Past Seasons

BKB Floral was the Grand Prize winner, receiving $85,000 for its development of a new compostable and non-toxic foam brick that will serve the global flower market. Longer-term potential exists for indoor farming applications supported by this technology developed at the University of Minnesota.

Carbon Origins was the Runner-Up, receiving $35,000 as they seek to make robots commonplace, by developing the operating systems for remotely operating robots around the world

The 2022 Woman-Led Startup Prize went to BenchK12 from the Education and Training Division. BenchK12 has introduced a tool for making work easier for educators, starting with providing a simple, fast, and affordable way to find substitute teachers 

Thank you to the Carlson Family Foundation for making this award possible!

The 2022 Top Greater MN Startup Prize went to Pneumeric from the Life Science and Health IT Division. Pneumeric's Capnospot device is an inexpensive, point-of-care device for the confirmation of tension pneumothorax treatment in the prehospital and hospital setting.

Thank you to the Carlson Family Foundation for making this award possible!

The 2022 Veteran Led Startup Prize went to Parlaty from the Education and Training Division. Parlaty has introduced an application that helps manufacturing workers with knowledge and performance support on the factory floor.

Thank you to the Carlson Family Foundation for making this award possible!

The 2022 Top Innovative Minority-Led Company Prize went to TurnSignal from the Impact Ventures Division. TurnSignal is an on-demand, real-time service that provides 24/7 legal guidance to drivers through a live video chat with an attorney who helps de-escalate interactions.

Thank you to JP Morgan Chase & MEDA for making this award possible!

25K

The 2022 Best Company from Southern Minnesota Prize went to Pneumeric from the Life Science and Health IT Division. Pneumeric's Capnospot device is an inexpensive, point-of-care device for the confirmation of tension pneumothorax treatment in the prehospital and hospital setting.

Thank you to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for making the award possible!

The 2022 Green Chemistry Prize went to BKB Floral Foam from the Energy/Clean Tech/Water Division. BKB Floral Foam is dedicated to bringing a sustainable future to the floral industry through the production of compostable floral foams. Their foams are a drop-in replacement from the traditional petroleum-based, toxic floral foams currently used in nearly every floral display.

Thank you to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for making this award possible!