UMN startup Adialante won the top division and grand prize of $10,000 at the winter Walleye Tank, a life science pitch competition, on December 1, 2023. Adialante is developing better, cheaper, and smaller MRI machines so more patients can receive the life-saving technology. The startup was founded by Efraín Torres, a recent graduate of the biomedical engineering doctoral program, and Parker Jenkins, a current PhD student.
Since 2016, Walleye Tank has provided educational and promotional opportunities for medical and life science companies with a focus on removing barriers for entrepreneurs. UMN startups have had a strong showing in past competitions, with three winners in 2022.