AURI is teaming up with Minnesota Cup to encourage innovators to submit their great business ideas to compete for more than $200,000 in prize money.
The competition is free to enter and encourages entries from a wide range of businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors in six divisions:
- Energy/Clean Tech
- General
- High Tech
- Life Science/Health IT
- Social Entrepreneurs
- Student. Entrepreneurs
AURI is a sponsor of the Energy and Clean Tech division.
Those participating in the competition will have the opportunity to advance business ideas, gain exposure, learn about resources available to entrepreneurs, be paired with mentors, meet members of the Cup’s review board — and win cash prizes if their idea is judged to be among the best entries.
Last year’s High Tech category and Grand Prize winner, PreciouStatus, has raised more than $1.5 million in capital to date. “The Minnesota Cup program was the best thing that I could have done to push my business forward. The whole competition— the connections I made, the advice I received — was unlike anything else I have experienced in my career,” said Julie Gilbert-Newrai, CEO, PreciouStatus. “I was paired with an outstanding business mentor who helped me think through all facets of my company, and helped develop a solid pitch presentation for potential investors. And, that mentor is now chairwoman of my PreciouStatus board of advisors.”