Twin Cities Angels

Policy

Minnesota’s lifescience players deep into Fall campaign races

After surveying the chaos otherwise known as Fall elections, I can confidently conclude one thing: I don't think Democrat gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton is scoring a lot of votes from the business community, especially the important lifescience industry. So that leaves GOP nominee Tom Emmer and Independence Party favorite Tom Horner vying for lifescience votes.

Policy

Minnesota angel investment tax credit off to a strong start

It's been a tough slog for early stage capital, lately. Affinity Capital Management and Triathlon Medical Ventures have suspended efforts to raise a $10 million seed fund in Minnesota. And the $1 billion fund biotech investor Steve Burill promised to raise for the Elk Run BioBusiness Park two years ago has yet to materialize. But there is some good news: the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has awarded $573,000 in tax credits during the first full month of the state's shiny new angel investment tax program.

Devices & Diagnostics

Medical device Launch Pad? Not so fast, says U of M tech transfer chief

Forget "One Life to Live" or "As the World Turns." If you want a real soap opera, look no farther than the University of Minnesota. One week after MedCity News first reported that University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) and the school's medical device fellowship program were close to a deal to establish MDC Launch Pad, an incubator for companies created by the fellows, the university's top technology transfer official is opposing the project.

News

First in line for Minnesota’s angel tax credits

Minnesota’s angel tax credit program debuted last week, which means you can now regularly check who made the cut. Go to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED) angel website, scroll down to the bottom of page and click on the links under “Lists of Certified Businesses, Investors and Funds.” Investors (individuals or […]

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News

Republican novice takes on Minnesota House Tax Committee chair

One of the more intriguing races in Minnesota this fall concerns state District 40B in Bloomington, outside of the Twin Cities. There, Republican newbie Sanu Patel-Zellinger is challenging longtime Democrat incumbent Rep. Ann Lenczewski. Patel-Zellinger is unlikely to unseat Lenczewski- you don’t get re-elected five straight times without knowing what you’re doing. But Patel-Zellinger’s campaign […]

News

10 things you need to know about Minnesota’s angel tax credit

Battle-weary proponents of Minnesota’s historic $60 million angel tax credit had a simple message for the state’s entrepreneurial community: Now that we passed the darn thing, you better use it! “We’ve passed the baton onto you,” Sen. Kathy Saltzman (D-Woodbury) told the audience who gathered in Eden Prairie Monday to learn about the tax credit. […]

News

Minnesota legislature passes historic angel tax credit

The Minnesota House and Senate Monday overwhelmingly approved a five-year, $50 million tax credit designed to spur early-stage investment in high tech start-ups, including biotechnology and medical devices. Minutes after the House passed a jobs bill, which included the angel credits, 112-20, the Senate followed suit, 58-3. The lopsided vote capped an epic, seven-year struggle […]

News

Watered-down angel tax credit

Passing an angel investment tax credit in Minnesota is not important just for the dollar amount but to signal to investors in the Midwest, and indeed the rest of the country, that our state is a serious place to do business; that we are ready to embrace (finally) a commonly accepted way to spur investment […]

Hospitals

Upwind Medical Partners to create $8 million early stage fund

Another day, another new local early stage fund. Upwind Medical Partners is launching a $6 million to $8 million early stage fund that will focus on commercializing intellectual property from health care/research institutions like the University of Minnesota, Wisconsin Alumni Research Fund (WARF), Allina Hospitals & Clinics, and John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Founded by […]