Opportunities and Events

Discover opportunities and events that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. From the Lab Venture Challenge to Destination Startup, Venture Partners at CU Boulder 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.

ÌýÌýAccepting support requests

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

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

ÌýÌýInformation Session: Tuesday, June 10

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.

Subscribe to Our E-Newsletter

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)

View the latest InsidersÌýÌýSubscribe to The Insider

Upcoming Opportunities at CU

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, CU Boulder Campus

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


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners: Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

In-person, Aug. 1-15 | 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 Boulder can help you transform your concept into a successful venture—even if you aren't a CU student or employee.


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

Virtually, Sept. 3-Oct. 10 | 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 4-5: Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit—A four day global summit on climate change and human rights, alongside the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance.

Thursday, June 5 (deadline): —A competitive program that seeks innovative technologies that effectively reduce workplace musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risks.

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.

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.

Open Opportunities

—Unshackled Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused exclusively on immigrant-founded startups.

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.

Various Deadlines:—A curated pipeline of vetted opportunities aligned with industry and national priorities from Catalyst Partners, government requirements and industry targets.

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

Various Deadlines: —Empowering the federal government and the public to participate together in equitable forms of innovation through prize competitions.

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

Rolling application: —Funding is granted through many different agencies across the federal government and areas of innovation.

Employment Opportunities

—RayChill, a startup built on IP from CU Boulder, 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 Boulder's recruitment platform HandshakeÌýand/orÌýjoin the Startups2Students career fair.