Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Economic growth, social development and climate action are heavily dependent on investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development and technological progress and innovation. Growing new industries in a community means improving the standard of living for many and doing so with an eye on sustainability means we can help ensure growth helps rather than hinders the environment in which we live.
Infographic and Overview Why It Matters Things To Do The Eight Targets
At the University of Minnesota innovation is at the heart of everything we do and are among the worldwide University leaders for receiving US Patents. From breakthroughs in healthcare to developing more sustainable cropping systems the U is at the forefront of developing solutions that will lead to a better, and more sustainable, tomorrow.
RESEARCH AND EXPERTISE
OUTREACH AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Partnerships with Industry/Government to Foster Innovation
The Augeo Luminaries Speaker Series at the Carlson School of Management showcases prominent global leaders at the forefront of disruptive innovation in a broad range of industry, nonprofit and public sector fields. Distinguished authors, executives, entrepreneurs, investors and change-makers share their experiences from leading disruptive change – and their lessons for creatively driving innovation in any organization.
Minnesota Innovation Partnerships, or MN-IP, is a groundbreaking approach to transforming discoveries into innovative solutions by streamlining partnerships between businesses and the University.
The Corporate Engagement Center (CEC) connects businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and companies of all sizes with the University of Minnesota. The CEC designs partnerships that align the business needs of a corporation with University areas of excellence. Whether based in research, technology transfer, place-based partnerships, philanthropy, or other initiatives, the outcomes facilitated by the CEC are mutually beneficial and broadly impactful.
Partnerships with Industry/Community with a Focus on Sustainable Growth for Businesses
The UMN Extension's Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) bring together community and University knowledge and resources to drive sustainability in four focus areas: agriculture and food systems, clean energy, natural resources and resilient communities. In a given year, RSDP supports approximately 125-150 projects around the state.
UMN Extension’s Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) Conference brings together community champions, entrepreneurship enablers, economic development professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.
The Lonsdale Connecting Businesses and Community Program recognizes the vital role existing businesses play in community development and vitality. With this program, the town of Lonsdale has the potential to improve the climate for existing businesses and, therefore, benefit from the continued presence and growth of those businesses.
As a key component of the Veden Center for Rural Development, the mission of the Northwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is to improve economic growth in Minnesota by providing assistance (including training and webinars) to small businesses in order to increase the number of new business start-ups, expand existing small businesses, and reduce the number of small business failures. In total, there are 22 SBDC Centers throughout the state.
Partnerships with Industry/Government to Support Entrepreneurship
MN Cup is a community-led, public-private partnership hosted by the Carlson School of Management that brings together corporations, venture capitalists, foundations, government and skilled volunteers to support Minnesota’s entrepreneurs. At the core of their effort is an annual competition that reaches emerging entrepreneurs from across the state and connects them with tools, resources and support to launch and accelerate the development of their new ventures.
The UMN Tech Comm Office offers the Discovery Launchpad webinars to help entrepreneurs in the early stages learn some basics of starting a company. The webinars are free and have included expert panels from a variety of perspectives.
Atland Ventures aims to foster the entrepreneurial development of the Minnesota community by funding and supporting early stage companies that leverage disruptive technologies, while providing UMN students with a real-world experience in Venture Capital.
The University of Minnesota EDA Center studies economic development concerns in Minnesota and works closely with community partners across the state to advance high-growth entrepreneurship, promote business expansion, and develop a high-skilled regional workforce.
Carlson School of Management's Launch MN is a statewide collaborative effort to accelerate the growth of startups and amplify Minnesota as a national leader in innovation. In addition to the courses, seminars and resources available statewide through MN Venture Builders, Launch MN regional partners are developing local resources and events to better connect technology startups across the entire state.
EDUCATION AND STUDENTS
UMN POLICIES AND ADMINISTRATION
Startup Support for UMN Faculty
Discovery Launchpad is a startup incubator and program of formal coaching for UMN researchers interested in forming a startup company to commercialize new technology.
UMN Venture Center facilitates the launch of some 20+ startups each year. The impressive 75+ percent survival rate of these startups is due in part to the resources, connections, and expertise the center can provide.
MIN-CORPS is the University of Minnesota hub for technology innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization. As a joint effort of the Technological Leadership Institute in the College of Science and Engineering, the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship in the Carlson School of Management, and Technology Commercialization office in the Office for the Vice President for Research, MIN-CORP provides education and coaching programs that help STEM students and faculty develop skills needed to translate their work into real world projects and services.
Discovery Capital Funding is a matching equity seed-stage investment program for select UMN startups.
University Awards/Funding to Support Innovation
The Minnesota Futures Program promotes new research and scholarship that takes a bold, creative, and transdisciplinary approach to addressing our biggest societal challenges.
Innovation Impact Case Award recognizes University of Minnesota research that has led to significant impact outside of academia and has made a meaningful difference in our communities.
The Research Infrastructure Investment Program provides funding that supports research infrastructure in order to ensure the viability of critical facilities and research support services. The awards are designed to facilitate interdisciplinary partnerships and strengthen the University’s research infrastructure.
Gopher Angels is one of the most active investment networks at the University and focuses on supporting Minnesota-based companies. The network has 80 active investors and has invested $15 million into 50 companies.