Business Newsletter from the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State

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Volume 2, Issue 2

April 2014

Annual Renewal Reminders

As many businesses renew their annual filing during tax season, we remind you that all registered businesses and nonprofits must renew their filing by the end of each calendar year (December 31). For most businesses there is no charge. This can be done online or by mail. Businesses required to file include corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, businesses operating under assumed names, and nonprofits. Failure to renew will result in dissolution.

New Business Filings Up Over Last Year

The first quarter of 2014 was very solid in new business creation with 15,955 new entity filings with the Secretary of State. The total slightly outpaces the 15,746 reported in the first quarter of 2013.The monthly totals of new filings for the year to-date are 5,398 in January; 4,786 in February; and 5,771 in March.

Minnesota Cup Seeks and Rewards Breakthrough Business Ideas

The 10th annual Minnesota Cup, the largest statewide new venture competition, is accepting entries through May 9. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, the competition seeks innovative ideas from Minnesota entrepreneurs, inventors and small businesses. Last year’s grand prize winner was Preceptis Medical, Inc., a med-tech developer of surgical tools for ear-tube procedures. Grand prize is $50,000, as well as $30,000 and professional services for winners in the following divisions:

  • Food, Agriculture & Beverage (new)
  • Energy, Clean Technology & Water
  • General
  • High Tech
  • Life Science & Health IT

Additionally, $20,000 will be awarded to winners in the Social Entrepreneurship and Student divisions.

Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses

  • The Minnesota Business Journal is seeking veteran-owned companies for possible inclusion as profiles in their May 16 issue. If interested, email Tom Smith at tsmith@bizjournals.com with your name, email, and business name and address.
  • The Army Corps of Engineers’ St. Paul office is looking for qualified veteran-owned small businesses to compete for a set-aside contract for earth-moving services. Interested contractors should contact Tim Connelly at (651) 270-9346.

Order Certificates of Good Standing Online

A Certificate of Good Standing for an organization may be ordered online, by mail or in person. If ordering online, a download of the certificate is available once the order is processed. Copy requests for organizations can also be ordered online, and in most cases are also returned electronically usually in 2 to 3 business days.

In 2013, the division recorded more than 58,000 new business filings. For the 2014–2015 biennium, the division projects collecting $30 million in business filings and other fees which are deposited into the state’s general fund.