Launch Minnesota Awards Over $380,000 in Innovation Grants to Startups

Yesterday, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced $386,964 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grant awards to startups across the state.

The grants were awarded to 15 startups, over half of which are led by entrepreneurs of color, veterans, women, or located in Greater Minnesota. Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants target the most promising, innovative and scalable technology businesses in Minnesota. The grants help reduce the risk for Minnesota technology startups and entrepreneurs who are solving problems and growing our state's innovation ecosystem.

"The launch of new technology startups is important to Minnesota's overall competitiveness," said DEED Deputy Commissioner Kevin McKinnon. "These grants encourage more Minnesotans to pursue future solutions and opportunities for industry."

Innovation Grants provide up to $35,000 for innovative, scalable startups based in Minnesota. These funds can be used for research and development, direct business expenses and technical assistance. The $1.5M of funding for this fiscal year is now exhausted. Launch Minnesota will begin accepting applications for Innovation Grants again in July 2023.

Since its inception, Launch Minnesota has received $19.84M in funding requests, and has awarded 260 Innovation Grants totaling $6.4M to 187 unique grantees – accelerating the growth of startups and amplifying Minnesota as a national leader in innovation.

"This funding is critical for helping start and grow new technologies," said Launch Minnesota Executive Director Neela Mollgaard. "We continue to see the impact these grants provide. 100% of grantees have said this funding helped move their business forward."

The following companies received business operations grants:

All Clean Food, LLC: Developing specialty food products and meals that make eating well easier for those with allergies and food sensitivities.

ArteMedics L.L.C.: Developing medical devices and custom implant services for the veterinary community.

BABY KNOW: Bodies, Hearts & Minds, LLC: Developing an online platform that provides educational content for parents and their infants.

FreeNav, Inc.: Developing a wireless instrument tracking system for use in diagnostic and surgical procedures.

Glimpse Diagnostics L.L.C.: Developing an artificial intelligence diagnostic aid that enables telehealth treatment for children's ears.

Kinbee LLC: Developing an online platform to connect families who need short-notice childcare with licensed daycare providers.

MFR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.: Developing a single-use surgical device that stimulates bone marrow to regenerate cartilage in joints.

Momease Solutions, Inc.: Developing a wearable device that aids in expressing breast milk.

Pneumeric, Inc.: Developing a medical device for treatment of tension pneumothorax (air trapped inside the body cavity that prevents proper lung function).

Radices Bio LLC: Developing microbial food-grade ingredients.

Steelhead Outdoors LLC: Developing and manufacturing patented modular safes.

Verilytix, Inc.: Developing robotics that integrate artificial intelligence for agricultural growers.

Verso-Cap, LLC: Developing a patented flexible, reusable, non-threaded cap for bottles.

Visura Technologies, Inc.: Developing a disposable camera that seamlessly connects a probe for use in medical procedures.

VOCxI Health, Inc.: Breath diagnostics company focused on accurate, non-invasive, real-time, mobile disease identification.

Visit LaunchMinnesota.org or the Launch Minnesota grants section of the DEED website to learn more about grant opportunities, see a listing of grant recipients and access application materials.

Launch Minnesota, spearheaded by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), empowers and elevates our state's innovation ecosystem. By convening and catalyzing efforts statewide, Launch Minnesota helps make Minnesota the best place to start and scale new ventures by providing access to capital, statewide connectivity, and expertise. Find additional details at LaunchMinnesota.org, the DEED website, and the JoinUsMn.com website, or follow us on Twitter.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and its services, visit the DEED website, the JoinUsMn.com website, or follow us on Twitter.