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Community Jam - TCSW (Twin Cities Startup Week)

Community Jam with TCSW


TCSW Clickable Chapters:


Innovate MN September 25 Idea Jam 9




Event Pictures




Event Deck





Problem Statement 

Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW) seeks to reimagine its format and impact to create a more focused, sustainable, and valuable experience for Minnesota's startup ecosystem. The challenge centers on optimizing event logistics, content curation, and community engagement while maintaining financial sustainability. Key areas for innovation include event duration, location strategy, content quality, and sponsor/partner relationships, all aimed at elevating TCSW's status as a premier startup event that attracts participants beyond Minnesota.

Idea Jam Summary

Twin Cities Startup Week (TCSW) is looking to transition from its current week-long, multi-location festival format to a more focused, impactful event that better serves Minnesota's startup ecosystem while attracting national attention. The brainstorming session focused on two primary inquiries:

  1. Examining the ideal event structure, including logistics, duration, and location strategy, to create a more cohesive experience

  2. Exploring ways to deliver higher-value content and experiences while ensuring financial sustainability through sponsorships and partnerships


Participants generated numerous ideas, from reimagining the event format to creating innovative sustainable models. Key concepts included:

  • Condensing the event to 3-5 high-impact days with themed tracks and focused content

  • Creating a hub-and-spoke model with centralized locations for each day's programming

  • Developing a sustainable funding model through diversified revenue streams, including sponsorships, tiered experiences, and potential membership programs

  • Implementing a "Super Bowl-style" committee structure for a professional organization

  • Building year-round engagement through regular community touchpoints and digital content

  • Establishing stronger connections between startups, corporations, and investors

  • Creating clear pathways for community members to engage and grow


The session emphasized the importance of creating an event that provides valuable content and facilitates meaningful connections and practical outcomes for participants. Ideas ranged from practical solutions like improved venue selection and parking arrangements to innovative concepts like "North by North Loop" entertainment series and startup scavenger hunts.


Participants also highlighted the need to address the diverse needs of different stakeholder groups, recognizing that founders, investors, service providers, and community supporters may have varying goals and preferences in how they engage with TCSW.


Overall, the brainstorming session aimed to position TCSW as a premier startup event that effectively serves the local community while attracting national attention, supported by sustainable operational and financial models. The focus was on creating a more streamlined, impactful experience that maintains the community-driven spirit while elevating the overall quality and accessibility of the event.




Are you interested in the data? Grab the data (TEXT to the right of the stickies) from the miro board in the green section. It's best if you use your desktop browser. :)





Innovate MN - Community Jam | TCSW | AI Analysis


Overview of key ideas generated by the community:

Topic 1: Ideal Event Structure, Logistics, Duration & Location Strategy Key Themes:

  1. Event Duration & Timing

    1. Reduce to 3-5 focused days (Monday-Friday preferred)

    2. Eliminate weekend programming (low attendance)

    3. Consider a concentrated evening-only format

    4. Allow adequate time between sessions

    5. Avoid session overlaps

  2. Location Strategy

    1. One venue per day concept

    2. Centralized hub location(s)

    3. Walking-distance between venues

    4. Better parking solutions

    5. Consider university campuses (U of M/St. Thomas) for daytime sessions

    6. Cluster venues by themes/tracks

  3. Event Flow & Navigation

    1. Clear venue signage

    2. Earlier schedule announcements (1.5+ months in advance)

    3. Transportation solutions (Uber/Lyft discounts)

    4. Food trucks at locations

    5. Better wayfinding

    6. Single scheduling platform/app

  4. Attendee Experience

    1. Improved check-in process

    2. Better new attendee orientation

    3. Name tags with conversation starters

    4. Networking facilitation

    5. Clear track identification

    6. Organized pathways through content



Topic 2: Higher-Value Content & Financial Sustainability Key Themes:

  1. Content Organization

    1. Themed tracks (Tech, Healthcare, FinTech)

    2. "Startup Journey" content structure

    3. Experience level identification (Newbie vs Expert)

    4. Workshop-style over panels

    5. Standardized session formats

    6. Focus on practical outcomes

  2. Premium Programming

    1. National keynote speakers

    2. Mentor-focused sessions

    3. Expert office hours

    4. Founder-to-founder connections

    5. Interactive workshops

    6. Pitch competitions

    7. VIP access opportunities

  3. Financial Model

    1. Tiered pricing structure

    2. Premium passes with exclusive access

    3. Corporate sponsorship packages

    4. Strategic partnerships

    5. Sustainable revenue generation

    6. Value-based pricing

    7. Scholarship options for founders/students

  4. Sponsorship & Partnership Strategy

    1. Clear value proposition for sponsors

    2. Year-round partnership benefits

    3. In-kind sponsorship opportunities

    4. Corporate engagement programs

    5. Cross-promotion opportunities

    6. Long-term partnership development

  5. Community Building & Value

    1. Mentorship programs

    2. Support group formation

    3. Year-round engagement

    4. Digital content strategy

    5. Community directory

    6. Post-event resources

    7. Follow-up programming

  6. Innovation in Programming

    1. "North by North Loop" concert series

    2. Startup tours

    3. Interactive competitions

    4. Global hub connections

    5. Specialized networking events

    6. Industry-specific showcases



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TCSW Community Values


Through collaborative discussion and ideation, the community identified six core values that should guide the future of Twin Cities Startup Week. These values reflect the current strengths of Minnesota's startup ecosystem and aspirations for growth.


  1. Community Collaboration 

At the heart of TCSW is the belief in the power of working together. This means creating environments where ideas can be freely shared; connections naturally form, and the entire ecosystem benefits from collective wisdom. The community emphasized that meaningful collaboration, not just networking, should be central to every aspect of the event.


  1. Radical Inclusivity 

The term "radically welcoming" emerged as a powerful directive for TCSW. This goes beyond essential accessibility to create an environment where everyone - first-time founders and seasoned entrepreneurs - feels genuinely welcomed and valued. It means actively breaking down barriers, eliminating exclusive cliques, and ensuring diverse voices are heard and respected.


  1. Sustainable Impact 

TCSW should create lasting value for the community through individual events and year-round engagement. This value encompasses consciousness in operations, responsible resource use, and, most importantly, generating meaningful, long-term benefits for participants and the broader ecosystem.


  1. Innovation & Creativity 

The community envisions TCSW as a place where big thinking is encouraged, and boundaries are meant to be pushed. This means creating space for experimental approaches, unrestrained thinking, and creative problem-solving that can drive real change in the startup ecosystem.


  1. Authenticity 

Being genuine to Minnesota's unique culture emerged as a crucial value. This means fostering authentic connections, addressing challenges, and maintaining transparency in all operations. The community emphasized that authenticity should always be preserved for growth or scale.


  1. Openness 

The free exchange of ideas and information should be fundamental to TCSW. This includes open dialogue between participants, transparent communication from organizers, and a collaborative spirit that encourages knowledge-sharing across the ecosystem.



Innovative Organizational Concepts for TCSW


🏆 SUPER BOWL MODEL Structure: Host Committee + Sub-Committees 

Focus: Professional Event Management 

Key Feature: Year-round dedicated planning


🎯 HUB & SPOKE Structure: Central Hub + Satellite Venues 

Focus: Distributed but Connected Programming 

Key Feature: Themed content tracks with clear pathways


🎸 SXSW INSPIRATION Structure: Multi-industry Festival 

Focus: Business + Culture + Entertainment 

Key Feature: "North by North Loop" integration


🎪 CONVENTION MODEL (MarsCon/CONvergence) Structure: Volunteer Committees 

Focus: Community-Driven Organization 

Key Feature: Year-round engaged volunteer base


🚀 STARTUP JOURNEY Structure: Progressive Learning Paths 

Focus: Stage-Based Programming 

Key Feature: Clear attendee pathways and outcomes


🤝 ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT Structure: Professional Organization 

Focus: Standardized Operations 

Key Feature: Sustainable funding and governance


🌍 GLOBAL HUB COMPETITION Structure: International Network 

Focus: Cross-Ecosystem Collaboration 

Key Feature: High-profile prizes and events




Strategic Recommendations for TCSW


  1. Community-First Programming Model Create a Multi-Level Engagement Strategy:

    1. Community Advisory Board

    2. Track Champions from the industry

    3. Content Review Committee

    4. Volunteer Leadership Program

    5. Year-round touchpoints


  2. Innovation in Event Design Implement Creative New Formats:

    1. "Startup Crawl" through key locations

    2. Industry-specific deep dives

    3. Interactive problem-solving sessions

    4. Cross-industry innovation labs

    5. Minnesota-unique experiences


  3. Technology & Tools Enhancement Develop Better Digital Infrastructure:

    1. A custom event app with matchmaking

    2. Real-time feedback mechanisms

    3. Digital content repository

    4. Community engagement platform

    5. Resource sharing tools


  4. Partnership Development Create Structured Partnership Programs:

    1. Corporate innovation partnerships

    2. Educational institution collaborations

    3. Service provider alliances

    4. Community organization networks

    5. Media partnerships


  5. Brand Development Strengthen TCSW's Identity:

    1. Clear positioning strategy

    2. Consistent messaging framework

    3. Professional brand guidelines

    4. Content style guide

    5. Ambassador program


  6. Measurement & Impact Implement Comprehensive Metrics:

    1. Event success indicators

    2. Community impact measures

    3. Economic value tracking

    4. Partnership effectiveness

    5. Long-term ecosystem growth


  7. Sustainable Operations Model Develop Multi-Source Revenue Strategy:

    1. Tiered membership program

    2. Sponsorship packages

    3. Premium experiences

    4. Content monetization

    5. Year-round revenue streams


Quick Wins:

  • Create a "First-Timer" orientation program

  • Develop speaker preparation guidelines

  • Establish venue partner requirements

  • Launch a community recognition program

  • Implement a session rating system


Risk Mitigation:

  • Backup venue planning

  • Weather contingency plans

  • Speaker replacement process

  • Technology redundancy

  • Financial reserves policy


Long-term Opportunities:

  • Regional expansion potential

  • National partnership development

  • International connection building

  • Innovation research programs

  • Ecosystem leadership initiatives



Pics from the community!

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YOU MADE IT!


Thank you to our members and sponsors!


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