2023 MN Cup Semifinalists

May 24, 2023 — MN Cup is proud to announce the 89 companies moving forward to our Semifinal Round, the top finishers from each of our nine divisions. We had a record number of applications and participants in the first round of our process. 3,052 Minnesotans participated - 17% more than our previous record in 2022. MN Cup continues to make targeted efforts and progress in reaching underrepresented groups.

• 43% of our participants identify as female
• 38% identify as non-white
• 31% of applicants are from Greater Minnesota

Read more about MN Cup 2023 participants.

The following companies will move forward to create a pitch deck, summary business plan and one minute video while accessing free mentorship, education and publicity through July. Ultimately, they’ll compete for a share of more than $400,000 cash prizes and gain the opportunity to accelerate their businesses with no equity taken in exchange. 

During this 19th season of MN Cup we’re also proud of the impact of the competition on the high-growth startups and innovation of our state. Capital raised by MN Cup alumni exceeds $1 Billion. To stay up to date on the progress of our companies, follow @MinnesotaCup on Instagram and LinkedIn, and sign up for our newsletter here.

The 2023 MN Cup Semifinalists are: 

Education & Training

• NOVA Education Consultants
• BABY KNOW: Bodies, Hearts & Minds, LLC
• Francisco Hockey
• Talknician
• Parlaty
• Developing Readers Academy 
• Lovelace
• Radar Talent Solutions
• Indigebox

Energy/Cleantech/Water

• Nucleic Sensing Systems
• Converteca
• EcoSmart Construction Stud
• North Star Carbon Management
• Find My Electric
• Carba
• Live On Minnesota
• MN Millers LLC

Food/Ag/Beverage

• SMACKIN' Sunflower Seeds
• Northern Diversified Solutions
• Quebracho Empanadas
• Verdethos Inc.
• Wugs
• Taking Stock Foods
• Craft Innovators
• Nosh Posh
• UFisheries
• Revive Distilling Company

General

• ZeSa, LLC
• Premium Pet Solutions 
• Klaris
• REMastered Sleep
• Morari Medical
• Shelf Pole Hooks
• Momease Solutions
• Your Ears Rock
• GloPro Firefly
• Soak iT Up

High Tech

• Anarus, Inc
• Raise a Hood, Inc
• RollCredits
• Babbl
• TFWireless Inc
• JAS Monitoring
• Jobifi, LLC
• Zenlord Pro
• Bright Referral
• SAB Co. Software
• Hemo Research

Impact Ventures

• XanthosHealth
• PreLease SBC
• People for PSEO
• SonnyLife
• Dress Up to Calm Down, LLC
• Tiny Carbon LLC
• Axon Athletics
• Wise Blue Yonder
• Becoming Together LLC

LifeScience/Health IT

• Rehabnetics
• TriAgenics, Inc.
• FlowSIGMA
• VSOD - Vet Specialists on Demand
• ProEncía Biotechnology
• Delve Health
• Glimpse Diagnostics
• Hinckley Medical, Inc.
• QOL Devices
• Pneumeric Inc

Student

• Nivoso
• Seat Cover Solutions
• Oxbow Health
• Canopy
• Cognitiv.ly
• Omi Live
• Fin's Finest Labs
• Whiskey Woods
• SolFair Energy Solutions
• Dou Read

Youth

• CANVAWRAP
• MyIris
• Vigilance Safety
• Geo-game
• percent-x
• Chickpeazie
• SafeSphere
• RevMatch
• BrikShare
• IceAce
• 2700 Podcast
   

MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership that brings together corporations, investors, foundations, government and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota’s entrepreneurs. The core of our programming is an annual competition that reaches emerging entrepreneurs from across the state and connects them with education, mentorship and resources to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures. The competition inspires entrepreneurs to begin their startup journey, supports them as they develop a solid business plan, provides exposure for their ideas and offers numerous opportunities to expand their networks. Since 2005 MN Cup has given away $5 Million in seed capital, taking no equity in exchange. Our alumni companies have gone on to raise over $1 Billion. MN Cup is a program of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management. To learn more about our process and register for an info session or office hours, visit mncup.org.