On August 28, SmartPAL was named the 2026 MN Cup Education & Training Division runner-up after advancing through the semifinal and division-final rounds.
MN Cup is an annual statewide startup competition and a program of the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. The competition connects emerging ventures with education, mentorship, feedback, and opportunities to present their work.
A classroom problem worth solving
SmartPAL grew from a problem familiar to students and instructors: learning difficulties often remain invisible until a grade reveals them. By then, the best moment to help may already have passed.
SmartPAL works inside Canvas as a course-grounded artificial intelligence companion. Students receive help tied to their own syllabus, materials, and deadlines—including during evenings and weekends. Instructors receive earlier signals of recurring confusion and disengagement, giving them more time to respond.
Built and tested in real courses
SmartPAL has been used across more than 40 courses at the University of Minnesota, supporting more than 4,000 students in real classrooms. Its approach has also been evaluated through randomized controlled trials.
That classroom foundation matters. The runner-up recognition reflects progress built by learning from real students and instructors, then creating a practical path to bring that support to more courses and institutions.
SmartPAL is grateful to the students, instructors, research collaborators, teammates, mentors, judges, advisors, and Minnesota entrepreneurship community whose questions and support helped strengthen the work throughout the competition.
What comes next
SmartPAL will join the MN Cup community at the 2026 Grand Finale on September 14 from 4–7 PM at McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis. The public event brings together founders, mentors, judges, and supporters for the finalist showcase and awards program.
Register for the 2026 MN Cup Grand Finale. SmartPAL looks forward to sharing the work, learning from the broader startup community, and continuing to build alongside students, instructors, and institutions.
For more information about SmartPAL, visit SmartPAL.org or contact contact@smartpal.org.
Official source: 2026 MN Cup Division Winners, Minnesota Carlson.