The Toaster Innovation Hub

Free to use for all UMN students, the Toaster has open study space, as well as reservable spaces for meetings, workshops, and events. We also have a makerspace with hands-on equipment and supplies, and provide access to all things UMN innovation and entrepreneurship.

About the Toaster

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

Drop into the Toaster where you can...

  • Connect and collaborate with fellow students, faculty, and mentors
  • Find the resources you need to launch a new product, service or vision
  • Reserve space for group meetings, workshops, or events
  • Boost your creativity or build your next prototype in our maker space
  • Access media production equipment and software
  • Learn from community and industry experts

The Toaster is free to all UMN students so that you can be free to connect, ideate, make, communicate, and launch. 

Looking to reserve space or be tuned into the latest Toaster events? 
Join the Toaster Community to get the most out of the space.  

The Toaster Community

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

The Toaster Community is free and open to all UMN students, student organizations, and campus life programs. 

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Guiding principles

Innovation

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

Student-centered

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

Collaboration

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

Multi-disciplinary

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

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.

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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The space

The Toaster's 6,500 sq ft space offers a collaborative environment supporting everything from 1-on-1 meetings and small group sessions to large scale events and workshops. Check out the spaces below for greater detail. 

Open seats with sign reading "Join me! There is room here"

Drop-in space

There will always be dedicated space in the Toaster for first come, first seated drop-in users. While much of the space can be reserved by Toaster Community members, spaces not reserved will default to drop-in use. 

Not sure if a space is reserved? Check in with a Toaster Team member. 

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Events and workshops

Check out the Toaster Team’s curated list of events and workshops taking place in the Toaster, on campus, and in the broader community.

Find what you need to move your ideas to action — from panel discussions, casual meetups, and mentoring opportunities to our and hands-on workshops and "Coordinated Collisions."

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Toaster resources

The Toaster offers a rich variety of resources to help you bring your ideas from concept to reality. Check out the links below to explore how we can help you connect, ideate, make, and launch!

Not finding what you need?
Reach out to us at toaster@umn.edu

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Location and hours

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Meet the Toaster staff

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Also located in The Toaster

Media equipment and consultations

Media services provides media equipment for no-cost checkout to UMN students, staff and faculty. Consultations on using the equipment or any part of the media production process are available. Priority for equipment and consultations is given to students working on course-related media projects.

Makerspace in Walter Library

Explore, tinker, prototype, learn and share. The Makerspace in Walter Library is a creative space with sewing machines, craft supplies, 3D printers, a button maker, virtual reality, and more. All materials, technology, and tools are free. All majors, years, and skill levels welcome!

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News from the Toaster

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