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BEMIDJI — Greater Bemidji, in partnership with Launch Minnesota, Minnesota DEED and the Northwest Innovators Network, is seeking applicants for the third annual NORTHSTARtup Pitch Competition.

The competition will take place at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Sanford Center during Paul Bunyan Communications’ GigaZone TechXpo.

Chosen entrepreneurs will present a five-minute pitch to a panel of judges followed by a five-minute question and answer session. Presenters will compete for a $5,000 cash prize by highlighting their business strategies for launching a successful venture in the area.

According to a release, ideal candidates for this competition bring ideas in the following areas:

• Ideas that are scalable with growth potential beyond the northern Minnesota region.
• A new innovative product, service or technology not currently in the marketplace.
• Ideas that address an industry or amenity gap in northern Minnesota.
• A clearly defined target market with the capacity and plan to move to market quickly yet strategically.

Along with the cash prize, the first-place winner will secure entry into the Minnesota Cup to compete with entrepreneurs throughout the state.

The NORTHSTARtup Pitch Competition has already launched businesses that have made an impact beyond our region, the release said.

2023 Winner Brian Hemmelman, founder of HEMO Research and professor at Bemidji State University, became the first Bemidji entrepreneur to place in the Minnesota Cup, Minnesota’s largest statewide business competition. He secured an additional $25,000 in funding and now operates a technology business.

In 2024, winner Kelly Van Ert, founder of Empower Independence Company, secured $100,000 from Gener8tor’s NMotion Accelerator and has since attracted equity investments from angel investors, along with a beta-testing partnership with QLI Rehab. Her company is on a mission to improve safety and independence for elderly and disabled individuals.

Applicants age 18 and older are encouraged to apply by Friday, April 4.

To apply, visit

For more information, visit   or email Brian Huch at launchpad@greaterbemidji.com.