Neela Mollgaard, Executive Director - Launch Minnesota. Neela was recently hired by the MN Department of Employment and Economic Development to help create an environment to support entrepreneurs, nurture tech startups and build a team that will kick off Launch Minnesota, a new program designed to foster an innovation ecosystem across the state that draws global attention, talent and capital.
Prior to joining Launch Minnesota, Neela was a founder of the nonprofit Red Wing Ignite, which supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and students to succeed in the 21st century economy. Neela has served in various leadership roles with local non-profit and philanthropic organizations. She has created a model in Greater Minnesota that has received national attention by forging partnerships with government, academic, corporate and organizational partners to develop an innovative ecosystem, including the creation of a regional makerspace at Minnesota State College Southeast, the Golden Triangle angel investment fund, a network to support entrepreneurs, and programs to grow the talent pipeline. She is a former member of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and chair and a founder of Women Cents, which brings women together to learn how national issues affect Red Wing children and families. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in community Health from the West Virginia University School of Medicine.
Prior to joining Launch Minnesota, Neela was a founder of the nonprofit Red Wing Ignite, which supports entrepreneurs, businesses, and students to succeed in the 21st century economy. Neela has served in various leadership roles with local non-profit and philanthropic organizations. She has created a model in Greater Minnesota that has received national attention by forging partnerships with government, academic, corporate and organizational partners to develop an innovative ecosystem, including the creation of a regional makerspace at Minnesota State College Southeast, the Golden Triangle angel investment fund, a network to support entrepreneurs, and programs to grow the talent pipeline. She is a former member of the Governor’s Task Force on Broadband and chair and a founder of Women Cents, which brings women together to learn how national issues affect Red Wing children and families. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in community Health from the West Virginia University School of Medicine.