In 2019, the U of M Technology Commercialization’s Venture Center launched 19 companies based on discoveries and inventions by researchers. The startups, 11 of which are in Minnesota, will help fuel the economy and contribute to the public good in-state and across the globe. In late October, the U also came in at No. 22 on Reuter’s annual list of the Most Innovative Universities.

Anatomi (MN)—Technology that enables rapid development of neuronal cells from stem cells, facilitating faster drug development.

Aurora Concussion Therapy (MN)—Technology to speed concussion recovery using infrared light therapy.

Belalcazar Consulting (MN)—Software measuring thoracic impedance that provides information on fluid load in patients with heart failure.

BGK, LLC—Intra-oral device that offers targeted drug delivery when placed in the mouth between the upper and lower teeth.

Cancer Therapeutics Labs (MN)—Cancer therapy focused on animals, with first application in canines.

Cerovations (MN)— Implanted, redundant drain line from the brain to the abdomen to improve the drainage of fluid off the brain after trauma.

Darcy Solutions (MN)— Novel heat exchanger that uses the flow of underground water streams to increase efficiency of residential and commercial heat pumps.

eaterpad—App (shown at left) that helps users better understand their eating habits using nutritional data from the UMN Nutrition Coordination Center.

Geofinancial Analytics— Satellite image analysis that delivers transparency on fugitive methane emissions from super-emitters to aid investment professionals in near real-time.

Hybridge Medical—Tool for taking biopsy samples from the lung.

Interventional Pulmonary Solutions (MN)—Medical device for placement, repositioning, or removal of central airway stent. Invisian—An orthodontic device system for simplified jaw fixation.

Jord BioScience (MN)— Biological plant control mechanism that promotes increased crop yields with a mixture of bacteria that can be optimized for a specific crop and for a specific set of physical and environmental conditions.

Plasma Tech Holdings (MN)—Process that uses a plasma energy field that reacts to soybean oil, the main component to produce biodiesel.

RetiSpec Inc.—Diagnostic that images the eye and analyzes these images to provide very early detection of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Sciamble Inc. (MN)— Enhancement to US3D software models enabling faster, more accurate, and more scalable identification of high-speed aerodynamics characteristics, including aerodynamic heating problems.

Sollievo Pharmaceuticals—Novel compound and proprietary intranasal drug delivery device for treating epilepsy and other disorders.

Stratix (MN)—Technology that enables researchers to grow high-quality biofilms with consistency and reproducibility that better model how biofilms exist in nature and in vivo.

Stryke Club—Grooming and acne skin care line for boys.

For more information or to see a list of all startups launched through the Venture Center, visit z.umn.edu/OTCVentureCenter.