2026 Trailblazer Challenge

Calling all emerging trailblazers
in Central and East-Central Minnesota!

The 2026 Trailblazer Challenge is a regional startup pitch competition where founders from across Central and East-Central Minnesota to showcase business ideas to accomplished entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across the region.

This competition supports founders with cash prizes, exposure, mentorship, and access to statewide opportunities like the Minnesota Cup!

Check out highlights from last year’s competition.

“There are a lot of great people helping new entrepreneurs. This was our first pitch competition ever and it was a fantastic experience.”

Aaron Halik

Founder of Trimyxs

VIEW LAST YEARS COMPETITION

The Competition

The 2026 Trailblazer Challenge is open to Minnesota residents, entrepreneurs, and students with plans for a new idea, new company or with a business that has been started in the last 12 months.

Entrant must be located in one of the following counties to be eligible: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright.

Contestants who wish to be eligible for MN Cup must also complete the application for MN Cup before April 3, 2026.

COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY

Open to founders with a new business idea, a new company, or an existing business with a new product or pivot launched within the last 12 months.
Applicants must be 18 years or older.
Teams should designate a single point of contact for the competition.
Each team may submit only one idea.
Residents of the counties (listed above) are eligible.

Live Pitch Event: 2026 Trailblazer Challenge

📅 Thursday, March 12, 2026

⏰ 3:00 to 5:00 PM

📍 Pioneer Place on Fifth

Finalists will prepare a live pitch presentation in front of a panel of judges and a public audience.

Apply to Pitch

ELIGIBILITY DETAILS

Submissions must be for a new company, new idea or with a business started in the last 12 months.
Teams typically consist of one to four members.
Each team must designate one point-of-contact for the competition.
In the case of an existing organization, at least one team member must be a C-level officer or director of the organization (eg, Executive Director, CEO, COO, etc) or the majority owner of the business.
Teams cannot enter more than one business plan/idea into the competition.
Teams must reside in the following counties: Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena, and Wright.

All are welcome!

Don’t have experience creating a business plan? No problem! We’ve partnered with ILT Academy to help! They will supply all finalists with an example pitch deck and entrant outline when you apply to participate.

To start the application process today!

TIMELINE

Registration Open

03 February 2026

Applicants can apply for competition and receive submission instructions.

Applications Close

02 March 2026 at 6:00 AM (CST)

Teams must submit a short written application.

Video Submissions

02 March 2026 at 6:00 AM (CST)

Team videos submitted to online judges.

Finalist Notified

4 March 2026

5 finalist teams will be announced.

Finals

12 March 2026

Finals are a Live Pitch presentation in front of a panel of judges in St. Cloud, MN at Pioneer Park.

We are looking for the next trailblazers

Advancing the next generation of builders in our community.

Our region is committed to supporting bold new ideas, technologies, and innovations. We aim to equip entrepreneurs, students, and innovators to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change, while expanding opportunities to address the most pressing challenges facing our communities.