Twin Cities Collective 🏙️
Your local roundup of entrepreneur-focused events, connections, and community in the Twin Cities
Welcome
Hey there, and welcome to another issue of Twin Cities Collective! Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you just hit subscribe last week — glad you’re here.
This is your local newsletter for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community-minded folks around the Twin Cities who want to actually show up for each other — not just scroll past another networking flyer. Every issue, we round up what’s happening in the next couple weeks so you can pick your people, pick your events, and get out there.
This issue has one big headliner: Twin Cities Startup Week is back, September 14–18, and it deserves its own spotlight below.
I’m hosting Speed Networking for Startup Week!
Yes after a few years, I’m hosting a Speed Networking event again this time as part of TCSW!
This will be happening on Tuesday during Industry Day. RSVP for the week to join!
I’m also speaking on a panel on Thursday!
Our Upcoming Events!
As part of this paid Substack as well as sister Substack Red Thread Studio we have 3 events in September! All events are on Zoom during the lunch hour.
September 2nd: Notion Office Hours
September 9th: Stop App-Hopping: The Lean AI Stack That Runs Your Whole Business
September 16th: Get Found Locally: AEO and GEO in the AI Age
Twin Cities Collective — Full September 1–18, 2026 Events Research
Every event turned up in this sweep, with full details, sorted by date. This is the complete research behind the newsletter — use it to swap picks in/out or fill out the “More Happening” section with more detail.
🎤 Sociable Circuit Formal Show
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 1, 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Location: Utepils Brewing, 225 Thomas Ave N, Minneapolis
🎯 Who It’s For: Anyone who loves a good story — entrepreneurs, creatives, and community folks alike
🎉 Vibe: Casual, low-key, and a little unexpected — five-minute talks on whatever people are passionate about, followed by an open mic. Marshmallows provided.
💵 Pricing: Free, no RSVP needed
🔗 Link: sociablecircuit.com
🧠 Aurora Lake Mental Health — Welcome Visit & Ribbon Cutting
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 1, 4:00–5:00 PM
📍 Location: Wayzata area (see RSVP for exact address)
🎯 Who It’s For: Wayzata Chamber members and local business owners welcoming a new business
🎉 Vibe: Come meet Shelly and hear about her consulting practice working with executives ready to “turn inward and emerge” — warm, welcoming ribbon-cutting energy
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🤝 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Monthly Member Meeting
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 1, 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Location: Excelsior/Lake Minnetonka area (see RSVP)
🎯 Who It’s For: Chamber members
🎉 Vibe: Standard monthly member meeting — business updates plus casual networking
💵 Pricing: Included with membership
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🏙️ AGC Rooftop Event — Minneapolis
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 2, 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Minneapolis (rooftop venue — confirm on RSVP)
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs and business owners who like their networking with a view
🎉 Vibe: Relaxed happy-hour energy from Accelerated Global Connections — a very active referral-based networking community
💵 Pricing: First AGC event is free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
📣 Eden Prairie Chamber — SBR: “Marketing Matters... No Really. It Does.”
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 2, 8:00–9:30 AM
📍 Location: Eden Prairie (see RSVP for venue)
🎯 Who It’s For: Small business owners overwhelmed by AI/marketing tool overload
🎉 Vibe: “AI for Sales & Marketing — How to Oversimplify What Often Feels Like an Overly Complicated Set of Tools.” Practical, no-jargon breakfast session.
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
☀️ Elevate Her Network — September Coffee Break: Women Who Lift
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 4, 9:00–11:00 AM
📍 Location: The District Edina, Nine Mile Gallery + Event Space (Penthouse Level), 7777 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55439
🎯 Who It’s For: Women business owners across industries and career stages looking to build genuine, supportive connections
🎉 Vibe: Focused on mentorship, legacy, and the power of women supporting women — includes a guided reflection activity where attendees write letters to their former selves. Coffee and snacks provided; advance registration required, limited seating.
💵 Pricing: Free for EHN members; $20 for guests
🔗 Link: Get tickets on Eventbrite
☕ Centennial Area Chamber — Caffeine & Connection
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 8, 7:30–8:30 AM
📍 Location: Thielen & Green offices
🎯 Who It’s For: Centennial-area (Lino Lakes/Circle Pines/Lexington) business owners
🎉 Vibe: “Come grab a coffee in one of the coolest offices in the area!” — casual, hosted networking
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
📋 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Membership 101
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 8, 9:00–10:00 AM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: New or prospective chamber members
🎉 Vibe: Informational session on maximizing chamber membership benefits
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🚤 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Cruise into Apple Days
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 8, 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Paradise Charter Cruises, Excelsior
🎯 Who It’s For: Select chamber members and sponsors
🎉 Vibe: Exclusive preview gathering on the water ahead of the Apple Days festival
💵 Pricing: See RSVP (member/sponsor event)
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🍻 Networking With Purpose
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 8, 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Nine Mile Brewing, 1755 W 96th St, Bloomington, MN
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs and professionals who want networking with a give-first mindset
🎉 Vibe: “More than networking. It’s a community of givers.” Built around connecting, collaborating, and giving back — expand your “Professional Friends Group” over drinks
💵 Pricing: See event page (organized by Tim Voit)
🔗 Link: LinkedIn event
🥐 Eden Prairie Chamber — Business@Breakfast w/ Wings of the North
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 9, 7:15–8:30 AM
📍 Location: Eden Prairie (see RSVP for venue)
🎯 Who It’s For: Eden Prairie-area business owners
🎉 Vibe: Classic breakfast networking with 60-second business “commercials” — share tips, promotions, and what you’re working on
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🧭 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Ambassador Meeting
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 9, 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Chamber ambassador volunteers
🎉 Vibe: “Ambassadors serve as the public face of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber” — working meeting for current/prospective ambassadors
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🙋 TeamWomen Connect — Your Membership Journey
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 9, 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 Location: Virtual
🎯 Who It’s For: Current TeamWomen members only
🎉 Vibe: Friendly, informational virtual session on getting the most out of TeamWomen membership
💵 Pricing: Free (members-only)
🔗 Link: Event page
💻 WomenVenture — QuickBooks Online Basic Training
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 9, 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Small business owners who want to feel confident in their books
🎉 Vibe: Practical, hands-on training — get set up in QuickBooks and learn to pull your own financial reports
💵 Pricing: $25
🔗 Link: Register here
🏃 MPLS Chamber — Member Event: Finish The Run
🗓 Date & Time: Wednesday, Sept 9
📍 Location: See chamber calendar
🎯 Who It’s For: Chamber members interested in fitness/community events
🎉 Vibe: Community fun-run energy (full details limited on calendar — click through for specifics)
💵 Pricing: See chamber calendar
⛳ Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Ask the Expert: Golf Beyond the Game
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, Sept 10, 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners who want to build relationships on the course
🎉 Vibe: Member-led educational series on using golf to build business relationships
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🌎 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Community Climate Leaders Program
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, Sept 10, 5:30–8:30 PM
📍 Location: See chamber listing
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners and community members interested in climate resilience
🎉 Vibe: University of Minnesota partnership program focused on community resilience and climate action — substantive, civic-minded
💵 Pricing: Not listed
🔗 Link: Check chamber calendar
🤖 Club E — AI for Sales: What’s Actually Working in 2026?
🗓 Date & Time: Thursday, Sept 10
📍 Location: Minneapolis Club
🎯 Who It’s For: Sales-minded entrepreneurs tired of AI hype, looking for what’s real
🎉 Vibe: Three experts share the actual workflows, tools, and metrics moving revenue — no fluff
💵 Pricing: See RSVP for ticket pricing
🔗 Link: Buy tickets
☕ Purpose Fueled Community — September Gathering
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11, 7:00–8:30 AM
📍 Location: Multiple Twin Cities locations (recent gatherings: Saint Paul, Eden Prairie, Plymouth, Eagan — confirm this month’s spot on RSVP)
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs and community members who want real conversation over coffee before the workday starts
🎉 Vibe: “A movement of people gathering on purpose, with purpose, for purpose” — small-group, meaningful conversation, not a business-card mixer
💵 Pricing: Paid event — see RSVP for current pricing
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🥯 AGC — Business & Bagels, St. Paul
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11, 9:00 AM
📍 Location: Saint Paul (see RSVP)
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs and business owners in the east metro
🎉 Vibe: Casual breakfast networking, AGC-style
💵 Pricing: First AGC event is free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🎃 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Halloween in Excelsior Preview
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11, 9:00–10:00 AM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Chamber members promoting downtown Excelsior businesses
🎉 Vibe: Member preview of fall downtown promotions, including the Hot Cocoa Stroll and Trick or Treat events
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
💪 TeamWomen — Professional Development Bootcamp: Own Your Impact
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Location: CHS Field, St. Paul
🎯 Who It’s For: Women leaders and business owners ready to work on leadership, voice, and personal style
🎉 Vibe: Half-day bootcamp — resilience, influence, and leading boldly at every career stage
💵 Pricing: $85–$105
🔗 Link: Register here
🏢 Twin Cities North Chamber — Columbia Heights/Fridley Business Connect
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: North-metro business owners
🎉 Vibe: Local business-connect networking event
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🌱 Elevate Her Network — Stop Settling for Good. Start Building What’s Truly Yours.
🗓 Date & Time: Friday, Sept 11
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Women entrepreneurs ready for a mindset/business reset
🎉 Vibe: Motivational workshop energy — built to challenge “settling” and encourage building something real
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🚂 Wayzata — James J. Hill Days
🗓 Date & Time: Friday–Sunday, Sept 11–13
📍 Location: Downtown Wayzata
🎯 Who It’s For: Families, community members, and Wayzata-area business owners
🎉 Vibe: Annual community festival celebrating James J. Hill, the historical founder of the Great Northern Railway — hometown-festival energy
💵 Pricing: Free to attend (individual activities may vary)
🔗 Link: Check Wayzata West Metro Chamber events for the full schedule
🍷 Eden Prairie Chamber — Prairie Wine & Brewfest 2026
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 12, 3:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: See event listing (member-hosted)
🎯 Who It’s For: Community members and local business supporters — a fun weekend outing
🎉 Vibe: Member-hosted wine and brew festival — laid-back Saturday-afternoon energy
💵 Pricing: See event listing
🔗 Link: Eden Prairie Chamber calendar
👧 TeamWomen — Empower Leadership Academy
🗓 Date & Time: Saturday, Sept 12, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Location: Hosted by the St. Paul Police Department
🎯 Who It’s For: Girls ages 10–18 (drop-off event) — a great one to share with entrepreneur parents
🎉 Vibe: Youth leadership programming — confidence-building, community-minded
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🚀 SPOTLIGHT: Twin Cities Startup Week 2026
🗓 Date & Time: Monday, Sept 14 – Friday, Sept 18 — five full days of programming
📍 Location: A different host campus/venue each day, across Minneapolis & Saint Paul:
Mon 9/14 — Launch Day @ University of Minnesota
Tue 9/15 — Industry Day @ University of St. Thomas
Wed 9/16 — Innovation Day @ MCAD
Thu 9/17 — Investor Day @ Macalester College
Fri 9/18 — Community Day @ Great Northern Building
🎯 Who It’s For: Founders, builders, investors, students, and anyone plugged into (or curious about) the Twin Cities startup ecosystem
🎉 Vibe: “Where our ecosystems connect” — five days, 72 speakers, one pass covering official sessions, venues, and founder-led events all week long
💵 Pricing: ⏰ $80 advance pass through Sept 5, then $100 standard pricing starting Sept 6. Students with a .edu email get 50% off.
🔗 Link: Buy your pass
🚶 Wayzata West Metro Chamber — Morning MemberNet
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 15, 7:30–9:00 AM
📍 Location: Wayzata American Legion
🎯 Who It’s For: Early-riser business owners in the west metro
🎉 Vibe: “For early risers” — third-Tuesday-of-the-month networking tradition
💵 Pricing: See RSVP
🔗 Link: RSVP here
🥂 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber — Business After Hours
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 15, 4:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Excelsior/Lake Minnetonka area (host venue confirmed on the chamber listing)
🎯 Who It’s For: Local business owners and chamber members networking in the west metro
🎉 Vibe: Classic after-hours mixer, co-hosted by several member businesses
💵 Pricing: Check the chamber listing for member/guest pricing
🔗 Link: Register here
🏛️ MPLS Chamber — Legislative Breakfast: Demystifying Data Centers in the Age of AI
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 15
📍 Location: See Minneapolis Regional Chamber listing
🎯 Who It’s For: Business owners curious about the AI/data-center boom shaping the local economy
🎉 Vibe: Policy-meets-business breakfast — timely, a little wonky, genuinely useful
💵 Pricing: See chamber listing
💰 WomenVenture — Path to Funding: Lending Program Explained
🗓 Date & Time: Tuesday, Sept 15, 1:00–2:00 PM
📍 Location: See RSVP
🎯 Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs exploring small-business financing
🎉 Vibe: Clear, no-pressure info session on how WomenVenture’s lending program and loan options work
💵 Pricing: Free
🔗 Link: RSVP here