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:Ìý
Signature Programs of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Connecting the CU Boulder campus with the Boulder community to developÌýinnovativeÌýideas and pitchÌýfor up toÌý$50,000 in venture funding.
Student entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives who embrace theÌýspirit 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 collaborative event that's all about making positive changes in the world.ÌýWhether you haveÌýanÌýidea 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
Wednesday, Jan. 7: —L±ðarn how Exponential Impact (XI) helps founders build companies that scale with purpose.
Thursday, Jan. 8: —Engage with others in Colorado’s life sciences community and spark dynamic relationships with fellow innovators.
Thursday, Jan. 8: —Exponential Impact's weekly gathering for entrepreneurs, founders and tech enthusiasts shaping the future through emerging technologies.
Friday, Jan. 9: —Startup Colorado's virtual networking conversation focusing on current projects, story sharing and pooling resources Ìýto help reach the "next step" on the long entrepreneurial road ahead.
Wednesday, Jan. 14: —Bringing together leaders, innovators, and professional from life science organizations of all sizes for relaxed networking in a welcoming environment.
Thursday, Jan. 15: —Learn about a community development and connection strategy capable of addressing socioeconomic challenges such as housing, workforce shortages, and economic mobility.
Friday, Jan. 16: —Join the Colorado startup community on the mountain! Open to founders, operators, investors and the startup-curious. Upcoming Ski Days: Feb. 6, Feb. 20, March 27 and April 17.
Jan. 22-Feb. 5: Venture Partners CU Boulder Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop—Over three weeks (virtual), 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.Ìý
Thursday, Feb. 12: —Exponential Impact brings together founders, technologists and emerging tech leaders for a powerful night of connection, conversation, and community.
Monday, Feb. 23: —A²Ô afternoon of speed mentoring designed to connect women across all stages of their professional journeys.
March 30-April 3: —A statewide series of panels, forums, and community events convening leaders from across the state to explore climate innovation, strengthen energy resilience, advance technology adoption and protect landscapes and communities.
Applications
Monday, Jan. 12 (deadline): Mathers Foundation Grant Program (µþ¾±´Ç²õ³¦¾±±ð²Ô³¦±ð²õ)—Seeking innovative, novel proposals with scientific merit and established proof of concept, which may not be fundable at the federal level.Ìý
Friday, Jan. 23 (deadline): —A two-week hybrid program designed to help Colorado company leaders acquire tools for evaluating business strategy and focus on actionable steps.
Sunday, Jan. 25 (deadline): —Applications are welcome from startups with innovative digital health solutions that can help drive pharma operational efficiencies or better scientific or clinical outcomes.
Saturday, Jan. 31 (deadline): , a 12-month accelerator for entrepreneurs who see business as a bridge that connects people, strengthens communities and drives meaningful impact. Each founder receives the equivalent of up to $52,000 in direct support.
Sunday, Feb. 1 (deadline): —Based at the , Runway ushers recent PhDs in digital technology fields from an academic mindset to an entrepreneurial outlook.
Thursday, Feb., 26 (deadline): —Open to approved Colorado research universities and federal labs located in Colorado. These grants are for pre-commercialization research and commercialization preparation of innovative technologies. Grants up to $150,000 will be awarded.
Thursday, Feb., 26 (deadline): —Funding for companies commercializing innovative technologies to create viable products that meet a market need and can be created or manufactured in Colorado and exported globally. Grants up to $250,000 will be awarded.
Applications open: –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.
Applications open: —A free expert-led cohort to help sustainability ventures. Participants will receive expert-led training, committed mentorship and pitch coaching.
Rolling Application: —A²Ô open-access, equity-free biotech accelerator for early-stage founders.
Rolling Application: –Grants that support rural entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their businesses but need a financial boost to get there.andÌýdelivering results.
Rolling Application: —ForÌýinvestors and advanced industries businesses in the amount of 25% toÌý35% per investment up to $100,000.
Rolling Application: –Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.