
Future of Our Cities Track
Monday, September 20, 2021
Future of Our Cities Track
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
The Future of Our Cities Track of Twin Cities Startup Week is being hosted by Smart North and sponsored by MnDOT. Prepare to be inspired as we discuss the future of Livability, Mobility, Sustainability, and Workability and all the opportunities that exist for disruptors in the space. Food and beverage will be provided during the event.
Attend this track in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin. IN-PERSON CAPACITY: 35 people.
SCHEDULE
7:50 am - Opening Remarks
8 AM - Reimagining Our Cities in the Post-Pandemic World (Hybrid)
9 AM - Transforming Livability and Equity Through Technology (Hybrid)
9 AM - Reimagining Partnerships in Placemaking and Urban Planning (In-person)
10 AM - Digital Equity - The Next Great Equalizer (Hybrid)
11 AM - Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis Through a New Investment Strategy (Hybrid)
11 AM - Future of Mobility Tech & Research Showcase (In-person)
12:30 PM - Shark Tank Reverse Pitch Competition (Hybrid)
2 PM - The Re-emergence of Place-based Entrepreneurship (Hybrid)
2 PM - Entrepreneurial Roundtable (In-person)
3 PM - Investing in Our Collective Futures! (Hybrid)
4 PM - Bringing the Future Forward, Fast! (Hybrid)
4:45 PM - What's your Blueprint for becoming Future Ready? (Hybrid)
Reimagining Our Cities in the Post-Pandemic World

Abimbola Asojo
University of Minnesota, Associate Dean for Research, Creative Scholarship and EngagementTuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Get inspired by the research-led vision of Abi Asojo, Tom Fisher, and Virajita Singh, University of Minnesota colleagues who have led a series of webinars over the last year on Design in the Post-Pandemic World. They will converse about the challenges and opportunities that exist as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reimagining Partnerships in Placemaking and Urban Planning
Join local design leaders, researchers and directors for a panel discussion on the future of place and partnership in Minnesota and around the world.
Transforming Livability and Equity Through Technology
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Join Smart North for a conversation on why these Entrepreneurs, Academics, Community Leaders believe this is an imperative.
Digital Equity - The Next Great Equalizer
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
What role is technology based innovation playing or can play to transform livability, sustainability, mobility, workability for all communities and people in our cities?
Future of Mobility Tech & Research Showcase
Come see and explore the 3 research and technology demo stations including Micro-mobility, Vehicles, and Digital Technologies
Tackling the Affordable Housing Crisis Through a New Investment Strategy

Warren Hanson
Greater Minnesota Housing Fund and Minnesota Equity Fund, President and Chief Executive OfficerTuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Join our panel of developers, investors, and housing experts as they discuss a new investment idea that is fast, cost-effective, sustainable/resilient while offering market returns for investors.
Shark Tank Reverse Pitch
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
The Future Cities Shark Tank Pitch is a catalyst that connects government, start-up funders, talent and others in the innovation and technology markets to find ways to use automation, connectivity and other tech solutions to advance livability, safety, mobility, access, equity and sustainability.
An Entrepreneurs Roundtable: We need more Startups That Improve Our Cities and Communities
The vision of building a community within the confines of a city is a large task. While there's a lot of interest in the specific technologies being deployed to make cities "smart", there's a need for entrepreneurs to lead the way and take risks to both explore and show what's possible through their solutions.
Join us for this collaborative conversation to learn how all these entrepreneurs started with an idea and how we need more startups to help our cities and communities succeed.
The Re-emergence of Place-based Entrepreneurship
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Tom Fisher in conversation with local entrepreneurs, educators and designers - Reimagining the future of the Root District and the Upper Harbor around the emerging notion of place-based entrepreneurship.
Investing in Our Collective Futures!

Marc Majors
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Director of Employment and Training Programs (ETP) DivisionTuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Why the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem needs to invest in entrepreneurs and reimagining our cities and communities in a post pandemic and George Floyd world
Bringing the Future Forward, Fast!
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
A fireside chat with Mayor Frey of Minneapolis and Mayor Carter of St Paul, on how they are reimagining and reshaping the Twin Cities to be future-ready, as the world watches.
What's your Blueprint for becoming Future Ready?
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Fireside chat with John Paul Farmer, CTO of NYC and Commissioner Steve Grove of DEED. What's their Blueprint for their city and state and becoming Future Ready?