Events and Opportunities
Whether you're just curious to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship or even ready to launch your next business, we have events and opportunities throughout the year to help you make the real-world impact that you envision. Keep up to date on upcoming events, opportunities and deadlines with our newsletters: Sign Up Now
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 $50,000 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 mini job fair that brings entrepreneurially-minded CU Boulder students and local Front Range startups together with a twist.
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
Wednesday, May 20: Boulder Climate Happy Hour—A monthly opportunity to share ideas on solving the climate crisis, connect and learn from one another.
Wednesday, May 20: Colorado Global Export Summit—Learn how your company can utilize state export assistance programs to export to a new market or expand in a current market.
Thursday, May 21:Science City Summit '26—An inaugural showcase of new frontier technologies featuring CU Boulder faculty and startups across life sciences and quantum. Six speakers will present short-format lightning talks highlighting their transformative research and technologies in three thematic areas: quantum computing; quantum and life sciences convergence; and drug discovery, therapeutics and enabling technologies.
Thursday, May 28: Rural Creative Connections (Startup Colorado, virtual)—Learn what it takes to revive a beloved event, build new partnerships, and grow something sustainable from the ground up.
Friday, May 29: Chemical Engineering Research Symposium—A one-day joint symposium with CU Boulder and Colorado State University to connect Front Range chemical engineering graduate students with industry professionals in a collaborative and welcoming environment.
Tuesday, June 16: Thought Leadership Series: Intellectual Property—A panel of platform biotechnology companies representing different stages of a startup’s lifecycle will examine how platform strategies differ by stage, from early credibility building to public market valuation.
Applications
Monday, June 15 (deadline): Startup Prize: Health—This national, founder-first program is designed to support early-stage companies preparing for commercialization. Health, medical, and life sciences startups can compete for $10,000 in non-dilutive funding.
Sunday, June 21 (deadline): Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program—The Watson Institute's no-cost program supports both nonprofit and for-profit Denver metro area entrepreneurs. The comprehensive program provides award-winning training, dedicated mentorship, and sustained support to impact-driven entrepreneurs.
Sunday, June 28 (deadline): Western Union Global Fellowship—Designed for entrepreneurs impacting refugees, highly marginalized, and displaced individuals globally. Supported by Western Union and powered by Watson Institute.
Sunday, June 28 (deadline): Watson Institute's Flagship Fellowship—For ventures in any sector based in Colorado.
Sunday, July 12 (deadline): BMO Fellowship, powered by Watson Institute—Supporting economic development, financial inclusion or small business growth in your Denver community.
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.