Twin Cities Startup Week 2021
Retail
Monday, September 20, 2021
MENTOR MORNING by Minnesota Innovates
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.
Winthrop Accelerator - Office Hours
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.
Bookkeeping Basics
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.
Circular Economy for Retailers: Now is the Time
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.
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Building Back Local Economies - What Small Means
This session will explore and showcase the local economy while bringing in community leaders to discuss how to strengthen the Minnesota ecosystem of small businesses. At this event, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the significance of small businesses, how some small businesses are doing big things, as well as how we can support startups and small businesses alike at the early stages of their work.
ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86562647359
Winthrop Accelerator - Office Hours
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.
What’s Changed? Adjusting to Customer Needs in the New Normal
As we fully enter post COVID, will there be new normal changes in your customers’ buying expectations? Changes in what they buy, how they buy it, how they prepare to use it, use and finish using your product, how they feel about your product/brand?
Using the Lean Canvas Value Proposition model and reviewing emerging consumer trends, participants will examine their business Value Proposition (customer promise) to learn and address post COVID changes in customer solution needs. Which elements remain valuable, which should be adjust and which should be added to provide maximum customer satisfaction and a competitive edge?
Get More Clients with Sales Funnel Automation
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!
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Preparing Your Startup for Investment
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!
Answers to 10 of the Biggest Employment Law Questions Facing Startups and Emerging Companies
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.
Understanding Your Startup Non-dilutive Funding Options
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.
Pivot or Perish
The session explores the power of the pivot, in business and in life. Panelists will tell their stories of successful pivots and failures where pivots were required. Moderated by Club Entrepreneur chief Rick Brimacomb, this session features three business leaders who have been involved in numerous pivots. They will teach how early to look, when to keep going on the existing road and when to jump off it. The art and science of maneuvering with limited resources. Being disciplined about “failing fast” but not throwing out the baby in the bathwater.
LinkedIN Event Page https://www.linkedin.com/events/6842559799880663040/
Facebook Event Page https://www.facebook.com/events/371593624429690
XR Happy Hour
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Marketing Basics….for the Non-Marketer
Every small business needs a solid foundation. This event is valuable to new and existing businesses that have not established “core” marketing competencies that are necessary to be successful. The 4Ps (Price, Product, Promotion, Place) and Brand Positioning will be reviewed. Real life examples will be used to communicate the thought process, and templates will be included to facilitate engagement during and after the event.
Minneapolis Business Mentors is a premier source of small business advice for entrepreneurs and established businesses. We were founded and are staffed by experienced executives and business owners. We are a volunteer, nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the success of entrepreneurs and small businesses in Minnesota and the upper Midwest.
Future of Venture with Atland Ventures
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.
Founders Live Minneapolis - Pitch event
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
Friday, September 24, 2021
9 Ways to Fail as an Entrepreneur: How to Avoid Going to Court (Private Session)
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!
How to Build a CPG Brand
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Learn what it takes to launch and build a successful CPG brand from an industry insider and someone who has both called on many of the biggest accounts in the country and helped manage some of the most successful brands in natural retail.
The Blue Connection: An Interactive Circular Economy Simulation
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.