10th Annual Ignite Cup Pitch Competition

Welcome to the Ignite Cup 10th Anniversary 2025!

WHAT IS THE IGNITE CUP?

A regional pitch competition, sponsored by IgniteMN and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, created to elevate entrepreneurs and emerging startups as a feeder to the statewide MN Cup competition. Finalists present their business to a panel of judges made up of entrepreneurs, investors, business/regional leaders, and a MN Cup representative.

Finalists receive feedback on their pitch, and will receive exposure to a diverse group of people in the MN Startup community.

IGNITE CUP AWARDS

1st Place Cash Award

• $7,500 cash prize

• 1:1 Debriefing and Strategy Session

2nd Place Cash Award

• $5,000 cash prize

• 1:1 Debriefing and Strategy Session

3rd Place Cash Award

• $2,000 cash prize

• 1:1 Debriefing and Strategy Session

MN Cup Semi-Finalist Seat

• Awarded to Top Winner of 11 County-E1 Region.

MN Cup Semi-Finalist Student (college enrolled) Seat

• Awarded to Top Student of the 20 County SMIF Region.

People's Choice Award

• $500 cash prize

HOW THE COMPETITION WORKS

· Each startup completes an online application (YouNoodle Platform).

· A panel reviews applications and choses 10 semi-finalists.

· Semi-finalists present to panelists.

· Panel selects 5 finalists.

· Finalists pitch to judges at live event on March 27, 2025.

Event Schedule:

6:00 pm-6:30 pm Networking/Registration

6:30 pm-6:45 pm Welcome, Introductions

6:45 pm-7:00 pm Speaker(s)

7:00 pm-8:00 pm Pitches

8:00 pm-8:45 pm Judging/Networking

8:45 pm Winners Announced

E1 Partners include:

Austin Community Growth Ventures/Launch Coworking Space, Collider, CEDA, Destination Medical Center, GreenSeam, Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment through Research (HACER), LegalCorps, Minnesota State College Southeast, Owatonna Area Business Development Center, IgniteMN, RAEDI, St Mary's University of Minnesota Kabara Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies, St Olaf College, Small Business Development Center, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, University of MN Extension and Workforce Development Inc.

Host or Publisher Red Wing Ignite