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Applications Open: Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator and NSF I-Corps™ Hub West Programs | Tickets Available: Lab Venture Challenge Showcases
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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.
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-Corps™ Hub West
DARPAConnect Mission Connect: Colorado Event
Wednesday, Nov. 18 BOK Financial Byron R. White Club Level, Folsom Field, Boulder Virtual Option All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Register Now
A one-day event for researchers, entrepreneurs and small businesses to meet DARPA program managers and learn how to engage with DARPA. DARPA pursues breakthrough research in AI, biotechnology, manufacturing, microelectronics, autonomy and other fields to advance national security.
Offered by DARPAConnect and hosted at CU Boulder
128th Distinguished Research Lecture: Michael McGehee
Harnessing Sunlight and Mentoring Startup Founders to Address Climate Change
Wednesday, November 18, 4-5 p.m. Chancellor's Hall and Auditorium, Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation Is Not Required Register Now
Professor Michael McGehee’s research group patterns materials at the smallest length scales to address climate change. The group’s early work on printable solar cells helped lead to perovskite tandem cells, which are 30 percent more efficient than silicon cells and are being developed by more than a dozen businesses, including spinouts Swift Solar and Tandem PV. The lab also invented adjustable-tint windows that can cut building energy costs by 20 percent, leading to Tynt Technologies. McGehee will share lessons from the 22 companies his students have founded, how they shape his Boulder Climate Ventures course and his thoughts on cooling the planet with optical geoengineering.
Offered by the CU Boulder Research & Innovation Office
Ascent Deep Tech Startup Creator
Application Deadline: Monday, Dec. 7 Jan.-June 2027 Virtual Teams Commercializing CU Intellectual Property Apply Now
An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver. Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature, intensive research and development, and significant capital requirements. Ascent understands the needs and pathways for deep tech startups to find early success.
Offered by Venture Partners at CU Boulder
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 six-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-Corps™ Hub West