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.
Mission
The mission of The Minnesota Cup is stated as "To seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas through an annual, statewide contest that connects Minnesota entrepreneurs with the state's leading business leaders, investors and the University of Minnesota."[1]
History
The Minnesota Cup competition 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]
Winners
- 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[11]
- 2014: 75F[11]
- 2015: Astropad[11]
References
- ↑ MN Cup Program Background and Ideas, retrieved 17 May 2010
- ↑ Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (2 April 2006), "Prize offered for bright ideas," Pioneer Press (St. Paul) archived on breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Suzukamo, Leslie Brooks (31 March 2008), "Minnesota Cup doubles top prize to $50,000," Pioneer Press (St. Paul) archived on breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Grayson, Katharine (30 March 2009), "Minnesota Cup Accepting Entries," Minneapolis/Saint Paul Business Journal (Minneapolis).
- ↑ Diggins, Arthur F. "Breaking New Ground" Twin Cities Business Magazine, archived at breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Kennedy, Patrick (8 September 2006), "Eden Prairie paver firm wins innovation prize", Star Tribune (Minneapolis) archived at breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Johnson, Adam (12 September 2007), "Minnesota Cup Winner Thinks it Has a Better Idea For Weight Loss" Finance and Commerce archived at breakthroughideas.org
- ↑ Minnesota Cup 2008: Breakthrough Entrepreneurs Twin Cities Business December 2008
- ↑ Minnesota Cup 2009: Most Promising Entrepreneurs Twin Cities Business December 2009
- ↑ Christa, Meland. "EarthClean Corp. Wins 2010 Minnesota Cup". TwinCities Business. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Anonymous (2014-12-08). "Past Winners". Carlson School of Management. Retrieved 2016-04-27.