The Minnesota Cup is the largest statewide new venture competition in the country and supports and accelerates the development of breakthrough business ideas from across the state to build the vibrancy of Minnesota’s business community. Minnesota residents compete for $200,000 in prize money. The competition is free to enter and encourages entries from a wide range of businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors in six divisions — Energy/Clean Tech, General, High Tech, Life Science/Health IT, Social Entrepreneur and Student (two new divisions will be announced soon). Entrepreneurs advancing in the competition have the opportunity to advance business ideas, gain exposure, learn about resources available to entrepreneurs, be paired with mentors, meet members of the Cup’s review board — and win cash prizes if their idea is judged to be among the best entries.
More than 7,000 Minnesotans have participated in MN Cup since it started the competition in 2005. Finalists from just the last four years have gone on to raise more than $60 million in capital to support the development of their ideas, create jobs and broker numerous business partnerships, collaborations and distribution agreements. Their website is www.breakthroughideas.org if you want to check it out.
For more information you may contact Jackie Turner-Lovsness Program Officer with the Southwest Initiative Foundation at (800) 594-9480 or (320) 587-4848.
