MIN-Corps Blog: Summer Innovation Commercialization Programs

Friday, June 7, 2019

Summer Innovation Commercialization Programs - MIN-Corps and Partners

Value Proposition Design Workshops

MIN-Corps Value Proposition Design Workshops help STEM grad students, post-docs, research staff and faculty explore the commercialization potential of specific innovations, typically out of University labs. The program also benefits firms applying for SBIR/STTR grants.

Four hands-on sessions, all 1-4 pm:

June 20: Product-Market Fit
June 27: Customer Discovery
July 11: Commercialization Pathway

July 25: Market Assessment

Led by Carla Pavone, MBA, PhD, Program Director – MIN-Corps
Advice from industry experts & entrepreneurs
$3,000 MIN-Corps customer research grants available for academic teams
Successful completion by academic teams can qualify for nomination to NSF I-Corps Teams with $50,000 grant

Free to UMN employees,students,startups
$999 for external companies

Payers and Healthcare Economics - June 19 3:30-5:30: DIscussion with Lewis Sandy, EVP for Clinical Advancement at UnitedHealth Group, and Maren Forsgren, Director at Xcenda. Register here.

UMN/VA Medical Device Showcase - June 26 5:00-7:00: Adaptive devices from the VA's Multidisciplinary Adaptive Design & Engineering (VA-MADE) Center. Register here.

SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation:
Free workshops led by expert Pat Dillon, director of MN-SBIR about applying for federal small business innovation research grants. Info and registration here,

August 13 9-noon: Agriculture
August 13 1-4: Energy
September 10 9-5: Health & Human Services
September 24 9-5: Defense

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.