The original vision for University Enterprise Laboratories (UEL) came from a realization by Dr. Robert (Bob) Elde, who served as the dean of the University of Minnesota's College of Biological Sciences.  He noted that a growing number of early-stage bioscience companies were struggling to commercialize research.  There simply wasn't a space in the Twin Cities with affordable and available lab space where they could develop the technology for a new business.  

 

UEL was established as a nonprofit, public-private partnership in 2004.  A former distribution center for Target proved to be an ideal home for the incubator, conveniently located off I-94 and MN-280 near both Minneapolis and St. Paul.  The renovation created 21 new wet labs surrounding the main atrium, conference space, and office space for startups and growing companies.
 

Since its start, UEL has hosted many companies who needed space and support, including UEL Graduate Companies.   The resident companies at UEL are innovative, research-based, technologically sophisticated, and entrepreneurial - precisely the kind of businesses that will help Minnesota's bioscience cluster to grow.  

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University Enterprise Laboratories does not receive direct support from the University of Minnesota.  It was organized as a separate legal entity to better respond to market conditions.  

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