Opportunities and Events

Discover opportunities and events that foster innovation and entrepreneurship. From the Lab Venture Challenge to Destination Startup, Venture Partners at 91¸£ÀûÉç offers valuable opportunities to connect, learn and grow. Plus, explore our curated list of opportunities and events outside of the University of Colorado. Join a vibrant community driving change through innovation.

Signature Venture Partners Programming

A partnership with seven of the 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 91¸£ÀûÉç technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

A competition for 91¸£ÀûÉç's top innovations showingÌýhigh commercial potential,Ìýa clear path to a compelling marketÌýandÌýstrong scientific support.

An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in 91¸£ÀûÉç, Colorado Springs and Denver.

ÌýÌýCommunity Showcase: Wednesday, June 25

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.

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The InsiderÌýis a series of newsletters from Venture Partners featuring theÌýlatest headlines, news, events, opportunities and emerging university innovations in three editions:

Inventors andÌýResearchers (Monthly) | Community (Monthly) | Investors (Quarterly)

View the latest InsidersÌýÌýSubscribe to The Insider

Upcoming Opportunities at CU

Team stands with giant prize check

91¸£ÀûÉç | New Venture Challenge Finals

Wednesday, April 23, 6-9 p.m., The 91¸£ÀûÉç Theater

The New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a launchpad for aspiring problem-solvers and creatives. At the finals, watch top entrepreneurs pitch their innovative business ventures live to a panel of judges and compete for a share of $325,000.


CU Anschutz |

Tuesday, Aril 29, 11 a.m., Virtual event

Join an interactive panel discussion where top investors will explore their models for supporting early-stage companies, share the critical questions they ask when evaluating investment opportunities, and provide strategies to avoid the common pitfalls in faculty-VC interactions.


ATLAS EXPO

91¸£ÀûÉç | ATLAS EXPO 2025

Thursday, May 1, 4-6:30 p.m., Roser ATLAS Center

Explore projects across three floors and get to know the students and faculty of The ATLAS Institute.


CU Denver |

Application Deadline: Friday, May 9

This nine-week hybrid summer program invites you to pursue your startup goals and entrepreneurial growth through weekly workshops, mentorship and financial support.


91¸£ÀûÉç |

Monday, May 12, 5-5:45 p.m., Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom

Join Silicon Flatirons as they stitch together the startup scene, 91¸£ÀûÉç, innovators from the Federal Labs, as well as technologists from incumbent technology companies in a night of food, networking and entrepreneurship.


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners | Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

Deadline: Tuesday, May 6; Workshops: May 13-June 13, Virtual

This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers commercializing their innovations.


Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator

Venture Partners: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field, 91¸£ÀûÉç Campus

Bringing together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado.

Opportunities Outside CU

Applications open:Ìý—PromotingÌýgrowth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.

Rolling application:Ìý—EncouragingÌýinvestments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.

Rolling application: —Empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, capitalÌýand a global network to help them succeed and scale their startups.

Various Deadlines:Ìý—Offers innovators and entrepreneurs from various backgrounds the tools and opportunities to contribute clean energy solutions.


Tuesday, May 6: —In this session, an NSF Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program director will answer questions.

May 12-16: —A free conference-style event with sessions at local venues in downtown 91¸£ÀûÉç that educate attendees and provide professional networking opportunities.

Monday, May 19 (deadline): —Providing business insights, technological guidance, crucial investment and possible space flight opportunities to support companies on their path to success.

Employment Opportunities

Venture Partners: Licensing Manager/Senior Licensing Manager—Responsible for managing innovations and their intellectual property (IP) from world-leading scientists and engineers and is a central figure in the 91¸£ÀûÉç entrepreneurial ecosystem.

—RayChill, a startup built on IP from 91¸£ÀûÉç, provides a passive radiative cooling material that cools structures without power and is seeking a Co-Founder/CEO.

For more opportunities, please check back soon or sign up for updates.

ÌýÌýAre you a CU startup with an employment opportunity to share with the CU community? Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu for posting here. Also, you canÌýpostÌýto 91¸£ÀûÉç's recruitment platform HandshakeÌýand/orÌýjoin the Startups2Students career fair.