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Launch Minnesota Newsletter: July 2023 Edition

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

Launch Minnesota’s Education Grants are designed to enhance our state's innovation ecosystem by growing regional connectivity and partnerships to help start and scale businesses and keep our state globally competitive. Grantees may use funds for outreach and education to businesses and organizations, collaboration with institutions in and outside their region, and startup events such as networking and pitch competitions.

DEED expects to award approximately eight grants through this process. These awards could range from $50,000 to $150,000 for the grant period, with a predicted average of $125,000. Funding awarded through this RFP will be for November 1, 2023 – October 30, 2025.

The RFP is tentatively planned to be released on DEED’s site on July 17. Applications are due September 14 . An informational webinar about the Education Grants is scheduled for July 25 at 1:00 p.m. and can be accessed with this link.

Small Business Assistance Partnership Grants, which award up to $800,000 to qualified Minnesota non-profit and public entities providing business development services. The funding is intended for consulting and direct services to small businesses – especially those facing systemic barriers to growth.

The RFP is tentatively planned to go live on July 17. Applications for these grants are due September 1. An informational webinar will be held on July 20 and 11:00 a.m. and can be accessed using this link.

MN Venture Capital Funds

The University of Minnesota announced last week that it invested $2.5M across multiple Minnesota venture capital funds. This is the first in a series of investments stemming from a partnership between UMN and DEED to inject $34.5M into Minnesota’s early-stage, venture-backed businesses. The $2.5M awarded this month is the first of several waves of investments. Funds were distributed to the following programs:

Brown Ventures Group Fund I
Tundra Ventures Fund I
Groove Capital Fund II

Learn more

Friday Forum: MNSBIR

Launch Minnesota's Friday Forums are an opportunity to discuss topics in Minnesota's startup community. This month we're discussing MNSBIR, Inc. with Founder and President Pat Dillon.

For more than four decades, SBIR/STTR programs have awarded over $60B to small businesses, helping them transform their ideas into marketable products and services. Through a competitive process, 11 federal agencies provide early-stage, non-dilutive R&D funding to startups, enabling them to develop technology and chart a path toward commercialization.

Last year, startups and small businesses in Minnesota were awarded $14.1M in federal SBIR/STTR investments.

Learn more about SBIR/STTR programs and see if it's right for your business.

Join with this link. Passcode: 2022

Grid Catalyst Demonstration Cohort

Innovative energy startups are encouraged to apply for Grid Catalyst’s 2024 Demonstration Cohort. Finalists will have the opportunity to pitch to more than 30 Minnesota industry partners for the chance to develop a pilot project for next year. Applicants must have a demonstration-ready technology that can be implemented in a real-world application by the end of 2024. Applications are due August 1.

Learn more

Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference 2023

Registration is now open for the Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference. Hosted by the University of Minnesota Extension, the CEC Conference is a celebration of entrepreneurship in rural Minnesota communities. This year’s conference will take place in New London, and the dates are September 14-15.

Learn more

Mayo Clinic Seeks Health Solutions

Launch MN is excited to partner with Mayo Clinic to help seek solutions to improve health, enhance health care delivery and promote greater health equity through a social innovation grant opportunity.

Successful grant proposals will impact mental health, substance use and access to care – the three most critical needs identified in the area’s 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment. Launch Minnesota will help connect innovators, nonprofits and small businesses to this new opportunity and help Mayo Clinic address these important issues. Applications are due July 31.

Learn more

Welcoming Wednesday - August 13

Launch Minnesota is partnering with coworking spaces and economic development agencies across the state to assist startups and small businesses during Welcoming Wednesdays.

On the second Wednesday of each month, spaces across the state spotlight a range of available business resources in their communities. There will be experts at each location, including business coaches, Launch Minnesota regional leaders and Small Business Development Center consultants.

See who’s hosting in your community