Twin Cities Startup Week at MentorMate

TL;DR

On Monday, October 8, we’re hosting a Twin Cities Startup Week event at our Minneapolis HQ. Join us for a panel discussion about how tech startups can turn sports betting into a winning business model. Immediately following, Hydra FPV will be in the house hosting live drone races. Bet on some drones and win some killer prizes. Sign up here.

Twin Cities Startup Week

It’s officially fall. For those of us at MentorMate HQ in Minneapolis, that means the chills of winter loom, the aromas of pumpkin spiced everything fills the air, and Twin Cities Startup Week is nearly upon us. From October 7–14, entrepreneurs, designers, developers, and anyone with the slightest kernel of an idea will meet, network, and learn from one another during a week packed with events. The atmosphere is collaborative, engaging, energetic, and inspirational. It’s an entire week of startups taking center stage and garnering attention they otherwise might not receive.

As a former startup ourselves, organizations like Startup Week hold a spot near and dear to our hearts. As such, we try to support them in any way we can. In the past, we’ve been attendees to the numerous events around town and last year, we hosted a talk at our HQ. This year, our own Eve Poeschl sat on the planning committee with other tech leaders in the community to help guide the technology track of the TC Startup Week calendar. Together, they brainstormed creative ideas for events that go beyond your typical tech-driven discussions and Q and A sessions.

Which Brings Us To Our Event

On Monday, October 8, we’re opening our doors and hosting a panel discussion about the future and impacts of sports betting in this post-PASPA world we find ourselves in. What’s PASPA? Glad you asked. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 — that’s why we simply call it PASPA — outlawed sports betting nationwide. A few states were lucky enough to be excluded but for the most part, PASPA made betting on all sports — except for jai alai, horse and dog racing — illegal.

In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association that PASPA went against the Tenth Amendment, overturning it and once again allowing states to legalize sports betting.

So, what does this all this sports betting stuff have to do with technology? You’re full of good questions today, aren’t you?

From a startup perspective, there are tons of ways to turn sports betting into a winning business model. From tweaking existing fantasy-style leagues to creating entirely new sports around betting, the possibilities are endless. Obviously, we won’t tell you all of them here because, well, we want you to come to our event and hear from our panel of experts.

Speaking of those experts, our esteemed panelists are:

Paul Charchian – President @ League Safe
Daren Cotter – Founder and CEO @ Inbox Dollars
Teague Orgeman – Co-Founder and CEO @ Starting 11
Alex Ryan – Co-Founder and CTO @ Starting 11

Moderater: Michael Rand – Digital Sports Senior Writer @ Star Tribune

Other Details:

What: Play the Odds: The Future and Impact of Sports Betting

When: Monday, October 8 • 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Where: MentorMate HQ (3036 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN)

Immediately following the panel discussion, we’ll see firsthand how one company has already harnessed the potential of sports betting in tech. Hydra PV will be on-site running live drone races around our office. Trust me, you won’t want to miss this. You’ll even be able to bet on the races and win some killer prizes.

Not in Minneapolis?

No problem. You may not be able to attend our event but chances are, there’s a startup week in your neck of the woods. To find one near you, check out startupweek.co or Google “[your city] + startup week.”