In late 2008, Matt Norris and Asha Sharma, students at the University of Minnesota, began writing a business plan for a teen-run snack and apparel shop and submitted it to Ernst & Young’s “Your World, Your Vision” competition. Their plan won the international competition, and Ernst & Young provided the first $10,000 of funding needed to get the idea of the ground.
While The A-list was still only a dream on a piece of paper, Matt and Asha began to seek out additional funders to build on the seed grant they received from Ernst & Young.
A number of funders from various segments of the community stepped forward including large Fortune 500 companies, local private foundations, individuals, and small businesses. In all, over $300,000 was raised to support the launch of the idea and its continued operation.
The City of Brooklyn Park also embraced the idea and provided $75,000 for renovations. Shortly after that, The A-list secured a 5,400 square foot facility to become its future home. On April 29, 2011, The A-list opened its doors for the first time with a large grand opening ceremony and a dance attended by hundreds of teens.
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