2026 New Venture Challenge Finals Event Program

2026 New Venture Challenge Finals at the Boulder Theater

Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Tonight’s Emcee: Kristin Salada

Schedule of Events

Opening remarks

• Justin Schwartz, Chancellor, University of Colorado Boulder

Program overview

• Stan Hickory, Director, CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

Open Category Finalist Pitches

• Finalist Ventures: Aspect, Pantile and Watch Post

Live voting for the $5,000 Audience Choice Award

• Vote live to help choose the $5,000 Audience Choice Award!

Deep Tech Category Finalist Pitches

• Finalist Ventures: Ptarmigan Clockworks, Arkana Theraputics, Kioga

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Awards

Entrepreneurial Mentor Award

• Presenter: Maria Goergen, Co-president, Boulder Venture Club

Recognizing an outstanding entrepreneurial mentor who demonstrates the ability to go above and beyond in mentoring CU Boulder entrepreneurial students, faculty, staff and startup teams.

Frank Moyes Award

• Presenter: Sam Benton, Co-president, Boulder Venture Club

Recognizing an outstanding faculty or staff member who have demonstrated exceptional interest and accomplishments in innovation and entrepreneurship during their time at CU Boulder.

Fletcher Richman Award

• Presenter: Maria Goergen, Co-president, Boulder Venture Club

Recognizing an outstanding student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and accomplishments in innovation and entrepreneurship during their time at CU Boulder.

Community Champion Award

• Presenter: Melanie Lo, Base 44

Recognizing a community member who has gone above and beyond to support the work of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative.

Spotlight on the 2026 High School New Venture Challenge

• 2026 Winning Venture: AquaPuck

Audience Choice Award 

• Presenter: Stan Hickory

Open Category Awards

• 3^rd Place…………...........…Presenter: Shay Har-Noy
• Runner Up ……….............Presenter: Adeeb Khan
• 1^st Place…………..............Presenter: Rithi Prabhu

Deep Tech Category Awards

• 3^rd Place…………...............Presenter: Zeb King
• Buff Gold Prize…............Presenter: Sally Hatcher
• 1^st Place………...............…Presenter: Kelly Coyne

Closing Remarks

• Stan Hickory

About the New Venture Challenge (NVC)

The New Venture Challenge (NVC)—a signature program of CU Boulder’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative—is a launchpad for aspiring problem-solvers and creatives. Participants have the opportunity to build impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support, mentorship and the chance to compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding!