3M Seminars on Technology Commercialization

Developed exclusively for graduate and PhD students in technology and science programs at the University of Minnesota, the 3M Seminar series features interactive discussions and case studies on how to bring your ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace.

Hear directly from leading technology entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and academics about how to turn your technology and science-based ideas into profitable businesses. This series of industry-specific seminars presents and discusses critical issues facing technology-based entrepreneurship.


Managing Intellectual Property
February 18

Clean Tech
March TBD

Health Care Services & IT
April TBD


Each of these industry-specific sessions will be held at the Carlson School of Management. Following discussions on the trends within each industry, faculty from the Carlson School will facilitate sessions on how to get started with the process of commercializing your technology. Seminar speakers are experienced in law, venture capital and launching new ventures. They bring a wealth of experience in getting new technology businesses off the ground. Each session will provide handout materials, introduce real-world case studies of failure and success, and provide the opportunity for interactive discussion.

In order to provide for an interactive setting, registration is limited to 50 graduate or PhD students from the Institute of Technology, College of Biological Sciences, CFANS, Academic Health Center, and the Carlson School. The seminars are organized by the Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship. All expenses for these seminars have been sponsored by the 3M Foundation as a means to complement students' education with practical lessons on how to bring their technologies to market.

Register for the seminar series at hce@umn.edu.