How it Works

How it Works

Who are we looking for?

The MN Cup is looking for entrepreneurs, inventors, and those whose dreams include creating one of our state's breakthrough business success stories.

 

[ Phase One ] Apply and Submit Applications

Open to Minnesota entrepreneurs and innovators whose startups are earning less than $1 Million in annual revenue.

Complete a free online application where you'll describe your opportunity, plan & progress. Select one of our nine divisions to compete within:

 

  • Food / Agriculture / Beverage
  • Student
  • Energy / Clean Technology / Water
  • General
  • Life Science / Health
  • Youth
  • High Tech
  • Education & Training
  • Impact Ventures
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Your application is reviewed by a group of volunteer judges with deep experience in their division who will share candid, practical feedback on your application. Whether you move forward or not, you'll have a risk-free opportunity to get valuable insight that can move your idea forward.

[ Phase Two ] Compete in the Semifinal Round

90 companies - Top 10 in each division

You'll have about two months to create a pitch deck, business plan, and one-minute video for your company. You'll submit these materials via our online platform to be reviewed and scored by our judges.

To get meetings with investors, build marketing campaigns, and meet strategic partners they would have struggled to land on their own.

1-2 experienced mentors to offer advice & feedback based on your needs & goods.

All semifinalist companies will have the chance to share their business concept with a public audience in August - demonstrating their progress and building their pitch skills in a supportive environment.

After submitting your business plan, pitch deck, and one-minute video, you will receive detailed feedback from your division judges on those materials. Whether you move forward to the final round or not, you can continue to leverage this insight as you grow your business and hone your messaging.

Access to free workshops and education sessions led by subject matter experts. These sessions will offer support as you create your business plan, pitch deck, and video, and also cover core business topics and founder needs.

Press coverage and social media content that can be leveraged by your company in a number of ways. Many alumni also describe the value of leveraging their MN Cup Semifinalist status.

[ Phase Three ] Grow in the Finalist Round

27 companies - top 3 from each division

Prepare & deliver a 12-minute in-person pitch to your division judges, followed by 18 minutes of Q & A - for a total of 30 minutes one-on-one where judges can get to know you and your founding team.

Additional pitch coaching and prep resources to get you ready to deliver your pitch.

Detailed feedback from judges on what you can improve in your pitch delivery.

In this round, take home up to $25,000. MN Cup takes no equity in exchange for this prize money - it is seed capital that you can use for your business however you see fit, no strings attached.

[ Phase Four ] Win The Grand Prize Round

9 companies - winners of each division

Prepare & deliver your final pitch of the competition in front of our Grand Prize Review Board on the morning of our final award ceremony. Grand Prize judges will select our Grand Prize Winner.

Grand Prize Winner takes home an additional $50,000 dollars.

Division winners and runner-ups will present elevator pitches live on stage during our final award ceremony, in front of an audience of up to 1,000 local businesses leaders, investors, and community supporters.

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