Toaster entrepreneurship and innovation resources
The Toaster Innovation Hub offers a rich variety of resources to help you bring your ideas from concept to reality. Click the links below to explore how we can help you connect, ideate, make, and launch!
- Academic Opportunities in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Coaching & Consultation
- Workshops and Events
- Faculty and Staff Activation
- Applied and Co-curricular Experiences
- Recommended Student Groups
- Competitions and Funding Opportunities
Not finding what you need?
Reach out to us at toaster@umn.edu
Academic Opportunities in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship is the hub of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Minnesota that inspires, educates and connects the next generation of Minnesota's entrepreneurs. Learn more on the Holmes Center's website.
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Entrepreneurship Minor (open to ALL undergraduate students)The Entrepreneurship Minor enables students outside of the Carlson School of Management to combine Carlson School entrepreneurship courses and approved elective courses from colleges all across campus. Students have the flexibility to complement their major and career interests by selecting from a broad range of courses on innovation and entrepreneurship.
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MGMT 4171W: Entrepreneurship in Action (4+ credits)Undergraduate student teams receive up to $15,000 to conceive, launch, and operate real startup companies in a one-plus semester course. Nearly 500 students have launched 66 companies and generated over $860,000 of revenue. No idea is required to enroll, but an application process is required.
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MGMT 5102: Startup (2 credits)Students learn the lean startup process by testing their new venture concepts. Teams receive access to seed capital grants and industry mentors. More than 150 startup concepts have been tested in this course. A business idea is required prior to enrolling in this course.
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IBUS 3090: Innovating for Impact in South Africa (4 credits)Discover how business can be a force for good in this dynamic course on social entrepreneurship! In this course you'll explore how organizations drive meaningful social and environmental change while remaining financially sustainable. Concluding with a 2-week experience in South Africa, you will dive into the country’s vibrant social entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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MGMT 4085: Trends in Entrepreneurship (2 credits)This course is your gateway to understanding the game-changing business trends that are reshaping today's economy and how they open doors for new ventures through engaging with industry experts, analyzing real-world case studies, and discussing current events.
Coaching and Consultation
Toaster Coaching Hours provide a variety of opportunities to connect with folks who can help move your ideas from concept to reality. Meet with UMN faculty and program leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship; do targeted product or market research with support from the University Libraries; or get advice from lawyers, makers, media specialists, and experts in the field.
Find all the upcoming Toaster Coaching sessions on our coaching calendar.
Check out available resources below:
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Entre Clinic Startup Advice with John
No summer appointments - Back in Fall
Entre Clinic is a great opportunity for student entrepreneurs to get startup advice by connecting with industry experts, successful entrepreneurs, experienced attorneys and investors. Guests change weekly. -
Meet Morgan - Associate Director of the Homes Center for Entreorenuership
Summer by appointment: kerfe012@umn.edu
Come meet and chat with....
Morgan Kerfeld, a serial entrepreneur, strategist and designer. She has a strong track record of identifying problems, using human-centered design approaches to create solutions, and building sustainable companies to bring those solutions to stakeholders. At 22, she founded Telo, a medical device company developing assistive walking devices with integrated technology to better facilitate physical therapy. At 20, she partnered with Alight to design ShaqoSearch, a tailor-made job connection platform that would utilize AI to match young adults to employers in East Africa. In addition to Morgan's entrepreneurial endeavors she held numerous product and finance roles at leading organizations including UnitedHealth Group and Bank of America. From developing go-to-market strategies for an internal startup at UHG working on a novel solution to type 2 diabetes to piloting a new education platform for students with learning disabilities in Perú, -
Meet with Deb - Innovator Outreach & Development Specialist
Summer by appointment: miedema@umn.edu
Interested in entrepreneurship? Doing cool technology research? Want to learn how to take the next step?
Come meet and chat with ....
Deb Miedema, Innovator Outreach & Development Specialist! Deb has over 20 years of experience in Intellectual Property and Competitive Intelligence, including at Google, Boston Scientific, and Fish & Richardson. In her work with MIN-Corps in the Carlson School of Management’s Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, she assists teams of students, faculty, and researchers in navigating the early stages of the technology innovation lifecycle, providing education and coaching programs that help develop the skills required to translate innovations into products and services with real-world impact. -
Meet with Alison - Business Library Associate
Summer by appointment: nels9374@umn.edu
Connect with a Business Reference Library Associate, to get hands on support one-on-one research / reference support in areas such as...
University Library website and databases questions, New business/startup, Historical company hobby-searches, Securities, stock market, and public organization financial information, Private and public company searching
Industry, market, brand and consumer reports, and local businesses and policies. -
Meet with Scott - Media Outreach Librarian
Summer by appointment: spic0016@umn.edu
Ever wonder how those captivating podcasts are created? How YouTubers make videos that people want to watch? It's all about the story and engaging your audience. Come connect with Scott to for advice or a quick consultation on media creation and related campus support resources that will get you started toward producing these projects for your class assignment and beyond!
Scott Spicer serves as Media Outreach Librarian, who functions as head of Libraries Media Services. Primary responsibilities include working with instructors to design media assignments and coordinating support for students creating their media projects. Scott has been working on campus for 16 years, and is constantly intrigued by the potential of media to transform teaching and learning. -
Meet with Steven - Makerspace Lab Manager
Consultation by Appointment, email bleau005@umn.edu
Ever wonder how those 3d prints are created? How to prototype an idea? Come connect with Steven for advice or a quick consultation on making, prototyping, and support resources that will get you started toward producing projects for your class assignment and beyond!
Workshops, Events, and Community Gathering
At The Toaster, we inspire students to unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills through hands-on innovation programs. Whether you’re a beginner or ready for new challenges, our programs help you build confidence and create meaningful projects. See the variety of workshops, events, and challenges offered on a regular bases.
Our workshops offer hands-on, interactive experiences that teach essential innovation tools and techniques. Suitable for students at any level, they encourage fresh perspectives and forward-thinking approaches to solving challenges.
- Entrepreneurship Series - Design thinking, pitching, customer discovery, Pathways series, guest speakers, or facilitated ideation sessions
- Maker Series - Introductory workshops 3D printers, sewing machines, Cricut vinyl cutters, and a variety of make a craft opportunities
- Virtual Reality Series - VR for Stress Reduction: Meditation, Travel the World with Google Earth VR, Game Night and much more
Join the Toaster community through a range of inspiring events designed to fuel your innovation journey.
- Seeding Social Entrepreneurship Series - These sessions bring dynamic campus and community leaders into the Toaster to share their work, unpack the complex problems and opportunities they are navigating, and connect and engage with interested students.
- Biz Pitch - Your opportunity to win up to $2,600 to help develop your new venture! Biz Pitch finalists will make a 90-second pitch about their business idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Previous participants have successfully raised capital and launched their business ideas through this event.
- Founders Day - This annual event at the celebrates student innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly through the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Challenge.
- WE* Conference - The Women Innovators Conference is an annual professional development opportunity especially geared toward the needs of women entrepreneurs and research scientists—but everyone is welcome. Learn how to translate your research into a reality that changes lives!
- Women Innovators Conference - The annual Women Innovators Conference is a professional development summit designed to help women innovators connect the dots between their ideas and achieving a positive, significant impact. This event will inspire, inform, and connect women students, faculty, and business professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) to strengthen and extend the diverse talent pool of women innovators in the Twin Cities.
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UMN Gopher Innovation Community
The Gopher Innovation Community (online) empowers UMN students to explore entrepreneurship, develop their ideas, and launch ventures. Connect with peers and mentors, participate in competitions, and access a wide range of events, workshops, and funding opportunities—all in one place to support your innovation journey. -
Maker Discord
Join to learn about maker resources, show off projects, discover events, ask for advice, and meet people in the UMN maker community!
Faculty and Staff Activation
Faculty and staff the Toaster is your space too! Whether you're hoping to integrate an element of innovation or entrepreneurship into your course, looking for a dynamic space for active learning, or simply pointing your students in the direction of relevant resources and supports, we're here for you.
Check out these resources:
Events, Speakers, Panel Discussions
Toaster event spaces offers a capacity of up to 80 for a class setting. large monitors, mics, and hybrid technology dynamic setup that can adjust to users needs.
Groups Large and Small
A variety of collaborative spaces create opportunities for breakout groups, coaching sessions, office hours, creative sessions, and team meetings.
Toaster Collaborative Workshops
Work with the Toaster team to design a collaborative workshop that meets your needs.
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Design thinking toolkits, guest speakers, or facilitated ideation sessions, prototyping
- Hands-on Makerspace: Access to general craft supplies, 3D printers, sewing machines, Cricut vinyl cutters, and more.
- Media Services the equipment, software and support needed for video/audio production
Applied and Co-curricular Experiences in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Learning about innovation and entrepreneurship extends well beyond the classroom. The Toaster and Holmes Center aim to connect students and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources needed to develop themselves and their new ventures. Below, explore a broad range of internships, fellowships, speaker events, clinics, clubs, and competitions, that engage students and alumni with the entrepreneurial business community.
Applied Experiences - These hands-on opportunities let you put your learning into action, build real-world skills, and grow your confidence by working with others in team-based, collaborative settings.
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Deluxe E-ternship Program (Paid Startup Internships)The Deluxe E-ternship Program pairs undergraduate students with early-stage companies in paid internship opportunities each semester. Students gain real-world experience, work with innovative startups, and join dynamic entrepreneurial teams.
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MVP ChallengeApply for $100–$3,000 grants to build a prototype or pilot that shows the potential impact of your innovation. Open to projects from UMN research labs, clubs, courses, and beyond, the MVP Challenge helps student innovators turn concepts into reality in three divisions: digital, physical and social.
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Tinker @ the ToasterReady to put your creativity to the test? This design sprint competition is your chance to team up with students from different disciplines, tackle real-world challenges, and bring bold ideas to life using innovation and design thinking.
Co-Curricular Experiences – These activities complement your academic journey by helping you develop leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills outside the classroom. Whether you're joining student organizations, participating in service projects, or exploring creative pursuits, co-curricular experiences enrich your college life and prepare you for success beyond graduation.
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Entrepreneurship ClubHear directly from founders of leading MN companies, sharing their struggles and successes every Wednesday from 12-1 PM in the Toaster Innovation Hub.
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WE* Mentorship ProgramThe WE* Mentorship Program will run for an accelerated duration of eight weeks, with a cohort of mentees selected through a rigorous application process. Each mentee will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will provide guidance, support, and expertise throughout the program. The program is open to all UMN students, but aims to connect with Female-Identifying undergraduate students.
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Biz PitchYour opportunity to win up to $2,600 to help develop your new venture! Biz Pitch finalists will make a 90-second pitch about their business idea to a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Previous participants have successfully raised capital and launched their business ideas through this event.
Founders Day - This annual event at the celebrates student innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly through the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Challenge.
Student groups
Many University Student Groups call the Toaster home. From brand communication to innovative problem solving and the promotion of entrepreneurship to the production of video content, each group provides a unique opportunity to develop and apply new skills in real world settings.
Check out some of the Toaster's Student Group regulars...
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Art & Animation Club - Student led develop individual and group projects
Competitions and funding opportunities
Funding opportunities are one of many ways to get some much needed traction behind your product, service, or community impact idea. From entering competitions to connecting to the UMN's very own student run venture capital firm, there are many ways to get started.
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Biz Pitch CompetitionBiz Pitch is a bi-annual pitch competition providing all undergraduate students at the University of MN the opportunity to win up to $2,600 in cash prizes to launch their venture ideas.
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MN Cup: Largest Statewide Startup Competition in the NationMN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership supporting Minnesota’s entrepreneurs. We host an annual competition that reaches emerging entrepreneurs, including university students, from across the state and connects them with education, mentorship and support to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures.
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MVP ChallengeMVP or “Minimum Viable Product” is a tool to show customers and key stakeholders how your innovative idea could work, capture feedback, and bring your concept one step closer to reality. Apply for $100-$5,000 to develop a prototype or pilot that demonstrates the impact of your innovation.