Do you make the “coolest thing made in Minnesota”?

Minnesota companies have a long history of innovation, creating some of the “coolest” products to fuel our economy. The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is again searching for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota!

• Manufacturing represents the second largest private-sector component of Minnesota’s GDP.
• 315,000 Minnesotans work in manufacturing.
• Half of Minnesota’s Fortune 500 companies are in manufacturing.
• Minnesota exported $21.8 billion in manufactured goods in 2025.
• These companies sent approximately over 3,000 different types of products to more than nearly 200 countries worldwide
• Manufacturing workers took home $27 billion last year for an average annual wage of $86,580 – 12% higher than the state’s overall private sector wage.

CONTEST DETAILS

How do I qualify?
The single biggest qualifying factor for the “Coolest thing made in Minnesota” contest is to manufacture a product in Minnesota. You need to have been in business for two years. Your company does not need a membership in the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to qualify and can submit one product per year.  

How do I apply?
Product submissions will be accepted at coolestthingmn.com starting July 6. Submission information includes a product description, photos, information about the creating company and acknowledgement of qualifying factors.

How is a winner chosen?
The first bracket will be announced August 31. The public will vote on products via head-to-head match up in five rounds until the winner is announced on October 6 at the 2026 Manufacturers’ Summit.

651.292.4650

[email protected]

380 St. Peter St., Suite 1050
St. Paul, MN 55102