Events and Opportunities
Whether you're just curious to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship or even ready to launch your next business, we have events and opportunities throughout the year to help you make the real-world impact that you envision. Keep up to date on upcoming events, opportunities and deadlines with our newsletters:Ìý
Signature Programs of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Connecting the 91¸£ÀûÉç campus with the 91¸£ÀûÉç community to developÌýinnovativeÌýideas and pitchÌýfor up toÌý$50,000 in venture funding.
Student entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives who embrace theÌýspirit of innovation and impact on campus and in the 91¸£ÀûÉç community.
A micro-funding opportunity for 91¸£ÀûÉç undergraduate and graduate students that provides up to $500 in funding for entrepreneurial ideas in the making.
A mini job fair that brings entrepreneurially-minded 91¸£ÀûÉç students and local Front Range startups together with a twist.
Join this campus-wide event that's all about making positive changes in the world.ÌýWhether you haveÌýanÌýidea or are someone eager to help those ideas become real, this is the event you don't want to miss.
91¸£ÀûÉç's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Tuesday, Feb. 25: –An informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Wednesday, Feb. 26: –Hear directly from venture capitalists about what they look for in potential investments, the challenges startups face and how to successfully navigate the fundraising process.
Thursday, Feb. 27: –F´Ç°ù investors, founders, operators and in-between who are part of the 91¸£ÀûÉç/Denver health tech scene.
Friday, Feb. 28: –J´Ç¾±²Ô entrepreneurs, investors and community members in our state's thriving startup ecosystem for a chance to meet and connect.
Tuesday, March 4: –Hear from Adrian Tuck, partner at Rubicon Technology Partners about building a unicorn and nearly killing the company along the way!
Wednesday, March 5: –A²Ô interactive networking discussion that’s tailored to entrepreneurs from all industries.
Wednesday, March 5: –Grow business and personal connections while sparking ideas.
Thursday, March 6: –A group mentoring session where entrepreneurs can source candid advice on fundraising dilemmas.
Friday, March 7: –Connect with fellow entrepreneurs.
Tuesday, March 11: –An informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Wednesday, March 12: –A²Ô opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, & community members to explore Colorado startup journeys.
Wednesday, March 12: –The second cohort of Entrepreneurs in Residence in the Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator will pitch their newly built startups bringing to market ten groundbreaking technologies developed within 91¸£ÀûÉç's research labs.
Wednesday, March 12: –G²¹¾±²Ô practical, high-impact marketing strategies that help your startup gain traction, build authority and scale faster.
Tuesday, March 13: –A a virtual networking conversation.
Tuesday, March 13: –Explore cutting-edge trends spanning hardware, software, AI and developer tools.
Tuesday, March 20: –Featuring an industry panel, ample networking opportunities, presentations from investment-ready cleantech startups and an accredited investor forum.
March 24-26: —A dynamic gathering of cleantech innovators, policy makers, corporate leaders, and investors driving actionable change.
Tuesday, March 25: –An informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Friday, March 28: –Get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors and community members on the ski slopes.
March 30-April 1: –Focusing on the Mountain West's rapid ascent as an innovation powerhouse and global leader in sustainability and quantum technology.
Applications
Friday, Feb. 28 (deadline): –PromotingÌýgrowth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.
Monday, March 3 (deadline): –For an undergraduate or graduate student or team passionate about launching a new retail concept, product, idea or pre-seed stage company (either brick-and-mortar or online).
Sunday, March 9 (deadline): Women Founders Competition–A unique, multi-round New Venture Challenge entrepreneurial competition dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. Teams with at least oneÌýcore team member who is a woman can participate in this specialty competition and win a share ofÌý$15,000!
Friday, March 14 (Pitch/Innovation Deadline: March 14): –A select group of over 100 innovators will be chosen to showcase their breakthrough investment opportunities to an exclusive audience of investors and partners.
Monday, March 17 (deadline): 91¸£ÀûÉç New Frontier Grant Program(Faculty Only)–Encouraging faculty researchers to think beyond individual disciplines and work together to tackle complex research challenges.
Tuesday, April 1 (deadline): (Faculty only)–AB Nexus seeds projects and interdisciplinary partnerships that will become competitive for high-impact extramural funding.
Thursday, April 3 (deadline): I-CORPS Starting Blocks Workshop–Transform your innovation into a successful venture in this workshop, designedÌýfor anyone motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Sunday, April 13 (deadline): –Customer discovery, extensive mentoring, training, investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels.
Monday, April 14 (deadline): Research & Innovation Arts & Humanities Grant Program(Faculty only)–Supporting projects with value to the disciplines of arts, humanities and humanistic social sciences.
Tuesday, April 15 (deadline): Workforce Development Seed Grant Program (Faculty only)–Inspiring novel skill-building approaches that enhance accessibility and impact, equipping learners to thrive.
Thursday, May 1 (Second-round application deadline): ÌýDemingHigh Growth Venture Fellowship–This two-year program immerses a select group of MBA candidates in academic and experiential learning unique to growth-stage companies.
Applications open:Ìý–Student teams compete for more than $540,000 for successfully identifying a promising energy technology, assessing its market potential, and creating a business plan for commercialization.
Rolling application: –Grants that support rural entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their businesses but need a financial boost to get there.andÌýdelivering results.
Rolling Application: –Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.