The Minnesota Cup, the University of Minnesota’s annual startup competition, has announced 27 finalists across nine divisions for this year's round.
Selected from 90 semifinalists, the remaining companies will get ready to present their pitch to division judges at the end of August. There are three finalist companies for each division. The winning divisional winner will receive $25,000 – except for those in the youth division, whose prize money is split among the finalists – and move on to compete for a $50,000 grand prize.
The overall winner will be announced during an in-person showcase and awards reception on Sept. 19 in the McNamara Alumni Center.
Founded in 2005, the Minnesota Cup, the state’s largest startup competition, connects emerging entrepreneurs from across the state with education, mentorships and resources to develop their companies. To date, the program has given away $5 million in seed capital while its alumni have raised more than $1 billion, according to the announcement. The competition is held in coordination with the university's Carlson School of Management.
The finalists for the 2022 Minnesota Cup are:
Education & Training:
● BenchK12
● Punkademic
● SayKid
Energy/Clean Tech/Water:
● BKB Floral Foam
● Eco Smart Construction Stud
● Vortrex
Food/Ag/Beverage:
● Coconut Whisk
● Lost Woods LLC
● Maazah
General:
● Bright Planet Pet
● Silk Road Wellness
● Telo
High Tech:
● Carbon Origins
● Raise a Hood
● ZeSa
Impact Ventures:
● Forever Ware
● Hack the Gap
● TurnSignl
Life Science/Health IT
● InterShunt Technologies Inc.
● Pneumeric Inc
● Q-rounds
Student
● Lovelace
● Refr Sports
● Theodora
Youth
● Lakeland Woodsmith
● Sock Munch
● Zoo Bloo
