Opportunities and Events

Discover opportunities and events that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. From the Lab Venture Challenge to Destination Startup, Venture Partners at ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø offers valuable opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Plus, explore our curated list of opportunities and events outside of the University of Colorado. Join a vibrant community driving change through innovation.

Signature Venture Partners Programming

A partnership with seven of the top research universities across the Western U.S.Ìýto reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas and technologies to the marketplace.

ÌýÌýApplications now open

A campus-wide resource for both existing and aspiring university-originated startups seeking non-dilutive funding—to translate their university inventions into a startup company.

ÌýÌýSBIR/STTR Day: Wednesday, April 16

ÌýÌýAccepting support requests

WithÌýmyriad ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

A competition for ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø's top innovations showingÌýhigh commercial potential,Ìýa clear path to a compelling marketÌýandÌýstrong scientific support.

An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver.

ÌýÌýCommunity Showcase: Wednesday, June 25

A collaboration among the Intermountain West region's leading research universities and federal laboratories, showcasing the best companiesÌýfrom the region’s innovation ecosystem to investors and the business community.

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The InsiderÌýis a series of newsletters from Venture Partners featuring theÌýlatest headlines, news, events, opportunities and emerging university innovations in three editions:

Inventors andÌýResearchers (Monthly) | Community (Monthly) | Investors (Quarterly)

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Upcoming Opportunities at CU

I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners: Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Deadline: Thursday, April 3; Workshops: April 10-24, Virtual

Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, the Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture.


Center for Translational Research

Venture Partners: SBIR/STTR Day: Funding Your Latest Innovation

Wednesday, April 16, 3-5 p.m., Kittredge Central Hall, N114 Multipurpose A

To introduce the SBIR/STTR programs and highlight funding uses, Venture Partners is hosting a session to help researchers understand how to find funding and prepare their companies for an SBIR/STTR proposal.


Team stands with giant prize check

ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø: New Venture Challenge Finals

Wednesday, April 23, 6-9 p.m., The Boulder Theater

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a launchpad for aspiring problem-solvers and creatives. At the finals, watch top entrepreneurs pitch their innovative business ventures live to a panel of judges and compete for a share of $325,000.


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners: Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

Deadline: Tuesday, May 6; Workshops: May 13-June 13, Virtual

This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers commercializing their innovations.


Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator

Venture Partners: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field, ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø Campus

Bringing together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado.

Opportunities Outside CU

Applications open:Ìý—PromotingÌýgrowth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.

Rolling application:Ìý—EncouragingÌýinvestments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.

Rolling application: —Empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, capitalÌýand a global network to help them succeed and scale their startups.

Various Deadlines:Ìý—Offers innovators and entrepreneurs from various backgrounds the tools and opportunities to contribute clean energy solutions.


April 2 and 3: —An exclusive group of startups will be selected to showcase their technology, innovation and products.

Sunday, April 13 (deadline): —The world’s largest cleantech accelerator, providing entrepreneurs and corporate innovators the resources they need to launch and grow successful cleantech businesses.


Thursday, April 17: —An exclusive workshop where leading VCs and successful founders share essential knowledge for spinning out research into fundable startups, from pre-pre-seed through seed stages.


Employment Opportunities

—RayChill, a startup built on IP from ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø, provides a passive radiative cooling material that cools structures without power and is seeking a Co-Founder/CEO.

For more opportunities, please check back soon or sign up for updates.

ÌýÌýAre you a CU startup with an employment opportunity to share with the CU community? Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu for posting here. Also, you canÌýpostÌýto ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø's recruitment platform HandshakeÌýand/orÌýjoin the Startups2Students career fair.