About the Toaster

The Toaster is a place where ideas are generated, connections are made, and entrepreneurial spirits are ignited.

A message from the Toaster Team

Welcome to the Toaster Innovation Hub!

The Toaster provides an entry point for University students, faculty, and staff, as well as the wider community, to the innovation and entrepreneurship (“I&E”) ecosystem at the University of Minnesota.

The Toaster community is student-centered and open to all students across the university. Our community of over 5,100 individuals represents more than 15 of the colleges and schools at the UMN. Our open and inviting space encourages undergraduate and graduate students to explore and connect with other students and resources in the University innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and to engage and captivate students who might not otherwise be joining entrepreneurial initiatives.

We support and integrate I&E student club activity, University programming, and course activities from disparate spaces on campus into a shared, central space that fosters connections and cross-campus participation. Toaster staff reach out to specific faculty and departments engaged in I&E initiatives, welcoming them to use the space as a “home” location for classes, meetings, and events. 

The Toaster has been tremendously successful since our opening in Spring of 2020.  I&E courses, programs, student organizations, and faculty have utilized the space to connect with students from a broad range of colleges with more than 800 events hosted in the 2023-24 academic year.  The Libraries and Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship continue to develop supplemental programming to support students in their exploration of I&E, while hosting events facilitated by faculty and staff from more than 18 UMN departments to engage and support skill development for students in the I&E ecosystem.

As we celebrate the Toaster’s five-year anniversary we look forward to continuing to strive to meet our mission and goals. More than just a space, the Toaster

  • serves as the hub to build an “innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem” by bringing new and existing resources together;
  • is student-centered, enabling students to supplement their traditional education with I&E resources from all UMN colleges;
  • is multidisciplinary and available to students regardless of their college, department, major or degree level;
  • is inclusive and welcoming to all people;
  • incorporates faculty and experiential I&E curriculum in a meaningful and high-impact ways;
  • provides opportunities for students to connect with each other and the surrounding community; and, 
  • aligns with the broader strategic and curricular goals of the Gary S. Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship/Carlson School of Management and the University Libraries Student Success Service Area and Makerspace Program.

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General information

Toaster community

4,742

# of community members

Toaster visits

850+

Average # of weekday visitors 

Student organizations

7 

call the Toaster home

Student organizations

149 

events, meetings, or workshops hosted by student groups

Colleges and schools

17

represented in the Toaster community

Classes hosted

86

Workshops hosted

77

Events hosted

234

Coaching

160+

hours offered

Attendance

4,500+

individuals attended activities

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How we operate

Collaboration between Libraries and Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship

In a strategic alliance with the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship, University Libraries is amplifying awareness regarding the University's extensive innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem. This partnership aims to facilitate student access to a wide spectrum of courses in entrepreneurship and innovation, experiential learning modules, makerspaces, competitions, and distinctive programs. These resources, which span across various sectors of the University, are designed to stimulate creativity and foster entrepreneurial spirit. The University's commitment to student growth extends beyond academic instruction, encouraging students to engage with real-life challenges, interact with experts from diverse fields, and foster intercollegiate collaboration.

Our offerings

The Toaster serves as a platform to initiate discussions, foster ideation, and facilitate the transition of your concepts into tangible projects. We offer a range of collaborative workshops and events, alongside personalized coaching sessions. The Toaster is equipped with an extensive array of resources. We recommend beginning by engaging with our signature programs, which include Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Making, Media Services, and Virtual Reality.

Hub and spoke model

As the central hub for entrepreneurship and innovation on the UMN campus, our purpose is to guide individuals into the vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. With our assistance, individuals will encounter a wide variety of 'spokes' providing practical experiences, events, activities, services, and coaching specifically designed for our dynamic campus community. We are committed to facilitating connections and growth within this stimulating environment of innovation. Join us in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.

Guiding principles

Innovation

We work collaboratively to identify and understand problems that matter and move through them systematically to deliver solutions.

Collaboration

We are better together and build community by connecting students with fellow students, the University, community, and industry experts.

Inclusion

We affirm the contributions of all people, strive to recognize and address bias and discrimination, and work diligently in support of equity and diversity.

Student centered

We are guided and informed by student needs, interests, and passions.

Multi-disciplinary

We welcome and seek to connect students from all colleges, departments and majors.

Empowerment

We connect students to the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to bring their ideas to life and bring about real change.

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Partners and donors

University partners

University donors

College of Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences

College of Design

College of Science & Engineering

External donors

Gary S. Holmes

Ron Reimann

Greg Miller

Mark and Terri Henneman

Jock Donaldson

Nick Beste

Bill and Susan Sands

Brook and Michael Ramlet

Andy and Amy Stahl

Augeo

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For questions about the Toaster Innovation Hub

Meet the Entire Toaster Team

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Policies

Food and drink policy

The University Libraries policies allow library users to have limited access to food and drink.

Join the Toaster community as an individual or student group

Join the Toaster community and help us build a community that inspires and supports innovation, entrepreneurship, and creation within the University of Minnesota.

The Toaster community is free and open to all UMN students, student organizations/campus life programs, and faculty/staff. 

Host an event

Larger event spaces are available for reservation for student facing events (meetings, workshops, speakers, classes).

Posting

Flyers/posters may be posted on the appropriate Toaster bulletin board(s) that meet policy requirements and with departmental approval.

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