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
Oct. 6-10: —Five days of ideas, connection, and collaboration— all celebrating rural entrepreneurs and the communities they call home. Powered by Startup Colorado.
Wednesday, Oct. 8: —As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, the mining sector is evolving through sustainability, automation and digitalization. The first quarterly discussion on important energy issues by Colorado Cleantech's Energy Innovators Network.
Tuesday, Oct. 14:—C´Ç±¹±ð°ù¾±²Ô²µ 10 key areas every founder should know—from leaving a current job and dividing equity to avoiding liability, securing your first term sheet, understanding investor expectations and planning for a successful exit.
Tuesday, Oct. 14: —A half-day workshop to prepare founders to understand many of the terms and processes used by VCs and sharpen their venture strategy.
Thursday, Oct. 16: —Engage with others in Colorado’s life sciences community and spark dynamic relationships with fellow innovators.
Wednesday, Oct. 22: —Teams of top innovators from CU will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for grants of up to $125,000—that’s $750,000 in total awards—for their early-stage projects in bio- and physical sciences with compelling market potential.
Wednesday, Oct. 22: â€Äâore than 400 decision-makers will gather to explore disruptive technologies, policy shifts and market dynamics. Learn strategies, partnerships and data-driven insights that can help deliver real ROI.Ìý
Saturday, Oct. 25: —Bringing together search fund entrepreneurs, students, investors, service providers, faculty, and other participants in the ETA ecosystem to connect, learn and share best practices in a growing field. Hosted by hosted by the CU Leeds School of Business Ìýin collaboration with Denver ETA Meetup.
Oct. 27-30: CU Boulder Translational Funding Week: Unlock Funding to Move Your Research or Venture Forward—A series of engaging lunchtime sessions designed to demystify the landscape of non-dilutive funding opportunities that support the journey from lab to market.
Wednesday, Nov. 5: —A one-day innovation sprint where CU Boulder students team up with Google professionals to tackle Colorado's most pressing climate and energy challenges.
Applications
Monday, Oct. 13 (deadline): Research & Innovation Seed Grants—Grants of up to $60K for projects from all disciplines at CU Boulder, especially those involving inter- or multidisciplinary collaborationÌýand projects in emerging fields. Projects to establish or leverage external partnerships (e.g. industry, national labs, universities, community nonprofits, etc.) are also welcomed.
Friday, Oct. 10 (deadline): —A 10-week, United Way program designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen operation and refine strategies for strength.
Friday, Oct. 17 (deadline): ‼·esigned to support trainee-led ventures translating cutting-edge science into real companies. Finalists will pitch for the $100K Alnylam Science Entrepreneurship Award, plus additional runner-up prizes. Travel and accommodations are fully covered for selected teams.
Monday, Oct. 27 (deadline): —The Website Build Initiative from United for Business and GeekPack helps small business owners create professional, mobile-friendly websites that reflect their brands and support long-term growth.
Thursday, Oct. 30 (deadline): Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop—Offered as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps™ Hub: West Region, this workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Friday, Nov. 7 (deadline): —This two-year fellowship embeds early-stage startup founders at Argonne to help transform breakthrough science and energy technologies into impactful solutions.
Friday, Nov. 7 (deadline): —Innovation Crossroads supports and mentors entrepreneurial researchers whose early-stage innovations are presently too challenging or technically uncertain to pursue in a venture capital–financed start-up.
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.