Code Switch is a civic hackathon in which community members work on data and technology projects to create positive change.

Techies AND non-techies are welcome — entrepreneurs, artists, educators, developers, business professionals, and concerned residents. Projects can use coding, data, storytelling, and more! Ideas and solutions can be proposed by anybody (yes, anybody). You don’t need a detailed plan, only a desire for change.

This year’s theme is Reimagining 911, from Code for America’s National Day of Civic Hacking.

More details and free registration can be found at: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/code-switch-2021-national-day-of-civic-hacking-virtual-hackathon-kickoff-registration-165174931667

Minnesota Innovates invites Founders, whose problem solution has a technology component, to participate in a special offering of its signature Mentor Mornings. At TCSW, Founders will meet in small groups to share their concerns with mentors who have experience in various fields of technology, as well as, legal, financing, starting and scaling, marketing, sales, data analysis, customer validation and strategic development experience. The casual and welcoming setting provides opportunities to glean helpful insight and fosters enhanced access to people and resources that can support a Founder’s startup journey.

REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE AN APPOINTMENT

We will provide Startup Week participants with an opportunity to meet with attorneys from the firm’s “Winthrop Accelerate” program, which is specifically designed to counsel Founders on issues commonly encountered by growth-stage companies.  Each meeting will be 30 minutes and will take the format best suited to the needs of the particular participant (e.g., discussion of questions or issues facing a particular company, initial review company organizational documents, address options for capital and governance structures and/or other topics necessary to provide a solid foundation to successfully operate and raise capital). After the meeting, Founders will also have access to our suite of complimentary agreements specifically tailored for Founders and their growth-stage ventures, including non-disclosure agreements; sample employment, independent contractor and advisor agreements; and/or confidential information and inventions assignment agreements.  

The annual $4 billion in federal, non-dilutive funding offered through the SBIR/STTR programs is often a critical milestone in moving an entrepreneur’s research idea from concept to commercial product/services. Small business (startups and existing) across the country engage with the programs to de-risk their innovations toward new products, services and/or processes. The Small Business Administration and the 11 federal agencies are committed to making sure innovators – particularly women and minorities are aware of the SBIR and STTR programs and gain a higher percentage of that funding moving forward.

The Minnesota SBIR/STTR Accelerator™ facilitates the commercialization of deep tech ideas, concepts and projects by leveraging federal research and development funding to small business in collaboration with government, industry, and academia.

SBIR/STTR funding is all about commercializing a novel product, service or process for domestic and international markets. There is no limit to the amount of funding or awards a small business can be awarded. The funding is awarded via a federal grant or contract, based on the agency.

Get started today to learn if your novel idea or project is a good fit with the programs. These programs are HIGHLY COMPETITIVE. Forming a research collaboration with other entities (academic, medical, federal laboratories, etc.) are highly encouraged.

This presentation is designed to help founders better understand the bookkeeping process and basic concepts. Good bookkeeping practices are an integral part of building a healthy business.

Whether you are seeking to raise debt, secure equity financing, sell your business or partner with a strategic investor, you will need to be prepared. Hear from four successful entrepreneurs on their experiences raising capital and the keys to being adequately prepared.

The EMERGENT AFRICA FORUM (EAF) is the signature event of the Africa Chamber of Digital Commerce (ACOFDC Inc.), a non-profit organization headquartered in Minnesota; a gateway to the community (Diaspora) and the continent (Africa).The EAF is a Digital confluence of elevated ideas and mindset; a solution focused event that seeks to accelerate tech Investments in Africa and Diaspora community in strategic and impactful ways. The EAF seeks to bring together professionals, founders, investors and the public sector from Africa and the diaspora nations to showcase innovations, celebrate accomplishments, seal deals and foster a private-public partnership ecosystem.

Finding an office is a huge step for a startup. We’ll provide you with lunch (Fuzzy's Taco Shop, anyone?) and a road map to make finding your startup’s dedicated office space an easy and informed process. In our session, we’ll show you the best ways to calculate how much space you actually need, finding space through online tools, what to look for when touring spaces, negotiating lease terms, and ultimately moving into your new space. And, at the end of our session, you’ll walk away with all of these tools at your fingertips so that you can manage the process with confidence. 

*NOTE - Lunches will be individually packaged for health and safety.

New York Times technology journalist and bestselling author, Kevin Roose, will discuss the age of automation in a conversation with leadership from local venture studio DNT BLNK. They will explore how we, as humans, can be happy and successful in a world built by and for machines. Kevin’s most recent book, “Futureproof: 9 Rules for Humans in the Age of Automation'' addresses the pervasive impact of artificial intelligence on our lives and jobs. In a discussion with attendees, Kevin will examine the uniquely human skills - creative, inspiring, and meaningful things - that differentiate people from machines.

Making (and communicating) meaningful progress on strategic sustainability plans is a must for any retailer or brand today. Yet, so many organizations struggle to take the first steps. I believe that the Circular Economy is a straightforward, actionable, and proven framework to effectively jump-starting sustainability efforts. I am excited to share this concept with retailers and their partners in an approachable, informative way.

Creating Multiple Streams of Income

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Looking for a new gig or way to plug into the MN tech ecosystem? Join us at the Job & Opportunities Fair during Twin Cities Startup Week!

With 55% of people currently considering looking for a new job, it's time to connect community members and job seekers with some fabulous companies and organizations. During Twin Cities Startup Week we are putting on our first ever Job and Opportunities Fair - enjoy free food & drinks, get plugged into your community and learn about job opportunities at some of the best companies around.

Participating Companies

• Livefront
• SPS Commerce
• Total Expert
• OST (Open Systems Technologies)
• Kipsu
• SportsEngine
• Buzzfeed
• Granicus
• Soona
• Wagento
• SDG (Solution Design Group)
• Lone Wolf Technologies

COVID Guidelines

This will be hosted at Malcolm Yards - in a private space room with ample air flow (garage doors open to outside). In accordance with Twin Cities Startup Week guidelines we are requiring proof of vaccination or negative COVID test for all attendees, and will ask folks to mask up while indoors (and not eating/drinking).


Looking forward to seeing you at this awesome event!

Join us for a panel discussion and networking event with Venture Capitalists, Business Leaders, and Startup Founders around how the Future of work will look including how benefits and incentives are provided to employees in companies.  This will be an opportunity to see what other companies are looking at for strategies around work to attract and retain talent in their organizations.  Food and beverages will be provided at the event that will take place in the West End at the TeaWomen/Twin Cities Film Fest new offices.  Free parking is available in the West End.  Please join us for this event on Monday of Startup Week!

REGISTER HERE TO RESERVE AN APPOINTMENT

We will provide Startup Week participants with an opportunity to meet with attorneys from the firm’s “Winthrop Accelerate” program, which is specifically designed to counsel Founders on issues commonly encountered by growth-stage companies.  Each meeting will be 30 minutes and will take the format best suited to the needs of the particular participant (e.g., discussion of questions or issues facing a particular company, initial review company organizational documents, address options for capital and governance structures and/or other topics necessary to provide a solid foundation to successfully operate and raise capital). After the meeting, Founders will also have access to our suite of complimentary agreements specifically tailored for Founders and their growth-stage ventures, including non-disclosure agreements; sample employment, independent contractor and advisor agreements; and/or confidential information and inventions assignment agreements.  

As a founder, whether you are funded or self-funded, the pressure to bring in new customers consistently can cause a ton of stress. And as an investor, to see a return, your portfolio has to have companies that excel at selling.

We'll cover ways to create consistent sales opportunities that not only make your investors happy but also give you the confidence and capital needed to build your vision.

Featuring perspectives from Founders, Investors, & Closer's Sales Guru Mickeli Bedore, you will walk away with tangible knowledge you can put to work immediately.

See you there!

During this bore-free training, I will share everything you need to know on how to get more clients with ease even if sales is your kryptonite. **In less than 30 minutes, you'll: ** (1) Learn about what a sales funnel is & why it's important in your business (it’s so much simpler than you think & yet not a lot of people are doing this right) (2) Get a step-by-step process you can follow to get your offer in the hands of more clients ASAP. These are the Critical Success Factors you need to focus on instead of fumbling around like some entrepreneurs wind up doing (3) Walk away from the training equipped with a list of tools you can leverage for your business so you can wake up to a list of new clients waiting to work with you every single day!

When developing a product – be it an app, device, or website – entrepreneurs and developers work as a team. Communication is key for many reasons. It is critical that you, as the startup, go into the first meeting with your development agency with a common vocabulary in order to set the expectations and scope of the project. Misunderstandings can be costly in time and money. In this talk, I will guide you through common developer jargon – like “MVP”, “wireframe” and “sprint” – so you can work effectively with your developers using a common vocabulary. I hope to answer the questions you’re afraid to ask – or didn’t even know you needed answered.  In my years working with entrepreneurs, I’ve seen how simple misunderstandings can lead to major setbacks, and I want to help you get started on the right foot.

Topic: A Common Vocabulary for Developers & Entrpreneurs - Andy Rahn
Time: Sep 21, 2021 12:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

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Meeting ID: 812 1522 8831
Passcode: 374677
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kby57NKZL

We will share some tools and tips on how to easily create video that stands out. These will include lighting, audio, 360 video, live video and drones. This is an active sessions and questions are a big part.

Join Liz Giorgi the ceo & co-founder of soona, the fast casual content experience, share 3 ways you can wake up your B2B content and stop putting your customers to sleep. Liz will be breaking down the B2B (aka boring to boring) box to teach you the basics to👇 ✨inject joy into the voice of your brand ✨identify ways to go from industry speak to human speak ✨how to get your leadership team on board to a new approach to marketing

You already know that solid content is crucial for successful INBOUND marketing, so why isn't your content paying for itself? We'll review the most effective best practices for content marketing, and dive deeply into common mistakes even sophisticated marketers make at the most crucial moment: conversion. Your marketing should always pay for itself, let's workshop how.  

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

Looking to make decisions about your product, marketing, pricing, or brand strategy?  A thoughtful research roadmap will help you make smart, strategic, and informed business decisions. 

In this session, Fusion Hill’s VP of Research & Strategy, Amy Behrens, and VP of Business Strategy, Nina Gazel, will give you the 411 on all things customer and market research. You will come away from the session with a clear understanding of the integral role customer research should play in your growth strategy and how to make it happen at any stage of your business journey.

Every business needs a constant flow of new customers to ensure that it thrives in the long term. This workshop will explore 3 guiding principles to create a marketing machine so that your business has consistent quality leads. Attend this workshop if you would like help on making marketing theory relevant to your business. This is an interactive session and you will leave this workshop with the following:

1. Powerful insights and 'aha' moments for your business 2. A focused action plan to implement in your business 3. A free 1:1 follow-up strategy session with a Business Coach to plan your business growth

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

From pitching your business, raising money, recruiting talent and leading your teams, effectively channeling your own personal brand and networks can have a tremendous impact on your success.  

Learn tips and tricks behind successful PR strategies and fundraising campaigns.  
Alexis Walsko brings 22 years of experience as founder, marketer and leader to a conversation about how best to present yourself and your company to support your growing business.

**Don’t Have a Plan, Build a Strategy: How to Recognize and Prioritize Marketing Opportunities**

Posting to Facebook. Sending email newsletters. Landing pages. Search ads. If you have a good budget and you do them as part of your marketing plan, they’ll probably yield some results.

But if you’re short on time, money, or even marketing talent, then it can be a slow and costly path to growth.

A high-performing marketing strategy has two core elements: A mechanism to recognize opportunities, and a method to prioritize them. 

In this talk, I’ll show you my very simple, well-tested approach to each of these elements and provide you with templates for you to leverage for your own marketing strategy. When executed well, you can expect more impact from less effort in the short term, which gives you even more opportunity in the long term.

Join us for a relaxed, happy hour discussion about a serious topic, privacy. It may not be flashy, but it's critical to your business and the success of your marketing plans. 

April 2021, Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency, upending modern digital marketing and forcing marketers to adapt. ATT wasn't the first significant change to privacy in recent years (👋 GDPR), and it won't be the last. 

This fall, with the release of iOS 15, Apple will release Mail Privacy Protection which will dramatically impact how you measure the success of your email marketing campaigns. Open rates for email will essentially become a meaningless and unreliable measurement. 

Government regulations, device maker policies, and consumer awareness about privacy are changing rapidly, and the impact is not limited to just tech companies. For example, if you're a coffee shop with an Instagram and an email list, you need to consider consumer privacy as part of your overall marketing strategy. 

In this session, we'll discuss the current state of privacy, what has changed in recent years, and how you can adapt to the changing world and ensure your marketing dollars are still generating a return.

Theme: Illuminating Africa And The Diaspora.

The EMERGENT AFRICA FORUM is the signature event of the Africa Chamber of Digital Commerce (ACOFDC Inc.). A non-profit organization headquartered in Minnesota and serves as a gateway to the Africans in diaspora community and the continent of Africa. The EAF is a Digital confluence of elevated ideas and mindset. A solution focused event that seeks to illuminate and accelerate tech Investments in Africa and Diaspora community in strategic and impactful ways. The EAF seeks to bring together professionals, founders, investors and the public sector from Africa and the diaspora nations to showcase innovations, celebrate accomplishments, seal deals and foster a private-public partnership ecosystem.

Building a network is a shortcut for growth. Whether you are creating a board of advisors or looking for funding or employees you want to have a strategy for who to reach and how to build relationships. Start identifying who you want to meet and where you would find them. As well you can learn specific tips and blueprints for how to grow your network with confidence.

When launching a new venture, personal development is probably not at the top of your to-do list. Yet your greatest asset is yourself, and research has found that the strongest predictor of your startup success is your capacity to innovate. Innovativeness is essential to launching any new business venture, and that capability is determined by your mindset. But mindset is one of the most neglected capabilities by entrepreneurs. One that if addressed will dramatically shift your probability of success and the value you create.

In this session, you will discover a simple intuitive framework you can use to develop your innovativeness, and learn about tools you can use to gain high value feedback and measure your progress. Invest your time and resources where they will have the most impact on your venture—on yourself.

Are you at times, or often, self-critical or blame others for things that don’t go the way you want them to? Do you find it difficult to see challenges as opportunities? Do you ever feel you are in a rut and don’t know how to get out? If so, this workshop was designed for you. Positive Intelligence is a measure of your Mental Fitness, called PQ (Positive Intelligence Quotient). If you’re mentally fit, you can handle life’s great challenges without mental stress or other negative emotions. You’ll be happier and perform better.

Shipping a software product (Website, app, a hardware device) is hard! It takes vision, teamwork, communication, talent, and a little magic. I'm sorry to say you are also going to run into problems. These problems will cost you time and money. Both killers for startups. The good news is that I have developed a sixth sense in identifying these problems. I will be sharing my top 11 clues that your project might be in trouble. I have gathered these clues over my 30+ years in software development. The goal of this presentation is to help you learn to identify these clues before they happen. After this presentation, you can take these clues and share them with your team, or software partner to make sure you stay on track. Let's explore these clues together at TCSW 2021.

Excel is a simple yet powerful tool you can use to build a financial model for your company. As you start or grow your business, building a financial model will help validate your business plan, set performance goals, provide critical insight into cash needs, and forecast various scenarios.

We’ll walk you through the process of how to identify and document your modeling assumptions, build drivers, and organize outputs so you can build a functional model to use in your business. Attendees will also receive free access to a downloadable modeling template to use as a starting point.

 Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here. 

Are you considering whether or not to raise funding to grow your business? If so, you won’t want to miss this lunch discussion featuring four accomplished Minnesota investors and entrepreneurs: Andrew Duneman, Barb Stinnett, Matt Meents, and Shane Erickson. This panel of Traction Capital investors possess the knowledge and experience needed to navigate the often-tricky process of raising capital to grow your business (and whether you should). Mark your calendars for this insightful lunchtime conversation!

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING / ENTRANCE INSTRUCTIONS

• Parking options: Gopher or Maroon Lots.
• The entry point for the event is the Premium Entrance which is located under the Benton County sign.

Startups and small businesses are not immune from employment laws - learn how to establish a legally compliant framework that saves you money and headaches down the road.

One of the most exciting discoveries of the last 100 years is the emerging, data-driven research on how people grow and adapt to changing conditions. We are in the midst of massive, economic and cultural changes unlike anything we've seen before. This session is for Founders - and their advisors, teams, consultants, and investors. From marketing and innovation to strategic leadership and decision-making, without these paradigms and frameworks, we are at risk of creating things built for yesterday, not tomorrow. Join us to learn why all of this is good news for your startup, career, community, family, and life. We'll build and “unfold” the model in the room, discuss it, and then integrate everything with what we already know, exploring the multitude of ways that we can apply it to our contexts. Along the way, expect to contribute and discover new ideas, as well as meet the kind of people who come to workshops like this. Tim Schuster is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is Co-Founder of LegalQ and Founder of Popup Think Tank.

Can startups foster a more equitable gig economy? Platform cooperatives are collectively-owned, democratically managed alternatives to tech companies like Uber or Airbnb. In New York City, the Drivers Co-op is on track to double their driver's take home income. Given the potential to provide a sustainable path toward economic equality for the growing, diverse gig-worker community, what can be done to foster the development of platform cooperatives in Greater MSP?

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here. 

Early Stage Founders must be diligent about financing growth and need to be aware of all funding options. Founders are looking for ways to finance their growth with non-dilutive capital options and extend runway for equity raise. This helps founders retain control, align their business growth to their core values, preserve equity and raise future equity at higher valuations.

PARKING / ENTRANCE INSTRUCTIONS

• Parking options: Gopher or Maroon Lots.
• The entry point for the event is the Premium Entrance which is located under the Benton County sign.

Everybody knows you have to do market research, but has anyone ever shared the secrets on how to effectively learn the nuances of your market? Join La Juana Whitmore, business strategist and small business consultant (not to mention curriculum lead at FINNOVATION Lab), to learn more about tips on finding publicly available information, techniques for digging deeper to understand more about your customers, and strategies for sizing your market.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

Vision tells everyone where you are going, strategy tells everyone how you will get there. An excellent business growth strategy outlines a unique path that provides its customers truly differentiated value. This is what increases a company's value. The execution is sometimes underestimate and execution is what clears the way and puts structures, processes and capabilities in place to make strategy effective. This workshop style session will provide guidance and tools to creating strategic initiatives to get strategic execution and results.

PARKING / ENTRANCE INSTRUCTIONS

• Parking options: Gopher or Maroon Lots.
• The entry point for the event is the Premium Entrance which is located under the Benton County sign.

Join us for a happy hour dedicated to celebrating and connecting the MN XR Industry. Connect with others in AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) over drinks and food to catch up, network, and learn what others are doing in the space. This event is for anyone in or interested in XR - developers, product, designers, enthusiasts, business folks, students - anyone.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

AWS is proud to present the Twin Cities Startup Week Education and Training Track in partnership with EdNorth. Prepare to be inspired as we discuss the future of Education & Training and all the opportunities that exist for disruptors in the space. Breakfast and lunch provided. Breakfast and lunch provided. 

Attend this track in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin. IN-PERSON CAPACITY: 50 people. 

SCHEDULE

8:00 AM - Doors open / breakfast

8:30 AM - Opening Remarks

8:40 AM - Be the Change: Youth Workforce Development through Social Entrepreneurship

9:30 AM - Do Well by Doing Good: Making a Positive Impact in EdTech

10:30 AM - Too Many Children Left Behind: Improving Equity in Education through Innovation

11:30 AM - OnRamp Education & Workforce Innovation Accelerator Premiere (virtual event / lunch)

12:30 PM - Getting Technical About the Challenges of Ensuring Everyone Has Access to STEM Programming

1:25 PM - EdTech Startup Guide published by AWS

2:30 PM - Preparing Your Startup For Fundraising

3:25 PM - Early EdTech Founders Panel

4:15 PM - Managing Fast-paced Growth for Emerging EdTech Companies

5:00 PM - Closing Remarks

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

How can we use entrepreneurship to create a better, more equitable Twin Cities? At a time when Minnesota has one of the widest opportunity gaps when it comes to youth of color in this country, hear from local social impact entrepreneurs who are working to use their startups to create opportunities to help bridge that divide. Through providing workforce development, real-world business skills and entrepreneurship training, these founders are building scalable businesses and stronger communities.

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Join us in an interactive conversation to discuss how we can leverage elements of Emotional Intelligence to foster a more Human-Centered Leadership. This training will help you promote workplaces that are more engaging, healthier and happier.

Non-violent communication is a skill set that enables effective communication with others by bringing the focus back to oneself.

NVC can help you communicate with others in a manner that maximizes productivity, minimizes misunderstanding and encourages us to appreciate the unique humanity that each person brings.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

How can we, as EdTech entrepreneurs create new opportunities for learning by affecting meaningful, positive change in our communities? Join us for a panel discussion with educators, executives, and thought leaders. We’ll explore topics like:

• How digital programming and classroom instruction better intersect?
• What are some recommendations for future entrepreneurs who want to make an impact?
• What is the on the horizon for education technology?

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Immersive technology is enabling new tools to educators and REM5 Virtual Reality Laboratory is at the forefront of bringing those tools to life in and out of the classroom. Our education offering started with field trips but now includes camps, VR/AR content distribution, and specialized field trips that have served over 3,000 students. Join us to experience some of the content and services we offer and discuss where REM5 and the industry is going in the future.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here. 

Minnesota is among the worst in the nation when it comes to the K12 achievement gap. There is no quick fix, but EdTech provides an opportunity to create more diverse and culturally reflective curriculum solutions to improve outcomes. The question is how do we make sure that it's done authentically, accurately and impactfully? From engagement to accessibility, how do we make sure that we are creating inclusive learning tools for all learners? And most importantly, what do those working in the field wish EdTech entrepreneurs working on these solutions knew?

Attend this session in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

America and the world have become more and more divided. The attention of the public and the media has been on race, politics, and religion. However, new divisions keep dominating the spotlight. Based on decades of scientific research, it is evident that the human brain is wired to seek group belonging and group identities. Wherever there are groups, there are “Us” and “Them.” Instead of getting confused by all that divides us, it is important to understand our innate desire for group affiliation. More importantly, it is crucial to understand how such a desire can work for and against us at the same time.

In this talk, you will learn about the science of the us-vs-them divide. You will find out how this unconscious divide can be learned or changed quickly. You will discover the impact of us-vs-them on our decisions and judgments. You will gain insights into how we can bridge this divide and create more harmony.

This Premiere Event is a celebration of the latest OnRamp Education & Workforce Innovation Accelerator class of innovative startups and entrepreneurship.

Join us and meet this amazing cohort!

Watch this virtual event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

In the virtual world social media is the new store front. This resource is the new way of creating foot traffic towards converting sales on your product, service, or experience. This means your visuals & content matter. Join the soona crew as we spill the deets on how to level up your social media content strategy.

The OpenScout and AWS University Scout Program is a university program that helps student entrepreneurs scale their ideas with resources from AWS and other providers. The program recently added University of Minnesota to their network and are excited to help student entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities. Come tune in as we have student scouts from the University of Minnesota, Drexel University, and Yale University talk about student entrepreneurship and the AWS Scout Program on their respective campuses.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

A panel discussion around the challenges high schools are facing getting everyone access to solid STEM programming and the innovative approaches companies are taking to attract, hire and retain diverse tech talent.

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Having trouble hiring developers and designers? 

So is everyone else. Come to this session for actionable advice, strategies, and recommendations to set yourself up for success when hiring devs and designers in 2021 and beyond.

Looking for a possible career change? Want to know how to break into the tech industry? Join this panel for a discussion on how they did just that and landed their dream job! We guarantee you'll walk away feeling inspired!

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

Join us for an overview of the EdTech Startup Guide, published by Amazon Web Services' EdStart team. During this presentation we will cover industry advancements, identify emerging trends, and discuss how you can integrate solutions/features into your products using advanced cloud technologies to help revolutionize education globally. We will talk about the current state of the EdTech startup market, and forward-looking trends that early stage EdTechs should be aware of, such as, fundraising best practices, technology trends to consider, and some tips from industry experts.

Q&A will follow. 

Download the EdTech Startup Guide and learn valuable cloud insights from EdTech founders.

Connect with us: pages.awscloud.com

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Atland Ventures is a student run Venture Capital firm based at the University of Minnesota that focuses on investing in early stage startups innovating within the Gen Z space. Come hear from a panel of current Atland Ventures partners, recent alum, and portfolio company CEO on emerging trends in the Gen Z space.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

What should a startup do to prepare for raising capital?
What does the fund-raising process look like?
What is “due diligence” and how should a startup prepare for it?
What do angel investors typically look for in a seed or early round financing?

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

In today’s disrupted economy, self-employment is a powerful tool for building something that matters, while reclaiming flexibility and creative freedom. If you’ve been dreaming of turning your knowledge into a consultancy that empowers individuals and community, this session is for you.

In this interactive session, you’ll be asked to consider who you can serve, uniquely. You’ll ponder the values you’re called to take a stand for. You’ll consider the superpowers you can bring to your audience. And you’ll ponder how to shape your first offering in a way that engages these actual people, rather than getting lost in your head.

Launching a consulting business in our marketplace isn’t just about making money. Today’s creative thinkers must solve problems that challenge tired narratives about who’s worthy of opportunity and imagine new ways for purpose to influence profit. In this interactive webinar, you'll explore how to:

*Map your market sweet spot *Conduct a field study of what's out there, so you can stand out *Create a pilot for your first offering, so you can validate your idea

It’s designed for:

*Purpose-driven professionals pondering a side-gig or business idea *Freelancers in their first year of building a purpose-driven brand *Employees who know the pain of living one foot in and one foot out, at a job they once enjoyed but now holds them back *Individuals who’ve been laid off and now have an inkling that self-employment could become a viable path instead *Those who care about about social, economic, on environmental justice and want to use their talents to make a difference

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

Panel of founders of education startups will explore topics such as: How they identified and refined the education problem they are trying to solve? What progress have they made? What have been their biggest challenges so far? What advice do they have for other founders?

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

Since its creation, Technovation[MN] has inspired over 1300 girls in Minnesota to develop technology and entrepreneur skills. In 2020, we hired our first two alumnae interns (one high school and one college level) and it was a huge success. The pandemic has showed us that technology is more critical than ever to our communities. In this session, you will hear directly from participating girls about their experience and skill development. You will hear from a supporting business about how they have engaged with Technovation[MN] to grow this diverse talent. You will hear from mentors on how they have provided guidance and support in building out this future tech workforce pipeline in Minnesota. We also want to hear from you! Your next intern or employee could come from Technovation[MN] and we would love to hear about your technology and entrepreneur needs.

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

How have edtech founders been able to deal with rapid growth?  What challenges have they encountered? What has worked? What lessons have they learned?

Attend this event in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

There is a large paid parking lot right next to the T3 building (323 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401). 

The pandemic has accelerated the evolution of human interaction and information consumption towards digital platforms. Now add a global social justice movement. What challenges and opportunities can emerging technology bring to bear in the fight for a more just world?

Both RFTP and REM5 are rooted in leveraging technology and data to reimagine diversity, equity and inclusion education. In this session, we will cover how RFTP is creating authentic experiences that allow people from different perspectives to better connect with each other, how REM5 is using high-end virtual reality to democratize learning experiences, and how the two organizations are collaborating to create cutting-edge, digital learning experiences. This session will include a short presentation with Q&A, social time (including hosted food and beer/wine) and VR demos.

We all bring certain challenges to the systems that we join. Personality clashes, individual anxieties and differing world-views can create tension, miscommunication and conflict. In the startup/tech world, interpersonal and personal difficulties can inhibit growth, decelerate progress, and invite the downfall of an otherwise promising venture. 

Join Wynne Reece, founder of The Creative's Counsel® and Jen Labanowski, LMFT co-founder of Good Human Work, for a candid conversation about the difficulties of finding and maintaining emotional, relational and mental wellbeing within the startup/tech community. Wynne and Jen will share their experiences, observations and insights about struggles and stigma that are commonly experienced in the startup world. Jen will also offer skills and strategies for recovering from burnout, improving emotional and relational health, and increasing healthy communication.

REGISTER HERE FOR THE EVENT. 

The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Experience and Pitch Competition Show.

Showcasing Founders of: Cherry Hoggs, Company of Women Travel, ZeSa Fitness, CoyaBlu, InControl Health

Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.

The procurement process can be complex without the proper guidance and resources in place. Hear from the BIPOC-owned startups, businesses, and supplier diversity professionals about challenges and new resolutions to payment structures, certifications, responding to RFPs, and outreach to diverse suppliers.

The purpose of the event is for Supplier Diversity Executives to connect, share best practices, and discuss how to improve the process to attract more diverse suppliers. Char Dobbs and Mercedes E. Jaime from the Activate Network will share knowledge on navigating the procurement process with large corporations and present lessons learned from helping hundreds navigate supplier diversity programs. 

We're excited to bring supplier diversity leaders together and help lay the foundation to create more effective supplier diversity programs.

PARKING INSRUCTIONS

Science Museum of Minnesota - Parking Map & Instructions.pdf - Parking in the museum lot is $5. 

Few startups budget for attorneys. Most entrepreneurs prefer to rely on their own common sense, research, and creativity to avoid legal problems. Small business owners tend to wait for problems to escalate before getting legal help.

We get it. A combination of limited budget and ignorance-is-bliss leads most of us to want to stay away from those pesky lawyers. Until we have to. Self-help will take you so far and that's OK.

We find that many businesses shutdown unnecessarily in large part because entrepreneurs underestimate the intricacies of the law. After all, it only takes one slip to get into hot water.

We are here to help you! We want you to thrive.

Come learn 9 common mistakes entrepreneurs make when starting and running their business!

Come hear, see and taste how food that would otherwise be wasted can be upcycled in to new food ingredients that can feed more people better and eliminate food waste. Learn about the innovative ag & food technologies that are behind this new industry of food upcycling.

Retailers and consumer brands today struggle to develop and implement strategic, sustainable frameworks. The Circular Economy provides an impactful way of creating and building a business that is both profitable and sustainable. In our 3-hour simulation workshop, you’ll interact with small groups as we take you through the basics of what the Circular Economy is and what the core business decisions are. Also covered will be key performance metrics used to implement, measure, and communicate progress. This session is an experiential approach to building and executing a profitable, sustainable business model.

You'll need your cell phone for this session, and a laptop would be helpful but is not required.