Each year, Minnesotans gather to celebrate Twin Cities Startup Week. Like the World’s Fair, this event is a chance to learn, celebrate, and invest in innovations across technology, arts and culture, and more. This year, more than 200 events will showcase the great work that Minnesotans are doing. If you are interested in learning about what business leaders see on the horizon, what new technology is being developed, what companies are being created to solve unique challenges, and how advocates are helping their community, Twin Cities Startup Week is for you.
To help you decide what events to see, we’ve come up with the top five reasons to attend Twin Cities Startup Week this year.
1. SciTech – Build Your STEM Talent Pipeline and Get a Rebate to Do it!
The number one reason to attend Twin Cities Startup Week this year is to learn how you can source talented college interns to help your organization while getting a rebate to do so. The SciTech Internship Program is a state-funded program run through the Minnesota Technology Association that helps place qualified college interns into Minnesota-based technology companies for internships. If you are curious about how you can build your STEM pipeline and have 50% of the intern’s wages matched, you won’t want to miss this session.
2. Powering Your Startup with Government Funding
When growing a startup, many people look to private investors or venture capital firms. But could a federal or state entity be your startup’s next investor? There are numerous opportunities to take advantage of grants, partnerships, and education to power your startup. Launch Minnesota will cover a few of the many funding opportunities available and give you top tips for connecting with these entities.
3. Designing Your DEI Culture to Attract Top Talent!
Finding qualified talent for your organization is top of mind for many hiring managers right now. In fact, Minnesota clocked the lowest unemployment rate in the country in the summer of 2022. At the same time, organizations are also trying to build stronger diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) practices. Designing an organizational culture around DE&I can give your company a competitive advantage in finding talent. Leaders from UnitedHealthcare will share their experiences in this effort and how you can design an intentional culture of DE&I.
4. Launch Minnesota AMA
Launch Minnesota is a state run program that helps startups in Minnesota take off. Their Ask Me Anything session puts you in front of their Board of Directors, who are a top tier team of investors, founders, higher education leaders, and innovators. If you are a founder, entrepreneur, investor, or interested in the growth of startups, this event is for you. Join Launch MN to hear their opinion on funding, growing a startup, connections, and more.
5. PR on a Startup Budget
If you are a startup, both time and money can be in short supply. But that doesn’t mean you should neglect your public relations efforts. Getting your company in the news is an excellent way to build awareness, attract funding, grow your network, and establish your brand. Allison Kaplan is the editor in chief for Twin Cities Business magazine and oversees digital content for TCB and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine. In this session, she will share how you can still leverage earned media in your toolkit while working with a startup budget.
