Investing in Tommie Innovators
The Schulze Innovation Fund
Supporting ventures founded by University of St. Thomas students and alumni.
The Schulze Innovation Fund was established in 2017 to help University of St. Thomas students and alumni launch and grow innovative ventures. Through investments and mentorship, the fund provides promising founders with capital, guidance and connections to experienced entrepreneurs, investors and industry advisors.
We invite students from every college and school at the University of St. Thomas to apply. Whether you're studying business, engineering, arts and sciences, health sciences or another discipline, innovative ideas can come from anywhere.
To be eligible, at least one founder must be a current University of St. Thomas student or alumni.
Selected ventures may receive up to $100,000 through an equity investment or convertible note, with opportunities for follow-on investment.
Contact
Bruce W. Nordin
Ventures We've Backed
Featured Portfolio Company
Willa's Kitchen
Founded in 2018, Willa's Kitchen produces organic oat milk made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Created as an alternative to heavily processed oat milks, the company uses the whole oat to deliver great taste while reducing waste. Willa's is committed to creating products that are better for people and the planet through thoughtful ingredients and sustainable production.
Featured Portfolio Company
TurnSignl
Founded in 2021, Minnesota-based TurnSignl provides on-demand legal guidance for drivers during traffic stops and roadside incidents. Through its mobile platform, users can instantly connect with an attorney while recording the interaction. TurnSignl helps drivers navigate stressful situations with greater confidence while promoting safer interactions between motorists and law enforcement.
Featured Portfolio Company
Pelvital
Founded in 2016, Minneapolis-based Pelvital develops noninvasive medical technology to help women treat pelvic floor disorders. Its innovative device is designed to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and improve quality of life without surgery or medication. Pelvital is advancing women's health through research-driven solutions that address a common but often overlooked condition.
Featured Portfolio Company
Bizzy Coffee
Minneapolis-based Bizzy Coffee produces organic cold brew coffee crafted to deliver bold flavor and sustained energy. Every step of the process, from roasting and brewing to bottling, is completed in-house to ensure consistent quality. The company is committed to creating smooth, high-quality coffee made with carefully sourced organic ingredients.
Featured Portfolio Company
BetterYou
St. Paul-based BetterYou develops an AI-powered wellness coach that helps people build healthier habits through personalized guidance. By connecting daily behaviors with individual wellness goals, the platform delivers timely recommendations that encourage healthier decisions throughout the day. BetterYou aims to improve long-term health by making behavior change more achievable.
Featured Portfolio Company
Biometrica Health
Minneapolis-based Biometrica Health develops remote patient monitoring technology that helps health care providers deliver more proactive care. Its Biometrica 360 platform gives care teams timely access to patient health data, allowing them to monitor chronic conditions, support recovery after hospitalization and identify potential issues earlier. Founded by a University of St. Thomas entrepreneurship alumnus, the company is working to improve health outcomes through connected care.
About Richard M. Schulze
Richard M. “Dick” Schulze, is the founder and chairman emeritus of Best Buy Co., Inc. Schulze and his late wife, Sandra, donated $50 million to build Schulze Hall, home of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship. Since 1995, Schulze has served on the University of St. Thomas Board of Trustees and is chairman of the Board of Governors for the St. Thomas Opus College of Business.
How to Apply
We invite all University of St. Thomas students and alumni with an innovative venture to apply for the Schulze Innovation Fund. You don't have to be an entrepreneurship major to apply. We welcome ventures from every discipline because innovation happens in every field.
Whether you're refining an early concept or preparing to scale an existing business, we encourage you to share your vision. While not every venture receives funding, every applicant has the opportunity to receive valuable feedback from the investment team, mentors and advisors.
To apply, submit your pitch deck, business plan or other materials that best tell your venture's story.
During the evaluation process, the fund may consult volunteer subject matter experts, invite founders to meet with members of the investment network and engage undergraduate and graduate students from the Opus College of Business in research and due diligence activities.
Any financial returns generated by the fund are reinvested into the Schulze Innovation Fund to support future University of St. Thomas ventures, helping preserve the fund's long-term impact while expanding opportunities for future student and alumni founders.