About
Twin Ignition Startup Garage was founded in 2018 by Seth Peter, Ben Rasmussen, and Scott Aubitz with the mission to strengthen the startup ecosystem in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities region through a hands-on incubation model. The organization operates as a collaborative venture that combines structured mentorship, operational support, and access to networks tailored for early-stage founders. The founders built Twin Ignition on the conviction that the Twin Cities possessed underutilized entrepreneurial talent and capital that could be activated through a more direct, founder-centric approach to startup development. Rather than operating as a traditional top-down fund, Twin Ignition functions as a membership-based community where founders gain access to experienced operators, peer networks, and practical guidance across product development, go-to-market strategy, and fundraising preparation. The organization focuses on supporting companies in their earliest stages, providing the operational scaffolding and mentorship necessary before founders pursue institutional venture capital. By maintaining deep roots in Minneapolis, Twin Ignition positions itself as a local champion of the region's entrepreneurial potential, working to retain talent and build sustainable businesses within the Twin Cities rather than simply exporting companies to coastal tech hubs. The model emphasizes repeatability and founder support over pure capital deployment, reflecting a belief that the right combination of mentorship, community, and strategic guidance can dramatically improve early-stage startup survival rates and outcomes. Twin Ignition has become recognized as a key institution in Minnesota's startup infrastructure, bridging the gap between founder ambition and the resources necessary to validate ideas and achieve product-market fit.