TECHdotMN: News about Minnesota Startups

August 19, 2010 | by Jeff Pesek Comments

Three Minnesota tech startups are one step closer to validation, cash money and a host of professional services as the Minnesota Cup announced today the 2010 High Tech division finalists.

Over the past two months, ten judges have reviewed the detailed plans of ten semifinalists and trimmed the list down to the three that will advance to the next stage — pitching the review board.

In no particular order, the 2010 Minnesota Cup High Tech division finalists are:

“Open Preferences is a consumer web service for media (starting with movies and television) that facilitates personalized discovery and empowers word-of-mouth.  Users can discover new content, receive highly personalized recommendations (based on their custom taste profile), and share with friends. We are revolutionizing personalization online, by using data to improve people’s lives.”  Update September 2010: Open Preferences is now Inveni.

“Curation Station is software which enables brands to gather, select and share the best content on any product, subject or category—the kind of marketing effort that makes your customers smarter. It’s easy to implement. And the results are remarkable.”

“GeaCom Inc. is committed to breaking the language barrier in critical communication. To improve service, reduce costs and to save lives we are developing an innovative new solution…Phrazer.”

The Minnesota Cup High Tech division winner, to be coronated on August 31st, will receive the following awards and benefits prior to competing against the winners of five other divisions for the grand prize on Sept 13 (and  an additional $20,000).

• $20,000 in seed capital

• Business organization (or services of similar value) from the law firm of Gray Plant Mooty

• Accounting assistance from Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP

• Scholarship to The Collaborative’s 24th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference on October 14, 2010

• Video production and 3 months of hosting via Startupshoppe’s Minnesota Startup Showcase

The Minnesota Cup was Founded by Scott Litman and Dan Mallin in 2005 through a collaboration with the University of Minnesota – Carlson School of Management and Wells Fargo bank.  What is now largest statewide business plan competition has since engaged 1000′s of Minnesota entrepreneurs across 6 distinct divisions:  Student, Social Entrepreneurship, General, High Tech, Clean & Renewable Technology and BioSciences.

Last year, Alvenda won both the High Tech division as well as the overall Cup.

Congratulations to the three Minnesota Cup High Tech division finalists as well as the initial semi-finalists! This is an intensely competitive division full of many solid plans and early-stage ventures with great potential.

Tags: Curation Station, Dan Mallin, Geacom, Inveni, Minnesota Cup, Scott Litman