Twin Cities Startup Week 2021
Social Impact
Friday, September 17, 2021
ImpactSKU '21 Showcase
Check out these purpose-driven consumer brands from across the country! These start-ups recently completed the ImpactSKU accelerator and are ready to change the food and beverage world for the better. ImpactSKU is a unique collaborative program between Minneapolis-based FINNOVATION Lab and Austin-based SKU. Hear from local company, Maazah as well as Oklahoma City-based KiZE Concepts, and two innovative companies from Los Angeles: Ancient Provisions and Chiki Chiki Boom Boom.
This two-part event starts with an in-person networking breakfast at FINNOVATION Lab at 9:00 AM. At 10:00 AM, we'll join the Hopin platform to stream the premiere of the Showcase video (also streamed live at FINN Lab).
Saturday, September 18, 2021
VIP Walk and Talk
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*
Code Switch: Reimagine 911 on the National Day of Civic Hacking
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:
Hack the Gap API Hackathon Kickoff
Register HERE for the Online Kickoff.
Hack the Gap API Hackathon is a 1 week long hackathon aimed at creating a high-energy week where women and non-binary people from all backgrounds and experience levels can enjoy an accessible, approachable, positive experience.
SCHEDULE
**Kick-off (will be Virtual):**
September 18: at 1pm- 3pm CT
- 1-:30pm Connect and pick projects
- 1:30-2:30pm Connect with teams and ideate on working plan
- 2:30 onward - Connect with team members and start ideation process- We’ll also connect you with your own technical mentors and help you schedule your team check ins
Sign up for Demo Day: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/api-hackathon-demo-day-tickets-168346862999
“Hack Your City” - Creatives in Tech
From music, to art, to marketing, technology is transforming the way we work and create. The intersection of technology and art play a crucial role in creating new possibilities for diverse communities. On this panel, creative professionals from multiple industries will be discussing how they use technology in their work, and how they envision creative technology contributing to a more inclusive and abundant future.
Immediately following the panel, attendees will have the opportunity to experience immersive media first hand, with the VR social justice exhibit “One City, Two Realities,” put on by Rem5 VR Lab.
During the event, Smart North will be announcing the launch of a design contest entitled “Hack Your City.” We are calling upon MN based artists, designers, developers, and creatives to craft submissions that envision an abundant future for the Twin Cities, or one of its diverse communities. Further details on the contest will be revealed during the announcement.
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 Engagement
Tuning 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.
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.
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.
Skills-based Volunteers Get Real Jobs at Saint Paul Restaurants
Our communities need a different type of volunteerism during a global pandemic, recession, and uprising. Attend this session to hear how volunteers from Land o'Lakes engaged directly with Saint Paul restaurants to build resilience.
Emergent Africa Forum (EAF)
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.
Launching and Sustaining your Nonprofit Organization
Attendees will learn the keys to growing and sustaining their nonprofit organization
Futureproof and Thrive
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.
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.
Change Can’t Happen in Isolation: Convergence of the Sustainable Development Goals
The COVID-19 Pandemic has compromised the world’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda for The Sustainable Development Goals. SDG 3 - Good Health & Wellbeing has risen to the top of priority goals for many. However, the interconnectedness of the goals has become even more apparent as we work towards recovery.
The social impact entrepreneurial community is one of the leading producers of bold interventions making an impact on health, economic and social recovery efforts.
In this inspiring panel, we will highlight the innovative startups responding to COVID and the convergence of efforts working towards the broader 2030 goals.
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.
Taking the First Step with Tech
Planning to launch a new app or platform? Here's what you need to know before you hire a developer or start to code.
In this session, Software for Good's Director of Product Strategy, Liz Tupper, will share stories and lessons from our work developing products for mission-driven startups. We'll also feature founders' insights and what they wish they'd known sooner about building software to support a new initiative. Non-techies whose ventures need tech can learn how to get off the ground — from understanding a target audience to testing early versions to launching a minimum viable product.
Making An Impact with Your Business from the Inside Out: To B or Not to B (Corp)
Attitudes towards business have changed, with many for-profit companies and startups pursuing objectives beyond just profit growth--looking to integrate their values directly into their business model. B Corps and Public Benefit Corporations are those inspiring companies raising the bar for a new standard of purpose-driven business.
If you’ve explored this option you know that this assessment sets a very high bar for companies and highlights the best of the best when it comes to social, environmental and economic impact. How do you know if this is the right path for your business? What is the difference between a B Corp and a Public Benefit Corporation?
Join us in welcoming a team of industry leaders in the field of social enterprise, as we dive deeper into various business structures and the legal in’s and out’s to B Corps and Public Benefit Corporations.
We will introduce you to an inspiring group of social enterprise leaders of companies who have gone through the process of becoming a Benefit Corporation and B Corp. Together we will host breakouts and workshop ideas on how becoming a social enterprise can help advance your business goals, and show you where to start when you are ready to take the leap into this gold standard for good business.
Reducing Tech’s Digital Carbon Footprint: Do Good for the Earth and Your Bottom Line
As investors actively support companies with climate pledges, reducing your tech’s digital carbon footprint is one way to help your ESG score. But striving for tech that is also sustainable is more than a feel-good goal.
This virtual talk between a tech expert and a sustainability expert will explore the tangible cost-saving benefits to making your tech stack eco-friendly with a Q&A session at the end.
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.
Discussion on the Future of Work in a Hybrid Model
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!
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
Draw: Community Color Therapy
Learn how we can grow our communities and promote mental health through a powerful story and color therapy. Coloring supplies will be provided- coloring is optional but encouraged!
How to Scale Tech Marketing with Purpose: Elevating Minority Founders' Platforms, and Reaching Underserved Communities through Thoughtful Communications
Many startups lack access to the brand, marketing and communications skills that help ensure their product reaches the right people who need them. This is especially true for founders of underserved communities. The Hotwire Ignite Possibility Program (HIPP), launched in 2020, has committed to providing $1M in pro bono brand, marketing, and public relations services to qualifying tech and tech-enabled organizations that are minority-led or providing a product or service benefitting minority communities. In this panel you’ll hear from some of the founders in the first cohort of HIPP on how they are tackling their business challenges and meeting their goals through brand, marketing and public relations in order to bring technology innovation at scale and succeed in today’s competitive tech sector.
Gotta Have Faith: An Interfaith Dialogue Panel Exploring the Role of Faith in the Startup World
Agnostic, Hindu, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Wiccan... Regardless of your religious orientation this interfaith panel discussion aims to inspire you to consider leveraging “faith as a strategy” in your startup. Faith comes in many forms: in yourself, your product or service, your team, a higher power. This panel will explore the role of faith for startup founders. How does faith enable people to push forward believing they can accomplish what they set out to? What role does faith play when you face challenges in your work? How has faith helped create partnerships and collaborations with others? What is challenging about being a person of faith in the world of start-ups? We will explore these questions and more with a diverse panel of entrepreneurs moderated by an interfaith dialogue facilitator.
Don’t Have a Plan, Build a Strategy: How to Recognize and Prioritize Marketing Opportunities
**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.
Meda Million Dollar Challenge – After Party
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.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Lessons from Black Tech Leaders
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Join us for a powerful and insightful session as Black leaders in the Minnesota tech community share their journey to success. Our panel of technologists, entrepreneurs, and investors will share their experiences in tech and insights on how to break into and thrive in the space. We'll also hear thoughts directly from leading venture capitalists on how the increase of BIPOC VCs can impact the growth and successes of diverse-led startups.
This session is for all aspiring BIPOC professionals that want to learn lessons, resources, and insights to making an impact in tech.
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.
Detour From The Default Path
Together will think differently about the well-intended default path of our healthcare system by exploring several case studies and showcasing the successful start-up story of GatherWell. Sarah Brown, Founder of GatherWell, will challenge our natural instinct for convenient thinking to uncover gaps and identify value-add opportunities for some of the greatest health system challenges. This interactive session will inspire and engage healthcare entrepreneurship.
ZOOM INFO
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85977247366
Meeting ID: 859 7724 7366
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Accessible Startups: Simple Tips for Digital and Social Inclusion
Every startup wants to be diverse and inclusive, but few understand that the digital needs of people with disabilities is part of reaching that goal. Websites, software, social media, videos, presentations, emails and documents that are accessible to people living with cognitive, hearing, mobility and sight-related disabilities is not only possible, it's essential in the current legal landscape, for companies engaged in startup and beyond. This lunch time session will give Startups knowledge, tools and empowered next steps to understand the "why" of digital accessibility AND begin to include clients, employees and the public, who live with disabilities, from the start. Each attendee will receive an "Accessible Startup Tips" digital guide and a free accessibility assessment of their website or mobile application.
This presentation will include live audio description and closed captioning. All materials in this presentation are structured for digital accessibility. Advance copies of the handout materials are available upon request at: [email protected]
ZOOM INFORMATION:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82211331619
Meeting ID: 822 1133 1619
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Meeting ID: 822 1133 1619
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd4vEx8IQ5
Crowdfunding: What You Should Know Before You Start
In-person Location: FINNOVATION Lab: 817 Fifth Ave S UNIT 400, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Crowdfunding may seem simple, but a successful campaign requires building a crowd, and a smart funding strategy: which platform is right for you, what you’re giving in exchange for money, and how these choices can help you identify your strongest target audiences. Whether you are a social impact company looking to mobilize your community, or an innovative start-up willing to experiment with equity crowdfunding, we've got you covered. We will share the legal basics and business best practices for improving your chances to successfully crowdfund your company.
A collaborative project from FINNOVATION Lab, Avisen Legal and the University of Minnesota Law School.
You’re Necessary and Next: How a Brief History of Everything Will Inspire You to Think Big and Take Action
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.
Platform Cooperatives
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?
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.
Making Healthcare More Affordable for Everyone
How to save money on your doctor visits and prescriptions medications
Red Bull Basement
Red Bull Basement gives wiiings to student innovators in all areas of study to kickstart their ideas using technology to drive positive change. This global program aims to connect students and inspire them to innovate at university today and disrupt the world tomorrow. We will have local innovators speak to share their experiences and how they took their idea to the next level. This will be followed by open conversation, questions, and potential pitch practice for students. The goal is to inspire students to move forward with their own ideas and solutions.
SCHEDULE
- Introduction & Welcome 2:00 PM - 2:10 PM
- Bharat Pulgam - 2:10 PM - 2:40 PM
- Amy Helgeson - 2:40 PM - 3:10 PM
- Q&A and Workshop 3:10 PM - 3:30 PM
LOCATION
The Toaster Innovation Hub: Walter Library BO4, University of Minnesota Libraries - 117 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55445
Demystifying Market Research
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.
Program-Related Investments in Healthcare
Chris Ghere
University of Minnesota, Senior Technology Portfolio Manager, Technology CommercializationExplore how a powerful philanthropic tool called "Program-Related Investments" (PRIs) is helping more promising, early-stage healthcare technologies get to market. In this session, attendees will (1) get an introduction to PRIs and PRI syndication; (2) learn how the University of Minnesota is using PRIs in technology commercialization, especially in healthcare; (3) dive more deeply into one PRI anchored by Children's Cancer Research Fund to advance a University Osteosarcoma Prognostic Test; and (4) explore the broader potential for PRIs to revolutionize commercialization of rare disease therapies.
Doing good while doing well: How being mission and values driven can change lives and drive returns while rapidly scaling
Are you building a mission-driven business? Do you believe that defining core values is a critical piece to achieving your mission? Learn from OurFamilyWizard and Upsie about how a deliberate and inclusive approach to defining mission, vision, and values can pull out the true ethos of a culture, lead to stronger strategy, better and faster decisions, and more empowered execution across the organization. Having both recently received major funding from world class investors, building mission, vision, and values into the foundation of the organization has been key for an accelerated phase of growth.
With a mission to help families living separately thrive, every decision at OurFamilyWizard starts by thinking through the implications on co-parents, their children, and their support system as they grow their market leading co-parenting application.
With a mission to reinvent extended warranties with superior, selfless coverage and service, Upsie is taking the warranty industry by storm in a more affordable, transparent, and customer-centric way.
This session will be both aspirational and practical with advice on how to build a mission and culture that scales while a business faces rapid growth, investor pressures, and changing market dynamics. Learn how to stay true, stay strong, and remain authentic to why your business exists to help the world.
Groove Capital's Angel Investor Rally
REGISTRATION REQUIRED, click the following link to RSVP
The purpose of this gathering is two-fold:
#1 - By this time Groove Capital will have made 16+ local investments, since launching in February. A lot is going to plan, some things have surprised us. Bottom line, we're successfully connecting early stage investors with Pre-Seed Minnesota-based startups, and we want to show you how.
#2 - The BETA Showcase is immediately following this event. Let's get excited about venture and angel investing, talk shop, and head over to that event to practice our craft. Register for the BETA Showcase here.
Who should consider attending - LPs & Angel investors (Groove or otherwise) and anyone who has ever wanted to learn more about angel investing.
Fall 2021 BETA Showcase powered by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Michael Gietl
J.P. Morgan, Industry Executive - Midwest and Canada Life Sciences and Healthcare ServicesREGISTRATION REQUIRED, click the following link to RSVP
BETA Showcase is a science fair for startups, where tech enthusiasts, reporters, investors, and the general public meet with founders from a dozen of the top emerging companies.
For the first time, the event will feature startups from our past THREE cohorts that were forced to showcase virtually due to COVID, along with the Fall 2021 BETA Cohort teams. Get excited for the biggest and best Showcase yet!
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.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Education & Training Track presented by AWS
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).
Best Practices for Leveraging Emotional Intelligence to Foster a more Human-Centered Leadership
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.
Do Well by Doing Good: Making a Positive Impact in EdTech
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).
Why The Brain Follows - The Science of Us vs Them
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.
OnRamp Education & Workforce Innovation Accelerator Premiere
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.
Getting Technical About the Challenges of Ensuring Everyone Has Access to STEM Programming
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).
Unveil the Right Relationship with the Right Person
Let’s explore the social tools to answer: “What relationships can we really have?"
Relationships mean different things to different people! And even the same relationship can mean different things, to the same people. CanWe.app introduces new relationship guidance theories and several social tools to quickly define and navigate our honest social potential with other people.
Three Strategies for Building a Consultancy That Matters
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
Early EdTech Founders Panel
Teresa Marchek
Be the Match operated by National Marrow Donor Program, Senior Director of Provider Marketing
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).
Technovation[MN] Inspiring Young Women for a Future Role in Your Business
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.
Leveraging Immersive Technology for Social Justice
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.
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
Reimagining Supplier Diversity - Invite Only Breakfast presented by Ecolab
Char Dobbs
The Activate Network and Certified Access, COO of The Activate Network and Co Founder of Certified Access
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.
Food & Agriculture Track
Laurie Kleinbaum Fink, Ph.D.
Science Museum of Minnesota, Chair of Science at Science Museum of Minnesota
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
TCSW is proud to present the Twin Cities Startup Week Food & Agriculture Track. Prepare to be inspired as we discuss the future of Food & Ag and all the opportunities that exist for disruptors in the space.
Attend this track in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.
SCHEDULE
8:00 AM - Reimagining Supplier Diversity - Invite Only Breakfast
10:00 AM - Opening Remarks
10:10 AM - How to Build a CPG Brand
12:30 PM - Customer Obsession Creates Restaurant Resiliency
1:45 PM - State of Startup + Enterprise Partnerships in MSP
2:40 PM - To fund or not to fund…the founder’s dilemma from an investor perspective
3:40 PM - The Real Pitch MN
PARKING INSRUCTIONS
Science Museum of Minnesota - Parking Map & Instructions.pdf - Parking in the museum lot is $5.
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!
Food Upcycling: Eating Our Way Out of Climate Change
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.
Location, Privacy, and Craft Breweries
The Craft Experience is a new craft brewery and taproom focused application that is built upon the latest features and capabilities on iPhone, iPad and more. Learn how we are building an intelligent location-aware app without sacrificing user data privacy in the process.
Data privacy is a rapidly changing landscape for mobile apps and technologies all over the world. So many companies provide their services at the cost of users giving up their data and privacy, but it doesn't have to be that way.