Mankato, Minnesota – September 3, 2025 – Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU – Mankato) hosted the grand opening of the Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec on Wednesday, Sept. 3, from 9–11 a.m. at 230 Stadium Road in Mankato.
The ceremony featured remarks from leaders at Nidec and MSU-Mankato and drew more than 100 guests, including Minnesota state representatives and members of the media. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the new facility, explore its innovative spaces, and learn about upcoming programs and classes designed to foster education, collaboration, and community growth.
The Maverick Innovation Gateway, Powered by Nidec, represents a bold investment in the future of education, collaboration, and entrepreneurship in southern Minnesota. With a pledge of $2 million over five years, Nidec Corporation is supporting both the renovation of the old campus bookstore facility and programming at the University’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
"This partnership with Minnesota State University, Mankato represents a powerful step forward in cultivating the next generation of innovators," said Kevin Newman, President of Nidec Power. "We are proud to invest in a future where education and industry work hand-in-hand to drive progress."
“It is an honor to welcome to the MSU campus this exciting new addition, which will provide students with a professional development experience like no other,” said U.S. Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01). “As I talk with employers across southern Minnesota, so many of them are facing a shortage of qualified individuals who can meet the needs of today’s workforce. Thanks to the support of Nidec, the Maverick Innovation Gateway will be an invaluable resource for students to not only build the skills necessary to fill these needed jobs, but to take what they’re learning in the classroom and translate it to real-world job experiences.”
This innovative hub will house several high-impact programs within the College of Business, designed to provide interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experiences. By connecting students with faculty, community partners, and industry experts, the center will foster collaboration, inspire new ventures, and strengthen the region’s economic and innovation ecosystem.
Nidec’s involvement reflects its long-standing commitment to innovation, workforce development, and building strong partnerships between academia and industry. With a proud history in Mankato through its Kato Engineering™ products, Nidec Power – a brand of Nidec Corporation – has deep roots in the community and strong ties across Minnesota. This partnership builds on that legacy, further investing in the region and supporting the next generation of innovators and leaders.
About Nidec Corporation
Nidec Corporation is the world’s leading electric motor manufacturer with 2023 revenues of over $18 billion. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, Nidec is a global company comprised of over 300 group companies and 100,000 employees with operations in more than 40 countries. A pioneer in electrification, Nidec is integral as a world-class global technology provider, localized manufacturer and development partner in industries ranging from information technology, automotive, appliance, commercial and industrial machinery. Nidec enables positive global change through innovative problem-solving.
For more information, visit Nidec’s website at www.nidec.com.
About Nidec Power
As part of the Nidec Motion & Energy Business Unit, Nidec Power keeps life’s key players up and running. Headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota, with operations across North America and over 2,000 employees, the Nidec Power business segment keeps the power on where it matters across data centers, healthcare, oil and gas, and military.
About Minnesota State Mankato’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Minnesota State Mankato’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship is part of the University’s College of Business, but it serves the entire University as well as alumni and private and public businesses and organizations. The Center’s mission is to facilitate the launch of the next generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and dynamic organizations through education, research and outreach.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,251 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.