Technology Commercialization News & Announcements

UMN Startup Receives $1.6M from NIH MedTech Program’s Inaugural Funding Cycle
UMN startup SecondWave Systems was included in the first round of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blueprint MedTech Program with a $1.6 million award.

Specialized Camera for Early Alzheimer’s Disease Detection in Clinical Trials
RetiSpec, a startup based on UMN research, is currently conducting clinical trials of a hyperspectral camera that can detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Niron Magnetics Partners with General Motors to Improve Electric Vehicle Efficiency
UMN startup Niron Magnetics announces strategic partnership with General Motors and completes $33M financing round to advance its clean energy magnet technology.

Efraín Torres: Making MRI’s Accessible to All
Efraín Torres increased the reach and impact of his research by launching a startup company offering affordable, silent, and compact MRI systems.

UMN Startup Miromatrix Sells to Biotech Company for $91M
UMN life sciences startup Miromatrix, which engineers organs for transplant, is being acquired by United Therapeutics Corporation.

UMN Startup Honored by Time Magazine for Green Energy Innovation
UMN startup Niron Magnetics was recently included in Time Magazine’s “The 200 Best Inventions of 2023” for its Clean Earth Magnet, which has 90% less impact on the environment and can be used to power electric vehicles.

Early Innovation Funds Available
Up to $10K in funding is available for short-term projects that advance early-stage innovations. All UMN researchers and employees are eligible, including faculty, postdocs, grad students, and staff. The application opens October 16.

UMN Startup Carba Wins MN Cup Grand Prize
UMN startup Carba was awarded a $50,000 grand prize from startup competition MN Cup. This award comes on the heels of an earlier MN Cup cash prize of $25,000 for winning the Energy, CleanTech & Water division.

Tech Comm Sets New Record Number of Startups in 2023
Tech Comm’s years of careful program growth and refinement pay off with a record-breaking 23 startups launched in fiscal year 2023.