Twin Cities Startup Week 2019

Fundraising for your early stage startup? It may be a long, and difficult, process but come hear confessions from a VC about how to stand out, and common pitfalls that could be dealbreakers to any potential investor.

Few startups budget for attorneys. Most entrepreneurs prefer to rely on their own common sense 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 posit that businesses often shutter, 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!

A fundraising round is also a great branding opportunity and a prime opportunity for communications pros to increase the profile of the organization. Success requires a thoughtful, strategic communications process that helps boost your profile on a more public stage. From nailing your messaging to how to bring employees along the journey, companies need to be prepared and mapping toward a larger narrative that shares what makes them an innovative company. Our discussion will highlight key decisions communications leadership need to be making in the months leading up a funding close.

Success rarely happens as a solo effort. Every entrepreneur must find and nurture partnerships along the way. From co-founders developing trust in early stages to finding the right advisors to track trowards an exit, partnerships matter. Come and absorb from an informed group of experienced partners.

The panel of experts include:
- Matt Meents, Former CEO, Magnet 360
- Robert Weber, Great North Labs
- Neela Mollgaard, Launch MN, Executive Director

The Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) welcomes you to attend an open house where program managers will explain and answer your questions about the variety of grants, loans, and technical advice that the state offers entrepreneurs and startup businesses.Learn about the new Launch Minnesota grants, the Angel Tax Credit Program, the Emerging Entrepreneur Loan Program, the Small Business Assistance Office, the Small Business Development Centers, SBIR/STTR grants, the SciTechsperience internship program, and more.

Recently there has been a surge in out of market VCs making investments into MN-based companies.This panel will bring together some of the top VCs to hear their take on what makes MN-based companies a great investment.

Are you talking the language of investors? What do they want to know about your business plan and finances? In this 50-minute culturally-grounded session, you will learn the what investors are thinking, what they're looking for in an investment and why. Participants will complete an activity to determine the parts of due diligence their businesses should focus.

Come learn the “love language” of investors and the tools to position your business for future success!

Despite headlines involving big bets in venture capital, crowdfunding, accelerators, and angel investing, the number one source of funding for start-ups is personal savings and credit.
Come hear how to manage your whole financial picture - both at home and work - as you launch and grow your business.

Join Village Bank’s panel of financial industry experts as they dispel common business banking myths, discuss common financing options, and provide valuable financial tips for entrepreneurs just like you!

This event will provide a platform for emerging business leaders to ask questions they may not know to ask, and allows attendees the chance to connect with local banking experts and fellow entrepreneurs alike.

Panelists will be diving deep into discussion topics including:
- What role does a community bank have in your entrepreneurial path, and how they can be a gift to entrepreneurs and the community as a whole
- Demystifying Small Business Administration (SBA) lending; misconceptions will be addressed, benefits will be highlighted, and tips will be shared to determine whether this option would benefit you
- What is Treasury Management? How and when to know which financial products to leverage to mitigate operational and financial risk – it is never too early to start planning in order to safeguard the future of your business
- Pitfalls to avoid as you balance the management of your personal finances alongside your business finances

Whether you’re just starting up or gearing up for growth, this panel conversation is for you.

N401 Studios is a beautifully-modern studio and event space in the heart of the Warehouse District. It’s easily accessible via public transit or by car. On-street, metered parking is available, or the B and C lots are both a few blocks away with hourly parking rates.

Main entrance doors are on 401 N 1st Avenue close to the intersection of N 1st Avenue and N 4th Street. There may still be some sidewalk construction right in front of the main entrance blocking entry. If this is the case, please enter the space via the N 4th Street side entrance. Just look for our Village Bank hosts who will be outside to greet you as you arrive.

Food and beverages provided by Kowalski’s Catering and N401 Studios. Remember to bring your business card to be entered into our raffle drawing. A winner will be drawn at the end of the event!

Join Village Bank’s panel of financial industry experts as they dispel common business banking myths, discuss common financing options, and provide valuable financial tips for entrepreneurs just like you!

This event will provide a platform for emerging business leaders to ask questions they may not know to ask, and allows attendees the chance to connect with local banking experts and fellow entrepreneurs alike.

Panelists will be diving deep into discussion topics including:
- What role does a community bank have in your entrepreneurial path, and how they can be a gift to entrepreneurs and the community as a whole
- Demystifying Small Business Administration (SBA) lending; misconceptions will be addressed, benefits will be highlighted, and tips will be shared to determine whether this option would benefit you
- What is Treasury Management? How and when to know which financial products to leverage to mitigate operational and financial risk – it is never too early to start planning in order to safeguard the future of your business
- Pitfalls to avoid as you balance the management of your personal finances alongside your business finances

Whether you’re just starting up or gearing up for growth, this panel conversation is for you.

N401 Studios is a beautifully-modern studio and event space in the heart of the Warehouse District. It’s easily accessible via public transit or by car. On-street, metered parking is available, or the B and C lots are both a few blocks away with hourly parking rates.

Main entrance doors are on 401 N 1st Avenue close to the intersection of N 1st Avenue and N 4th Street. There may still be some sidewalk construction right in front of the main entrance blocking entry. If this is the case, please enter the space via the N 4th Street side entrance. Just look for our Village Bank hosts who will be outside to greet you as you arrive.

Food and beverages provided by Kowalski’s Catering and N401 Studios. Remember to bring your business card to be entered into our raffle drawing. A winner will be drawn at the end of the event!

Join Parters & Analysts from Atland Ventures, one of the United States' first fully-student run Venture Capital firms and learn how we use our Gen Z perspective in making investment decisions. Using our portfolio companies as case studies, attendees will have an opportunity to break inside the minds of our analysts and explore how we conduct our diligence using the 'Real, Win, Worth' framework. Attendees will also have a time to ask questions and network with partners at Atland Ventures.

The event will be held in room 2-224!