Program Background and Details

Contest Mission

To seek out, support, celebrate and promote Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas through an annual, statewide contest that connects Minnesota entrepreneurs with our state's leading business leaders, investors and the University of Minnesota.

Contest Purpose / Brief Contest Description

The search for great ideas or the discovery of the next big thing is central to Entrepreneurism in America. The state of Minnesota has a rich history of entrepreneurial success going back to the inception and success of such companies as 3M, Best Buy, Medtronic, Carlson Companies and Cargill. The success of these companies and others like them is critical to job creation and the advent of new technologies that improve our quality of life and the strength of our economy.

The Minnesota Cup encourages and hopes to receive a wide range of business ideas. Past year's entries included products and services ranging from high tech to no tech, spanning a diverse range of industries from automotive, healthcare services, telecommunications, technology, leisure, outdoor recreation, energy conservation, education and many others.

The Minnesota Cup is looking for entrepreneurs, inventors, small business people - in short, those who's dreams include creating one of the next breakthrough business success stories in our state. All Minnesotans are encouraged to submit their breakthrough business ideas between March 28 and May 20, 2011. Top entrants will be asked to continue through two more contest rounds to help the contest judges determine five division winners (Clean Technology & Renewable Energy, High Tech, BioSciences, General, Student). The Social Entrepreneur division follows a slightly different timeline. The winners of each division will then present their ideas to a prestigious panel of executives, investors and notable entrepreneurs who will choose this year's grand prize winner.

The winner of each division will receive $25,000 ($10,000 for the Student division winner and $20,000 for the winner of the Social Entrepreneur division) and various other benefits. The grand prize winner will receive the Minnesota Cup, presented by David and Carolyn Cleveland and sponsored by the University of Minnesota, Wells Fargo, Carlson Companies and the Arrowhead Growth Alliance. The grand prize winner will also receive an additional $25,000 in seed capital and advice from the state's leaders in finance, accounting, legal and management support services. Students must be full-time and have less than five years of professional work experience. Entries for the Minnesota Cup competition may be submitted individually or as a group of up to four people.

The 2011 Minnesota Cup contest will culminate with an awards event on September 8th at the University of Minnesota.

Judging Criteria for Entrants

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

• Business Concept/Idea: We are looking for business concepts with a clear and well-articulated value proposition. Judges will be looking to understand why the market needs this idea. Who is the target audience and how will does product/service standout in a competitive environment? Ideas can be for a product or service entirely new idea or the evolution of a previous idea. Ideas that show the greatest innovation will be viewed more favorably.
• Implementation: What is the entrant's strategy for turning the idea into a high-growth business? Judges will be evaluating ideas on their potential to generate revenue, profits and employment. Judges are looking for ideas that can generate a positive economic impact within two years.
• Quality of Presentation: As the contest progresses from round one to round two, more emphasis will be placed on an entrant's quality of presentation.

Three Rounds of Judging:

Round One: March 28 - May 20

Entrants will be asked to provide a high level summary of their idea or concept. Submissions should answer the following questions :

• Executive Summary. This is your elevator pitch. (100 Word Max)
  
• Description of Product and / or Service. We are looking for a description of the product / service and an understanding of your unique selling proposition. (400 Word Max)
  
• Market Size / Audience. We're looking for size of the market, target audience and an understanding of the competition. (400 Word Max)
  
• Sales & Marketing Plan. How are you going to reach the target market with your product or service.(400 Word Max)
  
• Operating Plan. We are looking for how you are going to make your breakthrough idea a reality. This can include a summary of your operating plan, financials and expertise of your team within the domain.(400 Word Max)
  

Round Two: June 13 - July 22

45+ entrants will participate in the second round. Entrants will be asked to develop a detailed proposal, which should include the following:

• A more detailed explanation of how their idea can become a viable business.
  
• A marketing and sales plan that details how they will address a market need.
  
• A financial projection for two years on how they will generate revenue and profits.
  
• A powerful use of graphics, such as illustrations and diagrams.

Round Three: August 18 - August 30

Three finalists from each division will prepare for their live presentations to be given to the review board. Finalists must:

• Give a 10 minute oral presentation
  
• Entrants are encouraged to use presentation materials, such as posters, PowerPoint, handouts, prototypes and/or multimedia.

Final Round: September 8

The six division winners will be honored on September 8, 2011 at the highly promoted Minnesota Cup Final Awards Event presented by Maslon Edelman Borman and Brand, LLP at the University of Minnesota's McNamara Alumni Center. At the event, the finalists will give their oral presentations and the grand prize winner will be announced.