Stemonix Competing for $50,000 in Seed Capital from the MN Cup

The final eight companies will move on for the chance to win $50,000 in seed capital.

by Sam Schaust

September 1, 2016

This week, judges narrowed down the competition at MN Cup and named the winner for each of its eight divisions.

Minnesota entrepreneurs have been pitching their business ideas since March in hopes of securing seed money from MN Cup, which is the country’s largest statewide new venture competition. Approximately 1,500 participants entered this year after it was announced that $405,000 would be awarded to the most impressive startups.

The MN Cup’s 2016 divisional winners are:

[wc_box color=”primary” text_align=”left”]

StemoniX

  • Life Science/Health IT division winner
  • Based in Eden Prairie (with operations in La Jolla, California)
  • The company’s scientists, engineers and physicians make heart and brain cells from skin, which can be useful in the discovery of cures for diseases ranging from autism to the Zika virus
[/wc_box]

Activated Research Company

  • Energy/Clean Technology/Water division winner
  • Based in Eden Prairie
  • The company’s Polyarc system performs a gas chromatography analysis of liquids, which has a variety of uses, including but not limited to: measuring the cholesterol level in one’s blood, testing water purity, or looking for solvents in gasoline

SelfEco Garden

Berd Spokes

  • General division winner
  • Based in Roseville
  • The company uses polymer technology to create bike spokes that it claims are the “world’s lightest” and provide “exceptional strength, aerodynamics, and durability”

Vugo

  • High Technology division winner
  • Based in Minneapolis
  • The company’s on-demand advertising platform takes aim at the rideshare industry, allowing companies to target ads to the passengers of Uber and Lyft drivers

Asiya

  • Social Entrepreneurship division winner
  • Based in Minneapolis
  • The company designs sport and active wear for Muslim females, which allows its customers the freedom to participate in physical activities while still upholding their religious beliefs

Minnealloy Magnetics

  • Student division winner
  • Based in Minneapolis
  • The advanced material company manufactures and sells a novel material used by power converters, which are an essential part of electronic devices, wind turbines, motors, generators and more

ExperessionMed

  • Youth division winner
  • Based in St. Paul
  • The company makes adhesives for diabetic infusion sets, which can be used to teach diabetic children about the disease

Each division winner is awarded $30,000 (with the exception of the Youth division which is awarded $10,000). The runner-ups for each division will take home $5,000. (Find the full list of MN Cups finalists here.) 

The remaining eight companies will now move on to compete for the $50,000 grand prize. Judges will select the MN Cup winner on September 22, which will be announced live at the University of Minnesota’s McNamara Alumni Center.

EvoNexus Deep Dives Sign-Up

Get to know more about EvoNexus, Southern California’s most successful non-profit startup technology incubator! Throughout the 90 minute Deep Dive, you will learn more about:

Fill out the contact form below to join the mailing list for Deep Dives.