A new entrepreneurial competition is taking flight in Minnesota’s business ecosystem. The India Chamber of Commerce MN (ICOCMN) has unveiled Loon’s Lair, a Shark Tank-inspired pitch event designed to connect promising founders with investors and strategic opportunities.
The competition, scheduled for June 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, represents a collaborative effort between ICOCMN and BETA, an established organization within Minnesota’s startup community. Entrepreneurs will pitch directly to a panel of investors with a live audience witnessing potential business breakthroughs in real-time.
President Shajive Jeganathan of ICOCMN explains the vision: “We didn’t just want another pitch event—we wanted to create a platform that reflects Minnesota’s innovation story while ensuring Indian-American entrepreneurs have a real seat at the table.”
Behind the initiative stands a leadership duo committed to fostering inclusive economic growth. Jeganathan works alongside Aanchal Singhal, Associate Director of the Office of Enterprise Development & Innovation at ICOCMN, to build what they call “an ecosystem that’s as diverse as it is dynamic.”
“Loon’s Lair is a stage where good ideas meet great opportunity—and we’re thrilled to help make that happen,” Singhal adds.
The organization operates with a clear mission to promote entrepreneurship and business collaboration among Indian-American business communities throughout Minnesota. With established connections across various sectors, ICOCMN positions itself as a bridge between innovation and investment capital.
Entrepreneurs from all industries and stages of development are welcome to apply. The competition’s organizers plan to announce details about the selection committee, pitch format, and investor panel in coming weeks, generating additional momentum for an event already capturing attention across Minnesota’s business landscape.
More than just organizing a competition, ICOCMN aims to spark a movement centered on bold ideas, fearless founders, and inclusive innovation. The organization hopes Loon’s Lair will inspire participation from diverse entrepreneurs while attracting strategic partners who value inclusive economic development.
Founders interested in participating can find application information and future updates on the Loon’s Lair competition page as the June event approaches.
