Past Seasons

Carba was the Grand Prize winner, receiving $85,000 for their revolutionary technology that utilizes the power of photosynthesis, evolution, and reactor engineering to remove carbon dioxide from the air and permanently store it underground in the form of solid carbon.

REMastered Sleep was the Runner-Up, receiving $40,000 as they seek to impact the ever-growing airway health epidemic with their REMplenish Myo Nozzle that assists individuals affected by sleep-disordered breathing.

The 2023 Woman-Led Startup Prize went to Glimpse Diagnostics from the LifeScience / HealthIT Division. Glimpse Diagnostics has developed hardware and AI software that together enable telemedicine for children's ear pain. Their otoscope tip allows parents to achieve eardrum images of the child's ear at home.

Thank you to the Carlson Family Foundation for making this award possible!

The 2023 Top Greater MN Startup Prize went to HEMO Research from the High Tech Division. HEMO Research is developing a design ecosystem that virtually eliminates hardware development costs while also kickstarting firmware application development.

Thank you to the Carlson Family Foundation for making this award possible!

The 2023 Top Innovative Minority-Led Company Prize went to Wugs Vending from the Food / Ag / Bev Division. Wugs provides international food choices in vending, micro-markets, and smart fridges, making them inclusive of communities that are not often included in these industries.

Thank you to JP Morgan Chase & MEDA for making this award possible!

The 2023 Best Company from Southern Minnesota Prize went to SafeSphere from the Youth Division. SafeSphere is an app dedicated to improving the mental wellness of the community. It allows people to destress by offering numerous activities such as listening to music, journaling, exercising, and more.

Thank you to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for making the award possible!

The 2023 Green Chemistry Prize went to Carba from the Energy/Clean Tech/Water Division. Carba removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it permanently underground in the form of solid carbon. They reverse coal mining and remediate landfills, abandoned mines, and quarries in the process.

Thank you to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for making this award possible!