Meet The Dynamic Duo Behind Loon’s Lair: Minnesota’s Newest Pitch Competition Making Bold Moves

Photo Courtesy: Excalibur Portraits

Minneapolis, MN – The India Chamber of Commerce MN (ICOCMN) is launching Loon’s Lair, a new high-stakes entrepreneur pitch competition designed to spotlight innovation, drive investment, and provide emerging entrepreneurs with the tools they need to scale their businesses. This initiative, created in partnership with BETA, offers a platform where diverse entrepreneurs can present their ventures to a panel of investors, gain visibility, and access essential resources to accelerate their growth.

Set to take place on June 7, 2025, in Minneapolis, Loon’s Lair focuses on providing opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs, including those from immigrant-led and minority-owned businesses. The competition aims to ensure that diverse voices have access to capital and mentorship, which can sometimes be challenging to obtain in traditional funding channels. By doing so, Loon’s Lair seeks to promote a more inclusive approach to business development and entrepreneurial support in Minnesota.

The competition is driven by Shajive Jeganathan, President of ICOCMN, and Aanchal Singhal, Associate Director of the Office of Enterprise Development & Innovation. Together, they lead this initiative, which aims to address gaps in access to entrepreneurial resources by providing a fair and supportive environment for all entrepreneurs, regardless of their background.

“We’re focused on creating a space where bold ideas are met with real opportunity,” said Shajive Jeganathan, President of ICOCMN. “Loon’s Lair is about offering practical support to entrepreneurs, particularly those from communities that are underrepresented in traditional investment channels. This competition is a platform for innovative ventures to gain visibility and move toward growth.”

Aanchal Singhal, Associate Director at ICOCMN, echoed the sentiment: “The excitement from the community is incredible. Entrepreneurs, investors, and stakeholders see Loon’s Lair as an opportunity to support inclusivity in entrepreneurship while contributing to Minnesota’s broader economic landscape. It’s about creating a space where diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated.”

This initiative stands out by focusing on the diverse entrepreneurial landscape of Minnesota, with an emphasis on supporting businesses that may otherwise face challenges accessing capital and mentorship. The goal of Loon’s Lair is not just to facilitate competition but to create a lasting impact on the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by helping to connect emerging businesses with experienced investors who can help guide them toward success.

The Loon’s Lair competition is also significant because it reflects the core mission of the India Chamber of Commerce MN. ICOCMN is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering economic development, business growth, and cultural connectivity, particularly within the Indian-American and immigrant communities in Minnesota. In just a few years, ICOCMN has created valuable partnerships that support entrepreneurs and small businesses, helping them gain the visibility and resources needed to succeed.

ICOCMN’s track record of supporting local businesses includes previous initiatives designed to connect Minnesota’s immigrant and Indian-American business leaders with a wider network of investors and business professionals. By expanding access to entrepreneurial resources, ICOCMN continues to promote economic growth and collaboration across various sectors.

The Loon’s Lair competition will conclude with a pitch event on June 7, 2025, where finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their ventures before a panel of experienced investors. The event is expected to be a key milestone in Minnesota’s startup ecosystem, providing a valuable opportunity for emerging businesses to receive the resources and attention they need to thrive.

Beyond the competition itself, Loon’s Lair represents a broader effort to reshape the entrepreneurial landscape in Minnesota. By fostering an environment where diverse and underrepresented entrepreneurs are given a fair chance to succeed, Loon’s Lair aims to create lasting change and build new pathways to success for entrepreneurs from all backgrounds.

For more information about Loon’s Lair and to stay updated on the competition, visit the official website at ICOCMN.

To learn more about the India Chamber of Commerce MN and its initiatives, visit LinkedIn.