Innovate

Charles Hull—a CU Boulder alumnus who invented stereolithography, commonly known as 3D printing—was named among the 2023 recipients of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

CU Boulder and Ball Aerospace have been collaborating for decades to solve mysteries of the universe. That partnership was also the university’s first commercial spinoff, and it greased the gears of an entrepreneurial engine that continues to power innovation within the university and far beyond.

Join an information session about the application, eligibility and competition requirements. If you are looking to apply this year or just want to see what the Lab Venture Challenge is all about, this opportunity is for you!

As the deep tech startup scene rapidly grows, the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator, created by Venture Partners at CU Boulder, helps founders move past sticking points to hit critical milestones in transitioning their technologies from lab to marketplace.

What if improving one’s athletic performance through supplements was simpler and more affordable? What if instead of producing emissions, airplanes could take carbon out of the air? And what if learning a new language was as fun as listening to music? New Venture Challenge judges awarded $100,000 to help see these innovations through.

CU Boulder’s top student and faculty startups will pitch their business ideas to a panel of esteemed judges and you, a live audience, at the 16th annual New Venture Challenge. Come support the next big innovation, and see which startups walk away with funding.

Five promising startups comprise the first cohort of companies to receive investments from the Buff Venture Fund. The fund is the newest opportunity for CU Boulder startups to access critical funding on the path to success.

On two exciting nights of pitches and prizes, 10 startups brought a broad range of ideas to the stage, involving more sustainability in gardening, the downsides of social media, practical prosthetics for kids, sustainable water filters and hydroponic produce for all. Across the two events, eight teams took home a total of $20,000.

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator is a new program created by Venture Partners at CU Boulder to match business minds outside the university with breakthrough inventions created within the walls of the university—and to provide those ventures funding.

CU Boulder has developed a groundbreaking pipeline to translate research into real-world impact, as highlighted in the 2022 annual report of Venture Partners at CU Boulder, the university’s commercialization arm.