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
ÌýÌýLVC and OEDIT Info Session Thursday, June 11
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 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for ÐÔÊӽ紫ý'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 Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver.
ÌýÌýCommunity ShowcaseWednesday, June 24, 2026
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 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý 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 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý. 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
Techstars Boulder Accelerator
ÌýÌýApplication DeadlineWednesday, June 10 ÌýÌýÌý ÌýÌýÌý
Techstars is all about the founders. As the original Techstars program that helped spark a global network nearly 20 years ago, Techstars Boulder rallies the community to help exceptional founders build impactful companies. Techstars is not focused on any single industry or vertical, and backs ambitious founders building companies with the potential to scale in a big way. Each company receives funding, access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship and over $4 million of perks.
Offered by Techstars Boulder in Partnership with ÐÔÊӽ紫ý
Lab Venture Challenge and Colorado State Grants Information Session
ÌýÌýThursday, June 11, 2026, noon-2 p.m. MT ÌýÌýÌýÌýVirtual Opportunity ÌýÌýÌýÌýFor Those Commercializing Technologies From ÐÔÊӽ紫ý, CU Denver and UCCS ÌýÌýÌýRegister Now
The University of Colorado’s Lab Venture Challenge and programs from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) offer up to $250,000 in translational funding to advance laboratory research and early-stage startups, with past awardees including Manifest Technologies, Arkana Therapeutics, and many other successful CU companies. This informational session will feature program leaders and provide key timelines, eligibility criteria, best practices and direct Q&A to help attendees successfully compete for these opportunities.
Offered by Venture Partners
Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase
ÌýÌýWednesday, June 24, 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m. ÌýÌýÌýByron R. White Stadium Club at Folsom Field, Boulder ÌýÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required ÌýÌýÌýRegister Now
The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase brings together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado. Attendees will have a chance to see pitches from each of the Ascent 2026 cohort startups, followed by a networking happy hour to learn more.
Offered by Venture Partners
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Friday, July 24 ÌýÌýÌýJuly 31-Aug. 14 ÌýÌýÌýIn Person, Boulder 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
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
Opportunities Outside the University of Colorado
*Friday, May 29Ìý(pre-solicitation deadline), Tuesday, July 7Ìý(solicitation deadline) | —10 research topics are now available to review and ask questions during the pre-solicitation timeline.
*Friday, May 29 (deadline) | —ARPA-E funding for early career scientists with projects across five priority technical areas: energy, supply chain security, critical minerals, grid reliability and security and American manufacturing competitiveness with awards up to $500,000.
*Wednesday, June 3 (deadline) | U.S. Department of War (fmr. Defense) Solicitations—91 topics, spread across SBIR, STTR and Commercial Solutions Opening (CSOs) in this 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). | |
Wednesday, June 10 (deadline) | —Highlighting innovative technologies that can identify, secure and communicate hazardous energy risks in the workplace, to drive down rates of injuries and fatalities.
*Wednesday, June 10 (deadline) | —A nationwide pitch competition for entrepreneurs building and scaling businesses within their communities. The quarter-final round will select one entrepreneur per state, and the final pitch competition in Washington, D.C. will culminate in a $1 million prize pool.ÌýÌý
Saturday, June 20 (deadline) | —Bridging the gap between innovation and industry, enabling startups to validate, industrialize and scale their technologies within a real industrial environment.
June 22-July 2, Virtual and in Telluride, CO | —Connect with investors, learn from founders and refine the skills and tools needed to kick off fundraising or complete a round.
July 20-22, Golden, COÌý | —From strengthening the industry’s foundation to tackling immediate workforce needs, this convening will focus on what it takes to move forward together.
*Wednesday, June 24 (deadline) | U.S. Department of War (fmr. Defense) Solicitations—43 new topics in this 2026 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). | | Ìý
*Monday, June 29 (deadline) | —Three solicitations are open for submission, offering up to $250,000 for 9-month Phase IA and IB projects to develop or enhance education technology prototypes, and up to $1,000,000 over two years for Direct to Phase II projects to scale evidence-based innovations and prepare for commercialization.
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.
Rolling Applications
*(Rolling Deadline |—Offers up to two additional years of funding on a current NSF award to support high-risk, use-inspired research and early translation efforts not included in the original project.
Receiving Applications | —An incubation program to mature technologies in North American universities towards commercialization.
*—PromotingÌýgrowth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries that increase the state's global competitiveness.
—EncouragingÌýinvestments in Colorado advanced industry businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits.Ìý
—Unshackled Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm focused exclusively on immigrant-founded startups.
—Evergreen Climate Innovations' 501vc® Investment Fund invests $250,000 in early-stage climate tech startups in the Greater Midwest region of the United States.
*—Funding is granted through many different agencies across the federal government and in various areas of innovation.
—Empowering entrepreneurs by providing access to mentorship, capitalÌýand a global network to help them succeed and scale their startups.
—A curated pipeline of vetted opportunities aligned with industry and national priorities from Catalyst Partners, government requirements and industry targets.
*Need support with your translational funding grant? Contact our Center for Translational Research.
Employment Opportunities
For more opportunities, please check back soon or subscribe 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 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý's recruitment platform HandshakeÌýand/orÌýjoin the Startups2Students career fair.