What is The Collaborative?
The Collaborative is the largest membership organization in Minnesota serving growing and emerging companies, entrepreneurs, investors and executives.

For over 20 years, The Collaborative has served as a proven resource for growing companies, providing real-life, quality content and networking while also fueling and convening Minnesota's innovation economy.

Entrepreneurs. Investors. Experts. Peers.
Since 1987, we've been dedicated to growth companies and their unique challenges.

We offer efficient, high quality information and unmatched networking from the real-life experiences of our community — people who understand what it takes to build a business.
Entrepreneurs. Investors. Experts. Peers.

Growing A Business is Hard Work … Let Us Help.
Our programs, publications, and electronic services deliver solutions and contacts when members need them.

Join our growing membership and take advantage of what we have to offer.

To Join Click Here
For Membership Benefits and Fees Click Here

Who We Are
The Collaborative and our members take pride in our very high quality, very experiential, very effective content and networking. Our members join and renew because we consistently provide: Quality • Efficiency • Integrity • Value

“The Collaborative, through its events and publications, is an outstanding value for companies and investors alike. It is clear that Minnesota's entrepreneurial economy and level of activity would not be what it is today if not for The Collaborative.”
-Michael Gorman, Managing Director, Split Rock Partners

“I believe The Collaborative is the most effective and professionally run entrepreneurial program in the United States."
-Gordon F. Stofer, Managing Partner, Cherry Tree Investments

Our Content
Our trademark of providing relevant topics from the perspectives of peers – entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and experts that work with growing companies every day – has been the cornerstone of our success and lasting component of membership in The Collaborative.

“The Collaborative does a great job of pulling together outstanding programs on relevant topics with knowledgeable speakers. I make the time to attend -- and it is consistently time well spent.”
-Brad Cleveland, President & CEO, The Protomold Company

Our Network
High quality content draws high caliber attendees and leads to exceptional networking. For Members of The Collaborative, networking is about building long term relationships and fostering Minnesota’s entrepreneurial economy. We are not a business card exchange and our programs are not a place to directly solicit business from other members. Business development, though an obvious objective for anyone in business, is not the first priority to members of The Collaborative. Our network consists of a strong infrastructure of services and financial resources and the growing enterprises they serve. Together we leverage our high quality forums in this spirit of celebrating what’s best in Minnesota’s innovation economy.

Our Membership
Member category and mix are affected by our pricing policy. Only entrepreneurs and full-time management teams with a product or service targeted beyond our local business community qualify for the pricing of Growing Company membership. By subsidizing the price for the growing companies that make up the backbone of Minnesota’s growth community, our membership structure creates the best value for everyone interested in the space.

"Growing companies in Minnesota are far stronger for having had the support of The Collaborative!"
-Andrew G. Humphrey, Chair, Emerging Companies Practice, Faegre & Benson

To Join Click Here
For Membership Benefits and Fees Click Here