2010 application CLOSED.
More information about the 2011 competition coming soon.

Are you a student entrepreneur looking for seed money? Would you or someone you know like the opportunity to win a share of more than $130,000 in cash prizes and build relationships to tap into millions more?

Greenstone Group is a proud sponsor of the Minnesota Cup, a statewide competition that seeks out Minnesota’s newest and most innovative business ideas. is Entrepreneurs, student entrepreneurs, inventors and new businesses are invited to submit their breakthrough business idea at www.minnesotacup.org . The next business plan competition will being in May of 2011. More than $130,000 will be awarded across six divisions: High Tech, BioSciences, Clean Tech & Renewable Energy, Social Entrepreneurship, General and Student. A finalist from each division – with the exception of the student division – will be awarded $20,000. The winners of each division will compete for an additional $20,000 grand prize. The student winner will receive $5,000 and be eligible for the grand prize.

The real advantage of the Minnesota Cup for participants is the experience of the contest itself, said Scott Litman, Co-founder of the Minnesota Cup. We have built a strong program that connects budding entrepreneurs with the business community. All participants will emerge from the competition stronger than when they began and those who are among the semi-finalists, finalists and winners are provided the tools and support needed to not only write a business plan, but to take that business plan and turn it into a viable business entity.

Since the contest’s inception in 2005, nearly 4,000 participants have entered. Last years winners have gone on to secure $8 million in new funding as well as securing numerous new partnerships, patent applications and distribution agreements. Governor Tim Pawlenty, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the University of Minnesota, Wells Fargo, the Arrowhead Growth Alliance, along with many others support the competition.

For complete contest rules and to submit your breakthrough business idea, please visit www.minnesotacup.org.