New Innovation Grant Recipients
Launch Minnesota and DEED have awarded $400,000 in grants to support 16 innovative Minnesota startups. All but two grantees are startups led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women or persons with disabilities or are located in Greater Minnesota.
Launch Minnesota Business Operation Innovation Grants provide up to $35,000 to promising, innovative and scalable technology businesses to use toward operational costs. Awardees from this round are innovating in a broad range of fields, including manufacturing, medical technology and mental health.
Since its inception in 2019, Launch has awarded $9.5 million in grant funding and 64% has been awarded to targeted founders. Grant recipients have gone on to raise more than $240 million in additional post-award funding.
Meet the new grantees
Launch MN Startup Showcase
The Launch Minnesota Startup Showcase offers local high-tech companies the opportunity to pitch their business to investors from across the country. This invite-only event for startups and investors creates new connections and opportunities for investment. Up to 10 companies will be selected by Launch MN and its community partners to pitch at this event.
The virtual event is Wednesday, April 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Launch Minnesota will begin accepting applications UNTIL MARCH 25 at 11:59 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please email your pitch deck to launchminnesota@state.mn.us during the application window.
Paid Leave Updates
DEED’s Paid Leave team is committed to collaborating with stakeholders to build an intuitive and accessible Paid Leave program that works for businesses, individuals, healthcare providers and all Minnesotans.
Earlier this month, Paid Leave confirmed that when the program begins in 2026, the premium rate will be 0.88%. The premium rate is a percentage of an employee’s wages that will be paid by the employee and their employer to fund the program. A new calculator tool can help employers and employees estimate their costs under Paid Leave.
Learn more about Paid Leave
DEED's new initiatives – the $2 million CanNavigate program and the $6 million CanStartup program – will provide technical assistance and increase access to capital for business owners looking to start and grow cannabis businesses in Minnesota. The programs come as DEED, the Minnesota Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) and other state agencies look to support business owners seeking licenses to operate in Minnesota and to contribute to growing Minnesota's economy.
CanNavigate (Cannabis Industry Navigation Grants)
CanNavigate grants offer up to $2 million in competitively awarded grants to community-based entrepreneurial support organization (ESOs) and organizations with cannabis regulatory experts to help individuals navigate the regulatory structure of operating a business in the legal cannabis industry. There is an emphasis on serving individuals whose social equity status has been verified and people facing barriers to employment.
CanStartup (Cannabis Industry Startup Financing Grants)
CanStartup will award up to $6 million in grants to nonprofit lenders to fund loans to new cannabis microbusinesses and support job creation in communities where long-term residents are eligible to be social equity applicants.
Learn more about DEED's Cannabis Grant Programs
Apply for MN Cup
MN Cup applications are now OPEN! Don't miss your chance to be part of the biggest statewide startup competition in the nation. This FREE program offers entrepreneurs feedback from industry experts, mentorship and networking opportunities, education sessions and a chance at $400,000 in cash prizes.
MN Cup Director Kailin Oliver recently joined Launch MN to share insights about the competition with past participants as part of a Friday Forum.
Learn more and apply
Market Entry Fund
Do you know a founder of a packaged food or beverage business in Minnesota? The Market Entry Fund is a Saint Paul-based nonprofit supporting emerging and diverse entrepreneurs across the state. MEF’s micro grants program offers $5,000 to $20,000 in flexible funding to overcome early-stage challenges and take local CPG programs to the next level. Applications are open until April 28.
Learn more
Upcoming Events
Find more events on Launch MN's Statewide Startup and Small Business Calendar.
Learn more
Resources for Entrepreneurs:
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