Good news! If you're reading this, it means 2020 is almost over.
When we look back, it's likely few will say this was the best year of their life. But it wasn't all bad. Many of Minnesota's startup companies grew bigger, especially in the second half of the year, and some new companies even formed. Minne Inno readers also seemed drawn to our annual features, which highlight some of the coolest companies around.
Here's a rundown of the top 10 most-read stories on Minne Inno in 2020.
1) 20 Minnesota Startups to Watch in 2020
Our annual startups to watch post, which actually came out in 2019, kept making waves into the new year. And why not? It was prescient, including drawing attention to newsmakers like Ablitech, which recently launched its first product. We'll see if this year's Startups to Watch post has the same staying power.
2) Here are all the Minnesota companies on the 2019 Fortune 500 List
Another post that wasn't published in 2020, this roundup apparently stayed interesting to readers for months after. The post highlighted that two companies, Securian Financial and Patterson, had fallen out of the Fortune 500, leaving Minnesota with 17 companies on the list.
3) Bright Health raises hundreds of millions in venture capital... again
Health insurance startup Bright Health was already Minnesota's biggest recipient of venture capital before this $500 million Series E in September. New investors in the firm included Blackstone and Tiger Global Management. The startup has now raised over $1.5 billion.
4) Former CEOs of Valspar, Piper Jaffray are now selling CBD for dogs
This story was about Coolhouse Botanics, which was founded by Matt Scarlett, founder of California's Bread & Butter Wines; Gary Hendrickson, the former CEO of Valspar; Andrew Duff, the former CEO of Piper Jaffary; and others. The startup has already made a serious play on the canine CBD market and are now rolling out a product for humans.
5) What you missed at Minne Inno's Startups to Watch event
Minne Inno held our first Startups to Watch event at ONE Fermentary and Taproom in February. Around 80 members of the tech scene showed up, and the event had pitches from Bus Stop Mamas, SayKid, Creatively Focused and Chanl Health, as well as a panel. Remember in-person events?
6) Revealing Minne Inno's 2020 Tech Madness bracket
Sixteen of Minnesota's rising startup stars faced off in our annual Tech Madness bracket. Thousands of people voted throughout the tournament, which was eventually won by St. Paul-based ag-tech startup Traive.
7) The 21 Minnesota Startups to Watch in 2021
Our 2021 Startups to Watch post is already making waves. It included some companies who raised big money in 2020, like Aria CV, which raised a $31 million Series B. But it also included some earlier-stage companies we thought we really cool, like bail cost-sharing startup Vonzella.
8) Inside the Coven's new coworking space in St. Paul
The Coven opening a new coworking space in St. Paul was a big deal. And it still is, even though the space was closed just weeks later because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The St. Paul space is now reopened.
9) Minne Inno presents its 2020 Inno Under 25
In November, Minne Inno released our annual list of the top entrepreneurs, technologists and ecosystem builders under 25. We chose 11, ranging from college students to people who already deserve the title "serial entrepreneur."
10) Startup of the Year names four Minnesota companies to its Top 100
Startup of the Year named four Minnesota companies as its top startups of the year: Fulcrum, Vonzella, RadWave and Otrafy. Vonzella later received the World Impact Award at the competition.
