On Saturday, June 8th, St. Paul’s Lowertown district was transformed by Northern Spark, a dusk ’til dawn festival that showcased art, music, and everything else in between. CoCo member Chuck Olsen of VidTiger worked alongside Chris Strouth and James Gladman to project a screening of “Suddenly Petunia Pig wasn’t a thing” from CoCo’s 4th Floor windows. It was an awesome sight to see Lowertown come alive near the newly reconstructed Union Depot station and to see the Bedlam Theater (our neighbors on the 1st floor) filled with patrons. This event is a don’t miss for next year!

Photos: Teresa Boardman

I think we can safely say winter is over now right? Right?!! We’re tough here in MN, but I do think if it snowed in June it might really bring us all to tears. Which is why June is a welcoming word and month. If you’re not busy with Hug Your Cat Day, National Gardening Exercise Day, Applesauce Cake Day, or some other bizarre June “holiday” — join the CoCo community at one of these meetups/events!

MONDAY, JUNE 3RD: HealthcareMN Meetup // What’s Next For HealthcareMN
HealthcareMN is working on some larger initiatives around providing resources to early stage ventures, and want to know what you think! They’ll be meeting in the Classroom space at CoCo, which is better for round table small group discussions. Food and drinks provided!
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

TUESDAY, JUNE 4TH: Android Users Group Meetup
Brad Armstrong just returned from GoogleIO and will lead a discussion about the events and announcements from the conference.  Come ready to join the discussion! He’ll also be taking a deeper look at the Google Play Services library and the new Android Studio.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5TH: Google Developers Group Meetup // Recap of Google IO and Lightning Talks/Open Mic
Please join us in another meetup at the fabulous CoCo space.  We will have a panel of folks who were able to attend the event in San Fransisco, they will regale us with highlights. Bring a cool project you are working on or interested in to share. The topics should be related to Google Developer Technologies.  This can range from HTML5 to maps api to embedded android.  Keep it to 5-10 minutes.  We will have a projector and a laptop with at least internet connectivity and Office Suite for you to use, but by all means feel free to bring your laptop as well.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

THURSDAY, JUNE 6TH: House of Genius 
The goal of House of Genius is to assemble brilliant, diverse groups of people to focus their collective creativity and experience to explore, discuss and solve important problems. We hold evening sessions once a month in cities around the world. We bring together a group of 15-18 wide-ranging minds and three business presenters.  The three presenters share their business and a key problem they are facing in rapid-fire fashion. Next, each attendee offers questions, insights, suggestions, or introductions that may assist the presenter. The true “genius” is in the collaboration – you’ll be amazed at the power of thinking that is evoked from the structure of the sessions and the synergetic format.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION  

MONDAY, JUNE 10TH: RailsMN // Building OpenCamp (a project management tool)
As part of the Google for Entrepreneurs at CoCo program we will have monthly sessions to help you get started building a real Ruby on Rails web application while learning best practices and fundamental web development concepts. Each session in the series will build on the previous session. Each session will take place in three parts: an introductory lesson, a group coding workshop and an ‘advanced topics’ presentation.  We’ll aim to provide documentation and tutorials to go along with our sessions, so newcomers can catch up and dive right in.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12TH: TechMN // Spark Homecoming Party
Join us in welcoming local startup Spark back to CoCo Minneapolis after three months in Shenzen accelerator HAXLR8R while raising some $ for BRIDGEdotMN. We’ll hear from the team about their experience overseas, Demo Day, Maker Faire, and the success of their Kickstarter campaign.  A panel discussion featuring local makers and an open brainstorm about MAKEdotMN will follow.  And like the Enstratius acquisition party, good times will be had…
DETAILS & REGISTRATION  

MONDAY, JUNE 17TH: GFE Black Box // “Tech Sprout” hosted by Bobbilee Hartman
Do you have an idea tucked away but you aren’t quite sure how to turn it into reality? Come join us at Tech Sprout for an open discussion between developers / “technical people” and non-technical entrepreneurs for insightful feedback and guidance to help you get started. With a diverse room of people you will leave the discussion with new connections, ideas, and a fresh perspective on bringing your idea to fruition.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19TH: Developer Patent Summit
The software patent system poses a significant challenge for developers. Vague claims, product life cycles shorter than the PTO review process, patent trolls and general uncertainty threaten to stile app industry innovation and growth. Throughout the year, the Application Developers Alliance will host events around the country and invite developers to share stories of claim letters, lawsuits, the challenges they face, and the need for software patent reform. Patents summits will bring developers, policymakers and patent experts together to discuss practical topics like assertion and defense strategies for startups and examine the issue of policy reform.  Each event will feature a patent expert, followed by a panel discussion between policymakers, app developers, and attorneys. The events will conclude with an open Q&A for attendees and a networking reception – including food and drinks.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

MONDAY, JUNE 24TH: GFE Black Box // Battle Royale hosted by Curt Prins & Paul Prins
Join hosts Curt Prins and Paul Prins as they host an impromptu “Battle Royale” during a Black Box Monday! For those of you who didn’t attend their impromptu session at MinneBar, Paul and Curt engaged in an epic debate–an ordained pastor who programs vs. an avowed homosexual who markets. The topic? What’s more essential to the success of a startup: good marketing or good development. They had no format, made the rules on the fly and had a keeper to score them on successful jabs. The audience joined in, the insults flew and in the end, everyone had a lot of laughs and an intensive discussion where they all gained knowledge and perspective. (And the pastor won by 8 points.) They’d like to do it again and CoCo seems to be the perfect space for it (and with complimentary snacks and bevs to boot!).
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

We’re enjoying a boost of youthful entrepreneurial energy at CoCo this week thanks to students from AchieveMpls and the Google for Entrepreneurs (GFE) team, including special guest Evan Rowe (a STEP-UP graduate).

75 high school students from the STEP-UP Program packed the coworking deck Saturday to use technology to solve real world problems.

A beautiful breakfast spread from Chowgirls catering greeted the students, while the GFE team kicked things off with a game of “human bingo.” But the games didn’t last long. Participants broke into groups to pick an issue to tackle in the afternoon break-out session. Challenges du jour: obesity, gang violence and bullying. Group members sparred with personal stories and observations from their neighborhoods before casting votes.

The GFE team shared insights from their driverless car and glasses to kick-start a conversation about innovation before leading a panel of local business leaders for a Q&A lighting round.

The breakout strategy sessions were just as lively. CoCo members donated their time and expertise facilitating small groups competing in a battle royale for the entrepreneurs-in-training title belt.

“The quiet students had some of the best ideas,” one member volunteer told me. “Holding space at the table for everyone was a big challenge.” Meanwhile the students seemed right at home in front of a whiteboard or on stage presenting their strategies to the panel of judges.

You never know if it’s your turn to learn or lead around here. These students reminded us to do both at the same time!

More event photos

There is an old tale that says May dew has magic properties and that anyone who has washed their face in it will have a beautiful complexion all through the year. You’re supposed to do this on May 1st and we all know this won’t be possible unless Minnesota actually thaws out! What does this have to do with the May going-on’s at CoCo? Well, pretty much nothing other than the fact that we can offer you more than a superstitious activity that involves you rubbing your face into the cold, wet, hard ground to achieve beauty. Read on and join in!

Wednesday, May 1st: Google Developers Group Twin Cities // An Introduction to Angular JS // Presenter: Richard Johnson, Co-Founder and President, Goal Designs Inc
AngularJS is an open-source JavaScript MVC framework developed by Google. Why are web developers clamoring to learn about this powerful framework that reduces the burden of server-side services and produces lighter client-side apps? This presentation will introduce Angular, its design implications as it relates to enabling better UI and business logic design, modular client-side code development and improved testability.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

Thursday, May 2nd: House of Genius
The goal of House of Genius is to assemble brilliant, diverse groups of people to focus their collective creativity and experience to explore, discuss and solve important problems. We hold evening sessions once a month in cities around the world. We bring together a group of 15-18 wide-ranging minds and three business presenters.  The three presenters share their business and a key problem they are facing in rapid-fire fashion. Next, each attendee offers questions, insights, suggestions, or introductions that may assist the presenter. The true “genius” is in the collaboration – you’ll be amazed at the power of thinking that is evoked from the structure of the sessions and the synergetic format.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

Friday, May 3rd: GFE HAPPY HOUR
Google for Entrepreneurs is hosting a happy hour at CoCo and you’re invited. Come celebrate the Twin Cities startup and tech scene with us! Steve Grove (G+) and Mary Grove (GFE) will be on hand, as well as some Googlers who are flying in for Saturday’s STEP-UP Entrepreneurs Training Day. Drinks and light appetizers will be provided.
RSVP HERE

Saturday, May 4th: GFE StepUp Achieve Event
CoCo, STEP-UP AchieveMpls, and Google are teaming up! Join us for a one-day Google for Entrepreneurs “entrepreneur-in-training” program for students participating in the Minneapolis Step-Up Program. The purpose of the day is to prepare students for their summer employment at small businesses in Minneapolis by equipping students with the knowledge and tools necessary to help them effectively think through problems, and create a business plan from scratch to solve real world challenges. CoCo members are cordially invited to the “PITCH COMPETITION” portion of the day from 2PM – 4PM at CoCo Minneapolis.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ACHIEVEMPLS 

Monday, May 6th: HealthcareMN // Startup Traction with Med. Professionals & Tech Opportunities from Health Reform
This month, Justin Anderson will be talking about how he successfully gained user traction with G9MD.net, a Minnesota based social business platform for medical professionals, healthcare systems, and the healthcare industry. For the second half of our event, Steve Parente will be giving us an overview of the changing healthcare legislation, and what that means for health tech entrepreneurs.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

Monday, May 13th: RailsMN // Building OpenCamp (a project management tool) Learning Series
Monthly sessions to help you get started building a real Ruby on Rails web application while learning best practices and fundamental web development concepts. Each session in the series will build on the previous session.
Each session will take place in three parts: an introductory lesson, a group coding workshop and an ‘advanced topics’ presentation. We’ll aim to provide documentation and tutorials to go along with our sessions, so newcomers can catch up and dive right in.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

Tuesday, May 14th: Gray Plant Mooty’s Wise Counsel Series // Don’t Be Bored About Your Board
Effective use of Boards (Board of Governors, Board of Directors, Advisory Boards) is one of the most important ways to increase your likelihood of success in business.  At this session, some veteran entrepreneurial attorneys from Gray Plant Mooty plan to discuss: Types of Boards, Importance of Boards, Board composition, Compensation of Board members, and Ways to attract Board members. This is event is FREE for CoCo members and $25.00 for non-members.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Monday, May 20th: Black Box Event // UX, SEO, and Design Integration Best Practices Workshop
Since the Penguin and Panda algorithms have created a stir in the development and marketing of websites, UX, SEO, and Front-End Development are more interconnected than ever. This round-table is to help individual entrepreneurs and web development and marketing firms ideate for integrated development plans. Since this is a round-table, the goal will be to create dialog to break down barriers between the UX/UI/IA Designers, SEO Specialists, Marketing Specialists, Visual Designers, Copywriters, and Front End Web Developers to understand and discuss Best Practices involving Design Thinking.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION 

Thursday, May 23rd: Tech(dot)MN’s Capital Call Monthly #7 with Andrew Kamin-Lyndgaard & David Dalvey
Join TECHdotMN, tech entrepreneur Andrew Kamin-Lyndgaard and venture capitalist David Dalvey for the seventh Capital Call on Thursday, May 23rd, from 6-8pm at CoCo Minneapolis. Created specifically for Minnesota tech entrepreneurs actively fundraising this gathering will be an intimate experience focused on one thing: money.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION

Thursday, May 30th: Pine & Gilmore’s “How to Mass Customize Your Offerings” hosted by Joe Pine
Did you know mass customizing a good automatically turns it into service? And mass customizing a service automatically turns it into an experience? It is the great antidote to the forces of commoditization that drag you down year after year. When you design an offering that is customized to each particular consumer (or business customer), it cannot help but differentiate yourself, making your offering – and your customer relationship – unique. Drawing from over twenty years of research, consulting, and writing, Joe Pine will show you how to determine where to best customize by mapping where your customers most sacrifice – settle for something other than what they want exactly.  You will also learn the power of modularity for efficiently serving customers uniquely, how to deploy four different kinds of customization, and  how to keep your customers coming back to you whenever they are in the market for what you offer. If you’re worried about commoditization or simply seek to provide greater customer value – and therefore greater economic value to your company – participate in this final How-To workshop.
DETAILS & REGISTRATION

CoCo is working with the Carlson Ventures Enterprise (CVE) at the University of Minnesota to launch the Carlson Resource Desk at CoCo Minneapolis!

The Carlson Resource Desk will be staffed by full-time MBA students from Carlson School of Management, who will offer a wide variety of services in-person and via email to CoCo members , with a turnaround time of approximately one week. Some examples of services include:

• Market sizing
• Demographic information
• Consumer insights
• Market segmentation
• Competitor analysis
• Assistance with financial models
• Assessment of tax incentives and policy influences on business

The Carlson Resource Desk Associates will hold roundtable conversations at CoCo Minneapolis to field questions regarding projects and learn more about what services CoCo members will need. Roundtable dates/times:

• Tuesday, April 9: 12 – 2 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 10: 9 – 11 a.m.

A four-week long pilot program will begin on April 9, in which services will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis for a limited number of projects. During this launch period, each CoCo member will have access to three hours, sponsored by Carlson and CoCo, after which members will be charged $20/hour.

Carlson Resource Desk hours of operation:

• Tuesdays  12 – 3 p.m.
• Wednesdays  9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Fridays  9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

> Request project services online

Email questions and project request forms to: uofm@cocomsp.com