Southeast Minnesota’s Premier Business Pitch Competition
Ignite Cup 2026
Big ideas thrive in strong communities. Join SE Minnesota’s innovators as we launch the next wave of groundbreaking ventures.
What is the Ignite Cup?
The Ignite Cup is the top premier business ‘pitch’ competition in southeastern Minnesota.
It's a chance for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to present their business ideas to a panel of experts. Winning comes with a cash prize and valuable resources, but even participating in the competition helps emerging businesses attract investors and customers.
Started by IgniteMN, the Ignite Cup has experienced remarkable growth, largely attributed to the invaluable support of the Entrepreneur's First (E1) Collaborative and a pivotal partnership with Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF).
Cash Prizes & MORE!
Mentorship
Cash Prizes
Semi-finalist MN Cup Seat
Is the Ignite Cup right for my business?
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The Ignite Cup is a terrific opportunity for a business that has taken steps towards validating their business model, conducted some customer discovery, and has a scalable business model. If this sounds like your business, you will likely be very competitive in the 2026 Ignite Cup.
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A scalable business means that, as you sell more of your product or services (as you gain customers), your costs do not grow at nearly the same rate. A legal consulting business for example - where each client adds considerable time and cost - is not scalable.
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That is okay! Several companies have done quite well in the Ignite Cup before having sales or earning revenue. However, you should be able to demonstrate some metrics of initial success, like positive customer feedback on test products/services, or a compelling value proposition that has traction in your target market.
If this doesn’t sound like your business just yet, that’s okay! There are still plenty of resources available in our region to help you succeed, and we want to connect with you. To get connected with someone email our E1 Navigator.
The Ignite Cup is a showcase of your work so far. If you are in an idea stage in early 2026, the Ignite Cup is not the best use of your time. But we would encourage you to enroll in our co.starters accelerator this spring. Whether you enroll in the co.starters program or not, the E1 would still love to connect with you and help you get ready for the 2027 Ignite Cup.
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Any business within the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) 20-county region in SE Minnesota with less than $1 million in annual revenue is eligible to apply. (See Map below)
We welcome back anyone who has previously entered, who did not advance to the MN Cup.
*Please note - certain prizes are only available to businesses based in the E1 eleven-county SE Minnesota region.
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If you were a previous winner or runner-up in the MN Cup, you are not eligible to compete in the Ignite Cup, due to our partnership with the MN Cup program.
I’m not in the 11-county southeastern Minnesota region. Why can’t I compete for a MN Cup seat?
Great question. Since the Ignite Cup is focused on southeastern Minnesota, we can only award a MN Cup slot from that region, unless you are a student.
When Can I Apply?
Applications are open now!
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Each startup completes an online application.
The application period will commence on December 1, 2025 and conclude at 11:59pm on January 31, 2026.
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Join us via Zoom for an Ignite Cup application workshop. This session will happen January 22nd at 3:30pm.
Take this time to work on your application, ask questions and get help from the IgniteMN team.No registration is required to join us for this workshop. Direct any questions to info@ignitemn.org.
You can join this ZOOM LINK at 3:30pm on January 22nd, 2026. -
Join us via Zoom for an Ignite Cup pitch prep workshop. This session will happen January 29th at 3:30pm.
You do not need a pitch in order to apply for the Ignite Cup, but those who move on to the semi-final round will. Work on your pitch, ask questions and get help from the IgniteMN team.
No registration is required to join us for this workshop. Direct any questions to info@ignitemn.org.
Click here to join the Zoom link at 3:30pm on Thursday, January 29.
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A team of experts will carefully evaluate each application to be sure it aligns with the established guidelines and qualifications for the pitch competition. 10 semi-finalists will be selected to advance to the next round.
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The top 10 applicants will be notified that they have advanced to the Ignite Cup 2026 semi-finalist round.
At this time, each semi-finalist will begin signing up for individual, 30-minute slots for the semi-finalist round, held virtually on March 5 and 6.
As you advance to the semi-finalist and finalist rounds, you will receive expert coaching from business specialists at IgniteMN and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF).
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10 semi-finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their businesses to a panel of judges.
Each semi-finalist will present their business and engage in a Q&A session. The entire session is expected to last around 30 minutes.
Following the presentations, the panel of judges will evaluate and score each semi-finalist. The top five companies with the highest scores will earn the title of being named the 2026 Ignite Cup finalists.
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The finalists for the Ignite Cup will be announced!
These companies will then have the opportunity to pitch live at the Ignite Cup on March 26.
In advance, all finalists will have the opportunity to participate in two virtual preparation sessions with entrepreneurial and business experts from IgniteMN and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. The first prep session, focused on the pitch deck, will be held on March 12 and the second, focused on the pitches themselves, will be held on March 19.
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3-4 pm
VirtualThe 5 finalists will receive coaching on designing their pitch decks.
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3-4 pm
VirtualThe 5 finalists will receive coaching on their pitch presentations.
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Finalists will present live to a panel of judges.
The in-person finalist round is the evening of Thursday, March 26.
REGISTRATION LINK WILL BE HERE
Judges award 1st, 2nd, 3rd place cash winners.
Who will advance as a semi-finalist to the MN Cup Competition?
Top placing business from the 11 county SE Minnesota region.
A student (college enrolled) from the 20 county SMIF Region.
Audience will select the People’s Choice Winner.
What can I do to get ready?
Mark your calendar!
Applications open - December 1st, 2025
You will want to make sure at least one member of your business leadership team is available for both the semi-finalist and finalist competitions. Applications are accepted until January 31, 2026.
Prepare! Prepare! Prepare!
Success favors the prepared, so if you're thinking of pitching your revolutionary business concept, start preparing TODAY!
Want help getting prepared?
If you feel that you may not be fully prepared at the moment, but believe that you could be by March 2026 with some assistance, reach out to our E1 Navigator. They can help you connect with various classes, mentors, and resources in the area to support you in getting ready to submit your application!
20 county region
To be eligible, either you or your business must be located within our 20-county region to submit an application.
Become a Sponsor
Join us in igniting a passion for entrepreneurship. As a sponsor, your business will have the unique chance to showcase your brand to a diverse audience. Collaborate with us to make a lasting impact and be part of an unforgettable event.
Contact us today to discuss how we can tailor a sponsorship package that aligns with your business goals.
How will applications be scored?
Come watch the live pitches!
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