Success Stories

Meet Brennan Townley of Collaboration.Ai

Collaboration.Ai (collaboration.Ai)
St. Paul, Minnesota

Collaboration.AI develops AI-driven platforms that help large organizations connect data, people, and decisions across complex environments. Through SBIR/STTR funding and over $40 million in Phase III contracts, the company has transitioned its technology into operational use with federal partners including the U.S. Air Force, SOCOM, and NASA. Today, Collaboration.AI delivers scalable innovation systems that support real-world mission execution.

Meet Dr. Charlie Spanjers of Berd

Berd Spokes: berdspokes.com
Berd Technology: berdtechnology.com
Hopkins, Minnesota

Berd LLC is redefining bicycle performance with lightweight polymer spokes that replace traditional steel. Supported by NSF SBIR funding, the company scaled its technology and developed Trudy, an automated wheel truing machine. Today, Berd produces locally and brings a new category of products to market.

Meet Innovative Surface Technoogies (ISurTech)

ISurTech (isurtec.com)
St. Paul,  Minnesota

ISurTec develops advanced hydrophilic coatings used on medical devices to reduce friction, improve performance, and enhance patient outcomes. Through SBIR funding from NIH and NSF, the company advanced its surface science research into commercial products, including the ISurGlide coating family and PhotoPrime primer systems now used in devices worldwide. Today, ISurTec manufactures its technologies at scale, demonstrating how biomaterials innovation can translate into widely adopted medical solutions.

Meet Ron Zenk of Humanetics

Humanetics (humaneticscorp.com)
Excelsior, Minnesota

Humanetics develops advanced human performance and safety technologies used across defense, transportation, and healthcare. Through multiple SBIR awards, the company advanced its research into deployable products that improve injury prevention, testing, and real-world human system integration. Today, Humanetics demonstrates how sustained R&D investment can translate into widely adopted, high-impact technologies.

Meet Stephanie Push of Trusted Semiconductor Solutions

Trusted Semiconductor Solutions (trustedsemi.com)
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota

Trusted Semiconductor Solutions specializes in high-reliability semiconductor design for defense and national security applications. Through a series of SBIR awards totaling over $8 million, the company has successfully transitioned its technologies into mission-critical environments. With a strong track record of Phase I to Phase II conversion, the company exemplifies efficient movement from concept to deployment.

Meet Kerry Marusich of Third Wave Systems

Third Wave Systems (thirdwavesys.com)
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Third Wave Systems develops advanced machining and material modeling software used by manufacturers to improve precision and efficiency. With a long history of SBIR support dating back to the early 2000s, the company has translated research into commercial software solutions used across industry and government. Today, Third Wave Systems demonstrates how sustained innovation can lead to long-term commercialization and market adoption.

Meet Dr. Cora Leibeg, Founder and President of Chromatic 3D Materials.

Chromatic 3D Materials (c3dmaterials.com)
Golden Valley, Minnesota

• 15 Employees
• $1.7M NSF SBIR Funding
• Advancing industrial-quality 3D printing with high-performance polyurethanes
• This innovative developer of is transforming industrial quality 3D printing by providing materials that offer superior flexibility, durability, and resilience compared to traditional thermoplastics.
• Designed to be flexed, stretched, twisted, and squeezed, these advanced polyurethanes enhance adaptability in additive manufacturing, making them ideal for rubbery and elastic material applications.
• One international office in Germany.

Meet the CEO and CTO of Darcy Solutions.

Darcy Solutions (darcysolutions.com)
Saint Paul, Minnesota

• 20 Employees
• $3.2M NSF/DOE/USDA SBIR Funding
• University of Minnesota Startup
• Pioneering sustainable geothermal solutions
• They are at the forefront of groundwater-based geothermal systems, providing energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions for buildings of all types.
• Its groundbreaking geothermal technology is gaining traction across government sectors, collaborating with city, county, state, and federal agencies to support sustainability initiatives and drive energy-efficient infrastructure development.

Meet Efrain Torres, PhD. — CEO & Co-Founder of Adialante

Adialante (adialante.com)
Minneapolis, Minnesota

• 4 Employees
• $1.5M NSF SBIR Funding
• University of Minnesota Startup
• Revolutionizing the MRI Industry with portable, affordable imaging that is 10 times smaller and 200 times more affordable than traditional MRI scanners—while maintaining the same high resolution imaging quality.
• The company is making MRI scanning more accessible, cost-effective, and adaptable for a wide range of healthcare settings, including remote locations, emergency response, and under-served communities.

Meet Timothy Childs, PhD. — Founder and CEO of Guardian School Security Systems

Guardian School Security Systems(theguardiansss.com)
Saint Paul, Minnesota

• 2 Employees
• $5.5M DOD/NASA/NSF SBIR Funding
• Transforming technology into life-saving school security solutions to detect and alert school officials of an impending active shooter incident.
• With plans to manufacture in Shakopee, the company anticipates creating 300 new manufacturing jobs, driving economic growth while enhancing public safety nationwide.

Meet Alan Gonzalez Suarez, PhD. — Chief Scientific Officer Sersense

Sersense (sersense.com)
Rochester, Minnesota

• 5 Employees
• $3.8M NIH SBIR Funding
• Mayo Clinic Startup
• Innovating point-of-care diagnostics for neonatal and maternal health
• Located in One Discovery Square, this pioneering company is focused on researching and commercializing novel automated point-of-care solutions for blood testing in neonates and urine sample analysis for preeclampsia detection.
• Positioned at the forefront of medical technology innovation, the company is set to transform neonatal and maternal health diagnostics with its breakthrough solutions.

Meet the Founders of VivaQuant

VivaQuant (rhythmexpressecg.com)
Arden Hills, Minnesota

• 140 Employees
• $1.5M NIH SBIR Funding
• Transforming remote heart monitoring with innovative technology, this fast-growing medical technology company has developed a state-of-the art remote heart monitoring device that is less invasive, more accurate, and significantly more cost-effective than traditional solutions.
• Currently on track to achieve $40 million in sales in 2025, the firm is keening focused bringing its solution to Veterans through the Veteran’s Administration.