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Ideate + Team Up + Compete + Get Funded + Create Impact

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) connects the CU Boulder campus with the Boulder community to develop and fund innovative ideas. Participants attend year-round events, network and collaborate with mentors to refine their ideas and form startup teams to pitch for funding (more than $100,000!) at the NVC Finals.

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What Do You Want To Do?

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Upcoming NVC Events & Deadlines

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Latest NVC News

Prize-winning teams on stage

NVC prize nights spotlight—and fund—female founders and climate solutions

On two exciting nights of pitches and prizes, ten startups brought a broad range of ideas to the stage, including how to live and garden more sustainably, how to deal with the downsides of social media, how to offer practical prosthetics for kids—and sustainable water filters and hydroponic produce for all. Across the two events, eight teams took home a total of $20,000 to develop their ideas further.

Read more about NVC prize nights spotlight—and fund—female founders and climate solutions

Stan Hickory
New Venture Challenge’s Hickory steps into Innovation & Entrepreneurship director role
Johnny Hergert and Camila Uzcategui on the CU Boulder campus
Key investment is the latest milestone for CU Boulder startup Vitro3D and founders Camila Uzcategui and Johnny Hergert
VentureWell is seeking students with big ideas for the E-Team Program
VentureWell is seeking students with big ideas for the E-Team Program
Bulwark
Bulwark Coffee, an NVC 15 participant, describes first responders, veteran support in Daily Camera
View More News
audience at boulder theater clapping

Why Participate in NVC?

"NVC gives participants first-hand experience pitching and positioning their business, working on a startup team, and, perhaps most importantly, connecting with Boulder's world-class network of entrepreneurial mentors. For me, the feedback and support I got during NVC was critical to a pivot of my first business, which, six years later, grew to over 150 people and was acquired by a $26B publicly-traded company."

—Devon Tivona (CompSci,'14), Pana (acquired by Coupa), NVC 6 Championship finalist

tissue form on stage pitching

Why Participate in NVC?

"NVC was an amazing opportunity to not only build a business from the ground up, but also gain invaluable experience with pitching a venture to investors. We also gained incredible mentorship. Our mentors filled in gaps where necessary in our business development and gave helpful advice for the competition and post-competition. We're extremely grateful for NVC!"

—Rebecca Jacobs (MechEng'21), ToobTek, NVC 14 Championship finalist

people gathering at a social event

Why Participate in NVC?

"NVC is the best thing that CU Boulder does for students, and the value from NVC is worth as much—if not more—than four years' worth of classes."

—Carter Brown (Fin'21), GoGuide, NVC 14 participant

mentor matching night crowd

Why Participate in NVC?

"Presentation is everything, especially in my line of work as a software consultant. If people don't understand the what's, how's and why's of a product, it is doomed to failure. NVC's robust network of mentors, classes, training and support led me to getting a job that I love. Though I am not starting a business right now, I have a suspicion that it will be in my future.

—Zayna Pieper (EngrPlus,'20), Frenz, NVC 12 Championship finalist

nvc crowd in boulder theater

Why Participate in NVC?

"NVC was an invaluable learning experience for myself and my team. It pushed us to critically think about every aspect of our business and recognize the importance of feedback. The feedback we received helped us realize the trajectory of our business and where we should be putting our time and energy moving forward!"

—Thomas Savage (Bus'21), LGBT50, NVC 14 Championship finalist

nicole glaros pitch workshop

Why Participate in NVC?

"I'm so grateful for the wonderful learning experience through NVC. CU Boulder's robust innovation network is truly incredible, and I feel so fortunate to be a part of it!"

—Danielle Carroll (AeroEngr, EngrMgmt'21), Orbital Biodesign, NVC 14 Championship finalist

Platinum Sponsor

Caffeinated Capital logo

Raymond Tonsing, Caffeinated Capital

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NVC Impact

 

1,000+

total CU Boulder startups who have participated in NVC

$846,000

in NVC funding awarded to CU Boulder startups since 2017

$27.5 million+

in funding raised by NVC alumni

Top 20

U.S. university-sponsored collegiate entrepreneurship competitions (Times of Entrepreneurship)

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New Venture Challenge

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Regent Administrative Center, Regent Dr.
Boulder, CO
cunvc@colorado.edu

 

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