5 things to know about The Toaster

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By Erik Halaas
Innovation Outreach and Program Specialist
The Toaster Innovation Hub | Walter Library

The Toaster Innovation Lab opens Feb. 17

Walter Library will be opening the doors to the Toaster Innovation Hub on Monday, February 17. The Toaster is open to all University of Minnesota students with an emphasis on undergraduates. Part collaborative meeting space and part makerspace, the Toaster offers 6,500 square feet dedicated to student innovation and entrepreneurship.

Come to connect, innovate, ideate, collaborate, and create!

The Toaster is a place where you can:

Connect and collaborate with fellow students
Launch a product, service or vision
Design, build, tinker and make
Learn from industry experts
Find campus resources

See below for 5 things to know about the Toaster. Need more info? Visit the website, follow Toaster happenings on instagram, or check the calendar for upcoming events and workshops.

1. The Toaster’s name was inspired by a history of innovation in Minnesota

Did you know the pop-up toaster was invented in Stillwater, MN in 1919 by Charles Strite (the “Toastmaster” recently celebrated its 100th birthday)? It’s easy to take advantage of a common household appliance; however, this invention took perseverance, devotion, and a lot of trial and error.

The Toaster is here to support and accelerate great ideas and inspire innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among University of Minnesota students. What will your impact be?

Learn more about The Toaster!

2. More than just a space, the Toaster is a community

At the Toaster, we believe we are better together and strive to build community by connecting students to fellow students, University resources, experts from the field, and the broader community. We welcome and seek to connect students from all colleges, departments, and majors.

Whether you are simply exploring interests outside of your course of study, curious about innovation and entrepreneurship, an aspiring business owner or avid crafter, the Toaster has something for you.

Join the Toaster community and connect, innovate, ideate, and make!

Join The Toaster community!

3. The Toaster is a place for conversation / collaboration

The Toaster is not your typical library study space. The open-concept design works intentionally to encourage cross-pollination and serendipitous connection. The space will be vibrant with collaborative energy, lively conversation, hands-on activities, and interactive workshops.

Come expecting to ask questions and work together to generate ideas, welcome discoveries, and explore tangible solutions.

Check out upcoming events and workshops or see #5 and propose your own.

Upcoming events/workshops

4. The space is yours!

Whether you sign up as an individual student user or on behalf of a registered student organization or campus life organization, you can reserve space free of charge — from one-on-one and small private group meeting spaces to dynamic event spaces.

Check out our spaces here, join the Toaster community, and book space for your next group meeting session today!

Not a student and interested in reserving the space? Reach out to the Toaster Team.

Reserve space in the Toaster

5. We supply the Toaster, you decide on the toppings

Do you like artisanal avocado toast or classic PB&J? A little bit of both? As a student-centered space, it is up to you! The Toaster team is asking YOU to help develop the events, workshops, resources, and opportunities available at the Toaster.