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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.

 

 

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. 28 Globally for Patent Activity

—2025, Read More

 


8.7 billion

Impact on the National Economy
(From 2021-25)


5.1 billion

Impact on Statewide Economy
(From 2021-25)


3.5 billion

Capital Funding Raised by Startups Commercializing CU Boulder Technology
(From 2021-25)


798+

License and Option Agreements Signed
(Since 2014)


220+

Startup Ventures Spun Out of University Technology


1484+

Inventions Disclosed
(Since 2014)

Subscribe to E-Newsletters

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

Overlooking a researcher campus on a sunny day

CU Anschutz Innovation Forum

  April 21, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.    CU Anschutz    CU Faculty, Staff and Affiliates    Register Now

An elevated, high-energy day designed to accelerate your path from discovery to impact. The forum brings together campus leaders, investors and industry experts to explore innovation trends, funding opportunities and the future of healthcare, with opportunities to network, hear rapid-fire pitches and gain actionable next steps for advancing your ideas.

Offered by CU Anschutz


Aerial photo of the CU Boulder campus with the Boulder Flatirons in the background.

Industry Partnerships Studio: Virtual Biotech Workshop

  April 21, 1-3 p.m.    To Be Announced    CU Boulder Faculty, Students and Startups    Register Now

An elevated, high-energy day designed to accelerate your path from discovery to impact. The forum brings together campus leaders, investors and industry experts to explore innovation trends, funding opportunities and the future of healthcare, with opportunities to network, hear rapid-fire pitches and gain actionable next steps for advancing your ideas.

Offered by CU Boulder Industry Research Partnerships


Person wearing a dark blazer and holding a presentation clicker smiles while speaking on stage, with a thin headset microphone visible against a dark background.

New Venture Challenge Finals

  Wednesday, April 22, 6-9 p.m.    Boulder Theater, Boulder    All Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required    Register Now

See entrepreneurship in action at the 19th annual New Venture Challenge (NVC)! CU Boulder’s top student, faculty and staff startups will pitch their business ventures to a panel of esteemed judges and a live audience. Event highlights include opening remarks by CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz. Come support CU Boulder's next big innovations as we award more than $270,000 in funding!

Offered by the CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative


Overlooking a researcher campus on a sunny day

Communicating Your Science to the Public

  May 1-15    Virtual Opportunity    CU Faculty, Students and Research Service Professionals    Register Now

This workshop series provides an overview of why and how to engage the public—everyone from reporters to your neighbor—and even with the world on social media.

Offered by CU Anschutz Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute


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


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

  Application DeadlineMonday, May 11    Projects by Faculty, Staff or Students Eligible to Serve as Principal Investigators    Apply Now

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


University of Colorado Boulder and Techstars

Techstars Boulder Accelerator

  Application DeadlineWednesday, June 10    Explore Eligibility    Apply Now

Techstars is all about the founders. As the original Techstars program that helped spark a global network nearly 20 years ago, Techstars Boulder rallies the community to help exceptional founders build impactful companies. Techstars is not focused on any single industry or vertical, and backs ambitious founders building companies with the potential to scale in a big way. Each company receives funding, access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and over $4 million of perks.

Offered by Techstars Boulder with Special Partnership with CU Boulder


Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator

Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

  Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m.    Byron R. White Stadium Club at Folsom Field, Boulder    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 2026 cohort startups, followed by a networking happy hour to learn more.

Offered by Venture Partners


I-Corps Hub West

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

  Application Deadline Friday, July 24    July 31-Aug. 14    In Person, Boulder    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