Opportunities and Events
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.
ÌýÌýAccepting Support Requests
WithÌýmyriad CU 51´«Ã½ technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for CU 51´«Ã½'s top innovations showingÌýhigh commercial potential,Ìýa clear path to a compelling marketÌýandÌýstrong scientific support.
ÌýÌýApplication Now Open
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in 51´«Ã½, 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.
Upcoming Opportunities at CU
Venture Partners: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase
Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field, CU 51´«Ã½ Campus
Bringing together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado.
Venture Partners and OEDIT: Lab Venture Challenge
Tuesday, July 15, 5 p.m.: Deadline to disclose innovations
Friday, Aug. 22, 11:59 p.m.: Deadline to apply to LVC
Through the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), top innovations from the University of Colorado 51´«Ã½, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants of up to $125,000. LVC supports projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. These grants are funded by Venture Partners at CU 51´«Ã½ and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program.
Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps: Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
Aug. 1-15, BaseCamp at the Pearl East Innovation Campus, 51´«Ã½ | Application Deadline Friday, July 25
Do you have an innovation that could make a difference?ÌýWhether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, the Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop at Venture Partners at CU 51´«Ã½ can help you transform your concept into a successful venture—even if you aren't a CU student or employee.
Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps: Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
Sept. 3-Oct. 10, Virtual Event | Application Deadline Wednesday, Aug. 27
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution.
Opportunities Outside CU
June 9-11: —Connecting top applied research and early stage innovations from universities, labs and startups with industry end users and scouts.
June 9-11: —Thousands of leading researchers, scientists, engineers and technology developers participate in Nanotech to identify new technology trends, development tools, product opportunities, R&D collaborations, and commercialization partners.
June 9-11 |—Connect directly with over $4 billion in early stage funding, learn to compete effectively for those resources and network with leadership representing the nation's largest seed fund.
Friday, June 20 | —A gathering of local business leaders and community members showcasing Colorado's vibrant business ecosystem.
Friday, June 20 (deadline) | —An open innovation program designed to accelerate transformative technologies in lockstep with rapidly evolving strategic priorities for national, societal, and economic security.
Monday, June 22 (deadline) | —Empowering impact-driven, underserved entrepreneurs who are building ventures to solve critical environmental challenges.
Wednesday, June 25 (deadline) | —A 12-week accelerator program and a share of $500,000 in prize awards for innovative ventures from academic ecosystems.
Friday, June 20 (deadline) | —An initiative that brings national labs, startups, academia, and DOE-developed technologies together to find solutions to regional energy and infrastructure challenges.
Monday, July 7 (deadline) | —Empowering entrepreneurs to transform cutting-edge climate technologies from U.S. research labs into market-ready startups.
Rolling Applications
—Unshackled Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused exclusively on immigrant-founded startups.
—PromotingÌýgrowth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.
—EncouragingÌýinvestments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.
—Empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, capitalÌýand a global network to help them succeed and scale their startups.
—Funding is granted through many different agencies across the federal government and areas of innovation.
Various Deadlines
—A curated pipeline of vetted opportunities aligned with industry and national priorities from Catalyst Partners, government requirements and industry targets.
—Empowering the federal government and the public to participate together in equitable forms of innovation through prize competitions.
Employment Opportunities
—RayChill, a startup built on IP from CU 51´«Ã½, 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 CU 51´«Ã½'s recruitment platform HandshakeÌýand/orÌýjoin the Startups2Students career fair.