Mentorship
For many MN Cup participants, the mentoring program has become the most valuable component — more valuable than the prize money awarded to the top 16 finishers and available to all 80 semifinalists. Amazing entrepreneurs and business leaders freely volunteer their time to meet with semifinalists to help them develop their plans and move their ideas forward.
The Original Mentor
Brad Cleveland
Former Proto Labs CEO Brad Cleveland served as the original MN Cup mentor.
In 2006, he suggested the idea and recruited his CEO peer group to serve as the initial five mentors. Brad's legacy of volunteer support serves as a constant inspiration.
MN Cup Mentor Hall of Fame
Jim Kraft
2020 Mentor of the Year
Elizabeth Caven
2020 Mentor of the Year
Rajiv Tandon
2020 Mentor of the Year
Janel Haugarth
2019 Mentor of the Year
Mike Arbeiter
2019 Mentor of the Year
Linda Hall
2019 Mentor of the Year
Nick Clementi
2018 Mentor of the Year
Liz Barrere
2018 Mentor of the Year
Steven Snyder
2018 Mentor of the Year
Rick Brimacomb
2017 Mentor of the Year
Roy Wetterstrom
2017 Mentor of the Year
Shanna Apitz
2017 Mentor of the Year
Peter Goldreich
2016 Mentor of the Year
Kristen Heimerl
2016 Mentor of the Year
Mark Moe
2016 Mentor of the Year
Kyle Rolfing
2015 Mentor of the Year
Lee Jones
2015 Mentor of the Year
Michael Miller
2015 Mentor of the Year
Contact MN Cup
- Email: hellomncup@umn.edu