Target shares retail insights with startups

Target Corp. hosted the retail track day of Twin Cities Startup Week.

The discount giant held the retail track of Twin Cities Startup Week, an event for start-ups and innovators in the Twin Cities metro area, at its Minneapolis headquarters on Oct. 10. Target assembled experts including C-level executives and alumni of its technology accelerator programs to offer experiences and insights.

Speakers included Target executives Julie Guggemos, senior VP, owned brand product design & management; Todd Waterbury, chief creative officer; and Minsok Pak, chief strategy & innovation officer. In addition, Nadia Genevieve, founder and CEO of next-gen consumer insights platform Perksy, and Charlie Youakim, co-founder and CEO of payment platform Sezzle, recent graduates of the METRO Target Retail Accelerator, Certified by Techstars, spoke.

Between presentations, attendees got a closer look at products and services on display from past Target Accelerator companies, including Mickey’s Mission and Pulp Pantry from this year’s Target Incubator, and Lia Diagnostics from the latest Target Takeoff cohort, focused on wellness products and solutions.

“Target is proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs through our work with startups,” said Gene Han, VP of new ventures and accelerators, who kicked things off with a keynote. “Working hand-in-hand helps inject a more entrepreneurial culture and spirit to our teams, and in turn, startups get a partner who can provide retail expertise, mentorship and guidance as they develop their ideas.”

Following the event, Target was awarded Twin Cities Startup Week's Redwood award, which recognizes a corporate organization or team driving innovation, collaboration and support for the Minnesota startup community.

See details on more speakers and presentations on Target’s corporate blog.