MN Cup
About the program · 1 linked sources
MN Cup is a program of the Holmes Center and a statewide new-venture competition. The about page says it was founded in 2005 with the University of Minnesota, has served more than 32,000 entrepreneurs, awarded $6.2 million in cash prizes, and takes no equity.
How we know this: the figures on this page come from the linked sources (last verified 2026-10-08); what those sources do not state is left unknown.
Key numbers
Funding range
$400,000
Equity
None
Application
Annual
Community Facing
Last activity
2026-04-03
High confidence
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Reminders
MN Cup
Get an email before a director-verified deadline for this program, this school, or this state. The program never sees your address.
Student experiences · Read or add a note
Student notes
MN Cup
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Application and Timing
The 2026 season accepted applications from March 2 to April 3, 2026.
Participants
Applicants must be Minnesota-based and under $1 million in annual revenue. Current undergraduate and graduate students may enter the student division even if their permanent address is outside Minnesota. Other divisions include industry tracks, impact ventures, and a youth division.
Funding and Equity
The 2026 announcement says businesses compete for a share of more than $400,000, with no fee and no equity taken. The $400,000 figure is the full competition pool, not a student-only purse. Student-division amounts are not broken out on the captured pages.
Recent Activity
University pages in 2026 promoted the open application and the student division.
Known Startups or Winners
2026 winners are not named on the captured call for applications.
Research gaps & things to verify
Verification Gaps
The student-division purse and 2026 winners are not on the captured pages. A contact email is omitted.
Program details
MN Cup
MN Cup is a program of the Holmes Center and a statewide new-venture competition. The about page says it was founded in 2005 with the University of Minnesota, has served more than 32,000 entrepreneurs, awarded $6.2 million in cash prizes, and takes no equity.
Additional research notesShow
Evidence
Official page: https://carlsonschool.umn.edu/MNCup2026Release
- The 2026 prize pool is more than $400,000.
- The program takes no equity.
- There is a student division for current undergraduate and graduate students.
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting MN Cup at University of Minnesota.
1 source
