Start your morning taking in the beauty of Lake Harriet while getting to know your peers. We'll meet at the Lake Harriet Bandshell for a casual stroll around the lake. Let's get to know one another while getting our steps in.

Event will be limited to the first 20 people who register.

*VIP ticket required to attend this event*

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.

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.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED, please RSVP here.

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!

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.  

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.

Meda and its partners are hosting the fourth Meda Million Dollar Challenge – an exciting business-plan competition modeled on the television show Shark Tank. During Twin Cities Startup Week, BIPOC-owned businesses will make their best case to a panel of judges regarding why their companies are poised for growth. Finalists from around the country will travel to Minnesota for the final pitching event, which will award at least $1 million in financing. Be our guest at this party as we celebrate the finalists and announce the winners at 6:15 PM.

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.

Topics will include: Selecting the type of business entity and forming your company, Protecting your intellectual property, Employment matters including classification as independent contractors and non-compete agreements, How to use equity to attract, retain and motivate team members, Rules of Fundraising, including private placements, federal and state crowdfunding and networking events. With time to answer your questions!

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.

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.

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.

Attendees can learn about the many resources DEED offers startups and entrepreneurs.