👋 Welcome to the Twin Cities Collective!
Hi friends, and a big welcome to everyone who just subscribed! 🍂
The Twin Cities Collective is your local guide to entrepreneur-friendly events around Minneapolis, St. Paul and the suburbs. Every couple of weeks I round up the mixers, workshops and coffee meetups worth putting on your calendar, so you can spend less time searching and more time actually meeting people.
October is off to a packed start. Oct 1 alone has a dozen events on it, from a women’s leadership summit to a brewery happy hour to Minnedemo at the Ordway. There are lots of free options too. And something new this issue: I’m adding more fun ways to meet people, not just business events. More and more random, hyper-focused events designed around meeting new people keep popping up—and I love it. Making friends as an adult is hard, and some of my favorite connections have come from events that had nothing to do with networking!
I try my hardest to find them all, but I know I miss some. If you’re hosting one or spot something that belongs here, please submit it through the form at twincitiescollective.com—don’t DM me, because that’s where details tend to get lost. Grab your coffee and let’s dig in.
🔑 Best Networking Hack I’ve found yet??
I recently learned an insanely cool networking hack. Get NFC tag keychains keep them on your keychain to use at networking events.
I was immediately intrigued. So I spent $8 on NFC keychains and programmed them with my website, LinkedIn and newsletters: one tap per keychain, no QR code fumbling.
I used them all through Twin Cities Startup Week, and it was a total conversation starter. People started copying the idea throughout the week, and the video recap I did really well on LinkedIn too. Watch it below!
👋 Let’s connect on LinkedIn! I share networking tips like this all the time. Connect with me here, and if you want to try it yourself, here are the exact NFC keychains I bought.
✈️ Quick personal update: On Monday I’m heading to San Francisco for a Notion summit, and I’ll be there during SF Tech Week too! I’m so excited to soak it all up, and I’ll bring back the best ideas (and probably a few new tools) to share with you. If you’ll be in SF too, hit reply and let’s connect!
🧰 Want more workshops? Over on my other Substack, Red Thread Toolbox, I run monthly live workshops on Notion + AI, plus free Notion office hours, and share tips for building systems that actually fit how your brain works. New posts drop every Tuesday. Subscribe here so you don’t miss the next one!
✨ Don’t miss: AI Magic Night is TONIGHT! ✨
If you’ve been curious about AI but haven’t gotten your hands on it yet, this is your night. Live AI agents on tables, builders you can ask anything, fresh food and live music. No PowerPoints or booths, and it’s free.
🗓 Wed, Sept 30 · 5:30–9:00 PM
📍 Osborn370, 370 Wabasha St N, St. Paul
💵 Free
🗓️ Upcoming Events: October 1–15
Thursday, October 1
Purpose Fueled — Saint Paul
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 7:00–8:30 AM
📍 CHS Field, 380 Broadway, St. Paul
🎯 Anyone who wants deeper conversations than a business-card swap
🎉 Early-morning stories + small-group conversation
💵 Paid (tickets on site)
AGC Professional Partners Visitor Day
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Keller Williams Premier Realty, 13100 Wayzata Blvd Suite 400, Minnetonka
🎯 Business owners curious about referral groups
🎉 Low-pressure “come see how it works” visit
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
NextUp Twin Cities Half-Day Summit
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 11:30 AM–5:30 PM
📍 3M Innovation Center, 2350 Minnehaha Ave E, St. Paul
🎯 Women and allies at every career level
🎉 NextUp’s biggest event of the year: mentorship, storytelling, networking
💵 $75 members / $100 non-members (nearly full, so register soon!)
🔗 Register
Club E: Do More With Less — How to Operate in 2026
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 11:30 AM–1:00 PM
📍 Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Ave S, Minneapolis
🎯 Business owners and operators who want to run leaner
🎉 Lunch panel on AI, outsourcing and fractional talent with Sander Biehn (Ready For Social), John Arms (Voyageur University) and Jessica Stone (Irish Titan)
💵 $50
🔗 Register
Happy HourHER at Luce Line Brewing
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 Luce Line Brewing Co., 12901 16th Ave N, Plymouth
🎯 Women in business (EmpowHER Women’s Network)
🎉 Relaxed brewery hang, with a food truck starting at 4
💵 Free (food & drinks on your own)
🔗 Details
Tri-Chamber Membership Mixer: Harvesting Connections
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Southern Social, 2880 Chaska Blvd, Chaska
🎯 Southwest metro business owners and professionals
🎉 About 150 people from three chambers, with apps and drink tickets
💵 See registration
🔗 Details
eCommerce Meetup Minneapolis
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 J.D. Hoyt’s Supper Club, 301 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Ecommerce founders, marketers and product people
🎉 No panels, just drinks and networking, plus a quick talk from Remplenish founder Anders Olmanson about going on Shark Tank
💵 See event page (limited open bar)
🔗 RSVP
MedtechWomen Networking & Philanthropy Night
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 5:30–8:30 PM
📍 Diane’s Place, 117 14th Ave NE, Minneapolis
🎯 Women (and allies) in medtech and health innovation
🎉 Relaxed networking that gives back, benefiting Open Arms of Minnesota
💵 $10 members / $20 non-members
🔗 Register
Minnedemo42
🗓 Thu, Oct 1 · 5:30–10:00 PM
📍 Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St, St. Paul
🎯 Founders, techies, investors and anyone who loves seeing what Minnesotans are building
🎉 Seven live tech demos, 7 minutes each, no slides! Then food, drinks and a happy hour
💵 Paid, includes appetizers + a drink token (tickets go fast, so check for the waitlist)
Friday, October 2
Purpose Fueled — First Friday
🗓 Fri, Oct 2 · 7:00–8:30 AM
📍 Fat Pants (Eden Prairie) · PickleX (Plymouth) · Viking Lakes (Eagan)
🎯 Early risers who want real conversation
🎉 Pick the location closest to you
💵 Paid
Monday, October 5
WEMN Coworking Day at Industrious
🗓 Mon, Oct 5 · 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
📍 Industrious, 60 S 6th St, Downtown Minneapolis
🎯 Women entrepreneurs who want company while they work
🎉 Productive and social: drop in, get stuff done, meet people
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
WEMN Self-Care Happy Hour
🗓 Mon, Oct 5 · 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 West End, St. Louis Park
🎯 Women in business who could use a breather
🎉 Relaxed, feel-good happy hour (member hosted)
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Tuesday, October 6
TeamWomen Power Luncheon with UMN President Rebecca Cunningham
🗓 Tue, Oct 6 · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 The Club at Golden Valley, 7001 Golden Valley Rd
🎯 Women leaders and anyone interested in leadership
🎉 Inspiring conversation with WCCO’s Vineeta Sawkar + live Q&A
💵 $50–$70
🔗 Register
PowHER Up Panel + Happy Hour: Pursuing Your Passion 2.0
🗓 Tue, Oct 6 · 3:30–5:30 PM
📍 Lake Drive Tap, 18651 Lake Dr E, Chanhassen
🎯 Anyone dreaming about (or in the middle of!) a leap from corporate to business owner
🎉 Real-talk panel with three local women founders, then happy hour
💵 Free (includes a drink!)
🔗 Register
She Talks Data with Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams
🗓 Tue, Oct 6 · Starts at 4:30 PM
📍 Embassy Suites Airport Hotel / Wooley’s, 7901 34th Ave S, Bloomington
🎯 Women working in data and technology
🎉 A “Where Is She Now?” career conversation, plus hosted food, drinks and time to connect
💵 See registration
🔗 RSVP
Wednesday, October 7
Eden Prairie Small Business Roundtable: Time & (IS!) Money
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Eden Prairie (see event page)
🎯 Small business owners thinking about outsourcing and hiring
🎉 Roundtable discussion
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Elevate Her RE-MARKABILITY® Summit
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · All day
📍 DoubleTree by Hilton St. Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave, St. Paul
🎯 Professionals who are “done blending in”
🎉 A full day of personal-brand work, with an assessment before you arrive
💵 $199+ (Elevate Her members save 10% with code RE-ELEVATE)
🔗 Register
ProsperWine and Women
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 Prosperwell Financial, 4300 Baker Rd, Minnetonka
🎯 Businesswomen, women business owners and working moms
🎉 A relaxed networking happy hour with conversation about business growth, marketing and work/life balance
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
ProsperWine and Women
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · 3:00–4:30 PM
📍 4300 Baker Rd, Minnetonka
🎯 Women business owners, working moms and women in business
🎉 Networking happy hour over a glass of wine, chatting about work/life balance, growth, marketing and money
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
PoShe Collective’s 8th Birthday Party
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 38 Northern Stacks Dr, Fridley
🎯 Women in business (new faces welcome!)
🎉 A celebration of 8 years of women showing up for each other: a toast, a keepsake and good company. Wear a splash of red!
💵 $35 (included with PoShe membership)
AGC Talks Minneapolis
🗓 Wed, Oct 7 · 5:00–7:00 PM
📍 Brick x Mortar, 314 N 1st Ave, 4th Floor (rear entrance, down the alley)
🎯 Entrepreneurs and professionals
🎉 Mingling + a talk by Shelley Sánchez, “A Wake-Up Call for Your Inner Genius,” with skyline views
💵 Free for AGC members / $20 non-members (first event free for newcomers!)
🔗 RSVP
Thursday, October 8
Main Street Revolution Presents
🗓 Thu, Oct 8 · 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
📍 505 Waterford Park, Plymouth
🎯 Business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals looking for practical education and meaningful connections
🎉 A collaborative business luncheon with expert-led learning, networking and no sales pitch
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Ask the Expert: AI for Small Businesses
🗓 Thu, Oct 8 · 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 Minnetonka Community Center, Gray’s Bay Room, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd
🎯 Small business owners wondering where AI actually fits
🎉 Practical talk + Q&A with Small Business Joe, and lunch is included
💵 See event page
🔗 Register
TCSHRM Emerging Professionals: Prep For Success Night
🗓 Thu, Oct 8 · 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Puttshack, 330 Southdale Center, Edina
🎯 Emerging HR professionals
🎉 Networking, mini golf, snacks and drinks, plus free headshots for the first 20 people who register and attend
💵 $30 non-members / $20 members / $10 TCSHRM student members
🔗 Register
Women at the Top (WATT) Networking Social
🗓 Thu, Oct 8 · 4:30–6:30 PM
📍 Keller Williams Select Realty, 1915 Plaza Dr, Suite 200, Eagan
🎯 Professional women and leaders
🎉 After-work social with appetizers and drinks included, hosted by Regina Barr
💵 $30 (50% off for women who work at nonprofits)
🔗 Register
Friday, October 9
NSA Minnesota: Niche to Be Rich with Ann McNeill
🗓 Fri, Oct 9 · 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
📍 The Club at Golden Valley, 7001 Golden Valley Rd
🎯 Speakers, coaches, consultants and experts building a business around their expertise
🎉 Hands-on morning on finding your niche and growing through relationships
💵 First-time guests $39 early bird / $49
🔗 Register
AGC Business & Bagels St. Paul
🗓 Fri, Oct 9 · 9:00–10:30 AM
📍 The University Club of Saint Paul, 420 Summit Ave
🎯 Professionals across all industries
🎉 Coffee, bagels and a structured networking exercise
💵 Free for AGC members / $20 non-members at the door
🔗 RSVP
Quorum’s National Coming Out Day Luncheon
🗓 Fri, Oct 9 · 10:00 AM–1:30 PM
📍 Hyatt Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall
🎯 LGBTQ+ and allied business owners, professionals and community members
🎉 A big, joyful luncheon (450+ people) with keynotes and a marketplace of LGBTQ+ and allied businesses. This year’s theme is “Bold Joy”
💵 $75 members / $90 non-members / $35 students
Empathy Field Trip: Storefronts!
🗓 Fri, Oct 9 · See event page for time
📍 Gaviidae Common, Downtown Minneapolis
🎯 Small and solo business owners curious about what it takes to open a downtown storefront
🎉 A behind-the-scenes learning experience plus time to connect with other business owners
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Saturday, October 10
WomenVenture’s Women Mean Business Gala
🗓 Sat, Oct 10 · 5:30–10:00 PM
📍 Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, 1300 Nicollet Mall
🎯 Women entrepreneurs and the people who champion them
🎉 A dressy night celebrating 25 years of WomenVenture and the women business owners it supports
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Monday, October 12
WEMN Founders Founding Work Zone
🗓 Mon, Oct 12 · 9:30–11:30 AM
📍 Neighborhood House, 179 Robie St E, St. Paul
🎯 Founders who need focused time on their business
🎉 Heads-down work session with other women founders (member hosted)
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Tuesday, October 13
WEMN Coffee & Conversation
🗓 Tue, Oct 13 · 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Choice Bank, 6210 Wayzata Blvd, Golden Valley
🎯 Women entrepreneurs, new faces welcome
🎉 Easy morning coffee chat
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Networking With Purpose
🗓 Tue, Oct 13 · 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N #700, Minneapolis
🎯 Professionals who want to make intentional new connections
🎉 Casual brewery networking hosted by Tim Voit
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Networking on Tap!
🗓 Tue, Oct 13 · 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Dual Citizen Brewing Co., 725 Raymond Ave, St. Paul
🎯 Anyone who finds networking a little nerve-wracking
🎉 Happy hour + speaker + prize drawings + snacks, designed to take the anxiety out of networking
💵 See event page
🔗 RSVP
NAWBO-MN Membership Drive Happy Hour
🗓 Tue, Oct 13 · 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 1307 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis
🎯 Women business owners curious about NAWBO (guests welcome)
🎉 Relaxed happy hour with refreshments and an insider’s look at the community
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Wednesday, October 14
Twin Cities B2B Marketing Breakfast
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 9:00 AM
📍 Park OffiCenter, Suite 700, 5775 Wayzata Blvd, St. Louis Park
🎯 B2B marketers
🎉 Coffee, light bites and conversation prompt cards, so there’s no awkward small talk
💵 Free
🔗 Details
Business@Breakfast with The Makers Den
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 7:15–8:30 AM
📍 Scheels, 8251 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie (enter door 6)
🎯 Referral-driven businesses
🎉 Quick intros, a short presentation, breakfast bites
💵 Free for members / $15 non-members
🔗 Register
Golden Valley Networking Event
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Studio CoWork, 919 Lilac Dr N, Golden Valley
🎯 West metro business owners and professionals
🎉 Casual coffee networking (bring business cards!)
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Polka Dot Powerhouse Shakopee Lunch Connect
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
📍 Shakopee Bowl, Shakopee (or join virtually)
🎯 Women in business in the southwest metro
🎉 Lunch, an inspiring speaker and real connection
💵 Your first visit is free (just pay for your meal). Preregistration required
🔗 Details
WEMN In-Person Co-Working Meetup
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 FRGMNT Coffee, 11095 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie
🎯 Women entrepreneurs (last month’s was open to non-members)
🎉 Laptop + latte + good company
💵 See event page (last month’s was free)
🔗 Details
Hops & Handshakes
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 AXELS Restaurant, Roseville
🎯 North-metro business owners and professionals
🎉 Zero-pressure happy hour networking, no pay-to-play
💵 Free
🔗 Details
PoShe South Metro: Beyond the Feed
🗓 Wed, Oct 14 · 4:30–6:00 PM
📍 16042 Pilot Knob Rd, Lakeville
🎯 Women business owners who want social media to actually bring in business
🎉 Practical session on Facebook and Instagram for building relationships, batching content and tracking what works
💵 See event page
🔗 Details
Thursday, October 15
Minneapolis Business Networking Event — Tipclub
🗓 Thu, Oct 15 · 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 7700 France Ave S, Bloomington Room (Room 107), Edina
🎯 Local business owners and professionals
🎉 Structured introductions and networking rounds to exchange tips, ask for help and build business connections
💵 See registration
🔗 Register
Centennial Chamber Lunch & Learn: Digital Detox
🗓 Thu, Oct 15 · 12:30–2:00 PM
📍 See event page
🎯 Anyone who needs a break from their screen (so… all of us?)
🎉 Lunchtime learning
💵 See event page
🔗 Register
St. Louis Park Business Network Kick-off
🗓 Thu, Oct 15 · 3:30–6:00 PM
📍 Park Tavern, 3401 Louisiana Ave S, St. Louis Park
🎯 St. Louis Park business owners and professionals (no membership needed)
🎉 Launch of a brand-new quarterly network: meet neighbors and city leaders
💵 Free
🔗 Register
Workbox Minneapolis Mixer
🗓 Thu, Oct 15 · 4:30–7:00 PM
📍 Workbox Downtown, 801 S Marquette Ave, Suite 200, Minneapolis
🎯 Local professionals, remote workers and solopreneurs
🎉 Open-house mixer in a coworking space
💵 Free
🔗 RSVP
📬 Hosting an event—or found one I missed? Please submit it through the form at twincitiescollective.com so I have all the details in one place. Please don’t DM it to me—it may get lost!
🎉 Just for Fun
Not everything has to be a business card swap! These are made for meeting new people, so you can totally show up solo:
Thu, Oct 1 · Foam Dodgeball · Sabathani Community Center, Mpls · $7 · All skill levels, laughing guaranteed
Thu, Oct 1 · Lille Fredag x SACC: An Evening of Kubb · American Swedish Institute, Mpls · 6–8 PM · Free with RSVP · Learn Kubb, join a team and meet people in the Nordic community. All ages welcome; rain date Oct 8
Sun, Oct 4 · International Friends Social · FRGMNT Coffee, 43 SE Main St, Mpls · 3–5 PM · See event page · Coffee, language name tags and conversation prompts—English speakers included!
Sun, Oct 4 · Break the Bubble at Brühaven · 1368 LaSalle Ave, Mpls · 5–9 PM · See event page · A friendship mixer with name tags and conversation starters. Ages 21+
Mon, Oct 5 · Board Game Night · St. Paul · Free · Host brings dozens of games (check the listing for the venue)
Wed, Oct 7 · Silent Book Club St. Paul · The Lost Fox, St. Paul · 7–9 PM · Free · An hour of quiet reading, then optional chatting. Perfect for introverts!
Thu, Oct 8 · Game Night—Mahjong! · Lake Harriet UMC, 4901 Chowen Ave S, Mpls · 6–8 PM · See event page · Practice, play and meet fellow Mahjong enthusiasts
Fri, Oct 9 · D&D Social Hour · Brühaven, Mpls · Free · Paint miniatures, play games, newbies welcome
Sat, Oct 10 · Ragnarök—Viking Afterparty · Dakota County Fairgrounds, Farmington · 6–11:30 PM · Paid, separately ticketed · An 18+ evening with bands, fire dancers, bonfires, storytelling and games
💼 Work With Me
Have you been meaning to “do more video” for your business? My VIP Video Day takes care of it. We plan, shoot and wrap up a batch of content in one focused day, and you walk away with videos ready to use for months.
It’s perfect for small business owners who know video works but don’t have time to figure it all out alone.
👉 Book a free call and let’s chat about what you want to create.
💬 Personal Note
Fall in Minnesota is officially here, and it’s my favorite time of year to get out and meet people. It’s patio season’s last hurrah before we all go into hibernation mode!
When I’m back from SF I’m hoping to make it to a few of these local events myself, so if you see me there, come say hi.
As always, if you’re hosting (or know of) an event that belongs in here, you can submit it at twincitiescollective.com. I love hearing about what’s happening around town!
See you out there,
Jenna Redfield ❤️