The Minnesota Cup
The Minnesota Cup competition allows emerging Minnesota entrepreneurs and start-up companies to compete for the opportunity to meet investors and win prizes, including seed capital.
History
[edit]The Minnesota Cup competition[1] started in 2005 by entrepreneurs Scott Litman and Dan Mallin. The first competition drew 600 entries who competed for $37,500 in prize money and professional services. The second annual competition introduced a student division and began on May 26, 2006.[2] The competition has grown over time with the top prize increasing to $50,000 in 2008.[3] In 2009, the competition expanded with the inclusion of categories for High Tech, Clean Tech and Renewable Energy, Social Entrepreneurship and BioSciences to go along with the existing General and Student Divisions. Additionally, prize money grew to $130,000.[4] In 2016, The prize money for division winners and runners-up was $30,000 and $5,000, respectively. The grand prize winner got additional $50,000.
Grand Prize Winners
[edit]- 2005: ArcSwitch, Inc.[5]
- 2006: Vast Enterprises[6]
- 2007: Muve Inc.[7]
- 2008: CoreSpine Technologies[8]
- 2009: Alvenda Commerce Advertising[9]
- 2010: EarthClean[10]
- 2011: AUM Cardiovascular[11]
- 2012: PreciouStatus[11]
- 2013: Preceptis Medical Hummingbird Ear Tubes[11][12]
- 2014: 75F[11]
- 2015: Astropad[11]
- 2016: Stemonix[13]
- 2020: Blue Cube Bio[14][15]
- 2021: Nanodropper[16]
- 2022: BKB Floral Foam [17]
- 2023: Carba[18]
- 2024: Momease Solutions Inc.[19]
- 2025: AcQumen Medical[20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "MN Cup". Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (April 2, 2006), "Prize offered for bright ideas," Pioneer Press (St. Paul) archived on breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (March 31, 2008), "Minnesota Cup doubles top prize to $50,000," Pioneer Press (St. Paul).
- ↑ Grayson, Katharine (March 29, 2009), "Minnesota Cup Accepting Entries," Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal (Minneapolis).
- ↑ Diggins, Arthur F. "Breaking New Ground" Twin Cities Business Magazine. pp. 2-3.
- ↑ Kennedy, Patrick (September 8, 2006), "Eden Prairie paver firm wins innovation prize", Star Tribune (Minneapolis).
- ↑ Johnson, Adam (September 12, 2007), "Minnesota Cup Winner Thinks it Has a Better Idea For Weight Loss" Finance and Commerce.
- ↑ Minnesota Cup 2008: Breakthrough Entrepreneurs Twin Cities Business December 2008.
- ↑ Minnesota Cup 2009: Most Promising Entrepreneurs Twin Cities Business December 2009.
- ↑ Christa, Meland (September 24, 2010). "EarthClean Corp. Wins 2010 Minnesota Cup". TwinCities Business. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Past Winners". Carlson School of Management. December 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ↑ "Minnesota Cup Names 2013 Grand Prize Winner Of $65K". Twin Cities Business. September 22, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ↑ "Stemonix, a stem cell research firm, wins Minnesota Cup competition". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Past Winners". Carlson School of Management. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Kumar, Kavita (September 23, 2020). "Minnesota Cup winner pioneers new solution to preserve therapeutic cells". Star Tribune. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ "MN Cup winner reflects on 2021 win as submissions close". ABC 6 News - kaaltv.com. August 1, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
- ↑ Kaplan, Allison (September 20, 2022). "Compostable Floral Foam Startup Wins MN Cup". Twin Cities Business Magazine.
- ↑ Nguyen, Tina (September 19, 2023). "MN Cup Grand Prize Goes to Carb". Twin Cities Business Magazine.
- ↑ Bonelli, Cam (September 17, 2024). "Momease wins grand prize at Minnesota Cup 2024". Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
- ↑ Martin, Emmy (October 7, 2025). "Health care startup developing device to help preemies wins Minnesota Cup, along with $100K". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
- ↑ "MN Cup Names Division Winners; 1 Will Win Grand Prize in Sept". Twin Cities Business. September 8, 2012.