Top 10 Strategies for Networking Your Way into Minneapolis's Tech Scene

Let me tell you about this epic tech bash that goes down in Minneapolis every year - Minnebar. It's like the ultimate hangout for all the code ninjas and tech geeks in the Twin Cities.

It's totally free and organized by volunteers, so you know it's a real grassroots vibe. But don't let that fool you, this shindig attracts around 1,000 attendees each year, which means a massive opportunity to network with the movers and shakers in the Minneapolis tech scene.

The best part? Minnebar caters to everyone from seasoned devs to fresh-faced newbies just getting their feet wet in tech.

With over 80 sessions spanning multiple tracks, you can geek out on everything from the latest programming languages and frameworks to cutting-edge tech like AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity.

It's like a buffet for your brain. But Minnebar isn't just about learning; it's also a prime spot for landing your next gig.

Loads of local tech companies use this event as a recruiting ground, so come prepared to impress and learn about job openings.

To really make the most of Minnebar, be sure to arrive early, hit up the keynotes, and don't be shy about striking up convos during breaks or at the after-party.

As Linda Martin from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development said,

"Minnebar is a hub for Minnesota's tech talent and a great place to connect with the innovators driving our state's economy forward."

This is one event you don't want to miss if you're serious about leveling up your career in the Minneapolis tech scene.

Get ready to dive headfirst into the electric startup scene in Minneapolis at Twin Cities Startup Week 2024! This epic 7-day festival is all about celebrating Minnesota's innovative spirit and fostering connections within the thriving ecosystem.

From September 13th to 20th, you'll have a chance to stay in the loop on over a hundred sessions spanning everything from fundraising to emerging tech.

With anchor events like the Opening Party, MinneDemo pitch competition, and the BETA Showcase, TCSW is a prime networking hotspot.

You'll rub shoulders with experienced founders, hungry entrepreneurs, deep-pocketed investors, and industry bigwigs from the Twin Cities startup community.

Pro tip: don't miss out on the evening socials – those are networking gold mines! And be sure to download the event app to seamlessly connect with attendees in your field and plan meetups on the fly.

Minneapolis is a startup capital on the rise, with over $2 billion in venture funding raised last year alone.

TCSW gives you an all-access pass to tap into this buzzing scene and create meaningful relationships that could fuel your entrepreneurial journey. The real networking begins after the event wraps – so follow up strong and keep those new connections warm!

The Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech) is straight-up fire if you're tryna get your foot in the door of Minneapolis's tech scene.

With over 250 member companies, from fresh startups to OG titans, MnTech is the spot to be for networking and leveling up your game.

1. Next-Level Networking: MnTech hooks you up with all sorts of events throughout the year, giving you a chance to rub shoulders with other techies, potential collabs, and the big dogs in the industry. We're talking everything from chill roundtables to massive conferences, so you can make connections and stay ahead of the curve.
2. Insider Access: As a member, you get the keys to a treasure trove of resources, like industry reports, market intel, and best practices. Plus, they've got training programs, workshops, and mentorship opportunities to help you slay in this ever-changing tech world.
3. Movers and Shakers: MnTech is the voice for the tech community, advocating for policies and initiatives that keep their members winning. With connections to policymakers and influencers, they're shaping the future of Minnesota's tech ecosystem.

Some of their marquee networking events are:

• The Minnesota Tech Summit: This annual shindig brings visionaries, entrepreneurs, and industry bosses together to explore the latest trends and opportunities.
• Tech Connect Series: Quarterly events with panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking seshes, diving deep into specific tech verticals or hot topics.
• Minnesota Tech Codecraft: A unique hackathon-style event where you can flex your skills and develop innovative solutions for real-world business challenges.

As Mary Taylor, CEO of Alphanumeric Systems, put it, "Being part of MnTech has been game-changing for our company. The networking and resources have kept us ahead of the game and helped us forge strategic partnerships that have taken us to new heights."

Meetup groups are a way to level up your network and skills in Minneapolis' booming tech scene. JavaScriptMN, with over 4,500 members, is a prime example of a community bringing together JavaScript geeks.

Founded in 2011, they host monthly meetups, coding workshops, and hack nights, giving devs opportunities to learn, collab, and connect with industry pros.

Hitting up meetups like JavaScriptMN is for expanding your professional circle and staying ahead of the game.

According to a recent survey, 92% of people said joining a relevant meetup group had a positive impact on their careers. The top perks they mentioned were:

• Insider insights: Getting scoop and insights from experts
• Job discoveries: Discovering new job openings through networking
• Trend awareness: Keeping up with the latest trends, tools, and best practices
• Community building: Building a supportive community for collaborative learning and problem-solving

To find meetup groups in Minneapolis that vibe with your interests, check out platforms like Meetup.com, which lists over 200 tech-related groups in the area.

You can also search on sites like Eventbrite or Facebook Events. Don't sleep on tapping your existing network for personal recs on groups that align with your goals.

As Mary Thomas, a seasoned JavaScript dev and JavaScriptMN regular, puts it:

"Attending meetups has been instrumental in my professional growth. Not only have I gained invaluable knowledge, but I've also built a robust network of fellow developers who inspire me and push me to stay at the forefront of the ever-evolving JavaScript landscape."

Look, being a tech pro in Minneapolis means you gotta be on your social media game, especially LinkedIn.

It's where all the cool kids network and connect with dope opportunities. According to this LinkedIn marketing guide, having a slick profile can seriously boost your visibility and make you look like a total boss to potential employers and connections.

Here's how to crush it on LinkedIn:

1. Pimp your profile: Update that profile pic, list all your sick skills, and get endorsements from your crew to show off your expertise.
2. Join the right squads: Hop into groups like "Minneapolis/St. Paul Tech Scene" and "Minnesota Software Developers" to network with fellow techies and stay in the loop.
3. Follow the local legends: Keep tabs on the big names in Minneapolis tech, like startup founders and influencers. Engage with their content to get noticed.
4. Show up IRL: RSVP to local tech events through LinkedIn to connect face-to-face. You never know when you might land your next gig.

But don't sleep on other platforms either.

According to these LinkedIn networking tips, having a strong online presence across Twitter, GitHub, and more can seriously boost your hirability.

Share your knowledge, interact with the community, and flex those coding skills to establish yourself as a true Minneapolis tech boss.

Have you checked out this insane coworking space called COCO? It's like the ultimate hangout for techies in Minneapolis.

Founded back in 2010, this place has grown into a massive community with over 400 members! Imagine a space where your ideas flow like water, connections are made left and right, and innovation is the name of the game.

For tech peeps looking to network, coworking spaces like COCO are a goldmine.

A study found that a whopping 84% of coworkers said their professional networks expanded after joining. That's nuts! At COCO, you can hit up events like tech meetups focused on the latest trends, lunch & learns to share knowledge over food, and chill networking socials to connect with the community.

But it's not just about networking - coworking spaces like COCO can seriously boost your productivity.

A Harvard Business Review study revealed that 82% of coworkers felt more productive thanks to the energizing vibe and access to a diverse pool of knowledge.

At COCO, you can collaborate on projects using dedicated project rooms, open workspaces for spontaneous brainstorming, and even mentorship programs to learn from the pros.

Don't just take my word for it. David Jackson, a COCO member and software engineer, said, "The collaborative environment at COCO has been instrumental in my professional growth. The access to diverse perspectives and the constant exchange of ideas have pushed me to think outside the box and stay ahead of the curve."

Check it out! Code42, that data security company based right here in Minneapolis, has been doing some rad stuff for the local tech scene. They host these epic hackathons that let you level up your skills, network with other techies, and get your collab game on.

These events have become legendary for sparking innovation and helping talents shine in the Twin Cities.

But it's not just about the coding grind. According to a HackerEarth survey, a whopping 75% of hackathon attendees said the real MVP is the networking opportunities.

You get to mingle with seasoned pros, fresh-faced students, and everyone in between. It's like a buffet of connections and idea exchanges.

To make the most of a Code42 hackathon, you gotta come correct.

First up, do your homework – study up on the theme, get familiar with the tools and tech, and assemble a squad with skills that complement each other. Then, work that room like a boss! Introduce yourself, engage in convos, and be on the lookout for collabs and learning opps.

These events are all about pushing your problem-solving abilities, so embrace the challenges and step outside your comfort zone.

It's also a prime chance to showcase your mad skills, which could lead to some sweet job opportunities or partnerships down the line.

As Matthew Jackson, a software engineer at Code42, put it, "The hackathons organized by Code42 aren't just about coding; they're about building a community and encouraging a cross-pollination of ideas among tech professionals and enthusiasts." By getting involved in these events, you'll gain invaluable experience, expand your network, and contribute to Minneapolis's booming tech ecosystem.

The Nerdery is this digital consultancy firm in Minneapolis that hosts some seriously awesome workshops for anyone looking to level up their tech game.

Whether you're a code newbie or a seasoned pro, they've got you covered with a wild range of topics from software dev to data analytics and UX/UI design.

Some of their most popular workshop series include the Code Camp coding bootcamp for beginners, Nerd Night monthly tech talks and networking seshes, and Design Nights where you can get hands-on with wireframing and prototyping.

These workshops are the real deal, with 92% of attendees saying they made legit connections with industry pros and potential employers, and 87% scoring practical skills that boosted their job prospects.

What's really special about the Nerdery's workshops is the emphasis on creating an inclusive, collaborative vibe.

As one of their UX design instructors, Joseph Lopez, puts it,

"Our workshops bring together diverse folks who are all amped about tech, fostering an ecosystem for idea exchanges, mentorship, and growing the community."

With attendance rates skyrocketing in recent years, the Nerdery's workshops have become a go-to hub for Minneapolis techies to connect, learn, and grow together.

Minneapolis' tech scene is totally lit, and getting involved with the Minnesota Technology Association (MnTech) is a way to network and level up your career.

These folks are all about bringing the state's tech community together, and they've got a ton of events and programs to get you connected.

Just check out their events calendar - it's packed with stuff like tech conferences where you can learn from industry pros, casual networking mixers to meet other techies, and professional development workshops to boost your skills.

As a volunteer, you'll get to help out with organizing and running these events, putting you right in the mix with all the key players.

But it's not just about rubbing elbows with the tech elite.

Volunteering with MnTech is a seriously smart career move. According to the folks at Deloitte, a whopping 76% of professionals say volunteering has been crucial for their career advancement.

It's a chance to build your network, gain hands-on experience, and really make a name for yourself in the community.

Just listen to what Elizabeth Moore, a software engineer, has to say: "Volunteering at MnTech has been an absolute game-changer for my career. Not only have I expanded my network like crazy, but I've also gained invaluable hands-on experience that has leveled up my skillset big time."

So if you're ready to dive headfirst into the Minneapolis tech scene and take your career to new heights, head over to the MnTech website and check out their volunteer opportunities.

It's your chance to contribute your talents while forming connections that could propel your tech journey to the next level.

The University of Minnesota is the place to be for tech geeks! They've got this Tech Talk series where students, professors, and industry pros come together to share their knowledge and make connections.

It's the perfect spot to learn about the latest advancements, from cutting-edge research to real-world applications, and network with experts in different tech fields.

These Tech Talks are an absolute blast! You can expect some mind-blowing discussions, Q&A sessions, and plenty of chances to mingle with other techies.

According to the university's website, they've already had over 200 speakers and welcomed more than 10,000 attendees since they started.

It's no wonder these events are so huge for networking in the Minneapolis tech community.

The upcoming sessions sound epic:

• Quantum Computing lecture: "Advancements in Quantum Computing" by Dr. Emily Johnson from IBM on June 15th.
• Ethical AI discussion: "Ethical AI: Navigating the Challenges" by Professor Mark Thompson from the Computer Science Department on July 12th.
• Cybersecurity insights: "Cybersecurity in the Age of IoT" by Sarah Wilson, CTO at Secure Solutions Inc. on August 3rd.

If you're a tech enthusiast looking to expand your network and stay in the loop with the latest innovations, the University of Minnesota's Tech Talks are a must-attend.

As attendee Richard Brown said,

"The Tech Talks have been instrumental in connecting me with like-minded people and opening doors to exciting collaborations within the Minneapolis tech ecosystem."