The Insider — September 2026 | Venture Partners at CU Boulder

University Events and Opportunities

CU Boulder Research & Innovation Week

Oct. 12-16 Various Venues All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

The eighth annual Research & Innovation Week is designed to elevate awareness across campus, build a sense of shared community, create opportunities for collaboration and recognize exceptional leadership and outcomes. Join us as we highlight and shape tomorrow's leaders, showcase some of our most compelling innovations and demonstrate CU Boulder's positive impact on humanity.

Research to Impact — Funding and Industry Partnership Strategies

Oct. 14, 2:30-4:30 p.m. CU Boulder Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community (SEEC) Building For Researchers and Inventors at CU Boulder and Deep Tech Industry Representatives

Research funding requires a diversified approach. Join CU Boulder's Venture Partners, Industry Research Partnerships and Center for Translational Research to explore practical strategies to expand beyond traditional funding sources and position research for greater impact. Faculty and research teams will gain actionable funding insights, while industry participants can discover emerging innovations, explore collaboration opportunities and provide valuable feedback to help researchers communicate the potential of their work.

Part of CU Boulder Research & Innovation Week

Lab Venture Challenge Showcases

Physical Sciences: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-8:30 p.m. | Biosciences: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. The Dairy Arts Center, Boulder All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

Teams of top innovators from the University of Colorado will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for a share of more than $1 million in grants for their early-stage projects in bio- and physical sciences with compelling market potential. Past pitches have included everything from next-generation batteries to cancer treatments, and LVC has funded 117 projects that have gone on to launch 70 startups and raise more than $691 million, including Arkana Therapeutics, Mesa Quantum and Forge Nano — CU Boulder's 11th unicorn spinout.

Offered by Venture Partners

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Application Deadline Thursday, Oct. 29 Nov. 5-19 Virtual Opportunity All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

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-Corps^TM Hub West

1 More University Opportunity

Opportunities Outside the University

Funding and Investment Opportunities

*Friday, Sept. 25 (Deadline) | U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II — Open to DOE SBIR Phase I awardees from fiscal years 2024 or 2025, and Phase II awards up to $2 million from one of six topics.

*Nov. 4; March 4; July 7, 2027 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs — Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security: Supports startups and small businesses in transforming high-risk technologies into products and services that drive innovation, economic growth and jobs.Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation: Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.

*Nov. 17, May 18 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) - Translate and Partner: Accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.

*Need support with your translational funding grant? Contact our Center for Translational Research.

Education and Development

Thursday, Oct. 1 (Monthly, first Thursday), Virtual Event |U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Teams Webinar — A recurring webinar covering eligibility, team composition, curriculum and the application process for the National I-Corps Teams program, open to researchers who have worked on an NSF grant in recent years.

Friday, Oct. 9 (Deadline) | LabStart — A nonprofit venture studio that matches diverse entrepreneurs with promising climate technologies from research laboratories, providing support to launch deep tech startups.

Friday, Oct. 30 (Deadline) | Activate Fellowship — For entrepreneurial scientists, providing the mindsets, skills, networks and support needed to turn breakthrough hard tech into real-world impact.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 (Deadline) | Techstars' Spring 2027 Accelerators — $220,000 investment to fuel your growth, expert guidance and lifetime access to 11,000+ founders and investors worldwide.

Networking and Showcases

Monday, Sept. 21 (Deadline) | IEEE Photonics Society Invites Startups to Showcase Their Technologies — Open to startups developing products and solutions based on optical and photonic integrated circuits technologies.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Vail | Colorado Bioscience Association: Rocky Mountain Life Sciences Investor & Partnering Conference — Bringing the most promising life sciences companies from the Rocky Mountain West together with leading investors and strategic partners.

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