Our Minne Inno Madness competition is here. And we've got 32 local startups vying for the coveted title of 2023 Inno Madness champion.
Inno Madness is our friendly, bracket-style challenge where readers vote to advance companies based on one question: Who would you invest in? Whether you believe in one mission or product slightly over the other, or would prefer to back a more established company versus an early-stage startup, how you answer that question is entirely up to you. The bracket is designed to shine a spotlight on 32 innovative, fast-growing local businesses.
The bracket is assembled based on reader nominations, as well as editorial input from the Minne Inno team. Seeding was largely randomized. Meet the participants below and read the contest rules here.
The goal of Inno Madness is to give a snapshot of some of the most-promising tech companies in the Twin Cities area. It is by no means a complete list of the region's best startups, which is a testament to the size of its tech scene. It's also not merely a list of the 32 most-funded startups in the region.
Instead, the bracket is meant to represent the full breadth and diversity of the ecosystem. In the end, think of the bracket as just a fun look into local tech companies you need to know in 2023.
First-round voting begins now and continues through March 15 at 3 p.m. Readers can cast one vote per round. We'll open up voting round by round, ultimately crowning an Minne Inno Madness winner on April 6.
Let's get into Round 1...
Meet the Players:
HistoSonics Inc. – creating a noninvasive device to destroy cancerous tissue
Monteris Medical – making laser technology that fights brain tumors
Niron Magnetics Inc. – creating high-performance magnets free of rare earth metals
Vergent Bioscience – developing a product that allows surgeons to better see tumors
BKB Floral Foam Inc. – developing floral foam blocks out of a bio-based material that can degrade
Pneumeric Inc. -- offering a medical device that provides visual detection for a procedure to treat tension pneumothorax
GEM Health – offering a digital platform that aims to help potential sleep apnea sufferers navigate diagnosis and treatment
Ostra Cybersecurity Inc. – looks to help small- to mid-sized businesses have access to tools to protect their data
We Sparkle Co. – builds tools to help small businesses increase sales and invest in their communities
YourPath – looks to assist those with substance-use disorders
Vertical Insure Inc. – provides embedded insurance to industry-specific, software-as-a-service companies
BettorEdge – a sports-betting startup letting user set up their own wagers against each other
Oncodea – developed a working early cancer-detection model
Kyros – a digital platform intended to help people with substance use disorders navigate the recovery process
VOCxi Health – a breath-diagnostics startup that works to measure disease using its patented smart mask
Brevity – uses AI to help entrepreneurs improve their pitch to clinch deals
Opsi – a cloud-based platform that aims to help chefs streamline their culinary operations
ProsperStack – a low-code, software-as-a-service provider for subscription-based businesses
REM5 Studios – a full-service, extended reality & Web3 experience agency
Babbl – a website that tracks stock market news, attitudes and trends in conversation
Kavira Health – provides on-demand care through house visits and tele-health
Q-rounds – an online platform offering a virtual queue for patients, families and care providers in a hospital setting
RadWave Technologies Inc. – surgical-tech company developing advanced electromagnetic tracking technology
Refr Sports – an app allowing referees and sports game organizers to share and coordinate scheduling needs
Trunkdrop – an on-demand contactless delivery app
SIID Technologies – looks to use its software to drive change in the criminal justice system
Punkademic – an online education platform offering music courses
Agitated Solutions – provides micro-bubble treatment for patients
GenEQTY – an open-banking platform for financial institutions that are focused on small to mid-sized businesses
Cadre – a live wellness and coaching platform
Advisory Aerospace OSC – a software-development and analytics service provider for complex-product manufacturers
Mawadda – provides a disposable hijab for women in health care settings
