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