Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator
Connecting entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. Embark is the CU Boulder's deep tech startup creator for matching entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies. The program provides IP rights, salary support, grant funds, startup acceleration resources and investor introductions to selected entrepreneurs.
The Embark Advantage
- Competitive readiness: Embark companies leverage proprietary technologies from world-leading scientific innovators. Read more about CU Boulder's groundbreaking discoveries and the people behind them.
- A supportive ecosystem: Embark companies can participate in the university’s startup accelerators (like the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator), funding competitions (like the Lab Venture Challenge and New Venture Challenge) and investor networks (including events like Destination Startup).
Questions?
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Applications for the 2024 Embark cohort are closed. You can still review the information below about Embark key dates, eligibility and other details. Information about the 2024 cohort will be posted soon. Subscribe to Updates
Attend the Embark Showcase
Attend the Embark Showcase
Information about the 2025 Embark Showcase will be posted soon. Subscribe to Updates
2024 Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence
Aatxe Therapeutics
Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR): Makenna Morck (Alum: CU Boulder Biochemistry) and Alec Santiago
Principal Investigator (PI): Michael Stowell (CU Boulder Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology)
Aatxe Therapeutics is a cyclic peptide platform that maximizes structural adaptability to improve cell penetrance, accessing and targeting challenging proteins. With this unique value, Aatxe can target proteins previously thought undruggable, improving patient outcomes in complex diseases.
Industry Applications: Health and Wellness
Carbon-Storing Hempcrete
EIR: Nick Manuzak (Alum: CU Boulder Business)
PI: Wil Srubar (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science)
Carbon-Storing Hempcrete is a carbon-negative biocomposite building material that sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) at an increased and accelerated rate. It also offers insulative properties, resulting in energy savings and a reduced building carbon footprint.
Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Construction, Advanced Materials
Colexible Technologies
EIR: C.J. Whelan
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)
Colexible Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our components and devices offer unparalleled stretching, bending and durability in wearable devices, automotive components and industrial electronics.
Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials
EcoValeric Innovations
EIR: Roberta Leão
PI: Adam Holewinski (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering)
EcoValeric Innovations converts levulinic acid (LA) into 4-Hydroxyvaleric acid (HVA) and HVA-based derivatives, including biopolymers, bioplastics, green chemicals, and biofuels, using a breakthrough electrochemical process. Our solutions have applications across diverse industries, delivering scalable, eco-friendly alternatives. Visit the EcoValeric Website
Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Fashion and Design, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials
Endios Bio
EIR: Wendy Overton
PI: Alexandra Whiteley (CU Boulder Biochemistry)
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.
Industry Applications: Biotech, Health & Wellness, Therapeutics, Diagnostics
IntraLumenus
EIR: Jesse M. Sheppard (Alum: CU Denver Business, CU Boulder Business)
PI: Mark Rentschler (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)
Endoculus' mission is to revolutionize how lower gastrointestinal endoscopies are performed by significantly improving access to the colon for gastroenterologists, eliminating mechanical constraints, reducing the number of procedures and reducing the time it takes to complete interventional endoscopies and screenings.
Industry Applications: Biotech, Health and Wellness, Robotics, Medical Devices, Hardware and Instrumentation
FOWTech
EIR: George Douaire
PI: Lucy Pao (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)
FOWTech specializes in advanced control systems for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs), enhancing stability and power generation in deep-water environments. Our innovative technology manages seven degrees of freedom (DOFs) of floating platforms, improving power output and reducing maintenance costs.
Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Information Technology, Software, Civic Engagement and Government, Hardware and Instrumentatio
Longevity Escape Velocity Labs
EIR: Kylen McClintock
PI: Tom LaRocca (CU Boulder Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Laboratory)
LEVL targets the biology of aging to create novel therapeutics and personalized protocols that help people live longer and healthier. LEVL's first formulation is a fasting mimetic shown to restore older mice to youthful biomarkers by inducing levels of autophagy comparable to rapamycin. Visit the LEVL Website
Industry Applications: Biotech, Artificial Intelligence, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics
Serenity PSG
EIR: Bart Emery
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)
Serenity PSG is reinventing the sleep diagnostic experience for patients and physicians using earbud flexible biosensors that move full sleep lab capabilities to the home. Serenity PSG is led by Bart Emery, a two-time CU alum and experienced venture capitalist passionate about improving healthcare for all.
Industry Applications: Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Health and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
2023 Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence
Regyn Bio
An efficient and scalable microwave-based pyrolysis system
Principal Investigator: Zoya Popovic (Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)
Click
A small ear device that provides hands-free computer control paired with an app and allows the user to communicate via TYTH (typing on your teeth)
Principal Investigator: Tam Vu (Computer Science)
A biodegradable 2D printed soil sensor that provides real-time measurement data of soil health directly at the source in the field
Principal Investigator: Gregory Whiting (Mechanical Engineering)
Coaterra
A coated and tunable stent to reduce blood vessel damage and induce quick healing
Principal Investigator: Wei Tan (Mechanical Engineering)
PrecisionTerra
A software solution that only requires a firmware update to improve the signal strength of GNSS receivers in urban environments
Principal Investigator: Jade Morton (Aerospace)
Vitawave Tech
A wireless in-ear blood pressure measuring device for intermittent and continuous monitoring
Principal Investigator: Tam Vu (Computer Science)
Antibiotic Adjuvants
New Adjuvants for multiple drug-resistant bacteria
Principal Investigator: Xiang Wang (Chemistry)
Developing sustainable additives that can revolutionize the wastewater recovery industry
Principal Investigator: Mark Hernandez (Environmental Engineering)
WHISPER Energy
A wireless sensor platform for home and commercial building energy management
Principal Investigator: Gregor Henze (Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering)
FLARI
A breathalyzer capable of detecting molecules in breath or air samples for fast detection of diseases and contaminants
Principal Investigator: Jun Ye (Physics)