Urban Evolution - Launch Minnesota: A Launching Pad for Startups

Launch Minnesota: A Launching Pad for Startups

04/08/21 • 24 min

In Minnesota, a new initiative is providing a launching pad for entrepreneurs. Launch Minnesota is a pilot program that is fostering an innovative ecosystem across the state and is helping to get capital in the hands of startups. Over the past two years, Launch Minnesota has provided several millions of dollars in grant funding for early stage startups. The executive director of Launch Minnesota, Neela Mollgaard, has been a leader at the local and state level helping entrepreneurs as they start and scale their business. She discusses Minnesota's commitment to the startup community and why entrepreneurship is a key part of the economy and needs greater focus.
Launch Minnesota: https://mn.gov/launchmn/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

Previous Episode

University of Minnesota Rochester: NXT GEN MED - Groundbreaking Innovation in Higher Education

The vision of the University of Minnesota Rochester is to inspire transformation in higher education. It's a vision that aligns well with a new groundbreaking partnership with two of the world's most recognized brands. Mayo Clinic and Google are partnering with the University of Minnesota Rochester on a pilot program called NXT GEN MED, designed to inform the future of higher education, leveraging machines and humans working together in an optimizing relationship to accelerate learning. This partnership is a first of its kind for higher education and provides an accelerated degree for students. University of Minnesota Rochester Chancellor Dr. Lori Carrell explains more about NXT GEN MED and what it means for higher education. She also talks about the impact COVID-19 has had on the campus community in Rochester, Minnesota, and the uniqueness of the living and learning campus, which is focused on healthcare studies.
University of Minnesota Rochester: https://r.umn.edu/
NXT GEN MED: https://r.umn.edu/news/nxt-gen-med
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

Next Episode

Shrpa: A New Online Source for Travel and Exploration

A Rochester, Minnesota startup is helping to fill a void in community exploration. Shrpa.com connects travelers with self-guided adventures created by locals. It's a unique online resource that is gaining traction and subscribers. Shrpa.com co-founders Chris Lukenbill and Andy Vig are software developers who met at a co-working space. They both struggled to find a source for new experiences. Not finding a usable platform, they created their own with a long-term vision for Shrpa.com to be the platform for local travel and exploration.
Shrpa: https://shrpa.com/
Destination Medical Center: https://dmc.mn/

Urban Evolution - Launch Minnesota: A Launching Pad for Startups

Transcript

Urban Evolution Podcast – Neela Mollgaard

Bill Von Bank:

The Urban Evolution podcast is brought to you by Destination Medical Center, creating the global destination for health and wellness in Rochester, Minnesota. More at dmc.mn.

Neela Mollgaard:

92% of our startups that we've surveyed said that their technology and their business has moved forward. Also, we've really leveled the playing field. We've been able to increase access and opportunity to f