Opportunities and Events
Signature Venture Partners Programming
A partnership with top research universities across the Western U.S. to reduce the time and risk associated with translating promising ideas and technologies to the marketplace.
Applications Now Open
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.
Accepting Support Requests
With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.
A competition for CU Boulder's top innovations showing high commercial potential, a clear path to a compelling market and strong 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.
A collaboration among the Intermountain West region's leading research universities and federal laboratories, showcasing the best companies from the region’s innovation ecosystem to investors and the business community.
Creative Futures Fellowship
The new CU Boulder Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in the arts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, to transform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond CU Boulder. 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
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 Accelerator
Application Deadline: Monday, Dec. 7 January-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
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
Application Deadline: Thursday, Jan. 14 Jan. 21-Feb.4 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, the Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop at Venture Partners at CU Boulder 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.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps™ Hub West
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
Opportunities and Events Outside the University of Colorado
*Need help with your application? These opportunities are supported by our Center for Translational Research.
Funding and Investment Opportunities
*Nov. 17, May 18 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) - Translate and Partner: Accelerating technology translation and development, fostering regional innovation and economic growth, and preparing the American workforce for future high-wage jobs in STEM fields.
*Sunday, Nov. 8 (Deadline) | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2026 Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Solicitation — Six-month, $100,000 proof-of-concept awards for small businesses tackling clean and safe water, air quality, circular economy and safer chemicals.
*Monday, Nov. 23 (Deadline) | Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation's (BIRD) General Program — Conditional grants up to $1.5 million for jointly developed, commercially promising technology projects between one U.S. company and one Israeli company across sectors including advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, cleantech and life sciences.
*Tuesday, Dec. 15 (Deadline) | University of Central Florida's (UCF) National Commercialization and Translation Institute (NCTI) — $1-3.75 million in milestone-based awards, mentoring and investor access for six to eight deep tech National Science Foundation (NSF) SBIR/STTR Phase II/IIB awardees.
*Wednesday, Dec. 16 (Deadline) | U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Fall 2026 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I Topics — Up to $300,000 for small businesses developing energy and national security technologies. Pitch application required.
*Jan. 5, April 5 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Programs — NIH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Parent SBIR | NIH Parent STTR | SBIR Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award | SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program
*March 4; July 7, 2027 (Deadlines) | U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I, Phase II, Fast-Track Programs — Deep Technologies that Advance U.S. Competitiveness and Security: Supports startups and small businesses in transforming high-risk technologies into products and services that drive innovation, economic growth and jobs.Pilot Emphasis on Scientific Instrumentation: Supports startups and small businesses developing scientific tools and technologies that advance discovery and strengthen the U.S. research enterprise.
*Friday, June 4, 2027 (Deadline) | U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Multi X Office’s (MXO) Office-wide Innovative Solutions Opening — Funding to explore materials at the atomic, molecular and cellular scales to develop novel components, tools and processes with the potential to reshape the battlespace and economies of the future.
Rolling Deadlines
*U.S. National Science Foundation's Translation to Practice (NSF TTP) - Explore: A pilot translational funding track that is likely to be the first step for researchers seeking to translate their basic research to practice.
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade's (OEDIT) Advanced Industry Investment Tax Credit: Encouraging third-party investments in Colorado advanced industries businesses by incentivizing investors with state income tax credits of 25% to 35% per investment up to $100,000.
Unshackled Ventures: Backing founders with outsized resilience and grit with capital, community and conviction—pre-product, pre-traction, pre-revenue, with the first check ($150,000-$750,000).
Education and Development
Thursday, Nov. 5 (Monthly, first Thursday), Virtual Event |U.S. National Science Foundation's (NSF) I-Corps Teams Webinar — A recurring webinar covering eligibility, team composition, curriculum and the application process for the National I-Corps Teams program, open to researchers who have worked on an NSF grant in recent years.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 (Deadline) | Techstars' Spring 2027 Accelerators — $220,000 investment to fuel your growth, expert guidance and lifetime access to 11,000+ founders and investors worldwide.
Monday, Nov. 30 (Deadline) | U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) ASCEND Engine’s ASCEND Commercialization Partners — Paid six- to 12-month engagements pairing seasoned business professionals and early-career technical entrepreneurs with Colorado and Wyoming resilience technology teams.
Monday, Jan. 11, 2027 (Deadline) | NextCorps' Luminate Accelerator Cohort 10 — A six-month, hybrid accelerator for startups with optics, photonics, imaging or laser technologies, with $100,000 at program start and a chance at $1 million in follow-on funding.
No Deadline
HAX Venture Fellowship — A one-year, part-time (remote) program offering hands-on experience for the next generation of hard tech founders and investors.
Networking and Showcases
Friday, Nov. 13 (Deadline) | Tuesday, May 4, Cambridge, Massachusetts | Science2Startup (S2S) Symposium — Academic researchers can submit one-page therapeutic startup ideas for a chance to present to leading biotech investors and executives, with mentorship from matched advisors.
Thursday, Nov. 12 | Denver, Colorado | Colorado BioScience Association’s (CBSA) 23rd Annual Awards Celebration — An evening recognizing those advancing health innovation in Colorado’s life sciences, with CU Boulder spinouts VitriVax, Think Bioscience and OnKure among the finalists.
Tuesday, Dec. 8, Denver, Colorado | Colorado Cleantech Industry Association's Cleantech Innovation Celebration — Honoring Colorado's most innovative and impactful cleantech companies, entrepreneurs and industry champions, with a chance to connect with top executives, investors and policymakers.
Employment Opportunities
Monday, Nov. 30 (Deadline) | U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) ASCEND Engine’s ASCEND Commercialization Partners — Paid six- to 12-month engagements pairing seasoned business professionals and early-career technical entrepreneurs with Colorado and Wyoming resilience technology teams.
Are you a CU startup with an employment opportunity to share with the CU community?
- Send it to vpnews@colorado.edu to reach Venture Partners audiences.
- Post to CU Boulder's recruitment platform Handshake to reach CU Boulder students and alumni.
- Join the Startups2Students career fair to reach CU Boulder students eager to join a startup.
- Send it to Wil V. Srubar, associate dean for innovation and entrepreneurship, to reach CU Boulder engineering students.