Who Funds Software As A Service Startups in Minnesota?

Complete funding guide for software as a service entrepreneurs in Minnesota. Find 6 VC funds, 5 accelerators,2 angel networks, and 5 grant opportunities.

$367M
Total 2026 Funding
72
Deals Completed
$3M
Avg Round Size
11
Active Funders

Software As A Service Startup Funding Landscape in Minnesota

Market Overview

The software as a service startup ecosystem in Minnesota has experienced remarkable growth, with $367M in funding across 72 deals in 2026.This represents 31% year-over-year growth compared to the previous year, positioning Minnesotaas a emerging market forsoftware as a service innovation.

The average funding round size of $3M reflects strong investor confidence in Minnesota-based software as a service startups. Competition levels are currently moderate, with 6 active VC funds specifically targeting this sector.

Top Funded Sectors in Minnesota

Software As A ServiceArtificial IntelligenceSoftware As A Service

Location Advantages

Minnesota offers a concentrated software as a service ecosystem with specialized talent

Strong government support for software as a service innovation and R&D tax incentives

Access to leading universities and research institutions in the region

Lower operational costs compared to traditional tech hubs like San Francisco

Success Factors for Software As A Service Startups

  • Deep expertise in software as a service domain
  • Strong technical team with proven track record
  • Clear market validation and customer traction
  • Scalable business model with defensible moats
  • Access to industry-specific mentors and advisors

Software As A Service VC Funds in Minnesota

6 active funds

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners A

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2015💰 $538M AUM

series-b stage focus • 49 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 1
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners B

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2019💰 $572M AUM

series-a stage focus • 28 portfolio companies

$5M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 2
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners C

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2020💰 $101M AUM

series-b stage focus • 40 portfolio companies

$5M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 3
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners D

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2012💰 $529M AUM

series-a stage focus • 26 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise Software

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 4
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners E

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2020💰 $237M AUM

seed stage focus • 59 portfolio companies

$7M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 5
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Minnesota Software As A Service Partners F

📍 Minnesota📅 Founded 2016💰 $253M AUM

series-b stage focus • 36 portfolio companies

$8M
Typical Check Size

Investment Focus Areas

Software As A ServiceEnterprise SoftwareArtificial Intelligence

Recent Software As A Service Investments

Software As A ServiceCorp 6
Minnesota AI
DataSoftware As A Service Inc
Active in software as a service sector • Invests in Minnesota-based startups
Learn More →

Software As A Service Accelerators in Minnesota

5 programs

Minnesota Software As A Service Accelerator 1

📍 Minnesota⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 12 startups/batch
$239K
for 5% equity
89% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-06-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Minnesota Software As A Service Accelerator 2

📍 Minnesota⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 23 startups/batch
$154K
for 6% equity
83% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-11-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Minnesota Software As A Service Accelerator 3

📍 Minnesota⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 22 startups/batch
$256K
for 7% equity
88% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-08-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Minnesota Software As A Service Accelerator 4

📍 Minnesota⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 11 startups/batch
$140K
for 7% equity
83% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-10-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Minnesota Software As A Service Accelerator 5

📍 Minnesota⏱️ 12-16 weeks👥 16 startups/batch
$238K
for 5% equity
83% success rate

Program Focus

Software As A ServiceStartup GrowthProduct Development
Next Application Deadline: 2024-03-15
Meetings:
Apply Now →

Angel Investor Networks in Minnesota

2 networks

Minnesota Software As A Service Angels

👥 122 members💰 $78K avg investment

📍 Minnesota

Focus Industries

Software As A ServiceTechnologyInnovation
Meets: Monthly
Connect →

Minnesota Software As A Service Angels

👥 142 members💰 $119K avg investment

📍 Minnesota

Focus Industries

Software As A ServiceTechnologyInnovation
Meets: Monthly
Connect →

Software As A Service Grants Available in Minnesota

SBIR Software As A Service Grant

by Minnesota Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Minnesota

$100K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-05-28Apply →

STTR Software As A Service Grant

by Minnesota Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Minnesota

$500K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-04-28Apply →

State Innovation Software As A Service Grant

by Minnesota Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Minnesota

$1M
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-03-28Apply →

Federal Research Software As A Service Grant

by Minnesota Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Minnesota

$500K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-12-28Apply →

SBIR Software As A Service Grant

by Minnesota Innovation Agency

Software As A Service startups based in Minnesota

$100K
Grant Amount
Deadline: 2024-03-28Apply →

2026 Funding Timeline for Software As A Service Startups in Minnesota

Q1 2026

Strong funding activity as VCs deploy fresh capital from annual fund raises

Q2 2026

Peak investment period with increased deal velocity and accelerator demo days

Q3 2026

Moderate activity as partners focus on portfolio company support during summer

Q4 2026

Year-end push to deploy remaining capital and close pending deals

Best Months to Fundraise in Minnesota

FebruaryMarchMay

Frequently Asked Questions: Software As A Service Funding in Minnesota

How competitive is software as a service startup funding in Minnesota?

Software As A Service startup funding in Minnesota is moderate, with 6 active VC funds and 5 accelerator programs competing for deals. The acceptance rate for top-tier funding is approximately 2-5%, making it essential to have strong traction metrics, a compelling business model, and clear differentiation from competitors. Success factors includeDeep expertise in software as a service domain, Strong technical team with proven track record, Clear market validation and customer traction.

What's the average funding amount for software as a service startups in Minnesota?

Software As A Service startups in Minnesota raise an average of $3M per funding round, based on 72 deals completed in 2026. This represents 31% year-over-year growthcompared to the previous year. Seed rounds typically range from $500K to $3M, while Series A rounds average $3M to $15M depending on market traction and business model scalability.

Which software as a service accelerators in Minnesota have the highest success rates?

Top software as a service accelerators in Minnesota report success rates of 75-85% for follow-on funding, with program lengths ranging from 12-16 weeks and equity terms of 4-7%. The most successful programs focus onsoftware-as-a-service and startup-growthand provide extensive mentor networks, investor connections, and post-graduation support lasting 2+ years.

What are the key advantages of starting a software as a service company in Minnesota?

Minnesota offers several unique advantages for software as a service startups: Minnesota offers a concentrated software as a service ecosystem with specialized talent, Strong government support for software as a service innovation and R&D tax incentives, and Access to leading universities and research institutions in the region. The local ecosystem includes 6 specialized VC funds, 2 angel networks, and 5 grant programs specifically supporting software as a service innovation.

When is the best time to fundraise for software as a service startups in Minnesota?

The optimal fundraising months in Minnesota are February, March, May, when investor activity peaks and deal velocity increases. Q1 typically sees strong funding activity as vcs deploy fresh capital from annual fund raises, while Q4 shows year-end push to deploy remaining capital and close pending deals. Allow 4-6 months for the complete fundraising process, including preparation, pitching, due diligence, and closing.

How can I connect with software as a service investors in Minnesota?

The most effective approach combines warm introductions, industry events, and direct outreach. Start by leveraging your network for introductions to the 6 active VC funds in Minnesota. Join relevant software as a service meetups, attend pitch competitions, and participate in accelerator demo days. Angel networks like Minnesota Software As A Service Angels host regular investor meetings and can provide valuable early-stage funding and mentorship.

Your Software As A Service Funding Action Plan for Minnesota

1

Research & Prepare

  • • Analyze the 6 VC funds targeting software as a service
  • • Review portfolio companies and investment criteria
  • • Prepare compelling pitch deck and financial projections
  • • Gather customer testimonials and traction metrics
2

Apply & Connect

  • • Apply to 5 relevant accelerator programs
  • • Connect with 2 angel investor networks
  • • Apply for 5 available grant opportunities
  • • Leverage warm introductions through your network
3

Execute & Scale

  • • Target optimal fundraising months: February, March
  • • Leverage Minnesota's software as a service ecosystem
  • • Plan for 4-6 month fundraising timeline
  • • Prepare for moderate competition levels