Meda Announces the Semi-Finalists for its 2nd “Million Dollar Challenge for Minority Entrepreneurs”
22 minority entrepreneurs advance to the semi-finals of the nation’s largest minority entrepreneurial competition
MINNEAPOLIS (July 17, 2019) – Meda (Metropolitan Economic Development Association) has announced 22 minority entrepreneurs as semi-finalists for their second Million Dollar Challenge. Out of over 500 applicants, the following have been selected:
ASDAL Inc (Minneapolis, MN)
Au Courant Interiors (Simpsonvillle, SC)
Aviaxin (St. Paul, MN)
BestFit, Inc (New York City, NY)
Care+Wear (New York City, NY)
Civic Eagle (Minneapolis, MN)
Diaspocare, LLC (Minneapolis, MN)
Keteka (Austin, TX)
Key2enable Assistive Technology, Inc (Miami, FL)
Litty Solar (Brooklyn Park, MN)
Metamodix Inc (Plymouth, MN)
Mixology Ice (Miami, FL)
Nexstar (New York City, NY)
The Oxygen Plan (St. Louis Park, MN)
Phenomix Sciences (Rochester, MN)
Sacramento Eco Fitness (Sacramento, CA)
The Sioux Chef (Minneapolis, MN)
SpenDebt (Houston, TX)
Tambua Health Inc. (Fremont, CA)
Wanderstay Hotels LLC (Houston, TX)
4.0 GPA LLC (Houston, TX)
26 Letters (St. Paul, MN)
“The Million Dollar Challenge applicants this year were cutting-edge entrepreneurs and incredibly innovative thinkers, which made this decision even more difficult,” said Dr. Barbara Butts Williams, Chair of the Board of Directors for Meda. “We chose these semi-finalists because they are bold, inventive, and ready for the caliber of this competition.”
The chosen semi-finalists will now compete in a speed-pitching event at The Travelers Companies (385 Washington St., St Paul, MN 55102) on Wednesday, July 31. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. with pitches beginning at 5:00 p.m. The closing reception and winners ceremony will begin at 8:00 p.m. The event is open to the public. To attend the speed-pitching event, register here.
Those finalists who are chosen to continue on with the competition after this speed-pitching event will then participate in the Boot Camp for Successful Pitches. This will prepare them for the final pitch event during Twin Cities Startup Week on October 11 where Meda will distribute the Million Dollar prize. The Million Dollar Challenge is the largest minority specific entrepreneurial competition in the nation.
“There is nothing that compares to the power a minority entrepreneur can have if they are given the resources and capital to see their vision come to life,” added Dr. Barbara Butts Williams. “This competition allows their dreams to come to fruition, and I believe these 22 entrepreneurs are incredibly deserving of this opportunity.”
About the Metropolitan Economic Development Association (Meda)
Meda provides business consulting, access to capital, and market opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. Meda also operates a business development center under cooperative agreement with the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Minneapolis MBDA Business Center connects Minnesota Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) with business opportunities and has been recognized as the top performing center in the country the last three years in a row.