Free Webinars
In the Early Stages of Starting your Company? Watch these Discovery Launchpad webinars to learn some basics of starting your company.
Understanding Your Startup's Competition
Understanding your competition is a critical competency for any business. In this video, you will learn how competitive intelligence experts define competitors, where to find information on your competitors, and more. View the Understanding Your Startup's Competition presentation.
Early Stage Investment Instruments
MN attorney and entrepreneur Jen Reise explores investment instruments commonly used by entrepreneurs. Topics include types of investment instruments, crowdfunding, choosing a form of investment, discounts for early investors, investment vehicle use trends, and tips. View the Early Stage Investment Instruments presentation.
Market Sizing and Prioritization
A discussion of market sizing and prioritization for entrepreneurs with Chuck Williams of DVP Global Marketing. Topics focus on the medical device industry and include how to estimate the value of a particular market over time and how to prioritize which markets to pursue, among others.
Pitch Decks for the Seed Stage Investor
September 19, 2022
Four business experts from the UMN Discovery Launchpad startup incubator discuss the basics of what early stage investors are usually looking for and how to tell your startup story to catch their attention with a pitch deck. Download the Pitch Deck Handout.
Startup Valuations 101
March 28, 2022
Tony Oman, Director of Business Valuation Services at Olsen Thielen, explains how to accurately assign a valuation to your startup and participates in a Q&A with workshop participants.
Developing into a Successful Startup CEO
October 4, 2021
Panel members Joan Chirchir, Venture Lead at Optum Labs, Reed Robinson, Founder and Partner at Groove Capital and Patrick Walsh, CEO of Anatomic Inc, discuss how investors evaluate CEOs and help them grow.
Preparing for M&A Exits
April 26, 2021
Attorney Jen Reise JD, faculty at Mitchell Hamline, presents and answers questions about startup exits.
Driving Sales for Startups
February 23, 2021
Sales executive Mike Moore, National and Local Director of Sales for the Star Tribune, discusses best practices in achieving sales forecasts.
National Cancer Institute Small Business Innovation Research Grants
February 9, 2021
NCI Program Manager Monique Pond presents on how to secure SBIR funding from her agency.
HR for Startups
October 20, 2020
HR expert Steve Schad presents a foundational presentation on HR for startups.
Immigration: Building a Career in the US
September 28, 2020
Attorneys Robert Webber JD, Founder of Webber Law Firm 2.0, and Marissa Hill-Dongre, UMN Assistant Director of Employment-Based Visas, discuss strategies and resources for foreign nationals to build a career in the US.
MN Venture Builders: Starting & Restarting Digital Marketing
June 30, 2020
Digital marketing expert Ben Theis, Owner and Founder of Skol Marketing, gives a foundational presentation on digital marketing for startups.
The Cap Table and Preserving Equity
April 21, 2020
UMN Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship Managing Director John Stavig explains the mechanics of a capitalization table then investors Cathy Connett, CEO and Managing Partner of Sophia Fund, Jodi Hubler of multiple boards and Pam York Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Capita3 discuss how they assess cap tables.
Getting the Most Value from your Business Lawyer
February 4, 2020
Attorney Doug Ramler JD, Partner at Saul Ewing Arnstein and Lehr, presents on how to evaluate business startup attorneys and getting the most value from them.
Grant Funding Programs
August 12, 2019
UMN Assistant Director Sandra Wells and Pat Dillon, MN’s SBIR/STTR Accelerator Director, present on various grant funding programs available to University of Minnesota innovators.
Developing Relationships with Strategic Corporate Partners
July 16th, 2019
M&A and startup expert Chuck Dennis JD discusses how to develop relationships with strategic corporate partners. Chuck is also a UMN Discovery Launchpad advisor.
Payers and Healthcare Economics Part One
Payers and Healthcare Economics Part Two
June 19, 2019
Dr. Lewis Sandy, EVP of Clinical Advancement at UHG, and Maren Forsgren, health economics and reimbursement consultant, discuss payers and healthcare economics.