The Rebel Alliance: From a Mayor’s Perspective

​Part of Twin Cities Startup Week 2026, September 14–18.

​What does it actually take to make a city a place where businesses, entrepreneurs, and new ideas can grow?

​Mike Nathan, CEO @ Impero Ventures, sits down with Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston for a Rebel Alliance-style conversation about entrepreneurship and economic development from the city’s side of the table.

​Brooklyn Park is actively working to grow its business community, support local entrepreneurs, expand its commercial tax base, and pursue major development opportunities. Mike and Mayor Winston will talk about what that work looks like from inside city government, where entrepreneurs and cities can be better partners, and some of the realities that come with trying to create meaningful change while balancing the needs of businesses, residents, and a growing community.

​Expect a candid conversation about what makes a city a good place to build and what entrepreneurs might not understand about the people and systems on the other side of the table.

​Speakers:

• ​Mike Nathan, CEO @ Impero Ventures

• ​Hollies J. Winston, Mayor @ City of Brooklyn Park

​Getting here on Tuesday. Parking, Basecamp, lunch, and the rest of the day: tcstartupweek.com/tuesday