MN Cup Finalists Announced
More than 20 teams of Minnesota based entrepreneurs are advancing into the finalist round of the 2016 MN Cup competition. The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute sends sincere congratulation to all three finalists in this year’s Food/Ag/Beverage Division.
Bolton Bees—A family-owned, first-generation business, established in 2014, and Beekeeping since 2008. Founded by Travis and Chiara Bolton, the company’s goal is “to be a source of local bees and location-specific Honey within the Midwest Region.” They offer two genetic lines of bees, each suited for different weather conditions experienced in Minnesota. They also sell distinct, location-specific honey, which come from all across Minnesota.
Far North Spirits—The northernmost distillery in the contiguous United States, Minnesota’s Far North Spirits is one of a handful of authentic field-to-glass estate producers of small-batch, craft-distilled spirits. Their award-winning offerings include rum, two types of gin, a single estate rye whiskey, an estate-farmed rye vodka. All ingredients are hand selected, planted or harvested by founding partners Michael Swanson and Cheri Reese.
SelfEco Garden—This company was created by a third generation manufacturer with the intention of capitalizing on past knowledge and technology to produce products that are Earth-friendly and sustainable. SelfEco Garden’s ultimate goal is to create things differently than previous generations by mindfully manufacturing with the intent to compost, recycle or reuse our products gives us great pride.
This news is especially exciting because AURI has worked with both Far North Spirits and SelfEco Garden in the past.
Later this month the companies will present in front of the MN Cup Review Board to determine who will win the division award – and a share of the record $402,000 in prize money.
Division winners will move on to compete for the grand prize award on September 22. Representatives of the 2016 MN Cup will announce the grand prize recipient that evening at a gala at the University of Minnesota McNamara Alumni Center. The event will feature live company pitches, updates from last year’s MN Cup winner, Astropad, and the announcement of the grand prize winner.