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From University Innovation to Real-World Impact

Venture Partners at CU Boulder supports university researchers, inventors and creators in translating their groundbreaking discoveries into new solutions, businesses and partnerships that address the world's greatest challenges.

 

 

Applications Open: NSF I-Corps Hub West programs  |  Registration Open: Creative Futures Fellowship | Registration Open: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

The Venture Partners Impact


2021 Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award 
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU®)

Ranked No. 1 for Startup Creation

—2025, Read More

Launched a Record-Setting 36 Startups

—2024, Read More

Ranked No. 18 for Patent Activity

—2024, Read More

 


billion

impact on national economy (from 2018-2022)


5.2 billion

impact on statewide economy (from 2018-2022)


3.5 billion

in capital funding raised by startups commercializing CU Boulder technology (since 2018)


798+

license and option agreements signed (since 2014)


220+

startup ventures spun out of university technology


1484+

inventions disclosed (since 2014)

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The Insider is a series of newsletters from Venture Partners featuring the latest headlines, news, events, opportunities and emerging university innovations in three editions:

Inventors and Researchers (Monthly) | Community (Monthly) | Investors (Quarterly)

View the latest Insiders  Subscribe to The Insider

Latest News and Announcements

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Vibrant digital artwork of a lone figure walking through a glowing, multicolored landscape at sunset, with ribbon-like light trails extending from their body and mountains framing the horizon.

Creative Futures Fellowship

  Pre-Application Workshop Deadline Tuesday, March 17
  More dates March-Sept.
  Projects must be led by faculty, staff or students eligible to serve as Principal Investigators
  Register for Pre-Application Workshop

The new CU Boulder Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in the arts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, to transform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond CU Boulder. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.

Offered by Venture Partners


View of Earth from space with the sun rising over the planet’s horizon, casting bright rays across a star-filled sky.

National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Regional Meeting and Symposium: Quantum and Space, the Next Frontier

  March 23-24, Limelight Hotel, Boulder, Colorado
  All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
  Register Now

The convergence of quantum technologies and space applications presents both fundamental engineering challenges and transformative opportunities as laboratory-demonstrated systems transition to operational environments. Quantum-enabled capabilities promise orders-of-magnitude improvements in precision, resilience and performance for missions ranging from autonomous satellite operations to Earth observation, secure communications and scientific discovery.

Hosted by the CU Boulder College of Engineering & Applied Science


Rocky Mountain landscape with snow-dusted peaks rising above a valley of golden aspen trees, a small lake in the foreground and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds overhead.

Colorado Climate Week

  March 30-April 3, CU Boulder, Boulder, Denver and Online
  All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
  Register Now

As Colorado emerges as a leader in clean technology, this four-day gathering will spotlight innovative solutions and catalyze bold climate action across sectors. Discover cutting-edge technology, forge strategic partnerships and shape the next wave of green innovation. The inclusion of Colorado in the title is intentional, reflecting a commitment to highlighting the state's scale, diversity and beauty, along with the broad range of expertise and talent distributed across it. Solutions are built collaboratively—across startups, cities, utilities, campuses and communities—and Climate Week 2026 is designed to showcase that collective effort.

In Partnership With and Select Events Hosted by CU Boulder


I-Corps Hub West

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

  Application Deadline Thursday, April 2
  April 9-23, Virtual Opportunity
  All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
  Apply Now

Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture. Over three weeks, 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 anyone from a research or community institution—not just CU—motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.

Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West


I-Corps Hub West

Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

  Application Deadline Tuesday, May 5
  May 12-June 23, Virtual Opportunity
  All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
  Apply Now

This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corps™ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution.

Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West


Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator

Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

  Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field
  All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
  Register Now

The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase brings together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado. Attendees will have a chance to see pitches from each of the Ascent 2025 cohort startups, followed by a networking happy hour to learn more.

Offered by Venture Partners