MHTA – Minnesotans with new and innovative business ideas have until the end of the week to enter the Minnesota Cup for a chance to make their dreams of launching a business a reality. The Minnesota Cup is a statewide entrepreneurial competition designed to seek out, support and accelerate the development of Minnesota’s newest and most innovative business ideas.

Minnesota residents have until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 18, to submit their breakthrough ideas for a chance to claim a share of the $200,000 in prize money. Each idea can be entered in one of six divisions: high tech, bioscience and health IT, clean technology and renewable energy, social entrepreneur, general and student. MHTA is a sponsor of the high-tech division.

Each division winner will be awarded $25,000, with the exception of the student division ($10,000) and social division ($20,000). The grand prize winner receives an additional $40,000, and the runners-up in each division will each collect $5,000.

Application details and other information are available at Minnesota Cup website.

Now the country’s largest statewide new venture competition, the Minnesota Cup is growing in prestige, welcoming UnitedHealth Group as a co-lead sponsor this year with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, General Mills, Carlson, Wells Fargo and the University of Minnesota, along with other supporters of the contest.