Opportunities and Events
Signature Venture Partners Programming
A partnership with seven of the top research universities across the Western U.S. to reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas and technologies to the marketplace.
Applications now open
A campus-wide resource for both existing and aspiring university-originated startups seeking non-dilutive funding—to translate their university inventions into a startup company.
Accepting support requests
With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for CU Boulder's top innovations showing high commercial potential, a clear path to a compelling market and strong scientific support.
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver.
Community Showcase: Wednesday, June 25
A collaboration among the Intermountain West region's leading research universities and federal laboratories, showcasing the best companies from the region’s innovation ecosystem to investors and the business community.
Upcoming Opportunities at CU
CU Denver | TechUp Incubator
Application Deadline: Friday, May 9
This nine-week hybrid summer program invites you to pursue your startup goals and entrepreneurial growth through weekly workshops, mentorship and financial support.
Venture Partners | Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
Extended Deadline: Friday, May 9; Workshops: May 13-June 13, Virtual
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers commercializing their innovations.
Boulder Startup Week | Unlocking Innovation: Navigating University IP Licensing for Life Sciences Startups
Monday, May 12, 11 a.m.-noon, Boulder Library
For many life sciences startups, breakthroughs originate in university research labs. But securing the right to commercialize these innovations requires navigating complex licensing agreements with university tech transfer offices—an unfamiliar process for many entrepreneurs. Featuring Annalissa Philbin (Venture Partners).
CU Boulder + Boulder Startup Week | Startup Variety Show
Monday, May 12, 5-8 p.m., Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom
Join Silicon Flatirons as they stitch together the startup scene, CU Boulder, innovators from the Federal Labs, as well as technologists from incumbent technology companies in a night of food, networking and entrepreneurship.
Boulder Startup Week | The VC Funding Landscape: Insights from Funders & Founders
Wednesday, May 14, noon-1 p.m., SOVRN
With the VC landscape shifting dramatically over the past year, our panelists will dissect how to navigate and pivot amidst these changes. Discover what it takes to become a VC-funded company—from the critical milestones VCs look for to the distinct expectations for pre-seed versus seed rounds. Featuring Sally Hatcher and Tasso von Windheim (both, Buff Gold Ventures); Tyler Evans (Mana Battery).
Venture Partners + Boulder Startup Week | Innovation Unleashed: The Importance of Customer Discovery
Thursday, May 15, 1-2 p.m., Boulder Library
Highlighting the vital role customer discovery plays in truly understanding and shaping a successful business. Through insightful panel discussions, attendees will explore how customer discovery is essential for validating market fit, refining strategies, and driving sustainable growth. Featuring Sristy Agrawal (Mesa Quantum); Aoife Henry (WinSenseAI); Poolad Imany (Icarus Quantum); Susan Strong (CU Boulder Research & Innovation Office External Advisory Board, The Strong Group)
Venture Partners: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase
Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field, CU Boulder Campus
Bringing together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado.
Opportunities Outside CU
Applications open: Advanced Industries Accelerator Programs—Promoting growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.
Rolling application: Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit—Encouraging investments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.
Various Deadlines: American Made Challenges—Offers innovators and entrepreneurs from various backgrounds the tools and opportunities to contribute clean energy solutions.
Rolling application: Techstars Accelerator Programs—Empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, capital and a global network to help them succeed and scale their startups.
Rolling application: SBIR/STTR Funding—Funding is granted through many different agencies across the federal government and areas of innovation.
May 12-16: Boulder Startup Week—A free conference-style event with sessions at local venues in downtown Boulder that educate attendees and provide professional networking opportunities.
Monday, May 19 (deadline): Orbital Edge Accelerator—Providing business insights, technological guidance, crucial investment and possible space flight opportunities to support companies on their path to success.
Thursday, May 22: Intro to NSF SBIR/STTR Fast-Track Program—Eligible companies can submit one proposal for more than $2 million for a "Fast-Track" award to support research and development activities that may take up to three years to complete.
Friday, June 20: Colorado for All: Business Showcase & Resource Fair—A gathering of local business leaders and community members showcasing Colorado's vibrant business ecosystem.
Employment Opportunities
RayChill: Co-Founder/CEO—RayChill, a startup built on IP from CU Boulder, provides a passive radiative cooling material that cools structures without power and is seeking a Co-Founder/CEO.
For more opportunities, please check back soon or sign up for updates.
Are you a CU startup with an employment opportunity to share with the CU community? Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu for posting here. Also, you can post to CU Boulder's recruitment platform Handshake and/or join the Startups2Students career fair.