Apply For MN Cup

Apply

2026 Applications Open Now Until April 3rd

 

APPLY HERE

 

Application Requirements
Must be a Minnesota-based startup making less than $1 million in revenue.

 

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Office Hours

 

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Monday and Thursday

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Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday

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Should I Apply Video

Should I Apply?

Yes You Should Apply!

The MN Cup is free and open to every innovator, entrepreneur, thinker, and doer in Minnesota. Watch this video and hear what some of our judges have to say about applying. Spoiler: they all say do it! Even if all you have is an idea, the process of applying will force you to clarify your thoughts. If your idea is big and you move on to the next round, our mentors and judges will provide you with invaluable feedback and advice. You have nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain, so just do it. 

Tips, Tricks, Templates

View Astropad's 2015 example.

This is what the text looks like for the initial online application. See our FAQs and below for more details. 

Tips

  • Have a well-written plan that tells a story. Make it easy to read and understand.
  • Don't be afraid to tell us about challenges or risks on your journey. When you do that, also tell us how you address them.
  • Find a way to combine a breakthrough idea and a plan that can make it happen.
  • Show you have a viable/sustainable business model, coupled with a strong management team.
  • Do NOT create a forecast based upon a hunch or idea – do a bottom up analysis
  • Think like an investor. Imagine you are on Shark Tank as a Shark– Would you invest in your plan/idea?
     

Common Pitfalls

  • Lack a cohesive go-to-market plan
  • Focusing too much on the story and not the viability of the business
  • Failure to include financial information both current and projected
  • Demo something. Shows us at least a prototype of what you have built.
  • Improperly representing people only peripherally involved as critical.
  • Making statements or claims without providing evidence/detail.

Your MN Cup application will be assessed based on the Opportunity, Plan, and Progress of your startup. See each component below for some additional details and questions to think about. 

Note: Your idea might be early, or you might not have thought about all of these things yet. That's ok! The judges know you might be early when you first apply. These details will provide some guidance on what the judges may want to see you thinking about when you apply.

Opportunity (50% of your aggregate score)

  • Is this a breakthrough idea with an innovative approach?
  • Does the product/service solve a real problem?
  • Is there a clear and unique value proposition?
  • Is there a defined/validated target customer?
  • How large is the potential addressable market?
  • How profitable is the business model?
  • How will this company impact Minnesota and the world?
     

Plan (25% of your aggregate score)

  • Is this plan commercially viable?
  • Is there a clear approach to create awareness and convert customers?
  • Are you aware of and are you addressing major challenges or risks?
  • Have you identified and secured the necessary partners? Have you assembled a team?
  • Have you validated your solution?
  • Show your short-term priorities. What do you do next?
     

Progress (25% of your aggregate score)

  • Is there a prototype or MVP (Minimum Viable Product)?
  • Do you have customers?
  • Do you have strategic partners?
  • Have you generated any revenue?
  • Have you achieved any milestones to validate the opportunity?
  • How can you demonstrate that customers truly want your product/service?