The state is looking to expand Minnesota’s role as a national leader in innovation—and University of Minnesota experts are lending their support.
Launch Minnesota, an initiative started by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) in 2019, aims to accelerate the growth of startup companies—and the larger startup ecosystem—across the state. By connecting more than 80 collaborating organizations, the initiative provides innovators with access resources and education that help them bring new technologies to market. Entrepreneurs can get involved to find funding, make professional connections, and set their early-stage company on a trajectory for growth.
UMN Technology Commercialization and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship in the Carlson School of Management have been involved with the initiative since its launch.
“The broad collective experience found at the University of Minnesota allows us to provide new companies with in-depth expertise on how to develop their technology and set their business up for long-term success,” said Rick Huebsch, executive director of UMN Technology Commercialization. “In collaborating as part of the Launch Minnesota network, we aim to contribute this expertise across the state and ensure that Minnesota remains a competitive ecosystem for innovation well into the future.”