Shrpa, a Rochester-based travel startup, was selected as the winner of the fifth annual E1 Ignite Cup, a competition for entrepreneurs in southeastern Minnesota created by Red Wing Ignite.
As the winner of the Ignite Cup, Shrpa will receive $500 in cash and have access to mentors to help the founders grow their business. The company also receives automatic entry into the first round of the Minnesota Cup, the state's largest startup competition.
"As the largest, most powerful statewide startup competition in the world, we are very grateful for our unique partnership with MN Cup," Susan Langer, entrepreneur lead with Red Wing Ignite, said in a statement.
Around 90 Minnesota startups are selected for the first round of the MN Cup each year. The rest of this year's competitors are expected to be announced later this month. MN Cup Director Jessica Berg told Minne Inno in March that the competition's 16th season should continue without too much disruption, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Led by entrepreneurs Chris Lukenbill and Andy Vig, Shrpa is creating an online platform for locals to share self-guided travel itineraries. The company launched last year after pitching in the 2019 Ignite Cup.
Canomiks, an AI and data-powered genomics platform received second place in this year's competition. CalmConnect was the people's choice winner.
Founded in 2013, Red Wing Ignite serves as a regional hub to support entrepreneurs and startup businesses throughout 11 counties in southeast Minnesota. The organization is powered by partnerships with the U.S. Economic Development Association and Launch MN, an initiative from the state's Department of Employment and Economic Development.
Through these partners, Red Wing Ignite is able to offer coworking space, technical assistance and funding opportunities to companies in the region. It also has $775,000 earmarked for investment and technical assistance for area startups through support from Great North Labs Venture Fund, Goodhue County and the EDA.
