Twin Cities Startup Week 2021
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 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.
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 Officer
Tuning 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) Division
Tuning 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?
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Sales & Marketing Track
TCSW is proud to partner with Denamico and Lola Red to present the Twin Cities Startup Week Sales & Marketing Track. Hear from innovative entrepreneurs, dynamic business leaders, and game-changing experts as they share insights on how the future of Sales & Marketing is being shaped.
Attend this track in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM - Opening Remarks
9:15 AM - The Power of Community in Marketing
10:30 AM - Twin Cities Podcast Hosts UNPLUGGED - Sales
11:30 AM - Twin Cities Podcast Hosts UNPLUGGED - Marketing
1:15 PM - The 2 Keys to Successfully Marketing your Business
2:25 PM - Stop Guessing, Start Asking: Using Research to Drive Growth
3:40 PM - Pitching Yourself and Your Company For Success
MOTHER'S ROOM
The Machine Shop offers a beautiful mother's room for attendees. Please check in at the front desk when you arrive and we'll direct you to the room.
PARKING / ENTRANCE INSTRUCTIONS
The best door to enter is the main set of double doors (the 2nd set from our small parking lot to the east of our building) off of 3rd street.
The Machine Shop has limited parking in its parking lot, but is a very short walk from bus routes 6, 250, 261, 264, 270, 288. Best parking options:
The Power of Community in Marketing
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Jess Von Bank is the Head of Marketing for Leapgen and organizer of the Now of Work global community. The Now of Work community launched by Leapgen at the beginning of a global pandemic is a movement to better serve humanity by humanizing work. It represents the humanization and digital disruption of work during the most historic labor market and business cycles we’ve seen in modern times. In this opening keynote, Jess discusses community-centric marketing to build brand, grow loyalty, adapt and remain authentic in wildly changing times, and drive innovation.
Twin Cities Podcast Hosts UNPLUGGED, Part 1: Sales
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
This two-part Clubhouse-style event is bringing together Twin Cities podcast hosts to extract what they’ve learned from their conversations with notable guests in the startup realm, corporate world, and tech space.
In Part 1 of this event, host Tim Bornholdt will be flipping the mic on these podcasters to chat about using podcasting as a tool to grow a business, judging the success of episodes, using podcasting for lead generation, preparing for interviews, and more!
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Founder Track presented by Samsung Next
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Samsung Next is proud to present the Twin Cities Startup Week Founder Track. Please join us as we explore the entrepreneurial journey from how to start your own startup to funding options to how to grow and scale. We’ll hear from seasoned entrepreneurs, local investors, and other community leaders that want to ensure the next Fortune 500s are started in our own backyard. If you’re a founder or interested in starting a company - this track is for you! Breakfast and lunch provided.
Attend this track in person or participate from the comfort of your home or office through Hopin.
SCHEDULE
9:00 AM - Opening Remarks
9:15 AM - Lessons from Black Tech Leaders
10:30 AM - If You Build It Will They Come? How To Hire and Retain Your First Employees
11:25 AM - How is the MN Startup Market Perceived by Out of State VCs?
1:15 PM - Come Meditate! A Mindfulness Break.
1:45 PM - Understanding your startup funding options
2:55 PM - Your Strategic Playbook for Growth & Execution
4:00 PM - Rethinking Best Practices
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.
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.
If You Build It Will They Come? How To Hire and Retain Your First Employees
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Building a successful business requires bravery, tenacity, and a commitment to crafting a top-flight workplace that doesn’t let your imagination get stifled. It also hinges on getting the foundational stuff right – things like payroll, policies and procedures, employee benefits and employer-related compliance. The best way to attract investors to your startup is to demonstrate operational credibility to prove that your company is ready to maximize their investment dollars.
Start-up superstar Matt Meents joins Human Capital advisor Courtney Howard for a fireside chat to discuss the 10 foundational principles of building a well-established HR infrastructure to make sure you hire the right talent in the right way.
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.
Come meditate! A mindfulness break.
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Come to do a short meditation to get yourself recharged for the rest of the day. This meditation session is easy to do, so whether you are new or experienced at meditation, you'll feel right at home with it.
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.
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.
Your Strategic Playbook for Growth & Execution
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.
Rethinking “Best Practices”
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
The short phrase “best practices” has become a defining factor within the private equity industry, from due diligence processes for potential investments to vetting fund managers. In this session, Dr. Chris Brooks will explore how this single phrase has led to billions of dollars of missed opportunity, and he will propose steps to think differently moving forward.
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).
Friday, September 24, 2021
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.
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.
Customer Obsession Creates Restaurant Resiliency
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
The pandemic drove a wedge between restaurants and their customers causing many losses and even more heartbreak. In this talk, we'll take a look at 3 Minnesota restaurants that were customer-obsessed and thrived because of it. Create a bond with your customer that no pandemic, restriction, or shut down can stand between - here's how.
State of Startup + Enterprise Partnerships in MSP
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
Minneapolis-Saint Paul is a “headquarters economy,” home to the highest concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters in the country. That can be a huge asset for local startups when corporations act as customers, investors, and partners, as well as support programs like local accelerators or events like Twin Cities Startup Week. Partners across the Forge North coalition, including the Carlson School of Management, Target, Medical Alley Association, EY, and others, worked together to interview dozens of the region’s largest corporations and learn all the ways they’re engaging startups today and what more could be possible in the years to come. Join us to unpack the results.
To fund or not to fund…the founder’s dilemma from an investor perspective
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
The Real Pitch MN
Tuning in virtually? Watch live on Hopin on the Stage here.
What are investors really thinking when they hear a startup pitch? See 5 MN-based startups pitch experienced investors Brett Brohl and Mary Grove from Bread and Butter Ventures. Brett and Mary will give live feedback and provide insight into the investor thought process, giving you an inside peek at what investors think about pitch decks, round sizes, competition slides and more!
Startups can apply to pitch here.