Joy Lindsay receives the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Sri Zaheer.

Joy Lindsay Receives Entrepreneur of Year Award

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Joy Lindsay received the 2023 University of Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year at the eleventh annual Founders Day celebration May 10.  Joy earned her MBA at the Carlson School, co-founded StarTec Investments, one of the first women-led venture capital firms in Minnesota and has given back to the University and broader community while serving as a wonderful role model for our students and fellow alums. Her long-time efforts to serve the University and the broader entrepreneurial community are without parallel and include advising the University’s Technology Commercialization group and the Discovery Capital fund, serving on the Holmes Center advisory board, advising and mentoring countless students, speaking regularly in a broad range of entrepreneurship classes and served as a judge in MN Cup since inception. 

Lindsay's role in the community includes serving as the chair of the MN High Tech Association, vice-president of the MN Venture Capital Association, and many other public and private volunteer leadership positions.  Most importantly, she has been a trailblazer among women in venture capital and early-stage investing and an enthusiastic supporter of women entrepreneurs.  Lindsay remains active as a Managing Partner in the leadership of the Sofia Fund, investing in high-growth women-led companies, and supports ongoing investments as a limited partner in other regional funds.  Her track record of investing at StarTec includes a lengthy list of Minnesota-based success stories including Rebiotix, Flipgrid, Magnet 360, GovDelivery, Iconoculture, Compellent Technologies, and Xiotech.  Lindsay's commitment, curiosity, and enthusiastic support inspire us all.

The Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship coordinates the annual selection of the University of Minnesota's Entrepreneur of the Year Award, seeking to identify one exemplary alumnus who founded and is currently leading an enduring business, who supports the University and local community, and who serves as a role model to our students and fellow alumni.  Join us on May 10th to congratulate Lindsay!