Toaster 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!
- Support for Student Entrepreneurs
- Coaching & Consultation
- Makerspaces
- Media Services - Video and Audio Production
- Creative Coursework
- Recommended Student Groups
- Funding Opportunities
Not finding what you need?
Reach out to us at toaster@umn.edu
Support for Student Entrepreneurs
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. The Holmes Center mobilizes the community and provides support for emerging entrepreneurs.
Check out some great places to get started below:
Coaching and consultation
Toaster Office 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.
Check out available resources below:
- Meet w/ Gemini Chair for Engineering EntrepreneurshipRun your idea(s) by a seasoned entrepreneur. Mark Sanders has over 20 years experience working with and mentoring early stage startups in Austin and Silicon Valley - from new ideas to scale up, students to CEOs. Follow link above to schedule time to connect.
- Entre Clinic Startup AdviceThursdays, 12-1pm
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 w/ Business Library AssociateHours to come Spring 2023
Connect with a Business Reference Library Associate, to get hands on support navigating the Library's collection of business resources and databases. - Media Service ConsultationConsultations by appointment
Connect with a Media Specialist to get help organizing your media project - from pre-production planning and equipment selection to video and audio editing support
Makerspaces
The Breakerspace Explore, tinker, prototype, learn and share. The Breakerspace, right here in the Toaster, is a free-to-use, student run makerspace providing access to a variety of hands-on tools and materials such as craft kits, a sewing machine, 3D printer, button makers, VR Headsets, and more. All majors, years, and skill levels welcome.
Check out some additional tech rich spaces in the Libraries and across campus:
- The MakerspaceThe Makerspace in the Health Sciences Library provides equipment, materials, and tools that promote innovation and creativity. The space is free to all U of M Twin Cities faculty, students, and staff.
- Virtual Reality StudioThe Virtual Reality Studio is a space that facilitates the use and exploration of virtual worlds for education, research, and patient care. The space is free to all U of M Twin Cities faculty, students, and staff.
- UMN Makers - Where else can I make something?UMN students are welcome to use these maker spaces. Each space is run by a different college or department on campus and may have fees to use. You should contact them individually if you have questions.
Media Services - video and audio production
Media services provides media equipment for no-cost checkout to UMN students, staff and faculty. Consultations on using the equipment or any part of the media production process are available. Priority for equipment and consultations is given to students working on course-related media projects.
Check out these media services resources:
- Media Service EquipmentCameras, tripods, microphones, hard drives, DSLRs, and other media equipment are available for checkout for UMN students, staff and faculty. No reservation is needed; equipment is available on a first-come first-served basis.
- Media Services SoftwareThe Toaster has 4 iMac workstations equipped with a variety of video / audio editing and graphic design software. This link will show what is available at the Toaster and the broader University Libraries.
- Media ConsultationsNo experience? No problem! Sign up for one-hour consultation. The media consultant will help you organize your project, develop a story, decide on equipment, give video and audio pre-production advice, and answer specific questions about editing software.
- Media viewing roomA space that accommodates a group of people viewing media together.
- Media Production Festivals and FellowshipsAre you looking funding or ways to get your content in front of an audience (e.g. short film, pilot episode, etc.)? Check out these great Minnesota resources.
- 1:Button Studios1:Button Studios are fully automated HD video recording spaces with professional studio lighting and sound equipment. They are set up to record high-quality video projects without any knowledge of lights and cameras. There are currently four 1:Button Studio locations on campus (Magrath Library has the one on St. Paul).
Creative coursework
Creative Coursework There are so many courses offered at UMN. Where to start?
The Toaster Team has developed a short list of starting points to help you connect, ideate, make, and launch... in the classroom. If you are interested in innovation and entrepreneurship, here are a few starting points that will help to inspire, support, enhance, and realize your creative ideas.
Check out some of the Toaster's creative coursework recommendations:
Exploring Design - College of Design has so many options, here are a few places to start...
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...
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.
Check out these funding opportunities:
- BizPitch ContestYour chance to win $1,000 to develop your new venture or implement your idea to support the local community.
- IonE Mini GrantsInstitute on the Environment Mini Grants are designed to support and spark collaborative projects addressing environmental and sustainability issues. These grants of up to $3,000 may be used for a range of research, leadership, education, storytelling, and outreach activities.
- Media Production Festivals and FellowshipsAre you looking funding or ways to get your content in front of an audience (e.g. short film, pilot episode, etc.)? Check out these great Minnesota resources.
- MN CupMN 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.
- 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.
- Worlds Challenge ChallengeThe World's Challenge Challenge Competition welcomes multidisciplinary teams of 2-4 students to propose and pitch their solutions to global challenges. Finalists will be sent to London Ontario Canada in June of 2023 to participate in the final competition.