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Launch Minnesota Newsletter: April 2025 Edition

Updates from the Office of Small Business and Innovation

Startup Showcase is taking applications until March 25

Launch MN Startup Showcase

Launch Minnesota is thrilled to introduce the companies that will present at our upcoming Startup Showcase – an invite-only event connecting high-growth Minnesota startups with active investors. This is not a competition – it’s a curated opportunity to build relationships and explore investment potential.

After a competitive selection process, Launch Minnesota and our community partners from Augsburg University, BETA and MNSBIR, Inc. have selected 11 companies that represent innovation across a wide range of industries. These startups are Minnesota-based and actively raising Seed or Series A capital.

AcQumen Medical: AcQumen Medical is a team of medical device experts redefining NICU and PICU care by providing non-invasive and accurate hemodynamic analytics.
Aurora Medical: Aurora Medical Technologies is dedicated to advancing minimally invasive surgery with ground-breaking suturing technology – pioneering the future of endoscopy and beyond.
Bloom Standard: Bloom Standard is developing an automated ultrasound screening neonatal and pediatric device.
CorRen Medical: CorRen Medical is preventing limb loss by making Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) testing universal and accessible. Our AI-powered ultrasound technology transforms PAD diagnosis for senior citizens and underserved communities, who are most at risk.
Ella Vision: Ella is an AI-powered marketing operating system that acts as the single source of brand truth, helping businesses deliver the right message with clarity, efficiency and measurable results.
Heart Failure Solutions: Heart Failure Solutions is assisting heart failure patients that have been diagnosed with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction.
Momease Solutions: Momease is developing a pumping bra that aids in expressing breast milk.
MOOV: MOOV is MN's first locally-owned rideshare. Founded as a values-focused company, MOOV seeks to create transportation solutions that are better for riders, drivers and the community.
Playbook: Tracking stress, well-being and resilience, giving athletes insights to enhance performance and teams tools to act early, preventing potential mental health crises.
Radwave: Radwave is developing a modular and reconfigurable electromagnetic navigation system for surgical interventions and medical robotics.
Swinergy: Swinergy is creating a state-of-the-art multi-stage anaerobic digester that produces two distinct products: renewable natural gas and pathogen-free fertilizer.

Friday Forum: Patents and Trademarks

Launch Minnesota’s Friday Forums allow entrepreneurs to explore a wide range of topics impacting our state’s innovation ecosystem. This month, we’re talking about intellectual property with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office’s Midwest Regional Office.

Learn more

Minnesota Small Business Call: Trade Office

During our monthly Minnesota Small Business Call in March, the Minnesota Trade Office shared insights on tariffs and some of the impacts on Minnesota businesses. MTO Deputy Director Laurence Reszetar provided examples of businesses already affected and answered questions about impending policies.

Webinar available here

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m.

Paid Leave Program Updates

Minnesota Paid Leave is launching January 1, 2026. The program provides partial wage replacement for time taken off for your own serious health condition, family caregiving, welcoming a new child, and personal safety. To support outreach, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is offering competitive grant opportunities and employer engagement sessions.

Paid Leave Employer Engagement Sessions

As part of DEED’s commitment to transparency and community engagement, we are hosting public events to connect with Minnesotans to share updates about Paid Leave. Employers play an important role in helping employes learn about and access Minnesota Paid Leave. To help employers prepare for the new program, Paid Leave staff are partnering with local chambers of commerce for a series of in-person engagement sessions.

Learn more

Paid Leave Grants

Grant opportunities through the Paid Leave program will support outreach, education and/or technical assistance efforts to help communities across Minnesota understand and access Paid Leave. Lead applicants must be a nonprofit organization, public entity or Tribal Nation.

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Apply for the MSP Equity Accelerator

The MSP Equity Accelerator, powered by Allianz Life and gener8tor, is investing $100K in five high-growth startups led by undercapitalized founders. This 12-week program offers funding, mentorship, investor and corporate connections, and a showcase event to pitch your startup. Open to all industries and business models. Applications close April 25.

Learn more

Apply for Hatch Bloomington

Hatch Bloomington is an annual retail pitch competition where participants present their ideas for starting a brick-and-mortar business in Bloomington. The businesses are critiqued by community members and a panel of judges. Up to $100,000 is awarded to the winning proposal. Applications are open until April 28.

Learn more