Friday, April 28 Is the Last Day to Enter the 2017 MN Cup
WHAT: The MN Cup is an extraordinary competition where contestants with clever entrepreneurial ideas get expert advice, insider knowledge, and valuable training on navigating our state’s business ecosystem. Winners in each of the eight divisions— General, High Tech, Energy/Clean Tech/Water, Food/Agriculture/Beverage, Life Science/Health IT, Impact Ventures, and Student, and its 18 and under Youth division—walk away with prize money, as does one Grand Prize Winner and one runner-up. It’s free to enter, but applications are only accepted until Friday, April 28.
WHO: We all know Minnesotans who’ve had a “Eureka!” moment and imagined an invention no one else has dreamed up, or who’ve always longed for the adventure of starting their own business and building it into an empire. The MN Cup is a bridge to help connect them with resources they need to succeed. Help MN Cup reach these would-be startup founders, genius inventors, economy boosters, and job creators — let them know there is still time to enter! Interview MN Cup director Melissa Kjolsing, who can tell viewers how the process works, and how many incredible ventures have come out of it during its 13-year history. We can also set up interviews with previous winners to share how MN Cup has changed their lives.
WHY: For those who dream of entrepreneurial success, it’s now or never: applications close April 28. And with a record $450,000 of prize money, MN Cup has more to offer in 2017 than ever before. The contest and its participants have the potential to make a huge impact on our state. MN Cup has expanded the type of Minnesotan who founds a business: last year, 38 percent of our teams had a female lead, 24 percent had a minority lead, and 8 percent were veterans. More than 12,000 Minnesotans have participated in MN Cup since it began. Finalists have gone on to raise more than $230 million in capital to support the development of their ideas, create jobs, and broker numerous business partnerships, collaborations and distribution agreements.
