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
The Minnesota Cup competition{{Cite web|url=https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/mn-cup|title=MN Cup}} 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.Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (2 April 2006), [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/document/1606.pdf "Prize offered for bright ideas,"] Pioneer Press (St. Paul) [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/page/1/In-the-News.jsp archived on breakthroughideas.org] The competition has grown over time with the top prize increasing to $50,000 in 2008.Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (31 March 2008), [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/document/25534.pdf "Minnesota Cup doubles top prize to $50,000,"] Pioneer Press (St. Paul) [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/page/1/In-the-News.jsp archived on breakthroughideas.org] 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.Grayson, Katharine (30 March 2009), [http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2009/03/30/daily4.html?ed=2009-03-30&ana=e_du_pub "Minnesota Cup Accepting Entries,"] Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal (Minneapolis). 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
- 2005: ArcSwitch, Inc.Diggins, Arthur F. [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/media/document/mncupfinal.PDF "Breaking New Ground"] Twin Cities Business Magazine, [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/page/1/In-the-News.jsp archived at breakthroughideas.org]
- 2006: Vast EnterprisesKennedy, Patrick (8 September 2006), [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/document/25625.pdf "Eden Prairie paver firm wins innovation prize"], Star Tribune (Minneapolis) [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/page/1/In-the-News.jsp archived at breakthroughideas.org]
- 2007: Muve Inc.Johnson, Adam (12 September 2007), [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/document/25332.pdf "Minnesota Cup Winner Thinks it Has a Better Idea For Weight Loss"] Finance and Commerce [http://www.breakthroughideas.org/page/1/In-the-News.jsp archived at breakthroughideas.org]
- 2008: CoreSpine Technologies[http://www.tcbmag.com/superstars/superstars/107917p1.aspx Minnesota Cup 2008: Breakthrough Entrepreneurs] Twin Cities Business December 2008
- 2009: Alvenda Commerce Advertising[http://www.tcbmag.com/superstars/superstars/125231p1.aspx Minnesota Cup 2009: Most Promising Entrepreneurs] Twin Cities Business December 2009
- 2010: EarthClean{{cite web|last1=Christa|first1=Meland|title=EarthClean Corp. Wins 2010 Minnesota Cup|url=http://tcbmag.com/News/Recent-News/2010/September/EarthClean-Corp-Wins-2010-Minnesota-Cup|website=TwinCities Business|date=24 September 2010|accessdate=7 August 2015}}
- 2011: AUM Cardiovascular{{Cite web|url = http://carlsonschool.umn.edu/mn-cup/past-winners|title = Past Winners|last = Anonymous|date = 2014-12-08|website = Carlson School of Management|access-date = 2016-04-27}}
- 2012: PreciouStatus
- 2013: Preceptis Medical{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=T. C. B. |date=2013-09-22 |title=Minnesota Cup Names 2013 Grand Prize Winner Of $65K |url=https://tcbmag.com/minnesota-cup-names-2013-grand-prize-winner-of-65k/ |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=Twin Cities Business |language=en-US}}
- 2014: 75F
- 2015: Astropad
- 2016: Stemonix{{Cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/stemonix-a-stem-cell-research-firm-wins-minnesota-cup-competition/394573141/|title = Stemonix, a stem cell research firm, wins Minnesota Cup competition|website = Star Tribune}}
- 2020 Grand Prize: Blue Cube Bio{{Cite web|url = https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/mn-cup/past-seasons|title = Past Winners|last = Anonymous|website = Carlson School of Management}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.uelmn.org/news/bluecube-bio-awarded-the-2020-minnesota-cup-grand-prize/|title = BlueCube Bio Awarded the 2020 Minnesota Cup Grand Prize|website = University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL)}}