Welcome to the 9th Annual Minnesota Cup

Dear Minnesota Cup Participants and Organizers: 

Welcome to the ninth annual Minnesota Cup competition.

The Minnesota Cup encourages the development of breakthrough ideas from across the state. Since 2005, the Minnesota Cup has attracted over 7,000 entries and is now the largest new venture competition in the country. 

Many promising ideas have emerged from this contest over the years, including PreciouStatus, the 2012 Grand Prize Winner that developed interface technology allowing the loved ones of individuals in hospitals and care centers to communicates with relatives and staff instantaneously. Other past winners include AUM Cardiovascular, which developed a handheld device that can detect clogged arteries in less than 20 seconds; EarthClean, which is helping to change how the world fights fires; and Pursuit Vascular, which is making dialysis less dangerous for kidney patients.

I am impressed by the widespread support the business community, academia, and government have given this competition. It is an excellent example of public and private partnerships encouraging new business development in Minnesota. The contest was founded and continues to be hosted by the University of Minnesota, Wells Fargo, and the State of Minnesota. Additional lead sponsors include General Mills, Carlson, and UnitedHealth Group. 

I wish this year's competitors good luck and I look forward to hearing about the next round of Minnesota Cup winners in September.

My best regards. 

Mark Dayton