MVP Challenge

MVP Challenge 2024

$100-$5,000 to develop a prototype or pilot that demonstrates the impact of your innovation.

Open to projects emerging from University of Minnesota research labs, clubs, courses or other programs.

Applications for 2024 are closed. Congrats to all of the selected teams!

About the MVP Challenge

MVP or “Minimum Viable Product” is a tool to show customers and key stakeholders how your innovative idea could work, capture feedback, and bring your concept one step closer to reality.

Each year, the MVP Challenge awards up to 30 grants from $100 to $5,000 in three divisions:

Digital

Move your software or data solution closer to launch from sketching out your app to testing your early stage alpha.

Physical

Bring your idea to life by building a physical prototype - from a simple "look-and-feel" model to a functional prototype.

Supported by Protolabs

Social

Realize your vision for campus, community, or societal change through early testing of your impact solution.

Supported by
Bill and Susan Sands

Award winners are expected to participate in workshops during the Spring of 2024 and present the MVP at the final showcase (May 8th, 2024)

Bridging impact from local to global

Targeted support from CH Robinson will be allocated to entrepreneurial projects with an active interest in addressing global challenges.

What is an MVP?

MVP or “Minimum Viable Product” is a tool to show customers and other stakeholders how your innovation could work and to get their feedback.
An MVP might be an illustration, or a look-and-feel prototype, or one wth limited functionality, or it might be an actual working beta app or it might be a social engagement pilot.
We are looking for “Most Visionary Prototypes or Pilots” that illustrate the potential of innovations to make a positive difference for people, businesses, society or the environment.