Events and Opportunities
Signature Programs of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Connecting the CU Boulder campus with the Boulder community to develop innovative ideas and pitch for up to $336,000 in venture funding.
Student entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives who embrace the spirit of innovation and impact on campus and in the Boulder community.
A micro-funding opportunity for CU Boulder undergraduate and graduate students that provides up to $500 in funding for entrepreneurial ideas in the making.
A series of mini job fairs that connect entrepreneurially-minded CU Boulder students to high growth companies in Colorado.
Join this collaborative event that's all about making positive changes in the world. Whether you have an idea or are someone eager to help those ideas become real, this is the event you don't want to miss.
CU Boulder's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
June 22-July 2, Virtual and in Telluride, CO | Telluride Venture Network's Climate Solutions Investment Bootcamp—Connect with investors, learn from founders and refine the skills and tools needed to kick off fundraising or complete a round.
Wednesday, July 8: Golden Startup Coffee—A monthly opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives and community members to explore Colorado startup journeys.
Wednesday, July 8: Introduction to the Activate Fellowship & Fellow AMA—Learn about the Activate Fellowship, a two-year program designed specifically for scientists and engineers who are ready to commercialize transformative hard tech.
Wednesday, July 8: RVC Pitch Academy—A half-day workshop to prepare founders to understand many of the terms and processes used by VCs and sharpen their venture strategy.
Thursday, July 9: Welcome to Boulder—Welcoming anyone new to the Boulder tech and startup scene. Colorado Startups will answer your questions, direct you to resources and help make introductions where appropriate. Plus you’ll meet other community members and individuals new to Boulder.
Friday, July 10: Rural Women in Entrepreneurship—Startup Colorado's virtual networking conversation focusing on current projects, story sharing and pooling resources to help reach the "next step" on the long entrepreneurial road ahead.
Wednesday, July 15: BEN Workshop Wednesday: Get Unstuck. Grow Again.—Featuring four practical ways to improve commercial performance and accelerate business growth.
Wednesday, July 15: 2026 Gates Grubstake Funding Opportunity Informational Webinar—For CU Anshutz investigators or external collaborators with projects in cell and gene therapies; biologics and small molecules that reprogram cells in situ; diagnostics and tools; devices and implants; and platform technologies.
July 20-22: Colorado Cleantech's Colorado Fusion Week—Bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, policymakers, students, utilities and business leaders to explore the technologies, partnerships, workforce and policies shaping the future of fusion energy.
July 21-23: Techstars Give First Week—Access the raw advice, tactical frameworks, and real-world lessons delivered by leading mentors, investors and founders.
Wednesday, July 22: CBSA Coffee + Connect—Engage with others in Colorado’s life sciences community and spark dynamic relationships with fellow innovators.
Thursday, July 23: Startup Colorado's 5-week Capital Bootcamp Info Session—Learn about upcoming 5-week Capital Bootcamp, where Colorado business owners will receive technical assistance to complete their application for state funding programs.
Friday, July 31: Colorado Startup Hike—Do you like being outside? How about on a Friday morning when the trails aren’t packed? Startup Hikes is a series designed to help you meet and get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors, and community members. Whether you’ve been in Colorado forever or just moved here, see some familiar faces and meet new ones. Upcoming Hikes: Aug. 21, Sept. 18.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Perfect Your Pitch—Whether you’re preparing for a Pitch Competition or simply want to sharpen your business storytelling, this session will help you refine your message and deliver it with clarity and impact. Hosted by Startup Colorado.
Sept. 30—Oct. 2: 2026 Rocky Mountain Life Sciences Investor & Partnering Conference—Connecting investors, strategic partners, founders and ecosystem leaders in a focused, relationship-driven environment designed to support meaningful capital engagement.
Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Rural Women in Entrepreneurship Retreat—A small, in-person gathering hosted by Startup Colorado for women who are building, leading, creating, and supporting businesses in rural Colorado. Limited to 20 participants.
Saturday, Nov. 7: 2026 Rocky Mountain ETA Conference—Bringing together acquisition entrepreneurs, students, investors, service providers, faculty and other participants in the ETA ecosystem to connect and share best practices.
Applications
Thursday, July 2 (deadline): Startup Colorado's Growth Challenge accelerators—A 12-week virtual program designed specifically for rural founders ready to scale their businesses with the right tools and mentorship.
Thursday, July 9 (program begins): Inclusive Impact Catalyst Program—A no-cost, three-month program is designed for traditionally underserved Denver tech founders who are preparing for funding and growth.
Sunday, July 12 (deadline): BMO Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute—Supporting economic development, financial inclusion or small business growth in your Denver community.
Sunday, July 12 (deadline extended): Western Union Global Fellowship—Designed for entrepreneurs impacting refugees, highly marginalized, and displaced individuals globally. Supported by Western Union and powered by Watson Institute.
Thursday, July 16 (deadline): Mining Cleantech Challenge—Connecting breakthrough technology companies with leading mining organizations seeking solutions to some of the industry's most pressing challenges. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to present directly to mining companies, investors, and industry leaders while receiving valuable feedback and partnership opportunities.
Wednesday, July 17 (deadline): Lab Venture Challenge—Top innovations from the University of Colorado Boulder, 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.
Friday, July 24 (deadline): Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop—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 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 as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps™ Hub: West Region.
Friday, July 24 (deadline): 2026 Amgen-Biolabs LA Golden Ticket Award—Includes one-year free lab bench and membership at Biolabs LA at the Lundquist Institute, access to Lundquist Institute shared amenities and services, and access to Amgen’s and Biolab LA's network of scientists, business experts and mentors.
July 27, Nov. 4, March 4 (deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s Pilot Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs—Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.
July 27, Nov. 4, March 4 (deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs—Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security: Supports startups and small businesses in transforming high-risk technologies into products and services that drive innovation, economic growth and jobs. Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation: Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.
Friday, Aug. 21 (deadline): Lab Venture Challenge (LVC)—LVC supports projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. Grants of up to $125,000 are funded by Venture Partners at CU Boulder and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program.
Rolling Application: Activator: 25-26 Cohort—An open-access, equity-free biotech accelerator for early-stage founders.
Rolling Application: Startup Colorado Community and Entrepreneurship Grants–Grants that support rural entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their businesses but need a financial boost to get there.and delivering results.
Rolling Application: OEDIT Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit—For investors and advanced industries businesses in the amount of 25% to 35% per investment up to $100,000.
Rolling Application: Global Business Development's 2025 Trade Shows–Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.