2013 is another strong year in The Collaborative's 25+ years serving MN's Innovation Economy.

Click here to see photos and graphics of first-half 2013's Who's Who in MN Innovation.

275 Attracted to the May 2 Tech.2013 Six-Part Event

On May 2nd, The Collaborative hosted a six session morning event, “Tech.2013: Data, the Cloud, Commerce, Social, Platforms, Niche Tech, Enterprise & Health.” This event featured 18 speakers on six outstanding panels and a keynote address by Minneapolis Mayor, R.T. Rybak. The audience of 275 entrepreneurs, executives and investors were treated to an information-filled morning and valuable networking.
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The Collaborative Growth Series Seminar on “Private Equity & Alternative Equity Strategies” Attracts Over 200

The Collaborative's April 11th Growth Series Seminar attracted over 200 CEOs, CFOs, investors and executives to a two panel discussion on Private Equity & Alternative Equity Strategies. In addition to experts from law, investment banking and accounting and tax firms, attendees heard from entrepreneurs and an investor who’ve been involved in private equity transactions. They delved into the challenges and opportunities of effectively utilizing, raising and leveraging private equity for growth. Attendees also received a hefty 48-page materials booklet including speaker bios and a detailed, useful outline on the subject.
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Five-Session Medtech Event Features 250+ Attendees, Senator Klobuchar Keynote, Five Panels and Great Networking

Minnesota is known worldwide as a medtech mecca. On February 21, The Collaborative Vanguard Series program on Medtech examined “Where Minnesota’s Strengths & Opportunities Meet” exploring five areas of Medtech opportunity in an invigorating series of 35-minute conversational sessions. The event attracted a crowd of over 250 CEOs, executives, investors, entrepreneurs and executives interested in Minnesota’s opportunities, challenges and future in our stalwart medical device industry. The morning was filled with lively networking, beginning with breakfast through five great sessions and fantastic mid-morning keynote by Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
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Growth Series Seminar ‘Mergers & Acquisitions’ attracts a crowd to hear from outstanding panels.

The Collaborative presented its first Growth Series Seminar of 2013, “Mergers & Acquisitions: A Two Panel Event For Both Buyers and Sellers,” on January 31. The event attracted nearly 200 CEOs, CFOs, investors, entrepreneurs and executives to learn about the great potential in M&A and how to take advantage of the more robust market for their business. The two-panel, 3-hour discussion featured a wealth of information, expert advice and real-world stories. Networking was energetic and attendees received a hefty 54-page booklet providing take-home information.
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January 10 Two-Panel Board of Directors Event Attracts 150 to Kick-Off 2013
CEOs, investors, CFOs and experts delve into the attracting, motivating, leveraging and managing great boards of directors

On January 10, The Collaborative hosted its first Innovation Series event of the year, aimed at helping growing companies build their business. This event featured two in-depth panels addressing the topic of Boards of Directors. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to informative discussions and lively networking.
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2012 has been a busy and productive year — 13 events, 40 topics, 150+ speakers and 2,500 entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors and executives participating.

Click here for a picture-and-graphic heavy snapshot of all 2012 events and speakers.

Well Received December Case Study Features CEO, VC, CFO and Advisor Delving into the SPS Commerce Story
Case Study format looked at many issues typically addressed at topic-specific Collaborative programs

The Collaborative Case Study hosted December 14, featured a deep dive into the history of SPS Commerce, a leading provider of on-demand supply chain management solutions. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives and investors were treated to a look into one company’s fascinating story in addition to ample networking.
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Over 200 Attracted to November Healthcare and Medtech Reform Series Breakfast

On November 13, The Collaborative hosted a four-panel breakfast discussing healthcare and medtech, two of Minnesota's most important employers and growth engines for our economic future. This event featured 12 outstanding speakers who offered their insights on the Healthcare Reform Legislation, wellness trends, data enabled solutions and the changing dynamics at the FDA and CMS. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives and investors were treated to an information-filled morning with vigorous networking opportunities.
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380 Entrepreneurs, Investors and Executives Converge at the 26th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference

Since 1987, The Collaborative and the Minnesota Venture Capital Association have co-hosted Minnesota's premier Venture & Finance Conference. The goal of the conference is the same as it was in the beginning – bringing together investors and entrepreneurs to discuss, learn and network in order to nurture Minnesota’s innovation economy.
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Great Crowd Attracted to the September 13th 4-Topic Innovation Series Event
CEOs, investors & experts participate in this 4-topic, 17 speaker bonanza

The Collaborative hosted its second 2012 4-topic Innovation Series event aimed at helping growing companies build their business. This event featured four in-depth sessions addressing going international, managing cash, building sales and tech vs. medtech startups. The audience of over 180 entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to an informative discussion with 17 speakers and lively networking.
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August 2nd 4-Session Innovation Series Event Features 18 Speakers & Attracts a Great Audience

The Collaborative hosted the first of two 4-session Innovation Series events aimed at helping growing companies build stronger, more successful companies. The August 2nd event featured four incredible panels on managing and growing people, capital sources, leveraging your advisors and partnerships. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to a jam-packed morning with 18 speakers and lively networking. Dr. Chris Puto, Dean of the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas, and Dan Carr, CEO of The Collaborative, welcomed the crowd.
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Growth Series Seminar 'Equity Finance 2012' and the '17th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon' attract a crowd to hear from outstanding panels and luncheon keynote speaker Dr. Narayana Kocherlakota

The Collaborative’s double event on June 7th featured the Equity Finance 2012 Growth Series Seminar followed by the 17th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon and attracted over 175 CEOs, CFOs, investors and executives.
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17th Annual Minnesota Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon Features Keynote Address by Dr. Narayana Kocherlakota

The 17th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon was a great opportunity for investors to network with other investors and with Minnesota’s top entrepreneurs. Bringing the investment and entrepreneurial community together has been the goal since the National Venture Capital Association, Minnesota Venture Capital Association and The Collaborative first launched this event in 1996.
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Over 225 Attracted to the Tech.2012 Event
CEOs, investors & experts participate in this 4-topic, 12 speaker bonanza.

On May 22nd, The Collaborative hosted a four panel morning event, “Tech.2012: the Cloud, Social, Mobile, Consumer, the App Economy & Enterprise.” This event featured 12 speakers on four outstanding panels. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, and investors were treated to an information-filled morning and valuable networking.
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Mergers & Acquisitions Growth Series Seminar on May 3rd Attracts a Strong Crowd

The Collaborative presented its second Growth Series Seminar of 2012, “M&A: The Hottest & Most Attractive Mergers & Acquisitions Market in Years — for Buyers and Sellers,” bringing together 150 CEOs, CFOs, investors, entrepreneurs and executives to learn about the great potential in M&A and how to take advantage for their business. The two-panel, 3-hour discussion featured a wealth of information, expert advice and real-world stories. Networking was energetic and attendees received a 50-page booklet providing an abundant amount of information to take home.
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Venture Capital Roundtable

4/21/2012

As part of the planning for the 26th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference, The Collaborative gathered several Minnesota venture capitalists and private investors to discuss the "state" of emerging company investing. The Star Tribune's Wendy Lee was on hand to take in the proceedings.
Read more at the Star Tribune

Weighty Six-Session Medtech Event Attracted Over 250 CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Professionals

Minnesota is known worldwide across a number of medtech disciplines, growth areas, therapies and clinical treatment areas. The Collaborative Vanguard Series program on Medtech examined “Where Minnesota’s Strengths & Opportunities Meet” through six areas of Medtech opportunity in an invigorating series of 35-minute conversational sessions. The event attracted a crowd of over 250 CEOs, executives, investors, entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals interested in exploring Minnesota’s opportunity and future of our stalwart medical device strength; with advances in technology, biology delivery and therapy. The morning was filled with lively networking, beginning with breakfast through six great sessions, three keynotes and ending with lunch.
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The Collaborative in the news:
Best Buy, Life Time Fitness CEOs discuss leadership
3/7/2012

12th Annual ChangeMakers Event Attracts 350+ to Hear from Governor Dayton, Brian Dunn, Phil Soran, Mary Brainerd, Bahram Akradi and Don Shelby on "Leadership"

Read more at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Click here for a photo gallery of the event from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal

2011 has been a busy and productive year — 12 events, 40 topics, 150 speakers and 2,500 entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors and executives participating in our 12 events.

Click here to read amazing nuggets from many of our outstanding speakers in 2011.
Click here for an overview of all our 2011 events and speakers.

VCs: Signs 'encouraging' for MN

4/29/2011

As part of the planning for the 25th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference, The Collaborative gathered several Minnesota venture capitalists and private investors to discuss the "state" of emerging company investing. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's Katherine Grayson was on hand to take in the proceedings.
Read more at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (Full article available to paid subscribers only)
Click here to view the article as a PDF

Venture investment hits a rough patch

09/19/2010
Read more at the Star Tribune

CEO of the State: The Final Year

In 2010 Dan Carr, president of The Collaborative is reprising his CEO of the State interviews with Governor Tim Pawlenty, exploring the role of a governor from the standpoint of a CEO of the largest employer in the state with five million of us as customers.
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Click here for video clip on Financing & Technology
Click here for video clip on Innovation