Walleye Tank Spring Opener 2019

A pitch competition for Minnesota’s most intriguing life science startups.

2-5 pm May 3, 2019
Carlson School of Management, 321 19th Avenue S, Minneapolis

Walleye Tank is a pitch competition for emerging and established medical and life science companies. The 2019 Spring Opener showcases Minnesota’s most intriguing health care startups, powered by ground-breaking innovations of the Mayo Clinic, the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota health care ecosystem.

Program Hosts:

Steve Ekker, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship at the Mayo Clinic.
John Stavig, Professional Director of the Carlson School of Management Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship at the University of Minnesota.

Opening Remarks

Steve Grove, Commissioner of the State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Competition Divisions:

Junior Anglers : Entrepreneurs in the early stages of business development.
Mid-level Reelers: Incorporated companies in the early stages of fundraising.
Professionals: Established life-science businesses with active sales and that typically have completed at least one round of fundraising.

Reception: Meet and mingle with investors, medical entrepreneurs and industry executives.

The 2019 Walleye Tank Spring Opener is a joint initiative of the Mayo Clinic Office of Entrepreneurship and the Carlson School of Management Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. This program is free and open to the public.

About MIN-Corps

MIN-Corps is the University of Minnesota site of the National Innovation Corps, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. We collaborate with technology commercialization initiatives across the University of Minnesota, including:

MnDRIVE - Minnesota’s Discovery, Research, and Innovation Economy – is a landmark partnership between the University and the state of Minnesota that aligns areas of University research strength with the state’s key and emerging industries to address grand challenges.

MN-REACH - Minnesota Research And Commercialization Hub - is a joint effort between the University and the National Institutes of Health that provides the initial investment and resources to nurture innovators to develop high priority technologies within the NIH's mission.

Office for Technology Commercialization (OTC) - the University of Minnesota technology transfer office that oversees all aspects of technology commercialization at the University, including patenting, licensing to established companies, and startups spun out of the University.