In the News Archive
The Camelot Index - Minnesota ranks 5th on six "quality of life" measures
August 2022 – State Policy Reports
“Minnesota was 5th in the index that ranks states on six “quality of life” measures: economy, health, crime, education, society, and state government. The top-ranking state in 2022 is New Hampshire.”
Cirrus unveils painting addition to Duluth facilities
July 15, 2022 – Business North
"Cirrus Aircraft has opened the latest addition to its Duluth manufacturing plant – a 16,000 square foot painting facility that will increase employment by 50 persons. With the expansion, Cirrus will have 86,000 square feet of painting space . . ."
Minnesota firm Stimdia raises $16.1 million to help wean patients off ventilators
July 12, 2022 – Mine Inno
“Stimdia Medical Inc., a University of Minnesota spinout that's engineering technology to wean patients off ventilators, raised $16.1 million in a recent funding round …”
Free-to-restaurants food-delivery startup Froogle raises $500K from Traction Capital
July 11, 2022 – Mine Inno
“… Zimmerman, Minn.-based Froogle works much like other delivery companies, such as DoorDash Inc. or Uber Eats. Unlike those services, which charge commission fees to restaurants, Froogle is free for restaurants to use …”
Wiha Tools paving the way for new facility
July 8, 2022 – Monticello Times
"A longtime Monticello tool maker is planning to build a new manufacturing facility of the north side of Monticello … The project will add 41 new jobs to the existing 61-employee workforce …"
Mille Lacs Band gets over $3 million in federal funding for tribal business incubators
June 30, 2022 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
"… The grant is expected to create 75 jobs and generate $2 million in private investment for the Mille Lacs Band …"
Digital recovery platform Kyros launches following $4.4M round led by Rally Ventures
June 28, 2022 – Minne Inno
"The Minneapolis-based company developed a free mobile app that gives patients, customized support by helping hit milestones, share their success and get access to services..."
Minneapolis tech company creates performing arts streaming platform
June 27, 2022 – Star Tribune
"Pennant allows theaters groups, orchestras and artists to charge for access to live-streamed events and premium previously-recorded content … Pennant is a spinout of Minneapolis-based website and app design company Bust Out …"
Humanetics lands $5.1 million to expand options for nuclear fallout drug
June 21, 2022 – Minne Inno
"The $5.1 million deal with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) will go towards a new formulation of Humanetics' Bio 300 drug, which is designed to combat acute radiation sickness that soldiers and civilians can suffer following a nuclear attack."
Invenshure launches oncology-focused biotech company, eyes $30 million funding round
June 14, 2022 – Minne Inno
"The Minneapolis-based medical incubator launched MEKanistic Therapeutics, a biotechnology company developing oncology treatments."
Rochester company patents 'digit' design to help people who have lost fingers
May 22, 2022 – Pioneer Press
"Limb Lab co-founder Brandon Sampson...and co-founder Marty Frana recently were issued [a patent] for their innovative design of a 'universal digit' for clients who have lost a finger."
Minnesota biotech firm Vyriad raises $29.5 million for cancer-fighting viruses
May 17, 2022 – Minne Inno
"...the Rochester-based company will use the funding to develop pipeline technology used to treat more types of cancer..."
Maple Grove's industrial surge
May 9, 2022 – Finance & Commerce
"Arbor Lakes Business Park is on the road to surpass 1 million square feet…Illume, a candle manufacturer, occupies the first building. The second building has multiple tenants, including Sensiva, a health care company, and a manufacturer of industrial netting products..."
Bobcat plans $13M plant in Rogers, will hire more than 100 workers
May 9, 2022 – Star Tribune
"The Doosan Bobcat plant is the second plant announced for Rogers in as many weeks …"
Wabash considering expansion in Little Falls
May 9, 2022 – Morrison County Record
"Wabash National may soon be adding about 80 new jobs at its Little Falls production facility..."
Minnesota businesses team up to bring plastic film recycling to state
May 4, 2022 – Star Tribune
"[South Africa-based] Myplas is opening a $24 million recycling facility in Rogers next year to process flexible films and other plastics that otherwise would be headed for the landfill…The state is contributing $1.4 million in loans and grants for the facility, which will employ up to 300 people …"
Minnesota solar firms, including Eden Prairie’s EVS, growing at hot pace
Apr. 28, 2022 – Star Tribune
"…EVS…has grown from 50 to 120 workers since 2019. The company just expanded its headquarters by 40% …"
Pet food maker NutriSource launches $20M expansion in Delano
Apr. 28, 2022 – Twin Cities Business
"Perham-based pet food company NutriSource is expanding its manufacturing footprint in Delano…the company said it has built a $20 million, 45,000-square-foot wet food cannery inside the Tuffy’s Treats Co. manufacturing facility…"
Cirrus Aircraft Continues Global Expansion with New European Locations
Apr. 27, 2022 – Business Wire
"…will open a European regional operations office in Rotterdam, Netherlands, scheduled to launch in June 2022, in addition to the recently announced aircraft sales presence based in Valenciennes, France…"
South African company wants to make Rogers its North American headquarters
Apr. 8, 2022 – Press & News
"...MyPlas, a company that recycles plastics and turns them into new materials, plans to lease half of the 400,000-square-foot industrial building formerly occupied by Archway..."
Hibbing electronics plant to expand
Apr. 5, 2022 – Mesabi Tribune
"...Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing will construct a 60,000 square-foot, $17.5 million expansion at its existing facility at Range Regional Airport..."
Curious Minnesota: What are Minnesota’s most exported products?
Apr. 1, 2022 – Star Tribune
"...Minnesota doesn't have one dominant product or category of exports. Rather, it is an eclectic exporter of many different things including snowmobiles, hearing aids, spraying equipment, filters, petroleum oils and fuels, iron ore, and yes, soybeans and corn..."
Minneapolis market is No. 3 in nation for small-business job growth
Mar. 30, 2022 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
"…Though the metro's Small Business Jobs Index, which is based on payroll data for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, slightly dropped from February, it still ranks third in the country for year-over-year job growth for small..."
Miromatrix moves into new headquarters
Mar. 30, 2022 – Minne Inno
"…The 42,000-square-foot office, is complete with a 11,000-square-foot in-house manufacturing facility. The new space gives the company room to manufacture organs for pre-clinical and clinical trials..."
Iron Range manufacturer expanding, set to double sales this year
Mar. 29, 2022 – Star Tribune
"MnStar Group, which makes industrial wire harnesses, is building a 30,000-square-foot facility next to its existing 24,000-square-foot factory in Bovey…"
With $75M in fresh capital, Minneapolis firm plans to expand its health benefits
Mar. 28, 2022 – Star Tribune
"Minneapolis health benefits company Gravie is planning to use $75 million in fresh investment capital to expand access to its digital marketplace across the U.S. and double its employee count in the next 12 months..."
Polaris breaks ground on $22 million robotic paint factory in Roseau
Mar. 25, 2022 – Star Tribune
"The plant will likely open in 2024. The company is actively recruiting for 100 open positions in Roseau…"
Players Health raises $28M in quest to protect youth athletes
Mar. 23, 2022 – Minne Inno
"…The Minneapolis-based company said…the funding will contribute to investments in technology and people, which will expand and enhance its athlete-safety and insurance offerings…"
3M, Ecolab, Best Buy among Minnesota businesses on Most Ethical Companies list
Mar. 17, 2022 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
"Six of Minnesota’s largest companies were selected as honorees for the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies List"
The tech hub hockey built
Mar. 17, 2022 – Minne Inno
"…SportsEngine was just the start of a burgeoning trend that turned Minnesota into a hub of startups that are changing how sports leagues are run, how players develop their skills, and how they're kept safe…"
University of Minnesota plans $220M agriculture research center near Austin
Feb. 10, 2022 – Star Tribune
"…The University of Minnesota is planning a sprawling $220 million research complex in southern Minnesota near Austin as it seeks to put the state on the cutting edge of farm and food technology…"
Compute North raises $385M to expand its crypto data-center footprint
Feb. 9, 2022 – Star Tribune
"…The Eden Prairie-based company is using the funds to expand its footprint as it constructs facilities in Nebraska, North Carolina and Texas…"
Excellence in Economic Development Awards
February 2022 – EDAM
"Neela Mollgaard & Launch Minnesota Initiative receive 2022 Innovation Award…"
Seagate plans bigger Bloomington facility
Feb. 7, 2022 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
"...the Bloomington Planning Commission has approved Seagate’s plans to add 81,000 square feet to its manufacturing facility which will, in turn, make way for 45 more jobs there..."
Minneapolis-based Tech Company Yardstik Lands $8M raise
Feb. 4, 2022 – Twin Cities Business
"…Yardstik offers screening, verification, and training solutions…The company plans to use the $8 million raise to hire additional team members, continue product development, and evolve their go-to-market strategy…"
How a Twin Cities company is helping USA's luge team go for the gold
Jan. 26, 2022 – Axios Twin Cities
"…Stratasys, a 3D printing company based in Eden Prairie, made the sled molds used by Team USA…"
CPC Expands Footprint to Accommodate Sales Trajectory
Jan. 25, 2022 – PR Newswire
"Colder Products Company, a leading manufacturer of connection technologies used in biopharmaceutical processing, medical, thermal management, and industrial applications, is expanding its footprint in Minneapolis-St. Paul…"
Minnesota's nonprofit strengths drew Kindly founder from NYC
Jan. 25, 2022 – Minne Inno
"Brandon Litman founded his philanthropic startup Kindly in his native New York City. However, his previous experience as a documentary filmmaker drew him to the Twin Cities…"
Humanetics lands $5.1 million to expand options for nuclear fallout drug
June 21, 2022 – Minne Inno
"The $5.1 million deal with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) will go towards a new formulation of Humanetics' Bio 300 drug, which is designed to combat acute radiation sickness that soldiers and civilians can suffer following a nuclear attack."
Despite pandemic, investments in Minnesota startups top $1B again in 2021
Jan. 16, 2022 – Star Tribune
"For the third consecutive year, investors committed more than $1 billion to rising and privately owned Minnesota startups..."
'Uber for laundry' app SudShare establishes HQ in Minneapolis
Dec. 29, 2021 – Minne Inno
"A tech startup billed as the 'Uber for laundry', SudShare, officially adopted Minneapolis as its new headquarters. Now almost four years old, it's grown into a company serving more than 120,000 customers in over 400 U.S. cities...."
Launch Minnesota’s Innovation Grants awarded to 25 more startups
Dec. 14, 2021 – Minne Inno
"Launch Minnesota…has awarded $673,500 in Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants to 25 local startups…"
Greater MSP Partnership receives $500,000 toward Bold North Bio-Innovation Cluster
Dec. 14, 2021 – Pioneer Press
"…Greater MSP Partnership has been awarded $500,000 to link and promote eight planned 'bio-innovation' projects related to human health, food and agriculture across the metro area…"
Minneapolis Black-led Venture Capital firm nears $50M fundraising goal
Dec. 10, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
"With a 'significant investment' from Bank of America, Minneapolis-based Brown Venture Group has raised more than 75% of the money it's seeking for its inaugural fund"
Minnesota's FDI-fueled workforce grows
December 2021 – Global Business Alliance
"Minnesota has seen its FDI-fueled workforce grow the fastest of any state over the past five years..."
Fastenal opens new corporate office in Winona
Dec. 6, 2021 – C.D. Smith Construction
"Fastenal opens its doors to its new 97,600 SF corporate office, welcoming 450 Fastenal employees to downtown Winona..."
New rankings put Minnesota 3rd for best healthcare when comparing cost, access and outcomes
Nov. 23, 2021 – Route Fifty
"Massachusetts ranks as the best state for health care while Alabama ranks as the worst, according to a report by WalletHub…" Minnesota was 3rd best..."
Minnesota brands made the top 100 on YouGov’s list of the most popular brands
Nov. 2021 – YouGov America
"…Minnesota brands Pillsbury, Planters, Betty Crocker, Land O’Lakes, Cheerios, Dairy Queen and General Mills all made the top 100 on YouGov’s list of the most popular brands..."
Minnesota based companies listed on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list
Nov. 2021 – Deloitte
"…Minnesota based companies Branch, Arctic Wolf and Inspire Medical Systems listed on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list..."
Minnesota Twins Accelerator announces inaugural cohort
Nov. 8, 2021 – Minne Inno
"… The cohort of companies all address technology, sports and entertainment and were selected from over 120 applicants. Of the 10 participating companies, five were founded by individuals from historically marginalized groups..."
Small Minnesota company goes big with blue light protection
Nov. 7, 2021 – Star Tribune
"… Eden Prairie-based Eyesafe sees growth in demand for its blue light protection products …"
The World's Top Female-Friendly Companies
Nov. 2, 2021 – Forbes
"Hormel, Ecolab, Best Buy, Target, and 3M all made Forbes' list of "the world’s top female-friendly companies..."
When I Work Lands $200M Investment
Nov. 2, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
"The company says it will use the money to expand its scheduling software products and target “opportunistic acquisitions."
A Look at Deluxe Corp.'s New Downtown HQ
Oct. 28, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
Last week, the longtime check-printing company held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new 94,000-square-foot space in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. With no fixed workspaces or assigned seating, the office looks more like a coworking space than a traditional workplace.
3M Finesse-it Robotic Paint Repair System Earns SURCAR Award
Oct. 28, 2021 – PR Newswire
"3M™ is again setting the standard for the future of automated paint repair. The team behind the 3M™ Finesse-it™ Robotic Paint Repair System has been awarded one of the industry's most prestigious honors for its groundbreaking innovation..."
Gwoop raises $1.8M to build esports training platform for gamers
Oct. 26, 2021 – Minne Inno
"...an Edina-based startup is vying to be a ‘gym’ for the growing contingent of competitive esports players..."
ShrimpWorks poised to revolutionize shrimp processing business
Oct. 24, 2021 – West Central Tribune
"… The automated platform has the potential to dramatically change how fresh shrimp are processed here in west central Minnesota's burgeoning shrimp industry and in countries around the world..."
CIBO Technologies lands $30M in Series C financing
Oct. 22, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
"Agtech startup’s largest office is in St. Louis Park..."
$440M OSB facility nears construction in Cohasset
Oct. 12, 2021 – Finance & Commerce
"A Georgia-based wood products provider is nearing construction of a $440 million oriented strand board manufacturing facility that will serve the state’s building industry and bring hundreds of jobs to Cohasset …"
More people are launching small businesses. Here are the best places to start.
Oct. 12, 2021 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
"Minneapolis ranked 6th in the LendingTree ranking at https://bit.ly/3DyDi9f."
Puris doubles production capacity by retrofitting dairy plant
Oct. 12, 2021 – Minne Inno
"Puris announced Tuesday that its new production facility in Dawson, Minnesota, is now open...”
Miromatrix Implants Bioengineered Livers into Pigs
Oct. 7, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
"Eden Prairie-based medtech firm Miromatrix Medical Inc. says it’s one step closer to implanting bioengineered livers into human patients..."
Meet the Twin Cities' up-and-coming pioneers
Oct. 1, 2021 – Minne Inno
"Minnesota’s startup scene is growing faster than ever....None of this success would be possible without the young startup and tech leaders that push the industry forward every day..."
Minnesota snags 'B' grade for fiscal health
Sept. 28, 2021 – The Center Square
"A financial watchdog ranked Minnesota 11th in the nation on the state for its current fiscal health. The Financial State of the States report found that Minnesota is only one of 11 states with enough money to pay its bills."
Minnesota is the 3rd best state to move to in the U.S.
Sept. 24, 2021 – Bring Me the News
People looking to move to a new state can't get much better than Minnesota.
St. Paul entrepreneur wins award for self-cleaning clothing
Sept. 23, 2021 – Pioneer Press
"St. Paul entrepreneur Wenceslaus Muenyi won $200,000 in the Meda Million Dollar Challenge, a competition for minority-owned businesses…"
Cryosa raises $21.5M to develop sleep-apnea treatment
Sept. 23, 2021 – Minne Inno
"The Arden Hills-based company is working on a minimally invasive therapy for OSA that doesn't require daily patient compliance…"
Minnesota winners in Meda Million Dollar Challenge
Sept. 22, 2021 – Star Tribune
"Minnesota companies HercLeon and Seraph 7 Studios among five winners that divided $1.2 million prize in Meda Million Dollar Challenge..."
Arthur Ventures raises $375M for two latest funds
Sept. 21, 2021 – Minne Inno
"The firm's strategy remains the same, to focus on early-stage B2B tech companies outside of Silicon Valley. This is Minneapolis-based Arthur's fourth core fund..."
Marcia Page launches firm to invest in women, diverse talent
Sept. 20, 2021 – Minne Inno
"MPowered Capital will operate as an independently managed investment firm and is being developed in collaboration with Minneapolis-based Värde…"
Minnetronix, medical device maker, expands in St. Paul
Sept. 20, 2021 – Pioneer Press
"Over the past year, Minnetronix has brought on 75 new workers – roughly half of them engineers…"
Chromatic 3D Materials closes in on a $5 million capital infusion
Sept. 19, 2021 – Star Tribune
"[CEO Cora] Leibig expects to double the size of her organization to about 25, including several in Germany, and hit annual revenue of $3 million by 2023…"
Datasite expanding at rapid pace
Sept. 16, 2021 – Minne Inno
"Of Datasite's 900 employees globally, 400 work out of its new headquarters in downtown Minneapolis' Baker Center."
Chanhassen 'best place to live in U.S.,' 2 other Minnesota cities in top 40
Sept. 15, 2021 – Bring Me the News
"Woodbury at No. 29, Rosemount just behind at No. 32…" Money’s Best places to live 2021.
Sentera raises $25 million, will move to St. Paul
June 9, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… The company's latest infusion of venture capital was led by Canada's Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec …”
AI firm Lucy raises $3 million
June 1, 2021 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
“… The Minneapolis-based firm has 28 employees now, a number [CEO Dan] Mallin expects to double by the end of 2021 with the funding …”
Soona’s expansion adds 60 workers
May 31, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… The 60 new positions in Minneapolis will be a variety of creative roles, namely designers, photographers and videographers, but also entry level …”
Bright Health files for initial public offering
May 19, 2021 – Minne Inno
“… Minneapolis-based health insurance company to offer its stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BHG …”
NetSPI raises $90 million
May 12, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… The new capital will help the 225-employee software firm develop & improve products, add clients & hire more people …”
Sezzle eyes U.S. IPO
May 11, 2021 – Twin Cities Business
“The Minneapolis fintech company went public in Australia nearly two years ago …”
Mayo Clinic to create ‘future of medicine’
April 28, 2021 – Post Bulletin
“Mayo Clinic designed the $120 million Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Building to serve as a ‘window’ into its research …”
Yardstik helps companies with the gig economy
April 25, 2021 – Star Tribune
“The startup, launched as the lockdown began, has grown to 22 employees, and plans to double that …”
Companies plan expansion, job growth
April 23, 2021 – CCX Media
“Two companies planning to grow jobs in Plymouth. Calif.-based Silk Road Medical plans to lease a facility & create nearly 70 jobs..."
Doosan Bobcat opens $26 million factory expansion
April 22, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… Doosan Bobcat has completed a major expansion of its Litchfield plant and is now looking to hire 160 additional workers …”
‘This is the start of something big’
April 21, 2021 – Albert Lea Tribune
“… Vortex Cold Storage is investing over $30 million into the project and will create up to 26 jobs …”
Cogent Communications signs T5@Minneapolis
April 14, 2021 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
“...In what could be one of the biggest data center deals of the past year, the internet giant moved its downtown Minneapolis..."
Sick, Inc. plans $100 million campus
April 12, 2021 – Star Tribune
“German sensor maker Sick Inc. will break ground in June on a $100 million technology campus in Bloomington ..."
SunOpta to open Eden Prairie headquarters
April 5, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… Plant-based food ingredients maker will double its space that will include offices and a research & development center …”
Chasing a peas prize
March 25, 2021 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
“… Puris relocated its headquarters to Minneapolis in 2016 to be closer to its pea protein plants in Turtle Lake, Wis., and Dawson, Minn. …”
Kalera will grow millions of heads of lettuce indoors
March 15, 2021 – Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
“… Orlando-based Kalera is opening its latest vertical farm in St. Paul. The facility will also generate approximately 70 jobs …”
Nu-Tek plans $35-40M plant
March 10, 2021 – Finance & Commerce
Facility should be completed in 2022. “… Austin officials said they will bring 35 jobs to the city with average wages of $25 to $27…"
Arctic Wolf: employee-focused –and growing
Feb. 27, 2021 – Star Tribune
“… [Arctic Wolf President Nick Schneider:] ‘The Twin Cities are home to an incredible wealth of talent. The region is…”