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.
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
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØInnovation Day
ÌýÌýSept. 14 ÌýÌýÌýDenver, CO ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation is Not Required ÌýÌýÌý
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØInnovation Day brings together founders, researchers and creative leaders from across the University of Colorado system, alongside partners for a day of real conversations, big ideas and connection.
Offered by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØInnovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
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 RepresentativesÌýÌýÌý
Research funding requires a diversified approach. Join Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Venture Partners, Industry Research Partnerships 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
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 CU—motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West
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 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.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West
ÌýÌýFunding and Investment Opportunities
*Sept. 5, Jan. 5, April 5Ìý(Deadlines) | U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Programs— | | | Ìý
*Thursday, Sept. 10 (Deadline) | —Eligible small businesses may submit up to three pitches that align with one of four topics to receive an invite to submit a full proposal for an award up to $250,000.ÌýÌý
*Friday, Sept. 25 (Deadline) | —Open to DOE SBIR Phase I awardees from fiscal years 2024 or 2025, and Phase II awards up to $2 million from one of six topics.Ìý
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Vail | —Bringing the most promising life sciences companies from the Rocky Mountain West together with leading investors and strategic partners.
*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.
*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
*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).
*Need support with your translational funding grant? Contact our Center for Translational Research.
ÌýÌýEducation and Development
Friday, Sept. 4 | —Gain the knowledge and practical tools to successfully raise capital, build investor-ready startups and confidently navigate the startup investment ecosystem—from fundraising to angel investing.
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.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 (Deadline) | —$220,000 investment to fuel your growth, expert guidance and lifetime access to 11,000+ founders and investors worldwide.
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
Sept. 14–18, Denver, CO | —A community-driven weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Denver, bringing together founders, investors, creatives and changemakers for hundreds of sessions, panels, workshops and networking events designed to connect and inspire Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sept. 15-17, Denver, CO | —A three-day event to map the next twelve months, pressure-test it with women building alongside you and leave knowing exactly what you do next.
Monday, Sept. 21 (Deadline) | —Open to startups developing products and solutions based on optical and photonic integrated circuits technologies.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Vail | —Bringing the most promising life sciences companies from the Rocky Mountain West together with leading investors and strategic partners.
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.