Social Entrepreneur

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.

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
• Promotion in Social Venture Partner, 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 24th Annual Minnesota Venture & Finance Conference on October 14, 2010
  
  

Social Entrepreneur Division Runner Up:

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

All finalists:

• Featured in a Twin Cities Business supplement (Fall 2010).
• The opportunity to present their plan to a review board of esteemed business leaders.
• An invitation to attend a semi-finalist reception at the James J. Hill Reference Library.
  
  

All entrants:

• Access to "BizToolkit" from the James J. Hill Reference Library to assist with their plan.
• One year, complimentary subscription to Twin Cities Business.
• A valuable experience that will help advance their social ventures.