The University of Minnesota has long been a source of inventions that touch everyday life—from the crisp Honeycrisp apple and the first portable pacemaker, to the black box flight recorder and many more. These breakthroughs emerged out of labs, orchards, and classrooms, illustrating the University of Minnesota’s tradition of bold thinking and impact.
A major component of this innovation legacy is the University’s Technology Commercialization office and its Venture Center, which since 2006 has launched over 285 startups based on UMN research, helping establish over 1,500 deep-tech jobs and raising more than $3.4 billion in investment.
Nearly three-quarters of those companies are located in Minnesota, and nearly 70 percent have remained active long-term.
Recent standout innovations include Vocxi Health’s MyBreathPrint system (for rapid disease detection), Jord BioScience’s microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture, and Lakril Technologies’ bio-based alternatives to petroleum-derived chemicals.
Together, these achievements show how the University of Minnesota continues to build on its legacy – turning research discoveries into real-world technologies and products, contributing to both local and global communities.