The University of Minnesota provides a robust support ecosystem for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering a variety of courses, competitions, and programs to help ideas take off. Students in programs like Entrepreneurship in Action and STARTUP at Carlson, and hands-on innovation courses in other colleges, gain real-world experience in testing business ideas, building prototypes, and learning key entrepreneurial skills.
Beyond classrooms, UMN’s funding and mentorship opportunities – such as MN Cup, Biz Pitch, and programs like Discovery Launchpad and Discovery Capital – help bridge the gap between early-stage ideas and viable ventures. MN Cup alone has awarded over $5.8 million in seed capital and paved the way for founders to raise more than $1.1 billion in venture capital.
Since 2006, UMN’s Technology Commercialization office and Venture Center have helped launch more than 285 startups based on university research. Nearly 70 percent of those companies are still operating, and three-quarters are located in Minnesota, underscoring the University’s role as a leader in turning innovation into economic impact. Read the full story: here.
Great companies often begin with a simple idea and the right support. If you have a concept you’d like to pursue, the Technology Commercialization office can help guide you from early sketches to startup formation.