Get Started

Illustration of a mountain as a metaphor where researchers can climb one of two paths with their discovery of either starting a company or licensing their protected intellectual property

Explore how to get started with Venture Partners at CU Boulder and bring university innovations to market. 

As the commercialization arm of the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver campuses (except CU Denver biosciences investigators, who should work with CU Innovations), Venture Partners connects university innovators with industry, entrepreneurs and investors to bring university discoveries to market. 

But what is "commercialization?"

The path to commercialization—also known as "research translation" or "tech transfer"—can be challenging, and Venture Partners is here to help by uniting industry partners, entrepreneurs and investors to help researchers, inventors and creators at the University of Colorado bring their groundbreaking discoveries into the marketplace.

Explore the Path to Commercialization 
 

Explore Your Opportunities and Resources

For CU Faculty, Researchers and Inventors

Researchers, inventors and creators at CU Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver (excluding CU Denver biosciences, who should work with   CU Innovations) work with Venture Partners and are primarily faculty, graduate students and post-docs interested in commercializing their research or creative works. Whether new or experienced in commercialization, Venture Partners supplements technical expertise with business resources and support. Engaging early with Venture Partners helps maximize intellectual property opportunities and drive market potential. This support delivers on CU's mission to be a top university for innovation, entrepreneurship and societal impact.

Explore opportunities with Venture Partners:

For Investors and Industry Partners

Venture Partner connects investors with high-potential ventures and facilitates collaborations with companies seeking to invest in research or license technologies from CU Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver (excluding CU Denver biosciences, see   CU Innovations) campuses. Explore the potential for growth and partnerships as you navigate the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship and commercialization at the University of Colorado. 

For Entrepreneurs

Venture Partners is here to connect entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. With myriad CU technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Venture Partners seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

For Mentors

Venture Partners connects our dynamic and dedicated innovation community to university innovators commercializing groundbreaking new inventions. The Venture Partners mentor network is powered by some of the most successful entrepreneurs, investors and business leaders from around the world who contribute their experience and wisdom both in person and virtually to help advance the most promising discoveries. New mentors can be paired with our technologists, scientists and innovators to form highly functional teams focused on accelerating their concept to market. An engagement can last for an hour, a month, a year or through venture funding and exit.

For CU Boulder Students

CU Boulder offers myriad opportunities to accelerate your career opportunities through entrepreneurship. Academic and extra-curricular programs across campus can help students drive success in sectors from the arts to deep tech. Have an idea and not sure where to start? Looking for academic programs to boost your knowledge? Need a mentor to bring your business to the next level? What about funding? Want to build a prototype and need a makerspace? Figure out where you are on your innovation journey—we're here at all stages to help turn your idea into impact.