Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship
The Holmes Center is the hub of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Minnesota that inspires, educates and connects the next generation of Minnesota's entrepreneurs. We mobilize the community and provide support for emerging entrepreneurs, both within and outside the University, through experiential courses and engaging outreach programs.
Looking to turn innovative ideas into a meaningful impact? Registration is now open for the Women Innovators 2026 Conference on November 4th! Join founders, researchers, and entrepreneurs at the McNamara Alumni Center for an exciting half-day focused on evaluating ideas, bringing concepts to life, and leveraging AI to continue growth. Whether you're developing research, exploring a new venture, building a product, or curious about innovation, Women Innovators is a place to connect with passionate, inspiring, women.
Looking to turn innovative ideas into a meaningful impact? The MVP Challenge is an opportunity to show customers how your innovative idea would work, capture feedback, and bring your concept one step closer to reality. The MVP Challenge awards up to 25 grants from $100 to $3,000 in three divisions: digital, physical, and social. The MVP Challenge is open to projects emerging from UMN labs, clubs, courses, or other programs.
Biz Pitch is your opportunity to win up to $2,600 to help develop your new venture! Finalists will get the chance to make a 90-second pitch about their business idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and investors at the Toaster Innovation Hub. Not only are there opportunities to win cash prizes, but also opportunities to receive valuable feedback. Biz Pitch is open to all undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota.
Seeking to connect and collaborate with fellow entrepreneurial spirits? Join us at the Toaster Innovation Hub to ignite innovation, spark creativity, and launch your ideas to the next level. The Holmes Center has partnered with the Libraries to crank up the volume in Walter Library by inviting students to make some noise and collaborate in the Toaster.
MN Cup
MN Cup is the largest statewide startup competition in the country, supporting emerging entrepreneurs through events, education, mentoring and an annual competition.
MIN-Corps
MIN-Corps develops talent and catalyzes technology commercialization across the University of Minnesota through a series of courses, workshops and bootcamps.
MIN-Corps is a partnership of the Holmes Center, College of Science & Engineering and TechComm.
Naturally Minnesota
Naturally Minnesota, formerly known as Grow North is a resource and connection hub serving Minnesota's food and agriculture entrepreneur ecosystem.
WE
WE* is focused on supporting scalable, women-led startups in Minnesota through a series of conferences and events.
MN Cup Turns 20: An Oral History
The story of how an idea in the middle of the night became the largest statewide entrepreneurship competition in the nation and a rite of passage for Minnesota’s entrepreneurial community.
Every year, more than a thousand entrepreneurs compete in MN Cup — the largest statewide startup contest in the country. Organized by the Holmes Center, the competition fuels job creation by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources to move their ideas forward. In 2024, the MN Cup program celebrated its 20th season. This story highlights how the program came to be and the impact it has had on Minnesota's startups since 2005.
Holmes Center Events
Women Innovators Conference
Minnesota Carlson Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
