2026 MN Cup Finalists

August 10, 2026 — MN Cup is proud to announce the 27 companies moving forward to our Finalist Round, the top three finishers from each of our nine divisions. 

The following companies will move forward to present in person to our divisional judges at the end of August. The judges will select the Nine Division Winners from among the division finalists. These Division Winners will take home $25,000 and compete for an additional $50,000 Grand Prize on September 14th. Register to Attend!

During the 2026 season, we are thrilled to reflect on 22 years of impact in Minnesota's startup ecosystem. The MN Cup program has served 32,000 entrepreneurs across the state and supported their company growth by awarding $6.2 million in startup funding. Capital raised by MN Cup alumni exceeds $1.1 billion, spurring innovation and economic growth in Minnesota. 

To stay up to date on the progress of our companies, follow @MinnesotaCup on Instagram and LinkedIn, and sign up for our newsletter.

 

The 2026 MN Cup Finalists

Education & Training

• SmartPAL AI Inc
• Junior Hunter Gun
• Flora
   

Energy/Cleantech/Water

• Sublime
• General Ammonia Company
• KinectXions Materials, Inc.
   

Food/Ag/Beverage

• Vireo Ag
• Heaven Gluten Free Bakery
• MR. MOMO
   

General

• Cubles
• Seeweed Underwater Game Cameras
• Ulko Gear, LLC
   

High Tech

• Entravia
• OralMRI, LLC
• Feedcoyote
   

Impact Ventures

• Sobrynth Inc.
• Duome LLC
• Find Love Safely
   

LifeScience/Health IT

• AngioInsight
• Optimal Mobility, Inc
• Octin Health, Inc.

Student

• CASA Ai
• MaterniPress
• Merra
   

Youth

• Fish Hut
• madhya
• EsoStory
  
   

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 $6.2 million in seed capital, taking no equity in exchange. Our alumni companies have gone on to raise over $1.1 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.