The university spun out 19 businesses over the course of 2018-19, including orthodontic device producer Invisia and dietary insights software developer Eaterpad.

University of Minnesota spawned 19 spinouts in the 2018-19 fiscal year, breaking the previous record of 18 generated in 2016-17.
The university said 11 of the spinouts remained headquartered in Minnesota, noting this was good news for both the local economy and its ability to fuel public good.
Since 2016, University of Minnesota’s spinout formation activities have been conducted through the Venture Center at its Office for Technology Commercialization.
The unit has launched more than 150 startups since then which between them have lured more than $405m in funding – 78% of its businesses remain active, which it claims is well above the national average.
Venture Center has had eight exits from its founded-businesses since 2017, the university said, including educational assessment software spinout FastBridge Learning’s recent acquisition by edtech firm Illuminate Education.
Researchers can access the centre to identify funds and validate their concepts, or express an interest in joining its Discovery Launchpad incubator, which initiated its first intake of eight potential spinouts in February 2019.
Terri Soutor, chief executive of FastBridge, said: “The Venture Center provided the crucial guidance and support we needed to begin developing and scaling our assessment technology to reach the point where we are now, with nearly 2 million students and educators using it almost every state.”
The spinouts for 2018/19 are:

  • Neuron-focused stem cell medicine company Anatomi
  • Infrared concussion therapy developer Aurora Concussion Therapy
  • Heart failure rehabilitation software creator Belalcazar Consulting
  • Intra-oral drug delivery device maker BGK
  • Canine cancer therapy producer Cancer Therapeutics Labs
  • Brain fluid draining implant creator Cerovations
  • Heat exchange technology developer Darcy Solutions
  • Dietary insights software developer Eaterpad
  • Methane emissions analytics provider Geofinancial Analytics
  • Lung biopsy device maker Hybridge Medical
  • Central airway stent adjustment tool company Interventional Pulmonary Solutions
  • Orthodontic device producer Invisian
  • Biological plant control system Jord BioScience
  • Plasma energy process spinout Plasma Tech Holdings
  • Early Alzheimer’s detection system developer RetiSpec
  • Aerodynamic modelling software developer Sciamble
  • Intranasal epilepsy treatment device maker Sollievo Pharmaceuticals
  • Biofilm culturing technique spinout Stratix
  • Male-leaning children’s skincare product producer Stryke Club