Opportunities and Events
Signature Venture Partners Programming
A partnership with top research universities across the Western U.S.Ìýto reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas and technologies to the marketplace.
ÌýÌýApplications 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.
ÌýÌýAccepting Support Requests
WithÌýmyriad CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½'s top innovations showingÌýhigh commercial potential,Ìýa clear path to a compelling marketÌýandÌýstrong scientific support.
ÌýÌýApplication Now Open
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, Colorado Springs and Denver.
A collaboration among the Intermountain West region's leading research universities and federal laboratories, showcasing the best companiesÌýfrom the region’s innovation ecosystem to investors and the business community.
Creative Futures Fellowship
The new CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in theÌýarts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, toÌýtransform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.
Upcoming Opportunities and Events at the University of Colorado
Lab Venture Challenge
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Friday, Aug. 21 ÌýÌýÌýFor Those Commercializing Technologies From CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, CU Denver and UCCS ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
Through the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), top innovations from the ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants of up to $125,000. LVC supports projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. Past awardees include Manifest Technologies, Arkana Therapeutics and Forge Nano. These grants are funded by Venture Partners at CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program.
Offered by Venture Partners
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Tuesday, Aug. 25 ÌýÌýÌýSept. 12-Oct. 13 ÌýÌýÌýVirtual Opportunity ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Thursday, Oct. 29 ÌýÌýÌýNov. 5-19 ÌýÌýÌýVirtual Opportunity ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýApply Now
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-CorpsTM Hub West
ÌýÌýFunding and Investment Opportunities
*Tuesday, July 28, Virtual | —Learn how to successfully navigate the U.S. National Science Foundation Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program with insights from Erik Pierstorff, NSF program director and former startup executive with firsthand experience.
*Sept. 5, Jan. 5, April 5Ìý(Deadlines) | U.S. National Institutes of Health‘s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Programs— | | | Ìý
*Thursday, Sept. 10 (Deadline) | —Eligible small businesses may submit up to three pitches that align with one of four topics to receive an invite to submit a full proposal for an award up to $250,000.ÌýÌý
*Friday, Sept. 25 (Deadline) | —Open to DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I awardees from fiscal years 2024 or 2025, Phase II awards up to $2 million from one of six topics.Ìý
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Vail | —Bringing the most promising life sciences companies from the Rocky Mountain West together with leading investors and strategic partners.
*Nov. 4; March 4; July 7, 2027 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs—: Supports startups and small businesses in transforming high-risk technologies into products and services that drive innovation, economic growth and jobs.: Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.
*Nov. 4; March 4; July 7, 2027 (Deadlines) | —Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.Ìý
*Nov. 17, May 18 (Deadlines) | : Accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.
*Friday, June 4, 2027Ìý| —Funding to explore materials at the atomic, molecular and cellular scales to develop novel components, tools and processes with the potential to reshape the battlespace and economies of the future.Ìý
Rolling Deadlines
*: A pilot translational funding track that is likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate their basic research to practice.Ìý
*Need support with your translational funding grant? Contact our Center for Translational Research.
ÌýÌýEducation and Development
Friday, July 31 (Deadline) | —The ARID and SHEILD 8-month accelerator programs will help 14-20 U.S.-based companies focused on environmental resilience move from early prototypes to commercially viable offerings.
Friday, Aug. 28 (Deadline) | —Connecting promising U.S. innovators with the technical expertise to develop and reduce risk in advanced materials technologies.
Aug. 31-Sept. 2, Laramie, WY | —Bringing together researchers, students, startups and industry leaders for keynotes, technical sessions and hands-on NVIDIA-led training in AI and high-performance computing.
Sunday, Aug. 9 (Deadline) | —A series of focused, multi-session workshops that connect science and technology companies in Colorado with peers in similar industries and stages of development, while also building essential skills for securing non-dilutive capital.
Sunday, October 18 (Registration Deadline) | Nov. 2-4, Chicago, Illinois | —For prospective proposers, including overview presentations by DARPA and MXO and an opportunity for engagement with MXO managers and leadership.Ìý
ÌýÌýNetworking and Showcases
Wednesday, Aug. 26 (Deadline) | —A product innovation showcase and competition that connects clean technology solutions to the oil and natural gas industry.
Sept. 14–18, Denver | —A community-driven weeklong celebration of entrepreneurship and innovation in Denver, bringing together founders, investors, creatives and changemakers for hundreds of sessions, panels, workshops and networking events designed to connect and inspire Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Vail | —Bringing the most promising life sciences companies from the Rocky Mountain West together with leading investors and strategic partners.
Employment Opportunities
Check back soon for more opportunities.
ÌýÌýAre you a CU startup with an employment opportunity to share with the CU community?Ìý
- Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu to reach Venture Partners audiences.
- PostÌýto CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½'s recruitment platform Handshake to reach CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students and alumni.
- Join the Startups2Students career fair to reach CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ students eager to join a startup.
- Send it to Wil V. Srubar, associate dean for innovation and entrepreneurship, to reach CU ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ engineering students.