Five of the best ways for students to connect with startups

The startup world revolves around connecting with people and learning from the collective community. For many people with success in startups, their career journeys are stories of being in the right place at the right time and connecting with the right individuals. Startup communities are often very giving of time, expertise, skills and opportunities once you plug in and show genuine interest. Here are five of the best ways to get to know startups.

Startups2Students

CU Boulder just hosted 10 companies for another great Startups2Students event. Businesses shared their missions, culture and open opportunities. Then students were able to chat with their favorites. Fortunately, we host this event at least three times a year and there is another Startups2Students on April 14!

New Venture Challenge (NVC)

NVC is the home to budding student, staff and faculty-led startups and a competition for $220,000. NVC is an amazing opportunity for you to get involved with early stage startups in need of a lot of help. Registration closes on Feb. 6, so register TODAY! If you’re not ready or able to join a team at this time, you can still attend the NVC Finals, a fun event with plenty of chances to meet and hear from startup leaders.

Boulder Venture Club

Boulder Venture Club  (BVC) is the premier hub for student entrepreneurs. BVC hosts speaking events with founders and venture capitalists, skill-building workshops and practice pitch nights, and serves as a direct pipeline to internship and funding opportunities. Join a community built on innovation and connection.

Startups & Sandwiches

You know you like startups; do you also like sandwiches? Startups & Sandwiches is an excellent event hosted several times a year by our Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Sign up for the Deming Center newsletter to find out about the next Startups&Sandwiches, where you can hear the unique stories of seasoned entrepreneurs and venture capitalists—and enjoy a free sandwich!

Community Events

Colorado is a national leader in entrepreneurship and a big reason behind that is the level of community events and opportunities in the Boulder and Denver metro areas. Colorado Startups hosts regular social events, Pitch Boulder hosts weekly startup pitches, and Boulder Startup Week is the hub of dozens of workshops, panels, networking and speakers the week after finals. There are too many other local resources to list here, so go to the Innovation & Entrepreneurship website for a deeper dive!

Sometimes meeting with companies can be intimidating. Check out Career Services’ tips on networking to make it a little easier. Remember that startup communities are looking for engagement with students, so start curious and remember that you have plenty to offer. Practice makes perfect and the more you get involved, the more comfortable you’ll feel in the startup world!