Minnesota Agencies

Launch Minnesota is established within the Business and Community Development Division of the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to encourage and support the development of new private sector technologies and support the science and technology policies under Minnesota Statutes 3.222. Launch Minnesota must provide entrepreneurs and emerging technology-based companies business development assistance and financial assistance to spur growth.

Launch Minnesota shall annually report by December 31 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and senate having jurisdiction over economic development policy and finance. Each report shall include information on the work completed, including awards made by the department under this section and progress toward transferring the activities of Launch Minnesota to an entity outside of state government.

In announcing the creation of Launch Minnesota, DEED stated on their website that the "program concept grew out of a collaboration between DEED and the Minnesota Legislature – with legislators on both sides of the aisle making meaningful contributions. It is a joint initiative with private businesses and nonprofit organizations statewide... Launch Minnesota will provide financial incentives, training, and grants to people starting companies in technology sectors such as aerospace, agricultural processing, nanotechnology and medical devices. The program has an annual budget of $2.5 million."

Laws of Minnesota 2021, 1st Special Session, chapter 10, article 2, section 8 made some changes to the duties of Launch Minnesota. 

In 2023, the Legislature codified Launch Minnesota and the Launch Minnesota Advisory Board (see Laws of Minn. 2023, chap. 53, art. 15, sec. 15).

Executive director: Neela Mollgaard (August 26, 2019 - )