University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June
The University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator will present its 2025 cohort of startups at the Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase on Wednesday, June 25. Attendees will hear pitches from emerging deep tech ventures across disciplines such as clean energy, advanced materials, quantum computing and next-generation therapeutics, followed by a networking session with researchers, investors and community supporters.
Launched in 2021 by Venture Partners at CU Boulder, the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by deep tech startups (companies based on groundbreaking science or engineering) that often require substantial time, research and capital to reach the market. The five-month program builds upon prerequisite customer-discovery training through the NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region—also offered through Venture Partners—and provides tailored support in business formation, market strategy and fundraising.
Now in its fourth year, Ascent is showcasing one of its most diverse cohorts to date. The 2025 cohort includes startups tackling critical challenges in physical and life sciences, from sustainable energy solutions and advanced materials to medical diagnostics and therapeutic technologies.
“This showcase event is such an exciting opportunity for us and for everyone to see what the next phase of impactful companies are doing,” said Emily Vogt, director of venture development at Venture Partners. “I truly believe these companies are going to be big names in Colorado and for investors everywhere.”
Since its inception, Ascent has graduated 35 companies, which collectively have raised more than $15 million in non-dilutive grants and $41 million in seed funding from venture capital investors. Alumni have gone on to secure spots in nationally recognized incubators such as NREL’s West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate, further validating the program’s role in accelerating CU startups toward commercial success.
The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase is presented with financial support from Hatch Spaces LLC and Holland & Hart LLP.
2025 Ascent Cohort
ArgiLur
ArgiLur is a Boulder-based clothing company revolutionizing the fashion industry by offering carbon-sequestering clothing. Style and sustainability can go hand in hand, and we are committed to providing eco-friendly options for our customers. Visit the ArgiLur Website
Team: Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department), Founder and CEO
Industry Applications: Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Fashion and Design, Biotech
AtomTCAD Inc.
AtomTCAD provides precise and rapid thermal modeling of nanometer-scale semiconductors. Our software makes complex quantum physics simulations accessible. Leveraging AI, AtomTCAD enables chip designers and engineers to rapidly discover thermally optimal designs, empowering them to overcome heat challenges.
Team: Sanghamitra Neogi (CU Boulder Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences), Founder, Principal Investigator; Jason Rivas (CU Boulder Materials Science & Engineering Program), Research Engineer; Subrata Pal (CU Boulder Chemistry), Research Engineer; Dhiman Nandi (CU Boulder Chemistry), Research Engineer
Industry Applications: Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Research and Exploration
BoldRF LLC
BoldRF is a spin-off from Microwave Research Lab at CU Boulder, focused on the efforts to commercialize innovative tunable active RF circulators that enable resilient analog self-interference features for in-band full duplex (IBFD) RF front-ends for communication systems, radar, electronic warfare, aviation direction finding.
Team: Laila Fighera Marzall (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder, CEO; Zoya Popovic (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder; Marisha Parikh (CU Boulder Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program), Head of Business; Sarah Johns (undergraduate student, CU Boulder Leeds School of Business), Business Strategist; Stephanie Torres (undergraduate student, CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Gary Dolsen , Industrial Mentor
Industries: Aerospace, Hardware and Instrumentation, Information Technology, Quantum, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities
Colexible Technologies LLC
Colexible Technologies develops cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our devices replace traditional rigid circuit boards and solid metallic wires with flexible polymers and liquid metal, offering unparalleled stretching, bending, and durability.
Team: C.J. Whelan , CEO, Founder (fmr. CU Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence); Kris Obernyer , VP of Product; Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator, Lead Advisor
Industry Applications: Advanced Materials, Hardware and Instrumentation, Robotics, Sensors, Medical Devices, Manufacturing
EerDx Inc.
EerDx uses earbud sleep diagnostics to transform the diagnosis and treatment of the 100 Million Americans with sleep disorders, starting with drug and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia. Visit the EerDx Website
Team: Bart Emery , CEO, Co-Founder; Samir Chabra , CTO, Co-Founder; Jianliang Xiao, Principal Investigator, Advisor (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)
Industry Applications: Sensors, Health and Wellness, Medical Devices, Diagnostics
Endios Bio
Endios Bio is developing breakthrough therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the newly discovered impacts of the gene peg10, which was recently linked to ALS and Angelmans and has druggable potential. Visit the Endios Website
Team: Wendy Overton (fmr. CU Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence)
Industry Applications: Biotech, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics, Diagnostics
IntraLumenus
IntraLumenus is revolutionizing interventional endoscopy with its single-use flexible robotic endoscope. Offering unparalleled precision, stability and control, our device reduces technical complexity and procedure times, enabling more endoscopists to perform advanced procedures, all while improving patient outcomes.
Team: Jesse M. Sheppard (Alum: CU Denver Business, CU Boulder Business), CEO, Co-Founder; Mark Rentschler (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator
Industry Applications: Biotech, Health and Wellness, Robotics, Medical Devices, Hardware and Instrumentation
Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.
Kitsune Bio develops shape-shifting cyclic peptides that penetrate cells and adhere to targets more effectively. Our platform creates therapeutics that go beyond antibodies and small molecules, offering new treatment options for difficult diseases and improving the standard of care. Visit the Kitsune Website
Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics
Team: Makenna Morck (Alum: CU Boulder Biochemistry), CEO; Alec Santiago , COO; Michael Stowell (CU Boulder Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology), CTO; Thomas Fallon, Advisor
LEVL Inc.
LEVL is a cutting-edge biotech company dedicated to advancing human health and extending longevity through advanced nutraceutical synergies. Our mission is to translate the latest breakthroughs in aging science into practical, effective solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. Visit the LEVL Website
Team:Kylen McClintock (fmr. CU Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence), CEO, Co-Founder; Daniel Callen , CSO, Co-Founder; Tom LaRocca, CRO, Co-Founder (fmr. CU Boulder Integrative Physiology)
Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics
OsmoPure Technologies Inc.
OsmoPure Technologies develops high-performance membranes for ultrapure water production in aerospace, electronics, and energy applications. Our membranes remove more contaminants, last longer and use less energy while meeting strict purity requirements and lowering chemical demand. Visit the OsmoPure Website
Team:Kian Lopez (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering), CEO; Nadia Jorgenson (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CTO; Anthony Straub (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CSO
Industry Applications: Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech
Tierra Metrics Inc.
We combine low-cost sensors with continuous models of the agricultural nitrogen cycle. We envision a world where digital twins of farms inform farmers and land managers in real time to reduce excess fertilizer use, cutting costs, pollution and emissions to build more resilient farming systems. Visit the Tierra Metrics Website
Team: Taylor Sharpe (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), Chief Engineer; Greg Whiting (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Co-Founder; Whendee Silver , Co-Founder; Ana Arias , Co-Founder
Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Hardware and Instrumentation, Sensors, Information Technology, Software, Manufacturing, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities
WindSenseAI Inc.
WindSenseAI optimizes wind farm performance through AI-driven wake steering control (WSC). Our deep learning models predict how turbine yawing impacts power output, adapting in real-time to site-specific wind conditions to maximize efficiency and asset performance.
Team: Aoife Henry , CEO, Co-Founder (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)
Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech
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