MN Cup Special Prizes
Thanks to incredible support from the Minnesota business community, we are able to award several special prizes to our MN Cup participants each year. Each of these prizes aims to acknowledge outstanding startups hailing from different regions, led by underrepresented founders, and pursuing work in specialized industries.
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Check out the special prizes available this season below, as well as the criteria to qualify.
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$25,000 Prize
Sponsored by the Carlson Family Foundation, this award recognizes the Top Woman-Led company participating in this season's competition. Any Semifinalist company at least with 51% woman ownership will be automatically considered for this special prize.
$25,000 Prize
Sponsored by the Carlson Family Foundation, this award recognizes the Top Greater Minnesota company participating in this season's competition. Any Semifinalist company operating outside of the 7-county metro area will be automatically considered for this special prize.
$25,000 Prize
Sponsored by JP Morgan Chase this award recognizes the Top Founder of Color-Led company participating in this season's competition. Any Semifinalist company with at least 51% ownership by Black, Indigenous, Founder of Color will be automatically considered for this special prize.
$10,000 Prize
Sponsored by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), this award recognizes the top company focused on Sustainable Chemistry participating in this season's competition. Any Semifinalist Company working in technologies and products that demonstrate safer or more sustainable chemistry than those already on the market providing the same function will be automatically considered for this prize.
For the full judging criteria of this prize, please visit MPCA here.
$5,000 Prize
Sponsored by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), this award recognizes the Top Southern Minnesota company participating in this season's competition. Any Semifinalist company operating within south-central and southeastern Minnesota will be automatically considered for this special prize.
To view the complete list of eligible counties, please visit this page.
$25,000 In Kind Prize
Sponsored by JT Mega, this award selects on Food, Agriculture, & Beverage Division Semifinalist to receive $25,000 worth of advertising expertise and brand development resources to take their brand to the next level. All eligible recipients will receive details on this award in July/August.
Featured Special Prize Winner: Phoam Labs
In 2022, Phoam Labs, then known as BKB Floral Foam, took home the Sustainable Chemistry Prize for their development of completely compostable, non-toxic floral foam. Phoam Labs was also selected as the MN Cup Grand Prize winner for the 2022 season.