Finding startup funding isn’t easy in any market. But there are plenty of Minnesotans working to change that narrative on a local level. Here’s a list of local organizations connecting entrepreneurs to resources, mentorship and capital.
Updated April 2020. If you think we’re missing anything, email us at MinneInfo@AmericanInno.com.
Venture Capital
Arthur Ventures: This VC firm is focused on investing in fast-growing startups outside of Silicon Valley. They target B2B software companies, and investments range from “a few hundred thousand dollars to a few million dollars” according to the firm’s site.
Brightstone VC: This firm does early growth-stage investing in technology and life sciences. They currently manage a $100 million venture fund focused on early-growth stage investment opportunities. They leverage the deep operating experience and successful investment background of the Fund’s partners.
Capita3: Capita3 is an early stage venture capital fund investing in women startup founders and the companies they’re building. They are leading the next generation of venture capital by investing in the growth of the startup CEO alongside our investment in the growth of the company, and we’ll set a new standard for how VC-financed companies grow and exit.
Coral Group: They help build scalable companies that disruptively change markets. Their team has invested globally in more than 100 companies across multiple technology sectors and at all stages.
Dundee Venture Capital: This firm invests between $250,000 and $750,000 in high-growth, early-stage technology companies working in e-commerce, SaaS and consumer network businesses.
Great North Labs: Great North Labs focuses on building and investing in early-stage tech companies from the Great Lakes region. Great North Labs officially launched in the fall of 2017 and is dually located in St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. Read Minne Inno’s story about Great North Labs.
Lehmi Ventures: This firm invests exclusively on health care services. Their investments and their expertise have built companies focused on changing a broken health care system.
Matchstick Ventures: This Minneapolis-based firm invests in companies nationally. We invest in early-stage technology companies in rapidly growing yet under-served startup ecosystems. Matchstick exists as a catalyst for our founders, our partners, and our startup communities
Omphalos Venture Partners: They invest in early stage companies that are in the Medical Device, Health Services, SAAS, Manufacturing, Robotics, AI and Sensor Technology industries.
Rally Ventures: Rally Ventures invests exclusively in early-stage business technology companies. They bring together an extended, fully engaged team with a personal stake in helping our portfolio companies navigate the most direct route to success.
Split Rock Partners: This Eden Prairie-based firm invests in leading software, Internet services, and healthcare companies. They invest across all stages of company development, providing capital through flexible investment strategies including primary investments, direct secondary, and blended structures
StarTec Investments: A private venture capital firm founded in 1998 by Joy J. Lindsay and Thomas J. McLeod, Sr. The primary investment focus of StarTec is early stage technology companies in Minnesota.
The Syndicate Fund: A Minneapolis-based firm provides exceptional early stage startups the capital and support needed to build great businesses.
Angel Investors
3C Capital: 3C Capital is an angel investment group headquartered in Northfield, Minnesota. As part of RAIN Source Capital’s RAIN Fund Network, they are able to share prospective deals with the entire network to collectively raise a good portion or all of the capital that a growing company needs. If you are thinking about expanding your business or would simply like to discuss other options for equity transactions, they would like to assist in any way we can.
Gopher Angels: They are the most active Minnesota investor network, supporting the Midwest startup community through angel investment, a shared knowledge bank, and elevated access to deal flow.
Sofia Angel Fund: A group of angel investors seeking to build and promote women-led businesses. Investing in exceptional women-led growth companies has been their business since 1998.
The Network Connect: The Network Connect is a large and growing network of investors, investor groups and funds. They have embarked on a nationwide initiative to connect investors and startup companies seeking early-stage capital. With an expanding network of preferred service providers and business partners (including business accelerators, regional economic and business development groups), The Network Connect provides businesses with a multitude of other services.
Twin Cities Angels: TCAngels® provides a formal organization for our entrepreneurially-minded angel-investor. Members share interests in: increasing their access to quality deal flow; leveraging their capital with greater investment clout from the combined dollars of the group; leveraging their time and expertise with other experienced members; making better researched and more intelligent investments through high-quality due diligence; increasing their knowledge about and how to make such investments; and socializing among like-minded individuals.
Accelerators/Incubators (that provide funding)
Gener8tor: This nationally-ranked startup accelerator that expanded to Minneapolis in 2016. gener8tor operates as a privately-funded venture capital fund. We are excited to invest in the best entrepreneurs and startups. If you are as excited as we are about startups, please reach out. gener8tor offers a first-class program and sets the stage for long-term success.
Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator: The Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator provides infrastructure that enables entrepreneurism for the Rochester community. Founded in 2013, and expanded in 2015, by Rochester Area Economic Development, Inc. (RAEDI), City of Rochester, Mayo Clinic Treasury Services and Mayo Clinic Ventures, the Mayo Clinic Business Accelerator provides collaborative space for new companies, venture capital firms and entrepreneurs. They also work with existing companies and service providers to support entrepreneurial ventures.
University Enterprise Laboratories: UEL is an incubator for early-stage companies in life sciences, biotech, healthcare, food/agriculture and other science / technology industries. They are strategically located on the border between Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Additional resources
Beta.MN: An organization that supports Minnesota’s startup founders and tech community. Beta provides founders from the top local startups with the resources and relationships required to scale their business.
gBeta: Powered by gener8tor, gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States & Canada. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive applicant pool to participate in the seven-week program. During the program, companies meet with the gBETA team twice a week for an hour each to refine their business model, meet mentors, strategize their growth, gain customer traction and pitch investors
MNvest: MNvest is a Minnesota law permitting investment crowdfunding, a new way to fund Minnesota's growing businesses. Similar to reward-based crowdfunding sites (like Kickstarter), MNvest enables Minnesota businesses to legally advertise investment opportunities to all Minnesota residents.
