Vocxi Health accepts an award for the Silicon Valley Regional Startup World Cup.
Between February and May 2025, eight University of Minnesota startups collectively secured over $50 million in Seed to Series B funding rounds, with individual raises ranging from $1 million to $18 million. These achievements are particularly notable given the challenging fundraising environment for early-stage companies, where capital remains tight and competition for investment is fierce. The University’s startup ecosystem continues to distinguish itself, ranked 3rd in US university startup creation, with portfolio companies consistently attracting significant venture capital, non-dilutive grants, and public investment.
Vocxi Health: A Model for University-Industry Collaboration
Vocxi Health stands out as a prime example of how university research, when paired with industry collaboration, can create transformative new technologies with global potential. Born from a challenge at Boston Scientific and developed through a close partnership with UMN researchers, Vocxi Health’s MyBreathPrint® system is a noninvasive breath analysis platform capable of delivering accurate early disease detection results in just one minute. This technology, developed over nearly a decade, leverages a patented array of nanosensors and advanced machine learning to analyze volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath, enabling rapid and cost-effective diagnosis for diseases such as lung cancer.
Vocxi Health’s journey exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration. The company’s founding was sparked by a real-world clinical challenge—improving the accessibility and accuracy of lung cancer screening. By bringing together Boston Scientific’s engineering expertise and the University’s research capabilities, Vocxi Health was able to advance MyBreathPrint® from concept to commercial-ready product. The company has raised $8.16 million in total capital, including a $1 million seed round that closed in March 2025. Operating from Boston Scientific’s Arden Hills facility, Vocxi Health is now preparing for broader commercialization, aiming to make early, accessible disease screening a reality for millions of patients worldwide.
Vocxi Health’s story highlights how Minnesota’s innovation ecosystem—anchored by strong University-industry ties—can translate cutting-edge research into tangible economic and health outcomes. The company’s progress is helping to cement Minnesota’s reputation as a medtech powerhouse and demonstrates the state’s unique strengths in fostering collaboration, accelerating commercialization, and driving both local and national impact.
Jord BioScience: Driving Sustainable Agriculture
Jord BioScience, a Minneapolis-based company spun out of the University of Minnesota, is advancing the field of sustainable agriculture with customizable microbial solutions. Founded on more than 30 years of research led by Dr. Linda Kinkel, Jord leverages a proprietary bank of over 6,500 microbial isolates to develop next-generation crop inputs that enhance yield, consistency, and sustainability. The company recently closed a $7 million Series B funding round, bringing its total capital raised to $16.4 million, and is rapidly expanding its partnerships and field trials across the US, Argentina, and Brazil.
Jord’s microbial products are already demonstrating significant yield improvements in soybeans, addressing one of the industry’s greatest challenges: ensuring biological products perform reliably for farmers. The company’s ability to rapidly identify and deploy effective microbial combinations—sometimes reducing product development timelines from years to just ten months—positions it as a leader in both innovation and economic value creation for Minnesota. By translating university research into scalable, market-ready technologies, Jord BioScience is not only advancing sustainable agriculture but also fueling job creation, investment, and industry partnerships within the state.
Lakril Technologies: Pioneering Sustainable Chemicals
Lakril Technologies, founded in 2021 from discoveries at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Polymers, is pioneering sustainable, corn-based alternatives to petroleum-derived acrylics—a $10 billion global market. Lakril’s patented process converts renewable feedstocks like corn into high-yield, price-competitive, bio-based acrylic acid and acrylates, offering a drop-in replacement for traditional chemicals used in paints, coatings, adhesives, and diapers. The company has raised $3.7 million in capital, including a $3.2 million seed round closed in February 2025, and has received substantial grant funding from agencies such as the USDA, National Science Foundation, and Department of Energy.
Lakril’s rapid progress and commitment to sustainability are positioning it as a key player in Minnesota’s clean technology sector. The company’s growth is a testament to how university-backed innovation can drive economic development, create jobs, and advance Minnesota’s reputation as a hub for sustainable technology and industry leadership.
UMN Standout Startups
Here's a full list of the eight UMN startups who collectively secured over $50 million in Seed to Series B funding rounds this year:
Jord BioScience
- Provides customizable microbial solutions for agriculture.
- $7 million
Lakril Technologies
- Develops bio-acrylic acid (BioAA) as a sustainable alternative for coatings, adhesives, and superabsorbent polymers.
- $3.2 million
Niron Magnetics
- Niron Magnetics manufactures high-performance, rare-earth-free permanent magnets.
- $52.2 million
Objective Biotechnology
- Commercializes novel and economically viable laboratory instruments for research applications.
- $901,000
Resynergi
- California-based company specializing in modular advanced plastic recycling technology.
- $18 million
SecondWave Systems
- Developing a noninvasive, wearable ultrasound stimulation platform aimed at providing new treatment options for debilitating or life-threatening diseases.
- $7 million
Sironix Renewables
- Develops sustainable, high-performance ingredients for cleaning and personal care products.
- $3.5 million
Vocxi Health
- Developed MyBreathPrint®, a noninvasive breath analysis system that delivers accurate early disease detection results with just one minute of breathing.
- $8 million
The University’s Role in Startup Success
The Venture Center, part of Technology Commercialization at the University of Minnesota, has been instrumental in the success of these startups, providing comprehensive early-stage support including expert mentorship, business development resources, and connections to investor networks. Through programs such as the Discovery Launchpad, Business Advisory Group, and MIN-Corps, the University helps founders refine business models, navigate commercialization challenges, and secure critical funding. This support is especially vital in today’s constrained fundraising environment, where early-stage companies face heightened competition and scrutiny from investors. This robust ecosystem not only accelerates the path from research to market but also ensures that the economic and societal benefits of University innovation are realized in Minnesota and beyond.