Promo Kit — 2025 New Venture Challenge
Promo Kit—NVC Competition
This page contains all the information available to help you promote this opportunity to your network and community. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to Karen Reid, marketing and communications specialist for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at karen.reid@colorado.edu.
Program Information
About the New Venture Challenge (NVC)
The New Venture Challenge (NVC) – a signature program of the University of Colorado Boulder's Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative — is a launchpad for aspiring problem-solvers and creatives. During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams can win a share of $320,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater. Learn More
Who can participate? Everyone at CU Boulder is invited to participate – current students, faculty, staff or recent graduates. NVC participants can earn a microcredential while gaining experience in creating a startup venture.
How Does it Work? Participants can compete in one of two NVC categories:
- Deep Tech Category – for ventures built around a scientific or technological innovation that has been developed using fundamental scientific disciplines
- Open Category – for ventures not meeting the Deep Tech criteria
Specialty Competition Opportunities
Additionally, NVC offers two specialty competition opportunities:
- Social Impact New Venture Challenge – for ventures that want to create a positive social impact
- Women Founders Competition – for teams with at least one core team member who is a woman
“In a sentence”
The New Venture Challenge (NVC) at CU Boulder is a comprehensive entrepreneurial competition offering mentorship, community support and a chance to win up to $320,000 for developing impactful startups and projects.
Registration Details
- Nov. 1, 2023: Application opens
- Feb. 8, 3:00 p.m. MT: Application deadline
Where: All programming takes place on the CU Boulder campus or virtually. The NVC Finals will take place at the Boulder Theater on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Who: This competition is for venture teams founded by any current CU Boulder students, faculty, staff or recent graduates.
Learn More and Register: (QR Code.png) colorado.edu/nvc/compete/general-competition or colorado.edu/nvc/compete
About Us
The New Venture Challenge (NVC) — a signature program of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative — is the heart of CU Boulder's entrepreneurship engine. Ranked 15th among U.S. collegiate entrepreneurship competitions, NVC is a launchpad for aspiring problem-solvers and creatives. During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, participants have the opportunity to build impactful ventures through entrepreneurial events and programming, community support and mentorship. Competition teams can win a share of $320,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater. Learn More
Promotional Assets
Flyer
Presentation and Digital Sign Slides
Social Media Posters
Tag us!
Ready-to-Share Social Media Posts
Sample email invitation
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I'm excited to extend an invitation to you and your network to participate in the 2025 New Venture Challenge (NVC) at the University of Colorado Boulder.
The NVC is more than just a competition; it's a comprehensive entrepreneurial experience. It offers an incredible opportunity to connect with the CU Boulder campus and the broader Boulder community, fostering the development and funding of innovative ideas.
Why compete this year?
- Develop and pitch your new non-profit or for-profit venture ideas.
- Access mentorship and a vibrant entrepreneurial community.
- Compete for substantial funding to kickstart your venture; the culmination of the NVC is the grand finale, where teams pitch for funding—with over $320,000 at stake!
- Network with industry leaders and fellow innovators.
- This year, we are thrilled to announce that participants can join a series of trainings and workshops, extensive networking opportunities and the chance to collaborate with seasoned mentors to refine their business concepts.
Registration for the 2025 New Venture Challenge and Social Impact New Venture Challenge competitions are now open. We encourage you to seize this opportunity to ideate, team up, compete, get funded and create a lasting impact.
Please visit colorado.edu/nvc/compete for more details and to register. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or require further information.
We look forward to seeing your innovative ideas take shape at the NVC!
[Your Name]