Social Entrepreneur Division

The Social Entrepreneur Division of the Minnesota Cup seeks out, supports, and celebrates Minnesota's most innovative and effective social entrepreneurs and the organizations they lead. To be eligible to enter the Social Entrepreneur division, the organization must be a registered corporation (non-profit or for-profit) that serves people in Minnesota and whose primary purpose is a social mission, rather than generating a profit. If your organization's aim is to have an impact on the critical challenges facing our society including education, environmental sustainability, health and economic & social equity, this division is for you.

Social Entrepreneur Division Timeline

Phase One - Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup:

A panel of judges will review applications submitted by the April 15 deadline and select four finalists from among them. The four finalists will deliver a live presentation to the judges and conference attendees at EPCON: The Engaged Philanthropy Conference. Finalists receive presentation coaching to help them prepare for their presentation. The winner of the competition is selected the day of the conference (June 16, 2011).

Phase Two - Minnesota Cup:

Because the Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup is a division of the Minnesota Cup, the winner of the 2011 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs’ Cup will then advance to compete against the winners of the five other Minnesota Cup divisions for the Minnesota Cup Grand Prize. To be considered for the Grand Prize the winner of the 2011 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs Cup must submit a business plan to the Minnesota Cup review panel. Minnesota Cup will provide a mentor to assist in the preparation of a business plan. The winner of the 2011 Mosaic Social Entrepreneurs’ Cup will make a presentation with the other Minnesota Cup divisional winners on September 8th. The Minnesota Cup Review Board then selects the Grand Prize winner and presents awards at a ceremony following the judging.

Awards and Benefits Include:

Social Entrepreneur Division Winner:

• $20,000 general operating grant for capacity building
• Web site redesign provided by the Nerdery, a division of the Sierra Bravo Corporation
• 40 hours of consulting from Social Ventures Partners Minnesota
• Promotion in Social Venture Partners Minnesota, Minneapolis Foundation, and Minnesota Cup publications, events, and web sites
• Opportunity to compete against five other Minnesota Cup division winners for the grand prize
• Scholarship to The Collaborative’s Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference
  
  

Social Entrepreneur Division Runner Up:

• $5,000 general operating grant
• 20 hours of consulting from Social Ventures Partners Minnesota
• Promotion in Social Venture Partners Minnesota, Minneapolis Foundation, and Minnesota Cup publications, events, and web sites
  
  

Social Entrepreneur Division Honorable Mentions (2 awards):

• $1,500 general operating grant
• Promotion in Social Venture Partners Minnesota, Minneapolis Foundation, and Minnesota Cup publications, events, and web sites
  
  

All finalists:

• Featured in a supplement that is included with the December issue of Twin Cities Business magazine.
• The opportunity to present their plan to a review board of esteemed business leaders.
• An invitation to attend a semi-finalist reception at the Carlson School of Management.
  
  

All entrants:

• Opportunity to learn about resources available to entrepreneurs and attend events organized/promoted by the Minnesota Cup.
• Networking with Minnesota Cup supporting partners and other entrepreneurs.
• A chance to improve the entrepreneur’s pitch given the required elements of the initial entry, which also represent a basic outline for a business plan.
• One year, complimentary subscription to Twin Cities Business.
• A valuable experience that will help all entrants as they work on their ventures.