Last week, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's startup funding program awarded 21 Minnesota-based startups nearly $553,000.
The grants provided by Launch Minnesota, an initiative to grow Minnesota's startup ecosystem, are up to $35,000 for use toward operational costs such as research and development, business expenses, and technical assistance. More than 75% of the grant recipients are startups led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women or persons with disabilities or located in Greater Minnesota.
This is the second round of grants this year by Launch Minnesota from a pot of $3 million for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023. In April, 26 startups received a total of $673,000 in grants. Overall, the program has awarded more than 270 startups 358 grants for a total of $9.1 million since 2019.
"This grant round represents a diverse range of startups with new products and technologies that enhance consumers’ daily lives or help businesses or health care providers to be more efficient and improve operational safety," said Rob Cimperman, Launch Minnesota director, in a statement.
The following companies received Business Operations Innovation Grants:
- Alure, a biotech company based in Minneapolis that's developing a product that baits and kills Japanese beetles using a pheromone-baited scent and an effective capture surface to eliminate the need for pesticides, was awarded $24,500.
- Anser Implants, an Eden Prairie-based medical device company developing a pin for clavicle fractures that stabilizes the bone while accommodating micromotion and preserving length, was awarded $28,000.
- Aplos Medical, an Eden Prairie-based medical device company that is developing a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was awarded $31,000.
- NVena (doing business as Clix Flosser) is a Stillwater-based health tech company that developed a handheld dental flossing device and was awarded $24,500.
- CLoc Medical Inc., a minority-owned, medical device company based in Maple Grove that is developing a novel mechanical suture fastener device for cardiac and other surgeries, was awarded $28,000.
- Endovascular Horizons, a Rochester-based medical device company that is developing a minimally invasive endovascular technology for treating chronic subdural hematomas, was awarded $24,500.
- Ewke, a Minneapolis-based company that developed an app-based music platform where individuals can learn to play and create music, was awarded $24,500.
- Gametime Hero, a Minneapolis-based startup that develops a sports event community platform, was awarded $35,000.
- Hive Science, a Corcoran-based company that's developing a marketing platform using AI, was awarded $28,000.
- Infinitintel Inc., a Minneapolis-based startup that's developing a web-based platform that aims to revolutionize workers' compensation claims by using AI, was awarded $21,000.
- Levelrie Co., a woman-owned tech company developing an AI-based mobile app that serves as a personal stylist that curates outfits for specific occasions, events or trips, was awarded $31,500.
- ModernKind, a Zimmerman-based startup that's developed waterless shampoo and body wash formulas with no harsh chemicals, was awarded $12,000.
- Moov: a Twin Cities-based rideshare app, was awarded $21,000.
- Nivoso, a Twin Cities-based company that developed a device for snow removal, was awarded $30,000. Nivoso won the student division of the Minnesota Cup in 2023.
- Pennant, a Minneapolis-based streaming platform that enables performing artists and organizations to deliver custom-branded content and set their own prices for subscriptions, was awarded $24,500.
- Phos Technology, a Duluth-based company that developed a patented fluorescence technique and software to improve plastic design, manufacturing and testing, was awarded $24,500.
- Prion Bio Co., a University of Minnesota spinoff that specializes in protein diagnostics technologies for detecting chronic wasting disease and mad cow disease in wildlife, livestock and humans, was awarded $31,320.
- Reveal Medtech, a Twin Cities-based medical device company that is developing fluoroscopic markers that delineate structures in the heart and vasculature to simplify device implantation and improve precision, was awarded $24,500.
- Talknician, a Minneapolis-based company that creates augmented-reality software for on-the-job training for the blue-collar workforce, was awarded $31,500. Talknician was a division winner this year in the Minnesota Cup.
- Vertex Medical Solutions, a Bloomington-based startup that is developing a web-based social care coordination application for emergency departments and health care payers, was awarded $21,000.
- X Block Inc., a Minneapolis-based company developing a learning platform for hospitality management that provides tailored courses, quizzes and assessments based on individual needs and career paths, was awarded $31,500.
