Nominations are now open for the 2025 “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota” contest

By Doug Loon
President and CEO
Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

We hope all of you had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day holiday. This week is an important one for the Chamber as we start our annual celebration of manufacturers and innovators through our Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest.

That’s right – nominations are open this week for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota, and we’re excited to bring this program forward. Many times, we overlook the fact that Minnesota is a manufacturing state, with amazing products being created every day, all around the state. It’s time we celebrate their great innovations and products through this important program.

This is a public-driven competition that celebrates the most capable and innovative manufacturers in the state, featuring impactful products made right here in Minnesota. The Chamber leads this contest through its Manufacturers’ Council, which is the largest statewide network of manufacturers. This group brings manufacturers together so we can help be their voice at the Capitol and create connections and resources to help them grow and thrive in Minnesota.

There’s one simple rule for the contest: the product needs to be made and manufactured right here in Minnesota.

Nominations are open now through August 15. The first bracket will be announced in September, and then the public – you – will get a chance to vote on those products in head-to-head matchups across five rounds until the winner is announced at our 2025 Manufacturers’ Summit on October 7.

So, participate, nominate and vote throughout. If you have a cool thing made in your community – or maybe you work in a business that creates a cool thing manufactured right here in Minnesota – nominate it today.

Find the nomination form at coolestthingmn.com.  

We look forward to connecting with you throughout the process. Start by nominating now and then come back to vote in the matchups later this year. Thanks for being with us as we celebrate the coolest thing made here in Minnesota.

I look forward to connecting with you again on next week’s episode of the Minnesota Business Podcast.