The Launch Minnesota program has distributed $454,375 to 17 Minnesotan startups since January, it announced Monday.
The companies receiving grants include some startups coming to prominence, such as cryogenic storage startup BlueCube Bio, the winner of the 2020 Minnesota Cup, and Shrpa, a travel startup that Minne Inno named one of its "Startups to Watch" for 2021. Thirteen of the businesses receiving grants are minority-, veteran- or women-owned or are located outside of the Twin Cities.
Launch Minnesota was introduced in 2019 by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. It has given out 118 grants totaling over $2.8 million since. In the 2020-2021 fiscal year, it has allocated over $1.2 million and has $400,000 left to distribute.
The grants are reimbursements of up to $35,000 for business expenses, $7,500 for housing or childcare expenses and up to $50,000 for first-time recipients of Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer grants.
"Putting capital in the hands of founders can make a big difference in their long-term success. We know firsthand the difference it is making in the ability to grow these startups and new technologies," Launch Minnesota Executive Director Neela Mollgaard said in a statement.
The 17 startups are:
- Northfield-based Agriculture Pollution Innovation, which removes nitrates from wetlands.
- Minneapolis-based Ambient Intelligence, which makes a patient health-monitoring device
- St. Paul-based Annum, a marketing startup
- Minneapolis-based BlueCube Bio, which makes a cryogenic storage solution for cell therapy companies
- Champlin-based BlueRithm, a construction software firm
- Minneapolis-based CoraVie Medical, which makes a blood pressure monitor
- Bemidji-based Dominative Development, which is building a community for runners
- Minneapolis-based Forever Ware, a sustainable software company for grocery stores and restaurants
- Winona-based GoAdvntr, an online marketplace for experience seekers
- St. Paul-based Lite Run, a tech firm rehabilitating people with gait and balance issues
- Rochester-based Nanodropper, a firm building less wasteful eyedrop bottles
- Minneapolis-based Pikup, a community app for food delivery
- Minneapolis-based Respiratory Sciences, a startup making a respiratory diagnostic device
- Osseo-based Sasya, which makes nutritional supplements for animals
- Rochester-based Shrpa, which allows users to post travel guides
- New Brighton-based Soundly, which creates SnoreX, a digital therapy for snoring
- Waseca-based Vortrex, which manufactures electric track utility terrain vehicles.
