LaunchMinnesota

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LaunchMinnesota

Launch Minnesota is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.

04/01/2025

Launch Minnesota knows that small businesses have a big impact on our state's economy. Through our Innovation Grants, we're proud to support the companies creating innovative solutions to

Over the past five years, Launch Minnesota has...
💲 Awarded $9.7M to 287 MN startups
🚀 Distributed 65% of our funding to targeted business groups
📈 Connected entrepreneurs to opportunities throughout the state

Grant recipients have raised more than $240 million in post-award funding. For every dollar granted by DEED, startups have gone on to raise $26.40.

Get to know our latest batch of innovators receiving funding from Launch MN: https://lnkd.in/e8kqPnFk

03/12/2025

🚀NEW GRANTEES! Launch MN and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development have awarded $400,000 in grants to support 16 innovative Minnesota startups. All but two grantees are startups led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women, or persons with disabilities, or are located in Greater MN.

Since 2019, Launch has awarded $9.5M in grant funding. These awards are assisting businesses at a critical stage in their development. Their technologies may change the way we work, learn and live. Launch Minnesota is proud to support these homegrown innovations!

https://mn.gov/deed/newscenter/press-releases/?id=1045-672279

03/11/2025

Join us this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's monthly small business call! We will connect with the Minnesota Trade Office to discuss tariffs and their impacts on our state's businesses. https://mn.gov/deed/business/help/sbao/

03/04/2025

📣 Launch Minnesota's Startup Showcase is BACK!

Showcase isn't a competition. It's an invite-only event for startups and investors to connect and learn about possible opportunities for investment. Up to 10 companies will be selected by Launch MN and its partners to pitch at our next event on April 23. Startups from any industry may apply.

Companies that want to participate must meet the following qualifications:

❄️ Minnesota-based
💲 Actively raising Seed or Series A capital
📈 Have a strong pitch deck

We will be accepting applications from March 11-25. To apply, email your pitch deck to [email protected]

Learn more:

https://mn.gov/launchmn/capital/startup-showcase/

02/24/2025

Our next Friday Forum is THIS WEEK! Join us virtually on Feb. 28 at 9:30 a.m. for a discussion about Minnesota Cup - the largest statewide startup competition in the nation. We will be joined by MN Cup Director Kailin Oliver as she leads a discussion with former participants about making the most of your MN Cup participation.

We look forward to hearing from our panelists!
Jennie Lynch, Momease Solutions (Grand Prize Winner 2024)
Andrew Dahlberg, Talknician (Education & Training Division Winner 2024)
Tony Drew and Mindy Meyers, Nashke Native Games (Impact Ventures Winner 2024)

https://mn.gov/launchmn/connect/friday-forums/

01/24/2025

Small businesses make a big impact on Minnesota's economy.

Launch Minnesota is a proud part of the Office of Small Business and Innovation at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Together with the Small Business Assistance Office, Small Business Development Centers, Community Partnerships and Child Care Program, we assist the small business owners powering our state's economy.

In 2024, OSBI reported some exciting milestones, including the deployment of $230M+ in funding to startups, small businesses, and organizations to support small businesses.

Read the full report and explore our impact: https://lnkd.in/g9x7-9wu

01/14/2025

📣 Attention entrepreneurs! Don't miss your chance to participate in the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship's FREE Value Proposition Design Course!

Powered by grant funding from Launch MN, this class is exclusively for pre-launch and early-stage startups seeking external grant or equity funding. Participants utilize Lean Startup tools and receive feedback from experienced science/technology entrepreneurship instructors.

Learn more: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/launch-mn-education/courses/value-proposition-design

01/08/2025

📅 Looking to stay in the loop on upcoming events, workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to grow your business? Check out the Launch MN Startup & Small Business Calendar!

From funding opportunities and innovation meetups to educational opportunities and pitch competitions, this calendar is your go-to resource for all things entrepreneurship in Minnesota. You can even add your own events for free! We have something for you no matter where you are in your startup journey.

👉 Explore the calendar here: https://mn.gov/launchmn/calendar/

01/03/2025

Supporting entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds is central to Launch Minnesota's mission.

Since the program's inception in 2019, Launch has awarded 64% of its funding to BIPOC-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned businesses, businesses in Greater Minnesota, and businesses owned by people with disabilities.

"The Launch MN funding helped take our research further and extend our business resources toward critical initiatives like intellectual property protection," said Momease Solutions Founder Ashley Mooneyham. "Holistically, Launch MN also exposed us to a variety of resources that helped Momease grow, including MNSBIR, UMN Value Proposition, and Minnesota Cup, where Momease took home the 2024 Grand Prize and Top Women Owned Business Awards."

Innovation Grants help early-stage businesses like Momease by equipping them with the resources needed to grow and thrive!

https://www.momeasesolutions.com/

10/23/2024

Launch MN's Startup Showcase is BACK! This exclusive, invite-only event allows founders and investors to connect and learn about possible investment opportunities. Want to attend as an investor? Email [email protected]

https://mn.gov/launchmn/capital/startup-showcase/

10/07/2024

One week left to apply for Startup Showcase! Up to 10 companies will be selected to pitch to an audience of startup investors. Apply today by emailing your pitch deck to [email protected]. https://mn.gov/launchmn/capital/startup-showcase/

10/01/2024

📢 Startup Showcase is BACK! On November 13, Launch MN is convening a group of investors to hear pitches from up-and-coming startups. Launch and its community partners will select up to 10 companies to present.

Companies interested in participating must:
❄️ Be Minnesota-based
💸 Be actively raising seed or Series A capital
📈 Have a strong pitch deck

To apply, email your pitch deck to [email protected] by October 14. Learn more: https://mn.gov/launchmn/capital/startup-showcase/

Address

332 Minnesota Street
Saint Paul, MN
55101

Website

http://launchminnesota.org/

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