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Applications Open: NSF I-Corps Hub West programs and Destination Startup | Registration Open: Creative Futures Fellowship | Investor Registration Open: Destination Startup
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Destination Startup
Startup Application Deadline Thursday, Jan. 7
Now Accepting Investor Invitation Requests
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Boulder, CO
See Page for Eligibility Details
Launched in 2018, Destination Startup® connects investors with groundbreaking startups built on novel discoveries from leading national labs and universities in the Intermountain West. Designed for deal-flow, the showcase is for active investors, who can request an invitation here. Participating startups must be actively raising and are selected through a competitive review process and robust pitch preparation. With over $1.2 billion collectively raised to date by startups like VitriVax, Arpeggio Biosciences and Manifest Technologies, Destination Startup is for investors and founders ready to catalyze real-world impact.
Hosted by Venture Partners
Creative Futures Fellowship
Information Session, Monday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.-noon, Chamber Hall (S102), Imig Music Building
More dates Feb.-Sept.
For CU Boulder Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty
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
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
Application Deadline Thursday, Jan. 15
Jan. 22-Feb. 5, Virtual Opportunity
All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
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
New Venture Challenge
Deadline Friday, Feb. 6
Feb.-April
For CU Boulder Faculty, Staff and Students
During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams can win a share of more than $200,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater. Participants can compete in one of two NVC categories: Deep Tech Category, for ventures based on scientific or technological innovations developed using fundamental scientific disciplines or Open Category, for all other ventures.
Offered by the CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
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
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