Edition 12: April 2025 Minnesota Startup Events and News
Community fueled resource for Minnesota's startup ecosystem.
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY TO THIS NEWSLETTER! Thank you to this incredible Minnesota community for contributing every month.
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APRIL EVENTS (and a sneak peek into future events):
Crisis Management: Navigating the Storm - When crises strike, businesses must act decisively to protect operations, reputation, and relationships. Join COO and crisis management expert Dan Wallek as he shares practical strategies for navigating operational and reputational challenges during high-stakes moments. This session will cover advice for effective decision-making under pressure, maintaining team cohesion, communicating transparently with stakeholders, and learning from crisis scenarios to emerge stronger. Whether you're a startup leader or an aspiring entrepreneur, this event will equip you with the tools to weather any storm.
When: April 2nd, 12pm
Where: Virtual
Who should attend: Early stage startup founders and small business owners
Contributed by Maria at University of MN
Rise and Raise - Rise & Raise is a casual morning meetup designed to connect startups with investors in a low-pressure, high-value setting. Hosted at SK Coffee in St. Paul, this event is perfect for founders who plan to raise capital in the next 12 months and want to start building relationships early. The event is open to anybody looking to build relationships in the MN startup ecosystem but is designed for early stage investors and founders who are seeking capital within the next 12 months.
When: April 3rd, 8am
Where: SK Coffee: Coffee Bar & Roastery 550 Vandalia St, St Paul, MN
Who should attend: The event is open to anybody looking to build relationships in the MN startup ecosystem but is designed for early stage investors and founders who are seeking capital within the next 12 months.
Contributed by Grant at Great North Ventures
MN Founders Pickleball Tournament (2nd Annual)- The annual MN Founders Pickleball Tournament is BACK!! This is a special community event put on by founders, for founders to meet, greet, and compete against each other in a friendly pickleball tournament. Sign up as a team, solo (we'll pair you with a partner), or just come and hangout! The question is.. who is the best pickleball-playing founder in the state of MN?
When: April 3rd, 4:30pm
Where: Minneapolis Cider Co.
Who should attend: Founders and Small Business Owners
Contributed by Ramsey at Babbl
Business Formation: Choosing the Right Structure- Deciding on the right legal structure is critical for any business. This session will guide you through the options—LLC, 501(c)(3), corporation, and more. Understand the implications for liability, taxes, and fundraising so you can make an informed decision tailored to your venture’s goals.
When: April 9th, 12pm
Where: Virtual
Who should attend: Early stage startup founders and small business owners
Contributed by Maria at University of MN
2025 Summit Capital Readiness: Inside + Out - The ConnectUp! Summit is a 3-day culturally grounded, curated gathering of our entrepreneur community. Get the mechanics of getting capital ready and running your business. Engage in interactive problem-solving to build thriving, diverse, & sustainable investing.
Co-design an ecosystem that prioritizes equitable access to resources, capital & networks.When: April 10th, 1pm
Where: Wilder Foundation: 451 Lexington Pkwy N, St. Paul, MN 55104
Who should attend: Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Ecosystem Partners
Contributed by Natalie at ConnectUp MN
Angel Fest 2025 - Angel Fest is an energetic conference empowering and connecting early-stage investors from Minnesota, and beyond. Angel Fest is the region’s marquee annual investor conference. For the first time ever, Angel Fest 2025 will bring you an immersive two-day experience packed with valuable content and opportunities. Join us on May 8 & 9 for an unforgettable opportunity to connect with thought leaders, engage in interactive sessions, and network with hundreds of fellow investors shaping the future.
When: May 8th & 9th
Where: Huntington Bank Stadium (UMN)
Who should attend: Angel Investors
Contributed by Mickayla at Groove Capital
Founders Day - Join fellow alumni and the broader entrepreneurial community as we celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Minnesota campus. Learn about innovative projects led by students and faculty to develop new products, test new business concepts and launch new startups. Plus, hear from the UMN Entrepreneur of the Year, Charlie Youakim, Co-founder of Sezzle.
When: May 14th, 4:30pm
Where: Walter Library | University of Minnesota
Who should attend: UMN Alumni, Staff, & Students, Innovators, Community Supporters
Contributed by Ally at University of MN
Medtech MVP Conference - Medtech investor conference.
When: June 16th, 1pm
Where: Four Seasons Minneapolis
Who should attend: Medtech startups - early to late-stage companies. Entrepreneurs / talent hoping to connect w/ investors, other startups, strategics, etc.
Contributed by Amrinder at Vensana Capital
ConnectUP! Mini Summit: Sparking Success with Cannabis - Have high hopes for your small cannabis businesses? This ConnectUP! Mini Summit is designed for entrepreneurs who want to elevate their businesses, learn from experts, and collaborate with like-minded professionals. Whether you’re looking to scale your operations, stay compliant, or forge new partnerships, this event is your gateway to the next level of success in the cannabis industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to ignite your business growth and network with industry leaders!
When: September 5th, 8:30am
Where: Red Lake Nation College Minneapolis Campus, 900 S 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55415
Who should attend: Entrepreneurs, Investors, and Ecosystem Partners
Contributed by Natalie at ConnectUp MN
NEWS AND RESOURCES
Atland Ventures — a student-run & student-owned venture capital fund at the University of Minnesota — raised over $1M for their second fund, allowing them to continue investing in companies that are solving problems felt by the digitally native generation - Undergraduate students raised capital in a challenging fundraising environment, bringing Atland's total AUM to more than $2M.
Contributed by Savannah at University of MN
MN Cup Applications Due by April 11 - MN Cup is the largest statewide startup competition in the nation, offering access to mentorship, capital, and community connections. Applications are being accepted now through April 11th, its free to apply, and open to any MN Based company under $1 Million in revenue.
Contributed by Ally at University of MN
Naturally Rising MN (Conscious Business Competition): Applications Close April 11th - Are you a conscious CPG company looking to strengthen your pitch and compete to win a killer prize package including a free booth at Newtopia Now and entry into the National Naturally Rising Competition? Apply now for your chance to compete and win big!