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: Sign Up Now
Signature Programs of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Connecting the CU Boulder campus with the Boulder community to develop innovative ideas and pitch for up to $50,000 in venture funding.
Student entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives who embrace the spirit of innovation and impact on campus and in the Boulder community.
A micro-funding opportunity for CU Boulder 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 CU Boulder 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. Whether you have an idea or are someone eager to help those ideas become real, this is the event you don't want to miss.
CU Boulder's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Tuesday, April 15: First Pitch Colorado—Hear pitches from founders across every stage of building great technology companies.
Friday, April 18: Startup Ski Days—Designed to help you meet and get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors, and community members on the ski slopes.
Tuesday, April 22: Boulder Open Coffee Club (BOCC)—An informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Wednesday, April 23: New Venture Challenge Finals—Top entrepreneurs pitch their innovative business ventures live to a panel of judges and compete for a share of $325,000!
Friday, April 25 (Denver): Colorado Startups Happy Hour—Join other ambitious entrepreneurs, investors, and community members in our state's thriving startup ecosystem for a lively and fun event.
Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27: LAUNCH YOUR IDEA - WEST CENTRAL COLORADO—In collaboration with Region 10 and the West Central Small Business Development Center, you will learn core elements critical to every successful business venture, regardless of stage, in this certificate course.
Applications
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): DemingHigh 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: EnergyTech University Prize–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: Startup Colorado Community and Entrepreneurship Grants–Grants that support rural entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their businesses but need a financial boost to get there.and delivering results.
Rolling Application: Global Business Development's 2025 Trade Shows–Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.