Asian American Press - May 10, 2007
Entrepreneurs and supporters of entrepreneurs should be aware of a great opportunity for exposure and funding for their ideas. The James J. Hill Reference Library is pleased to announce that the 2007 Minnesota Cup competition has begun.
Over the past two years, the Minnesota Cup has received plans from over 1,200 entrants from nearly 50 counties across the state. It's been exciting to see all of the energy around entrepreneurism, but what's more, now that Minnesota Cup has been at this for three years, it's exciting to see the results.
Many past finalist and semi-finalist have met investors, advisors, board members, business partners and business professionals through their participation. The Minnesota Cup has great stories like that of HealthSimple, who were finalist in the 2005 program and have gone on to great success, including the recent acquisition of their business by McNeil Nutritionals, a Johnson & Johnson company.
The Minnesota Cup is for Minnesota's hard working entrepreneurs. The Minnesota Cup is looking for the next great breakthrough success story in Minnesota Business. Whether you are at the inception stage of your big idea or you have been out there for a few years building your business, whether the business is high tech or no tech, a product or a service, we are hoping you will share your idea and enter the Minnesota Cup. There is no cost to enter and the Minnesota Cup will be accepting entries through May 25, 2007.
The Minnesota Cup is brought to you by a partnership of the University of Minnesota, Wells Fargo and other key leaders and supporters of entrepreneurs in our state, including the James J. Hill Reference Library.
Exclusively for the Minnesota Cup, The James J Hill Reference Library has assembled an Online Resource Center to aid contestants with their breakthrough idea. Developed by business information experts at the nation's premier practical business library, the Center offers tools and resources, many which are not publicly available elsewhere on the Internet.
To enter the competition, visit www.breakthroughideas.org and click on "Enter MN Cup", to create your own account and complete the entry form application.
The entry form consists of four questions and fill in an executive summary or overview of your business plan or idea in 500 words or less. You will be allowed to revisit the application for edits, changes or revisions.
The call for entries began on March 30, 2007 and will end on May 25, 2007. A review of first round submissions will follow and a list of semi-finalists will be announced on June 18, 2007. The Semi-Finalists will be invited to a June 27 reception and will have one month to work on their semi-final entries that will be due on July 27, 2007. A review of semifinalists will run for three weeks and the Finalists will be announced on August 20, 2007. The Finalist Round will follow in two weeks and will include oral presentations to the board. The winners will be announced at a gala awards event at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center sometime in early September 2007.