Minnesota Cup director Melissa Kjolsing will leave her position as head of the state's largest startup competition at the conclusion of this year's program.
The University of Minnesota posted on its site announcing an opening for the director of its startup competition. Minne Inno confirmed with Kjolsing that she plans to step down at the end of the program.
Kjolsing said that she decided to leave at this stage in the competition to ensure that it "remains strong" and that the university will have ample time to find and prepare a new director for the 2018 Minnesota Cup. She will stay until Nov. 1 to finish this year's competition, and plans to assist with the new director's transition. Kjolsing said that she has not yet accepted another position.
Kjolsing has served as director of the Minnesota Cup since 2012. Since then, the Cup has added new divisions and increased the amount of prize money offered to winners.
"I feel very fortunate to have had this experience working with hundreds of entrepreneurs and volunteers during my time as director," Kjolsing said in an email. "I'm excited to find the next great adventure that will continue to leverage my network and passion for startups."
Kjolsing is also a co-founder of Recoveree, a startup that made it to the semifinalist round of Cup's the impact ventures division this summer.
The Cup announced its division winners last Friday. In the competition's final stage, startups will compete against each other during Twin Cities Startup week for a $50,000 grand prize
