160 Attracted to the January 12th 4-Session Innovation Series Event on Capital Structure, Cash Flow, Due Diligence and More

The Collaborative hosted a 4-session Innovation Series event aimed at helping growing companies build stronger, more successful companies. This event featured four incredible panels on “Cash is King! Managing Cash in the Growth Company”, “Capital Structure and Financing”, “Crisis! Fraud! Outsourcing!”, and “Due Diligence: A Must for Financing and More”. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to a jam-packed morning with 16 speakers and lively networking that kicked off with a warm welcome from University of St. Thomas, Opus College of Business Dean Christopher Puto.
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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.

Over 200 Attracted to November Healthcare and Medtech Reform Series Breakfast

The Collaborative hosted a three-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 evolving 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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440 Entrepreneurs, Investors and Executives Converge at the 25th 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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Over 250 Attracted to the September 8th Innovation Series Part III Event

The Collaborative hosted the final 4-topic Innovation Series event aimed at helping growing companies build their business. This event featured four incredible panels on leveraging technology including social networks and more, building revenue through marketing and sales, leveraging technology as your business and tech success in a medtech town. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to an informative discussion with 17 speakers and lively networking.
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Over 200 Attracted to the August 8th 4-Topic Innovation Series Part II Event

The Collaborative hosted the second of three 4-topic Innovation Series events aimed at helping growing companies build stronger, more successful companies. This event featured four incredible panels on developing and motivating a great Board of Directors; costs, responsibilities and commitment necessary in today’s Board of Directors; the role of intellectual property in financing and technology transfer; and getting a deal done. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to a jam-packed morning with 17 speakers and lively networking.
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Over 160 Attracted to the June 23rd 4-Topic Innovation Series Part I Event (Part II & III are Aug 4 & Sept 8)

The Collaborative hosted the first of three 4-topic Innovation Series Events aimed at helping growing companies build stronger, more successful companies. This event featured four incredible panels on business and strategic planning, leveraging advisors, growth financing strategies, and presenting your company to investors. The audience of entrepreneurs, executives, investors and students were treated to a jam-packed morning with 17 speakers and lively networking.
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16th Annual Minnesota Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon Features Keynote Address by Tom Stinson

The 16th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon is 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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Growth Series Seminar ‘Going and Being Public’ and the ‘16th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon’ attract a crowd to hear from outstanding panels and Luncheon keynote speaker Tom Stinson

The Collaborative double event Going and Being Public Growth Series Seminar, followed by the 16th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon on May 26th attracted CEOs, CFOs, investors and executives. The morning started off with a 3-hour, 2-panel seminar Going and Being Public: “2011 Market Showing Signs of Life – Is Your Business Ready?” which featured CEOs from recent Minnesota IPOs and experts from investor relations, law and accounting.
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The Collaborative Cleantech Event Attracts a Great Crowd and Stellar Line-up of Large Minnesota Cleantech Employers, the Head of the State’s Energy Agency, and Top Cleantech Entrepreneurs and Experts

The Collaborative hosted its second Convergence Series event of 2011 on May 4, presenting three conversational sessions examining Minnesota’s numerous opportunities in Cleantech. The morning included great discussions featuring Minnesota green energy innovators and job creators, lively networking and breakfast, attracting a strong crowd of CEOs, executives, investors, entrepreneurs and professionals.
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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

Mergers & Acquisitions Growth Series Seminar on April 7th Attracts 185

The Collaborative presented the second Growth Series Seminar of 2011, "Mergers and Acquisitions: 2011 is Heating Up for Buyers and Sellers. How Can You Maximize Your Opportunity?" bringing CEOs, CFOs, investors, entrepreneurs and executives to learn about the potential in M&A and how to take advantage for their business.
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Weighty four-topic Medtech event looking at Diabetes, Diagnostics, Tools & Materials, and Cardiovascular attracted over 250 CEOs, Entrepreneurs, Executives and Professionals

The Collaborative Convergence Series program on Medtech examined four areas of Medtech opportunity in an invigorating way, featuring a series of 35-minute conversational sessions.
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11th Annual ChangeMakers Event Attracts 300+ to Hear from Governor Dayton and an Outstanding Panel on MN's leadership in Health & Wellness

The 11th annual ChangeMakers event once again provided provocative dialogue and lively networking attended by hundreds of business executives and community leaders – this year addressing “HEALTH! Minnesota is Tops in Wellness & Healthy Living - And Business."
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Collaborative Growth Series “Private Equity” Event on January 20th Attracts a Strong Audience
A terrific roster of CEOs, investors and experts offered great discussion and insights into the impacts and opportunities for Minnesota.

The Collaborative Growth Series event on January 20th attracted a great crowd of CEOs, CFOs, investors and executives for an information packed two-panel, 3-hour discussion, Private Equity: Accessing Today’s Recovering Market.
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2010 has been a busy and productive year — 12 events, 45 topics, 125 speakers and 2,500 entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors and executives participating in our 12 events.

Click here for nuggets from 60+ who gave their time and graciously shared their expertise and experience.
Click here for a summary of all our 2010 events and speakers.

Over 225 Attracted to the November 16th Healthcare and Medtech Reform Series Breakfast
A terrific roster of CEOs, investors and experts offered great discussion and insights into the impacts and opportunities for Minnesota.

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.
Read More...

Entrepreneurs, Investors and Executives Converge at the 24th 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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Over 200 Attracted to the September 16th Technology & Entrepreneuring Event
CEOs, investors & experts participate in this 4-topic, 16 speaker bonanza

The Collaborative hosted a four panel morning event, "Leveraging Technology, Sales & Marketing, Entrepreneuring: in Minnesota" aimed at generating sales, leveraging the web, social media, tech businesses and finance.
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Venture investment hits a rough patch

09/19/2010
Read more at the Star Tribune

240+ Attracted to the August 5th 4-Topic Morning Event
16 outstanding speakers discuss topics fundamental to building a successful business

The Collaborative hosted the second of two 4-Topic Morning Events on August 5, aimed at helping growing companies prepare for long-term success and manage their growth. This event featured four incredible panels on Valuation; Managing Cash; Offensive & Defensive Strategies; and Presenting Your Company.
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Click here for video clip on The Pitch
Click here for video clip on 3-5 Criteria for VC-PE

Over 200 Attracted to the July 1st 4-Topic Morning Event
15 CEOs, investors & experts discuss finance, growth, stock options and angel & VC funding in a well received content feast.

The Collaborative hosted the first of two 4-Topic Morning Events aimed at helping growing companies prepare for long-term success and manage their growth. This event featured four incredible panels on financing, managing growth, compensation and capital sources.
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Sen. Klobuchar Delivers Innovation Savvy Keynote to Packed 15th Annual Minnesota Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon

The 15th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon is 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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Growth Series Seminar 'Going Public' and the '15th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon' attract a crowd to hear from outstanding panels and Luncheon keynote speaker Senator Amy Klobuchar

The Collaborative double event Going Public Growth Series Seminar, followed by the 15th Annual Entrepreneur & Investor Luncheon on June 3rd attracted CEOs, CFOs, investors and executives.
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The Collaborative Convergence Series Event on 'Cleantech' Attracts a Great Crowd and Stellar Line-up of Panelists

The Collaborative hosts its second Convergence Series event on May 6, presenting 35-minute conversational sessions examining four areas of Minnesota opportunity in cleantech. The morning featured four great discussions with lively networking and breakfast, attracting a strong crowd of CEOs, executives, investors, entrepreneurs and professionals.
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Mergers & Acquisitions Growth Series Seminar on April 15 Attracts 200+

The Collaborative presented the second Growth Series Seminar of 2010, “Mergers & Acquisitions: 2010 is Heating Up - Out of the 2009 Deep Freeze,” bringing CEOs, CFOs, investors, entrepreneurs and executives to learn about the potential in M&A and how to take advantage for their business.
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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