Building Momentum: Saint Paul’s Innovation Network in Action
Introduction by Brennan Townley, CEO at Collaboration.Ai
Meet This Month's Tech Innovator
Brennan is a proud Saint Paul boomerang that returned to MN after spending 20 years in Chicago and Seattle. He is a dad and a technology executive with over 25 years of experience in software, artificial intelligence, strategic partnerships, and startups. As the CEO of Collaboration.Ai, he supports a team focused on building AI-enabled software and helping organizations like the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and NASA utilize artificial intelligence to strengthen collaboration and drive meaningful impact.
Continue reading to see why Saint Paul's innovation network is important for Collaboration.Ai.
At Collaboration.Ai, we’re focused on unleashing the full potential of human connections to solve hard problems. Our team develops and deploys AI-enabled software and services that help organizations turn ideas into action. From our global work with the United States Air Force to local initiatives here in Minnesota, we’re driven by a belief that collaboration, when done right, can move missions and even spark movements.
Investing in innovation keeps our city and state moving forward, and our United We Transform Exchange in Osborn370 is proof of what can happen when the right people and ideas come together in the same space. It’s where creativity, purpose, and entrepreneurship meet, and where teams are building solutions that matter. Being part of this community connects our work to something bigger—a city that is building its tech future at the intersection of technology, equity, and opportunity.
Looking ahead, we see Saint Paul’s innovation network as a model for growth. It’s a city proving that tech-driven development and human-centered collaboration can coexist and thrive. We know that our work here is adding to that momentum.
Thank you for attending Innovation @ The Park!
✨ Rice Park came alive with creativity, connection, and collaboration — from drone demos, electric motorcycles, live screen printing, a gaming truck, and family-friendly maker activities. It was a beautiful showcase of Saint Paul’s innovative spirit in action. Thank you to all the partners, resource providers, and community builders who came out to make this possible.
📸 Check out photos, courtesy of Minnestar, that include their incredible Minnedemo41 event!
Intricon and Minnetronix Medical, two prominent contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) serving the medical technology industry, have combined to form Forj Medical.
Forj Medical offers end-to-end capabilities — from concept through commercial scale — in system design, microelectronics, precision molding, and advanced manufacturing. The company’s fully integrated CDMO service offering helps medical device OEMs develop and scale complex technologies with speed and precision.
Jeremy Maniak, formerly CEO of Minnetronix, will assume the role of CEO of the combined business.
“By combining deep expertise in system and component design, microelectronics, precision molding, and automation, we’re enabling our customers to bring life-changing technologies to market faster and more efficiently,” said Maniak.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded $5 million from the Minnesota Forward Fund (MFF) to the University of St. Thomas' Minnesota Semiconductor Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub. The hub—in collaboration with manufacturers Seagate and Skywater Technology, and MFF recipient Polar Semiconductor —will use AI to improve semiconductor manufacturing.
Saint Paul Snapshots
Quick local hits you shouldn't miss.
The BETA Board of Directors is thrilled to announce Angela Eifert as the new Executive Director of BETA.
MnTech invites the Minnesota technology community to turn a spotlight on the individuals and organizations that are creating the greatest impact on our community by submitting Tekne Award nominations by October 24.
iotaMotion surpasses 1,000 clinical procedures performed with iotaSOFT® --defining a new era in cochlear implant surgery.
AcQumen Medical, a medtech company that's made an ultrasound device to monitor blood flow in babies, wins $50,000 MN Cup grand prize.
Full Stack Saint Paul is a public-private collaboration leveraging the power of tech and innovation to drive equitable, resilient economic development in Saint Paul.
Powered by the City of Saint Paul and the St Paul Area Chamber
Full Stack Saint Paul, 15 Kellogg Blvd. West, Saint Paul, MN
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