Senate Tax Committee Chairwoman Carla Nelson (R-Rochester) today celebrated the announcement of economic development grants for two Rochester businesses: LifEngine Animal Health Laboratories (LEAH Labs) Incorporated and Canomiks, Inc. 

The grants were awarded through the state’s ‘Launch Minnesota’ Innovation Grant Program, which aims to support Minnesota startups. LifEngine Animal Health (LEAH) Laboratories and Canomiks, Inc. were each awarded grants of $35,000 — the maximum amount. LEAH Labs also received a grant in 2020 for its work developing a new curative treatment for canine cancer, starting with a therapy for B cell lymphoma, the most common cancer in dogs. Canomiks is the first technology company using a genomics, bioinformatics, and AI-based technology platform to test and certify the biological efficacy and safety of ingredients and formulations.

“Launch Minnesota’s Innovation Grant program is tailor-made for businesses like Canomiks and LEAH Labs,” said Sen. Nelson. “Companies like these are exactly why Minnesota — and southeastern Minnesota in particular — has such a sterling reputation for being home to innovative, groundbreaking businesses. I’m excited to see what these companies will do in the coming years.”

Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants reimburse business expenses for research and development, direct business expenses (including wages of employees, but not salaries or wages of 20% or more owners of the business or their family members), and the purchase of technical assistance and services. 

The 2021 Minnesota Legislature reauthorized the Launch Minnesota Grant Program and funded it at $1.5 million for each of the next two years. Launch Minnesota Innovation Grants target the most promising, innovative businesses and technology in Minnesota.

Launch Minnesota currently exists within the Department of Employment and Economic Development, but will work with an advisory board and private sector stakeholders to become a public-private organization in the future.Attachment: fact sheet on the Launch Minnesota Innovation Grant program.