14 Twin Cities Networking Events Worth Braving January For (Jan 1-15)
Your guide to networking, fresh starts, and making January the month you set the tone for 2026—plus new Notion Office Hours to get your goals organized
🎉 Twin Cities Events: January 1-15, 2026
I know, I know—January can feel like a slog. The holiday glow has faded, it’s dark by 5 PM, and your couch is calling your name. But here’s the thing: January is actually the perfect time to get out there and make things happen.
While everyone else is hibernating, you can be the one showing up, making connections, and setting the tone for your entire year. New year’s goals don’t have to mean overhauling your whole life—sometimes it’s as simple as saying yes to one coffee meetup, one networking event, or one new conversation that could change everything.
So this month, I’m challenging you (and myself!) to lean into the momentum of a fresh start. Pick an event below and just go. Your future self will thank you.
✨ Speaking of fresh starts: I’m launching monthly Notion Office Hours over on my Optimization Toolbox Substack! If you’ve been wanting to finally get your life organized—your goals, your projects, your scattered brain—this is for you. I’ll also be hosting a goals workshop (announcement coming soon on Substack), in January so make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss it.
Break the Bubble - Coffee Edition
🗓 Saturday, January 3 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 SK Coffee: Coffee Bar & Roastery, 550 Vandalia St, St Paul, MN
🎯 Who It’s For: Anyone 21+ looking to make new friends (not a singles or networking event!)
🎉 Vibe: Casual social for making genuine friendships. Show up, grab a name tag, and introduce yourself to someone new. Theme/conversation starter will be announced closer to the event. Leave your pick-up lines and elevator speeches at home!
💵 Cost: Free
TeamWomenMN: Born to Buzz with Laura Best
🗓 Monday, January 6 | 3:30-5:00 PM
📍 West End Conference Center, 1600 Utica Ave S, Suite 100, St Louis Park, MN 55416
🎯 Who It’s For: Women entrepreneurs and professionals
🎉 Vibe: Inspiring session on weaving passion into your work and life with keynote speaker Laura Best, author of Born to Buzz
💵 Cost: $35-$55
1 Million Cups
🗓 Tuesday, January 7
📍 TASSEL BUILDING, 11840 Valley View Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup community members
🎉 Vibe: Free, collaborative space for founders to present their businesses, receive feedback from peers, and connect with the local startup ecosystem. Not a sales pitch—it’s about collaboration, learning, and building community.
💵 Cost: Free
WeMN Eden Prairie Coworking
🗓 Tuesday, January 7 | 1:00-3:00 PM
📍 FRGMNT Coffee, 11095 Viking Drive, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
🎯 Who It’s For: Women entrepreneurs looking for coworking community
🎉 Vibe: Work side-by-side with other women entrepreneurs building community and holding each other accountable
💵 Cost: Free
MN Women in AI: AI in Schools
🗓 Tuesday, January 7
📍 College Possible, 755 Prior Ave N Suite 200, St Paul, MN 55104
🎯 Who It’s For: Parents, educators, technologists, and AI enthusiasts
🎉 Vibe: Exploring the intersection of AI and education in Minnesota public schools. Speakers include Shannon Seaver (Executive Director of createMPLS), Emily Thayer Owens (Venture Academies), and Caroline Karanja (CEO of Hack the Gap)
💵 Cost: Free
AGC Talks: The Impact of AI to SEO
🗓 Tuesday, January 7 | 5:00-7:00 PM
📍 Brick x Mortar, 314 N 1st Ave 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55401 (Enter through rear alley, elevator to level 4)
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners, marketers, and anyone interested in SEO and AI
🎉 Vibe: Networking with light hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by a Ted Talks-style presentation on AI-driven search. Featuring speaker Ben Theis (Founder & CEO, Skol Marketing, former Google employee) on how AI is transforming SEO and search behavior. Beautiful rooftop venue with Minneapolis skyline views.
💵 Cost: Member and non-member registration available (check website)
NSA-MN: Beyond the Stage - A Modern Marketing Playbook for Professional Speakers
🗓 Thursday, January 9 | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Brookview Golf Course, 316 Brookview Parkway S, Golden Valley, MN 55426
🎯 Who It’s For: Professional speakers and aspiring speakers
🎉 Vibe: Building your speaking business and connecting with industry professionals
💵 Cost: $80 per meeting (50% off for first-time attendees)
Purpose Fueled Community
🗓 Thursday, January 9 | 7:00-8:30 AM (Doors open 7:00 AM, event starts 7:30 AM)
📍 Multiple Locations:
Apple Valley: Bogart’s, 14917 Garrett Avenue
Eden Prairie: Fat Pants, 8335 Crystal View Road
Minnetonka: Crescent Ridge Corporate Center, 10900 Wayzata Blvd
Saint Paul: Dual Citizen Brewing Company, 725 Raymond Ave
Viking Lakes (Eagan): 2645 Vikings Circle
🎯 Who It’s For: Purpose-driven entrepreneurs and community builders
🎉 Vibe: A movement of people gathering on purpose, with purpose, for purpose. Monthly gatherings for connection, conversation, and community.
💵 Cost: $30
WeMN Coffee & Conversations
🗓 Monday, January 13 | 8:30-9:30 AM
📍 Choice Bank, 6210 Wayzata Boulevard, Golden Valley, MN 55416 (Free parking; enter through front doors, head left to stairs to lower level)
🎯 Who It’s For: Women entrepreneurs
🎉 Vibe: Networking event for learning and connecting with other women entrepreneurs over coffee
💵 Cost: Member discount available; $13 for Non-Members
Business@Breakfast Networking with Devry BV Sustainable Strategies
🗓 Tuesday, January 14 | 7:15-8:30 AM
📍 Scheels, 8251 Flying Cloud Dr. #2216, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 (Park near Scheels and Potbelly, enter door 6)
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners and sustainability-minded professionals
🎉 Vibe: Morning networking over breakfast with focus on sustainable business strategies. Every attendee shares a brief commercial about their business.
💵 Cost: Free for Members, $15 for Non-Members
Strive Networking: Music and Business Networking
🗓 Tuesday, January 14 | 6:00-8:00 PM (21+)
📍 The Patty Wagon, 6042 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55419
🎯 Who It’s For: Professionals, entrepreneurs, musicians, producers, engineers, and anyone active in music and business
🎉 Vibe: Multi-vertical networking event bringing together professionals from arts, finance, tech, real estate, healthcare, and more
💵 Cost: $17 Early Bird
eWomen Network: Strategic In-Person Business Introductions
🗓 Tuesday, January 14 | 9:30-11:30 AM (Informal networking starts 9:15 AM)
📍 Forager Brewery - Rochester, 1005 6th Street NW, Rochester, MN 55901
🎯 Who It’s For: Women business owners and professionals
🎉 Vibe: Intimate mastermind “Wisdom Circle” process with up to 12 entrepreneurs. Share what your business offers and gain collective insights from the group.
💵 Cost: $29-$68 (varies by membership status)
TipClub: Minneapolis Business Networking Event
🗓 Wednesday, January 15 | 8:00 AM
📍 7700 France Ave S, Edina, MN 55435, Bloomington Room (Room 107)
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners looking for strategic networking and referral partnerships
🎉 Vibe: Innovative strategic networking with “Give and Take” format plus lightning round. Includes introduction to The Twin Cities Network community.
💵 Cost: Free First Time, Paid for Members
Think N Link with David Rubin & Eric Ryan
🗓 Wednesday, January 15 | 3:00-5:00 PM
📍 In-Person or Virtual via LinkedIn Live
🎯 Who It’s For: Professionals seeking meaningful connections and design thinking inspiration
🎉 Vibe: French-style salon discussion featuring Eric Ryan (co-founder of Method Products and Olly) and David Rubin (CMO of The New York Times) on the role of design in publishing, entrepreneurship, and consumer products
💵 Cost: $35
Hope to see you at some of these
Jenna Redfield