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Applications Open: NSF I-Corps Hub West Programs | Tickets Available: Lab Venture Challenge Showcases
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
CU Boulder Sustainability Research Summit
Oct. 8-9 University Memorial Center (UMC), CU Boulder Campus All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Get Free Tickets
The inaugural Sustainability Research Summit is a two‑day event highlighting the diversity and depth of our campus's sustainability research. Free and open to the public, the summit aims to foster connections among researchers and with external partners across the Front Range and beyond.
Offered by the CU Boulder Sustainability Research Initiative
CU Boulder Research & Innovation Week
Oct. 12-16 Various Venues All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required View Schedule
The eighth annual Research & Innovation Week is designed to elevate awareness across campus, build a sense of shared community, create opportunities for collaboration and recognize exceptional leadership and outcomes. Join us as we highlight and shape tomorrow's leaders, showcase some of our most compelling innovations and demonstrate CU Boulder's positive impact on humanity.
Research to Impact — Funding and Industry Partnership Strategies
Oct. 14, 2:30-4:30 p.m. CU Boulder Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community (SEEC) Building For Researchers and Inventors at CU Boulder and Deep Tech Industry Representatives Register Now
Research funding requires a diversified approach. Join CU Boulder's Venture Partners, Industry Research Partnerships and Center for Translational Research to explore practical strategies to expand beyond traditional funding sources and position research for greater impact. Faculty and research teams will gain actionable funding insights, while industry participants can discover emerging innovations, explore collaboration opportunities and provide valuable feedback to help researchers communicate the potential of their work.
Research & Innovation Seed Grant Program
Application Deadline: Monday, Oct. 12 Team-Based Proposals of Two or More CU Boulder Faculty Investigators Apply Now
Funding bold, interdisciplinary projects with strong potential for intellectual advancement and societal impact. Awards of up to $60,000 over 18 months support innovative research and cross-disciplinary partnerships designed to catalyze new knowledge and attract follow-on funding.
Offered by the CU Boulder Research & Innovation Office
Lab Venture Challenge Showcases
Physical Sciences: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-8:30 p.m. | Biosciences: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. Dairy Arts Center, Boulder All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Get Free Tickets
Teams of top innovators from the University of Colorado will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for a share of more than $1 million in grants for their early-stage projects in bio- and physical sciences with compelling market potential. Past pitches have included everything from next-generation batteries to cancer treatments, and LVC has funded 117 projects that have gone on to launch 70 startups and raise more than $691 million, including Arkana Therapeutics, Mesa Quantum and Forge Nano — CU Boulder's 11th unicorn spinout.
Offered by Venture Partners
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
Application Deadline Thursday, Oct. 29 Nov. 5-19 Virtual Opportunity All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Apply 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
New Venture Launch Class
Application Deadline Friday, Oct. 30 Wednesdays, 12:30-3:15 p.m., Spring 2027 Semester CU Boulder Campus CU Affiliation Required Apply Now
A one-semester, application-based class for people who intend to start a company. Founders bring a venture with traction they can show. Everyone else brings a skill and is placed on a team. Applications are open to the entire CU system: past cohorts have included undergraduates, master’s students, PhD candidates, law students, professors and CU staff. This is not an introductory course. There are no prerequisites. Instructor consent required.
Offered by CU Boulder's Leeds School of Business and Deming Center for Entrepreneurship
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
Application Deadline Tuesday, May 4 May 11-June 22 Virtual Opportunity All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Apply 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-Corps™ 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