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We asked early-stage startup founders in Minnesota to share a challenge they’re currently wrestling with, and wow, did they respond! TCB’s editorial team narrowed down the entries to 12 semi-finalists. Now it’s your turn to vote on the three startups you’d like to see on stage at the 2025 StartMN Think Tank event on August 12. Winners will be announced at https://tcbmag.com/events/thinktank25/.

Cast your vote for one startup below. Limit one vote per person.

Absolute Filth
What: From a Minnesota hockey mom who has endured a lot of bad smells, Absolute Filth makes eco-friendly hockey wax in scents like coconut and mango.
HQ: Hamel
Challenge: “Our sales are growing 250-300% per year, and scaling our business to meet this demand has been very challenging,” says co-founder Casey Kirt. “We’ve been approached by larger retailers, but with just two of us here, we need to be sure we’re ready so the opportunity doesn’t blow up in our face.”

Aza Power Systems
What: Spun out from the University of Minnesota’s Mechanical Engineering department, Aza Power eliminates fossil fuels from IC engines, thermal burners/furnaces and gas turbines. It replaces the fossil energy with clean renewable anhydrous ammonia, which emits 99.5% less GHGs than fossil fuels and supports home-grown energy infrastructure. Anhydrous ammonia is highly conducive to localized, independent fuel production across the US and abroad, which in turn supports local economies and energy independence in addition to its emissions benefits.
HQ: Minneapolis
Challenge: “The base fuel we use (anhydrous ammonia) seems to scare away investors and partners in the US. In Europe, Asia and Australia, ammonia is booming,” says co-founder Seamus Kane. “We would like to understand how to break through this fear, uncertainty, or doubt when the typical avenues of proving the technology to be safe, reliable, and not scary have already been done. We can invite investors to come watch our engines run and read the emissions and environmental data in real time and still the doubt remains.”

Bloom Standard
What: Bloom Standard’s RAPIDscan Ultrasound System is an FDA Breakthrough Device that allows any level of health care professional—with or without training in image acquisition or interpretation—to conduct a 1-minute scan to earlier detect and risk stratify cardiac, cardiopulmonary and lung/respiratory conditions in babies and children. The device’s unique form factor was specifically designed to optimize imaging on notoriously difficult to scan newborn and pediatric patients at front line points of care, flagging abnormalities and guiding users on next steps. This enhances access to care for vulnerable children in underserved or under-resourced areas in the U.S. and around the world.
HQ: Minneapolis
Challenge: Bloom is currently charting the most effective path to transition from pediatric device market entry to adult patients/conditions, says co-founder Annamarie Saarinen. “We need to effectively build out our sales channels.”

EarRx
What: Ear infections affect over 5 million children in the U.S. each year, with a conservative estimated annual cost of $2 billion related to clinic visits, prescriptions, and urgent care/emergency room visits. The current system is inefficient, involving wait times and lack of options for receiving care outside of clinic hours. EarRX, which is expected to launch later this year, offers an at-home solution. Its AI-powered telehealth platform allows parents to receive diagnosis and treatment for their child’s ear infection using a smartphone compatible otoscope, potentially saving families time, reducing unnecessary ER visits, and lowering healthcare costs while ensuring children receive fast, accurate care.
HQ: Rochester
Challenge: “Integrating AI technology into real-world clinical workflows remains complex,” says co-founder Rizwan Siwani. “We would appreciate advice on image quality variability from smartphones, dataset bias, and regulatory compliance for AI diagnostics.”

Find My Electric
What: Find My Electric is an online marketplace for used electric vehicles (EVs). The platform allows buyers to search and filter essential features such as battery size and autopilot software, creating a tailored experience specifically for the EV community. Find My Electric also offers a cash offer program in collaboration with specialized EV-only dealers. By addressing the challenges faced by used EV buyers, Find My Electric is helping drive the future of affordable access to sustainable transportation.
HQ: Minneapolis
Challenge:  “As the electric vehicle market experiences rapid growth, we face the challenge of scaling our platform while maximizing revenue per transaction,” says co-founder Brian Altstatt. “We’re seeking expert advice on how to refine our monetization strategies, including optimizing our cash offer program and expanding partnerships with EV-only dealers to increase profitability on each transaction. In addition, we need guidance on scaling user acquisition, expanding our brand’s reach, and enhancing marketing efforts to maintain our core base of EV enthusiasts while attracting a broader audience.”

Hardcore Peanut Butter Spread Co.
What: Hardcore Peanut Butter is a superfood-enriched, protein-packed, ultra-healthy peanut butter currently sold direct to consumer.
HQ: Minneapolis
Challenge: “By 2027, we will launch the first-ever allergen-free peanut butter,” says founder Bryant Williams. “We want to make sure we set ourselves up for success.”

Panache
What: Panache offers non-soda botanical infusions in apple juice, using ingredients like ginger and turmeric for a natural wellness boost. The drinks are currently sold in local grocery stores including select HyVee locations and co-ops. Bigger picture, Panache is working on a hard cider and a tech tool to standardize the apple sorting process at orchards by identifying key harvesting times.
HQ: St. Paul
Challenge: Self-funded and owned by founder Ameeta Jaiswal-Dale, Panache faces stiff competition at the grocery store against larger brands. “We need distribution to survive and thrive.”

Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore
What: Founded by civil rights attorney Dr. Artika Tyner, PPGJ Books is a mission-driven (for-profit) publishing house and bookstore dedicated to transforming lives through literacy. It produces inclusive, diverse books and nurtures emerging authors through writing competitions and training programs. The bookstore offers children’s books that reflect the rich diversity of our communities.
HQ: St. Paul
Challenge: “Relying solely on book sales has limited our growth potential,” Tyner says, “and we are seeking expert guidance on how to strategically broaden our income sources.” Options include educational workshops, subscription services, and merchandise sales.

The Play Group
What: A Montessori-inspired indoor play place, The Play Group is designed specifically for babies and toddlers, providing access to a diverse range of enrichment activities, including art, music, dance, and sensory play, tailored to support early childhood development and creativity.
HQ: St. Louis Park
Challenge: “In the next 5 years I would like to expand the concept in the metro to four additional locations,” says Alexia Kelsey. “We are struggling to reach the point where we are seeing high profitability where we could make this happen. There is an existing business model on the east coast that is wildly successful that we have taken inspiration from, so we know that we are onto something that could very easily be franchised, but lack the business knowledge to take the concept to the next level.”

ViCa3 Ventures
What: Makes the EcoSmart Stud Exterior Wall System—a cost-effective building solution that lowers carbon in residential housing.
HQ: Bloomington
Challenge: Our thermally broken studs are a green, low carbon, innovative solution for Minnesota builders. The problem is it’s not what the construction industry has been offering as the solution to meet the stringent updates to the coming 2026 Residential Minnesota Energy Code.” says co-founder Jon Pues, who is working to convince builders of the product’s multiple advantages over the current industry solutions.

Silk Road Wellness
What: A skincare and well-being brand inspired by Pakistani wellness traditions and halal principles. Silk Road Wellness sells luxe body care products—solid lotions, solid perfumes, natural deodorants, hair care, and more—are halal-certified, made without alcohol or animal derivatives.
Where: Rosemount
Challenge: “We’d love expert advice on customer outreach, B2B international sales, and social media marketing,” says founder Annie Qaiser.

Zeglass Inc.
What: Currently in development, Zeglass will transform spaces with its “smart” glass for windows and doors that offer sound proofing, energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
HQ: Minneapolis
Challenge: How to approach the next fundraise, says co-founder Hari Atkuri. “We are weighing the merits of raising capital exclusively from a single venture capital (VC) firm versus assembling a diversified funding package that could include a combination of VC investment, SBA loans, equipment lending, and government grants or programs.”