TECHdotMN is proud to have co-sponsored this year’s Twin Cities Startup Week Awards, held Thursday, October 16th at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The evening was such a great wrap-up to an amazing week of celebrating the innovators, makers, and entrepreneurs of MN. Nancy Lyons of Clockwork was an energetic, hilariously poignant emcee, and SuperBrush427 spun tracks that really set the groove for the evening’s festivities. Announcing and awarding each of the categories were the winners of last year’s “Newbie” award, the Coven, and Dominic Iannazzo of Ernst and Young gave the welcome kickoff.
This year our community really showed up, with over 2,000 votes being cast in determining this year’s winners. Here is a recap of the winners (and nominees) in each of the eight categories:
Inclusive Evolution Award – Sponsored by Clockwork
Winner: Lunar Startups
Lunar Startups is a new model for startup incubation specializing in growth, connection, and innovation for women, people of color, and other high potential entrepreneurs.
Nominees: Spectrum QA, and 26 Letters
Voyageur Award – Sponsored by SureSwift Capital
Winner: Kipsu
Kipsu enables service leaders to manage digital relationships with customers across an array of digital conversation channels, including text, in-app messaging, and social messaging.
Nominees: YouthLens 360, FANSchool
Redwood (Corporate Champion Award) – Sponsored by Flagship Bank
Winner: Target
Long considered one of Minnesota’s best exports, and one of the region’s largest retail employers, Target puts the needs of people, communities and the planet at the heart of how they work, to help build a better tomorrow.
Nominees: United Healthcare Group, Boston Scientific
Impact Award – Sponsored by CliftonLarsonAllen
Winner: Coffee & Closers by Bedore Business Group (BeBG)
Gatherings designed for attendees to authentically receive process design, tools used, and tips on what works to successfully grow revenue. A natural interview style format that gives a peek into some of the top sales minds that have propelled the growth of companies.
Nominees: Meda, BETA
10K Lakes Award – Sponsored by Great North Labs
Winner: Live.Give.Save.
Financial technology transformed for good, Live.Give.Save. is focused on helping people save, give, and inspire the social good.
Nominees: Croptomize, ZenLord Pro
Operational Excellence Award – Sponsored by Cardamons
Winner: Dispatch
Dispatch is founded on creating transparent, communicative courier services for multiple B2B industries in the Twin Cities.
Nominees: Branch, Kipsu
Emerging Startup Award – Sponsored by 75F
Winner: BetterYou
BetterYou is a digital coach that allows individuals to maximize their time and stay focused on goals that matter.
Nominees: Mortarr, SalesReach.io
Most Valuable Partner – Presented by Casey Schultz of BETA
Winner: Knock, Inc.
Knock is a full experience creative agency, driven to cultivate love and loyalty for brands.
Special kudos were given to Jac Stark of TECHdotMN and Matt Raskin for their hard work in coordinating and planning the evening.
If you are interested in sponsoring or participating in the 2020 Twin Cities Startup Week Awards please reach out to info@tech.mn.
