Opportunities and Events
Signature Venture Partners Programming
A partnership with 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 Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's top innovations showingÌýhigh commercial potential,Ìýa clear path to a compelling marketÌýandÌýstrong scientific support.
ÌýÌýShowcases Oct. 21 and 22
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver.
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.
Creative Futures Fellowship
The new Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in theÌýarts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, toÌýtransform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.
Upcoming Opportunities and Events at the University of Colorado
Research & Innovation Seed Grant Program
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline: Monday, Oct. 12 ÌýÌýÌýTeam-Based Proposals of Two or More Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Faculty Investigators ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
Funding bold, interdisciplinary projects with strong potential for intellectual advancement and societal impact. Awards of up to $60,000 over 18 months support innovative research and cross-disciplinary partnerships designed to catalyze new knowledge and attract follow-on funding.
Offered by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Research & Innovation Office
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Research & Innovation Week
ÌýÌýOct. 12-16 ÌýÌýÌýVarious Venues ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation Is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýView Schedule
The eighth annual Research & Innovation Week is designed to elevate awareness across campus, build a sense of shared community, create opportunities for collaboration and recognize exceptional leadership and outcomes. Join us as we highlight and shape tomorrow's leaders, showcase some of our most compelling innovations and demonstrate Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's positive impact on humanity.
ÌýÌýOct. 14, 2:30-4:30 p.m. ÌýÌýÌýÂ鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Sustainability, Energy and Environment Community (SEEC) Building ÌýÌýÌýFor Researchers and Inventors at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder and Deep Tech Industry RepresentativesÌýÌýÌýÌý
Research funding requires a diversified approach. Join Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Industry Research Partnerships, Venture Partners and Center for Translational Research to explore practical strategies to expand beyond traditional funding sources and position research for greater impact. Faculty and research teams will gain actionable funding insights, while industry participants can discover emerging innovations, explore collaboration opportunities and provide valuable feedback to help researchers communicate the potential of their work.Ìý
Dennis J. Pretti
Senior Member of Technical Staff
Micron Technology Inc.
Dennis Pretti received a BS in electrical engineering from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder in 1995. He began his career at Micron Technology Inc. in Boise, Idaho, the same year as a parametric test device engineer in the company's high-volume manufacturing facility, a role he held until 2000. From 2000 to 2022, Dennis designed parametric test devices supporting process development within technology development. During this period, he developed and led a team of test device design engineers from 2000 to 2013. From 2013 to 2019, his work focused on CMOS automation, test device quality and optical design quality. Between 2019 and 2022, he led test device and optical design roadmap pathfinding initiatives. In 2022, Dennis shifted his focus to STEM outreach, K-12 education engagement, university technical partnerships, the co-development, ongoing support and communication of Micron's Educator Hub and the development of technical engagement and career pipeline opportunities for Micron team members.
Dennis joined the Technical Leadership Program (TLP) community in 2015 as a senior member of technical staff and has since served in a variety of leadership, mentoring, innovation and technical expert roles. In 2018, he became Micron's technical ambassador for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, a role he still holds today. An active contributor to the university community, Dennis has served on the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering (ECEE) External Advisory Board since 2022 and on the Engineering Advisory Council since 2024. He holds one U.S. patent and has authored five publications. His contributions to industry and higher education engagement have been recognized through the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder ECEE Alumni Engagement Medal in 2025 and the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award in 2026.
His involvement in technical engagement and STEM outreach has provided some of the most meaningful experiences and cherished memories of his 31-year professional career.
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Dylan Taatjes
Professor of Biochemistry
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Dylan Taatjes, professor of biochemistry at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, is an authority on the mechanism and regulation of the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) enzyme, that transcribes all protein-coding and many non-coding RNA genes in the human genome. The Taatjes lab is a world leader in mechanistic studies of human RNAPII, and is one of the few labs in the world that has biochemically reconstituted human RNAPII transcription from purified factors. Taatjes has recently participated in Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator, where his innovation, the RIFT (Real-time In vitro Fluorescent Transcription) platform, was selected by entrepreneur Nik Chopra to commercialize the RIFT (Real-time In vitro Fluorescent Transcription) platform through a recently launched startup Enlixa Bio. They are currently a finalist for the Lab Venture Challenge, and have recently submitted additional proposals for translational funding through the SBIR/STTR program.
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Sarah Hughes
Director of the Center for Translational Research
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
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Kelly Fleming
Assistant Director for Industry Research Partnerships
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Kelly Fleming is assistant director for industry research partnerships at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, where she works at the intersection of academic research and industry to build meaningful collaborations that move the needle on technology development. Her work focuses on advanced energy and sustainability.Ìý
Kelly brings deep expertise in clean energy and the energy transition, spanning power grid modernization, low-carbon fuels and the electrification of transportation. Her career has spanned academia, industry, government and nonprofit sectors, giving her experience in each and bringing diverse stakeholders to the table. She has held roles at the Federation of American Scientists, Boundary Stone Partners and the Policy Institute at the University of California, Davis, an affiliate of the Institute of Transportation Studies.Ìý
Kelly served as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Office, an experience that deepened her understanding of how policy, research and industry must work in concert to drive the energy transition forward.
Kelly holds a PhD and MS in chemical engineering from the University of Washington and a BS in chemical and biochemical engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.Ìý
Lab Venture Challenge Showcases
ÌýÌýPhysical Sciences: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-8:30 p.m.Ìý| Biosciences: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. ÌýÌýÌýDairy Arts Center, Boulder ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation Is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýGet Free Tickets
Teams of top innovators from the University of Colorado will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for a share of more than $1 million in grants for their early-stage projects in bio- and physical sciences with compelling market potential. Past pitches have included everything from next-generation batteries to cancer treatments, and LVC has funded 117 projects that have gone on to launch 70 startups and raise more than $691 million, including Arkana Therapeutics, Mesa Quantum and Forge Nano — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's 11th unicorn spinout. Ìý
Offered by Venture Partners
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline: Thursday, Oct. 29 ÌýÌýÌýNov. 5-19 ÌýÌýÌýVirtual Opportunity ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation Is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture. Over three weeks, gain a deeper understanding of the commercialization process, test your ideas with real potential customers and accelerate your journey toward bringing your idea to market. This workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution — not just Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØ— motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-Corpsâ„¢ Hub West
ÌýÌýWednesday, Nov. 18 ÌýÌýÌýBOK Financial Byron R. White Club Level, Folsom Field, Boulder ÌýÌýÌýÌýVirtual Option ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation Is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýÌý
A one-day event for researchers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to meet DARPA program managers and learn how to engage with DARPA. DARPA pursues breakthrough research in AI, biotechnology, manufacturing, microelectronics, autonomy and other fields to advance national security.
Offered by DARPAConnect and hosted at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Ascent Deep Tech Startup Creator
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline: Monday, Dec. 7 ÌýÌýÌýJan.-June 2027 ÌýÌýÌýÌýVirtual ÌýÌýÌýÌýTeams Commercializing Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØIntellectual Property ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver. Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature, intensive research and development, and significant capital requirements. Ascent understands the needs and pathways for deep tech startups to find early success.
Offered by Venture Partners at Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline: Tuesday, May 4 ÌýÌýÌýMay 11-June 22 ÌýÌýÌýVirtual Opportunity ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome — Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation Is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
This six-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.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-Corpsâ„¢ Hub West
Opportunities and Events Outside the University of Colorado
*Need help with your application? These opportunities are supported by our Center for Translational Research.
ÌýÌýFunding and Investment Opportunities
*Friday, Oct. 9 (Deadline) | March 12-18 | — Seeking nominations of early-stage concepts and prototypes for warfighter evaluation.
*Nov. 4; March 4; July 7, 2027 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs — : Supports startups and small businesses in transforming high-risk technologies into products and services that drive innovation, economic growth and jobs.: Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.
*Nov. 17, May 18 (Deadlines) | : Accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.
*Sunday, Nov. 8 (Deadline) | — Six-month, $100,000 proof-of-concept awards for small businesses tackling clean and safe water, air quality, circular economy and safer chemicals.
*Monday, Nov. 23 (Deadline) | — Conditional grants up to $1.5 million for jointly developed, commercially promising technology projects between one U.S. company and one Israeli company across sectors including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, cleantech and life sciences.Ìý
*Tuesday, Dec. 15 (Deadline) | — $1-3.75 million in milestone-based awards, mentoring and investor access for six to eight deep tech National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR/STTR Phase II/IIB awardees.
*Jan. 5, April 5Ìý(Deadlines) | U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Programs — | | | Ìý
*Friday, June 4, 2027 (Deadline)Ìý| — Funding to explore materials at the atomic, molecular and cellular scales to develop novel components, tools and processes with the potential to reshape the battlespace and economies of the future.Ìý
Rolling Deadlines
*: A pilot translational funding track that is likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate their basic research to practice.Ìý
: Encouraging third-party investments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits of 25% toÌý35% per investment up to $100,000.
: Backing founders with outsized resilience and grit with capital, community and conviction—pre-product, pre-traction, pre-revenue, with the first check ($150,000-$750,000).
ÌýÌýEducation and Development
Mondays, Oct. 5-Nov. 9, Boulder, Colorado | — Six-week professional development program for emerging leaders in life sciences combining in-person and virtual sessions.
Friday, Oct. 9 (Deadline) | — A nonprofit venture studio that matches diverse entrepreneurs with promising climate technologies from research laboratories, providing support to launch deep tech startups.
Sunday, Oct. 18 (Registration Deadline) | Nov. 2-4, Chicago, Illinois | — For prospective proposers, including overview presentations by DARPA and MXO and an opportunity for engagement with MXO managers and leadership.Ìý
Friday, Oct. 30 (Deadline) | — For entrepreneurial scientists, providing the mindsets, skills, networks and support needed to turn breakthrough hard tech into real-world impact.
*Monday, Nov. 2 (Deadline) | — A full-time, one-year Innovator Fellowship accelerating early-stage technologies that could reduce or capture at least 500 million tons of greenhouse gases per year or meaningfully address climate adaptation.
Thursday, Nov. 5 (Monthly, first Thursday), Virtual Event | — A recurring webinar covering eligibility, team composition, curriculum and the application process for the National I-Corps Teams program, open to researchers who have worked on an NSF grant in recent years.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 (Deadline) | — $220,000 investment to fuel your growth, expert guidance and lifetime access to 11,000+ founders and investors worldwide.
Monday, Jan. 11, 2027 (Deadline) | — A six-month, hybrid accelerator for startups with optics, photonics, imaging or laser technologies, with $100,000 at program start and a chance at $1 million in follow-on funding.
No Deadline
— A one-year, part-time (remote) program offering hands-on experience for the next generation of hard tech founders and investors.
ÌýÌýNetworking and Showcases
Tuesday, Oct. 20, Chicago, Illinois | — Bringing founders, investors, corporate leaders and health care organizations together for networking and deal flow across life sciences, digital health and medical devices.
Nov. 14 (Deadline) | May 4, Cambridge, Massachusetts | — Academic researchers can submit one-page therapeutic startup ideas for a chance to present to leading biotech investors and executives, with mentorship from matched advisors.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, Denver, Colorado | — Honoring Colorado's most innovative and impactful cleantech companies, entrepreneurs and industry champions, with a chance to connect with top executives, investors and policymakers.
Employment Opportunities
Check back soon for opportunities.
ÌýÌýAre you a Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØstartup with an employment opportunity to share with the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØcommunity?Ìý
- Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu to reach Venture Partners audiences.
- PostÌýto Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's recruitment platform Handshake to reach Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder students and alumni.
- Join the Startups2Students career fair to reach Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder students eager to join a startup.
- Send it to Wil V. Srubar, associate dean for innovation and entrepreneurship, to reach Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder engineering students.