The Minnesota Venture Conference, hosted by the Minnesota High Tech Association on Nov. 7, 2018, will bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors and executives to highlight innovative technologies and startups in Minnesota and across the Midwest.
The day-long event will feature panels and pitches in three hot tech topics in venture capital: artificial intelligence/ data analytics, blockchain technology, and cybersecurity. In addition, the conference serves as a networking event to connect investors and entrepreneurs. A new conference app allows startups to profile their companies online and schedule meetings onsite. The conference is being held at the Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown. For more info and registration: MnVenture.org.
“We are excited to bring together entrepreneurs and investors with expertise in technologies that are transforming our lives,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, CEO and president of the Minnesota High Tech Association. “The revamped Minnesota Venture Conference will play an important role in building the relationships startups need to succeed, expanding opportunities for venture capital investment in the Midwest, and strengthening our state’s innovation economy.”
Opening session:
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Shawntera Hardy, along with Margaret Anderson Kelliher
Artificial Intelligence/ Data Analytics
Keynote and panelist: Gene Munster, Managing Partner/ Cofounder, Loup Ventures
Panelists:
* Brittany Clements, Allianz Life Ventures
* Pat Dillon, MN-SBIR
* Ryan Weber, Great North Labs
Pitch companies include:
Big Wheelbarrow, DataChat, HabitAware, Virtue Analytics, Medpather, Pitchly, Scanalytics, and Traive.
Blockchain Technology
Keynote: Mike Jacobs, Senior Distinguished Engineer, Optum
Panelists:
* Russ Felker, West Monroe Partners
* Ezra Galston, Starting Line
* Chris Swanson, U.S. Bank
* Peter Johnson, Jump Capital
Pitch companies include:
CoCreateX, Protocol46, Roost, Silicon Prairie Portal & Exchange, and Soundpruf
Cybersecurity
Keynote: Jadee Hanson, Chief Information Security Officer, Code42
Panelists:
* Sharon Gabrielson, Mayo Clinic
* Seth Peter, Angel Investor
* Matt Stern, Entrust Datacard
* Michael Gorman, Split Rock Partners
Pitch companies include:
Barrier1, DA+Anchor, LegacyArmour, and TrustMapp.
About the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)
The Minnesota High Tech Association is an innovation and technology association united in fueling Minnesota’s prosperity and making Minnesota a top five technology state. We bring together the people of Minnesota’s science and technology ecosystem and lead the way in bringing science and technology issues to leaders at Minnesota’s Capitol and Washington, D.C. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. Our members include organizations of every size ? involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota.
