults, and small businesses in marginalized communities in Minnesota.

Get in Touch

Our collective of entrepreneurs, educators, designers, teachers, researchers, and professionals are united by shared values and beliefs regarding digital equity and livability, to shape the impact we strive to create.

Contact Us