CU Innovators News

Announcing the 2026 cohort of the Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 16:28:24 +0000

Announcing the 2026 cohort of the Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator Daniel Corbin … Mon, 01/12/2026 - 09:28

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with �� technologies to bring those breakthroughs to market to address urgent societal needs. Embark has launched its third cohort of Embark Startup Founders and will provide intellectual property rights, funding for the founders and their companies, startup accelerator programming support and investor introductions to launch startups with real-world impact.

Every year, dozens of breakthrough inventions emerge from CU Boulder’s research labs. While some are spun out by creators themselves, others are poised to partner with entrepreneurs beyond university walls, looking to launch the latest and greatest technologies.

Ready to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey?

Embark is CU Boulder's deep tech startup creator for matching entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

Visit Embark Webpage

Embark bridges this gap by recruiting and matching entrepreneurs with promising university innovations. “Just because the university inventors didn’t create a startup company doesn’t mean the technology is not a really exciting startup opportunity,” said Bryn Rees, senior associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships.

“In our first two cohorts, the entrepreneurs went into high gear after being selected by the Venture Partners team and rose to every challenge,” said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “They do not rest; they take advantage of everything we suggest to them,” she said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, how we support our startups,” added Zgagacz.

This year, Embark received more than 150 applications from entrepreneurs who explored a curated portfolio of more than 40 technologies across scientific and engineering fields, including biotechnology (biotech), quantum science, advanced materials and aerospace.

Candidates went through a rigorous ten-week interview process where they learned about the technologies for the first time, collaborated with the researchers, began customer discovery and pitched their business ideas in the final selection process.

"We were impressed with all of these entrepreneurs and how much progress they made to get to this point,” said Amy Dodenhoff, director of venture development at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “We are excited to see what the new founders can do over the next six months with their new companies.”

The new Embark Startup Founders (previously known as Entrepreneurs in Residence) will launch their companies with an evaluation license from the university and will have access to the full suite of entrepreneurial support at CU Boulder, including the National Science Foundation I-Corps^TM: Hub West, Lab Venture Challenge and Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator.

To date, 20 companies have been founded through Embark, 12 of which have received follow-on funding. Embark’s emphasis on matching entrepreneurs with groundbreaking innovations holds the potential to unleash the full impact of CU Boulder’s research into the world.

2026 Embark Startup Founders

Rob Carpenter

Rob Carpenter is a serial entrepreneur and technology executive with over 15 years of experience building and scaling software and artificial intelligence companies. He previously founded and led Valyant AI, raising $18 million and deploying enterprise AI systems at national scale, and AppIt Ventures, a global software firm he successfully exited. He holds an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver.

Rob is building a company around robotics technology developed in Kaushik Jayaram's lab (fmr. CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Savanh Chantha-Phavong

Savanh Chantha-Phavong is a translational pathology and spatial biology scientist and entrepreneur with leadership experience across academia, biopharma and CROs. Her expertise includes next-generation histopathology, multiplex imaging, assay and antibody optimization and digital pathology. She founded the STEM/Innovation Award and Women in Histology, Pathology and Spatial Informatics. She holds a PhD in anatomy, cell biology and neurobiology from the University of Melbourne.

Savanh is building a company around biotech developed in Corey Neu's lab (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Nikhil Chopra

Nikhil Chopra is a biotech executive and entrepreneur with more than 15 years advancing liquid biopsy applications in noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and therapy selection, changing care paradigms through assay development and global lab deployments at high-growth startups including Natera and Guardant Health.

Nikhil is building a company with fellow Embark Startup Founder Elie Maksoud around biotech developed in Dylan Taatjes's lab (CU Boulder Biochemistry).

Gary Dolsen

Gary Dolsen is a five-time SaaS and software startup veteran with multiple exits. For the last eight years, he has been a coach and mentor for accelerator programs, including Venture Partners and Techstars. In addition to his startup work, he has served as a senior executive at two hypergrowth companies and a Fortune 500 company, leading teams in product, engineering, data analytics, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales.

Gary is building a company around sensors and AI technology developed in Longji Cui's lab (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Vineet Erasala

Vineet Erasala is an engineer with deep experience in life science startups, scaling complex medical systems from concept to successful exit. Most recently, he co-founded and ran Genetesis until its acquisition, building a 25-person team and raising more than $40 million to commercialize biomagnetic devices. A recognized innovator, Vineet enjoys scaling breakthrough technologies into scalable scientific solutions.

Vineet is building a company around biotech developed in Xiaoyun Ding's lab (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Elena Forchielli

Elena Forchielli is an entrepreneur and ecosystem builder focused on hard-tech and climate innovation. She has founded two businesses and supported early-stage infrastructure and industrial technology companies as a mentor and investor. Elena holds a PhD in microbial ecology from Boston University and a BS in molecular biology from CU Boulder.

Elena is building a company around construction technology developed in Mija H. Hubler's lab (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering).

Teri Ham

Teri Ham is an entrepreneur and strategist with more than 15 years across early-stage ventures, global enterprises and international development. A speaker and published researcher, she has served as chief operations officer of a biotech startup in Korea, led IBM’s global leadership program, and delivered ICT programs with UNESCO, APEC and ASEAN across 14 countries. She holds an MA from University College London (UCL).

Teri is building a company with fellow Embark Startup Founder Renee Sanchez around advanced materials technology developed in Robert MacCurdy's lab (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Elie Maksoud

Elie Maksoud is a scientist-turned-entrepreneur and strategist with a PhD in neurobiology and an Executive MBA. He has over a decade of experience spanning academic research across leading institutions, including the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, and innovation consulting at Sightglass Partners, working at the intersection of strategy, business and life science commercialization.

Elie is building a company with fellow Embark Startup Founder Nikhil Chopra around biotech developed in Dylan Taatjes's lab (CU Boulder Biochemistry).

Todd McGuire

Todd McGuire is a technology and analytics leader with 25 years of experience founding and scaling SaaS and digital health platforms. He has led multiple 0-to-1 product launches, served as chief technology officer and head of product for high-growth ventures, and holds a U.S. patent for a remote patient monitoring system. He earned his BS from the ��.

Todd is building a company around AI technology developed in the Earth Lab by Lise St. Denis.

Renee Sanchez

Renee Sanchez's background spans early-stage startups, venture support and technology commercialization. She previously founded Olive Devices and has worked inside and alongside startups, leading intellectual property strategy, product development and execution. She holds a JD and a BS in industrial design and focuses on turning complex ideas into viable ventures.

Renee is building a company with fellow Embark Startup Founder Teri Ham around advanced materials technology developed in Robert MacCurdy's lab (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering).

Broder Schmidt

Broder Schmidt is a scientist and entrepreneur with more than a 15-year track record of translating biological insights into real-world outcomes. He is driven by a mission to facilitate better living through biology. Broder is co-founder of Prose Foods and holds a PhD in molecular biology from the University of Goettingen, Germany.

Broder is building a company around health and wellness technology developed in Min Han's lab (CU Boulder Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology).

Andrew Zorn

Andrew Zorn is an entrepreneur and translational scientist working at the intersection of biology, computation and therapeutics. His background spans early-stage company formation, drug-discovery strategy, and life science business strategy. He previously launched GRIK Therapeutics. He focuses on building platforms that turn deep biological insight into scalable, real-world solutions.

Andrew is building a company around biotech developed in Aaron Whiteley's lab (CU Boulder Biochemistry).

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Physicist Jun Ye named to Quantum 100 list

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:13:52 +0000

Physicist Jun Ye named to Quantum 100 list Daniel Corbin … Thu, 12/18/2025 - 13:13

CU Boulder Today—UNESCO named physicist Jun Ye to its Quantum 100 list—a catalogue of some of the top leaders around the world in the rapidly growing field of quantum science.

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2026 RIO Faculty Fellows cohort spans departments and disciplines across campus

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:33:01 +0000

2026 RIO Faculty Fellows cohort spans departments and disciplines across campus Daniel Corbin … Mon, 12/08/2025 - 10:33

The Research & Innovation Office (RIO) announced the 2026 RIO Faculty Fellows cohort. This year’s cohort includes 18 faculty members from departments and research institutes spanning the campus—the largest and most interdisciplinary Faculty Fellows cohort since the program launched in 2018.

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OEDIT announces grants to University of Colorado startups and researchers in the advanced industries

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 19:28:08 +0000

OEDIT announces grants to University of Colorado startups and researchers in the advanced industries Daniel Corbin … Thu, 11/20/2025 - 12:28

This announcement was originally published at oedit.colorado.gov.

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The Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that five companies based on innovations from the University of Colorado and one CU researcher have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. These grants promote the growth and sustainability of advanced industries in Colorado by driving innovation, commercialization and public-private partnerships that move this vital aspect of Colorado’s economy forward in communities across the state.

“The advanced industries account for nearly 30% of Colorado’s total wage earnings, approximately 30% of total sales revenue, and nearly 35% of the state’s total exports. The Advanced Industries Accelerator program is a national model, strengthening this critical part of Colorado’s economy by supporting companies developing disruptive and innovative technologies. By providing direct funding and enabling recipients to leverage third-party capital, we are supporting transformative commercial product development and end-use applications while growing businesses and supporting new jobs,” said Michelle Hadwiger, director of global business development at OEDIT.

The Proof of Concept grant is intended to help Colorado research institutions speed up applied research in the advanced industries, as well as commercialize products and services in partnership with the private sector. The Early-Stage Capital and Retention grant supports businesses commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies in the advanced industries that will be created or manufactured in Colorado.

The Advanced Industries Accelerator Program received 119 applications this grant cycle, which were reviewed in a multi-stage process by committees of business, technical and financial experts in the seven advanced industries. Final recommendations were approved by the Economic Development Commission on November 20, 2025.

The next application cycle for Proof-of-Concept and Early Stage Capital and Retention Grants will open on January 5, 2026 and applications will be due February 26, 2026. Learn more here

Proof-of-Concept Grants:

��, PI Jarrod Schiffbauer - Boulder, CO $85,023: Developing graphene-based aerogels for scalable high thrust efficiency solar photothermal propulsion.

Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grants:

ExoPower Inc. - Grand Junction, CO $150,000: Developing in-motion capacitive wireless charging technology to keep industrial mobile robots operating continuously.

Onconaut Therapeutics Inc. - Aurora, CO $246,868: Developing a first-in-class inhibitor of a protein that drives tumor growth, metastasis, and drug resistance in colorectal and other solid tumors.

Osmopure Technologies Inc. - Boulder, CO $250,000: Developing a new class of pressure-driven distillation membranes to remove contaminants from water.

Vega Surgical Inc. - Aurora, CO $250,000: Developing a bedside neurosurgical procedure solution for treating chronic subdural hematomas.

Vona Oncology LLC - Aurora, CO $250,000: Developing a novel small molecule designed to target aggressive triple-negative breast cancer.

OEDIT—The Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade announced that five companies based on innovations from the University of Colorado and one CU researcher have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program.

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CU Boulder researchers featured among highly cited researchers in 2025

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:40:35 +0000

CU Boulder researchers featured among highly cited researchers in 2025 Daniel Corbin … Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:40

�� Research & Innovation Office—Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2025 list, announced on Nov. 12, again includes a number CU Boulder faculty who are demonstrating “broad and significant influence in their fields.”

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New NAI Fellow Xuedong Liu leads in research and medical innovation

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:49:39 +0000

New NAI Fellow Xuedong Liu leads in research and medical innovation Daniel Corbin … Tue, 11/11/2025 - 14:49

Heather Hansen

�� biochemistry professor Xuedong Liu was inducted into the National Academy of Inventors this year, recognizing a career of pioneering discoveries and real-world impact. His research on cellular communication has fueled four startups advancing novel treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Since he was in grade school, Xuedong Liu (CU Boulder Biochemistry) has been intrigued by ‘how the world works.’ But becoming a biologist mostly involved memorizing, classifying and observing–all important skills—and Liu was curious about how organisms are put together, their inner workings and how they progress in a predetermined manner. So he looked to chemistry and physics for laws and rules and ways to predict activity. Ultimately, by combining the disciplines, he saw the best chance to advance science and discovery in a meaningful way. Liu thought, “There’s so much unknown and there’s so much promise–and there’s great opportunity there.”

Fast forward to Atlanta, Georgia in June 2025 when Liu—whose innovations have now led to the creation of four startup companies bringing novel disease therapies to the world—received a medal for being inducted into the elite ranks of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). NAI fellowship is the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.

“These academic inventors have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation, and their inventions have made a tangible impact on the quality of life, economic development and welfare of our society,” said Coke Stewart, acting undersecretary of commerce for intellectual property and acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, who presided over the ceremony.

The NAI chooses “people that have really done something of huge value with their patents,” said Hannah Nelson, associate director of licensing at Venture Partners at CU Boulder and biosciences team lead. “You are not recognized by the NAI unless you are in the very top tier of inventors,” she said. “It’s a prestigious designation that shows that you have contributed again and again in a really substantial way to innovation.”

While Liu knew he had been nominated for the distinction, “it was a very nice surprise,” he said. Liu was deeply honored by the recognition and credited his colleagues and collaborators, who have contributed to a collective effort to solve tough problems in fighting disease. The honor has fanned the flames of Liu’s work. “It’s motivated me even more to do things that change the world,” he said.

Hitting the target, from lab to marketplace

Liu’s lab at CU Boulder is focused on decoding how cells communicate with each other—a process called cell signaling and fundamental to many aspects of human health. Disruptions in these communication pathways can lead to serious diseases, including cancer. Liu’s research team works on creating pioneering therapies for both cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson’s disease. To do that, they work at the intersection of sciences with an approach Nelson describes as both visionary and practical. “Within his lab, there is expertise in chemistry and biology, so they are really able to bridge that gap, which is so necessary for making new drugs,” says Nelson. “It’s an important combination of skills.”

Liu’s career is also defined by a rare knack for drawing together cutting-edge science and real-world applications. “He is definitely one of our most prolific inventors on campus,” said Nelson, who has managed much of the intellectual property emerging from Liu’s lab over the past several years. She has also seen Liu excel in taking research from the bench to the wider world in hopes of making a profound difference in disease treatment.

OnKure Therapeutics Inc. (OKUR)

Discovering and developing the next generation of oncology precision medicines.

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Among Liu’s influential ventures is OnKure Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OKUR), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company he co-founded with Tony Piscopio in 2011 based on novel oncology therapies originally developed at CU. Since then, OnKure has expanded their pipeline to pursue inhibitors of PI3Kα, a protein complex whose mutation is a key driver in the development and progression of specific breast cancers. Late last year, OnKure merged with Reneo Pharmaceuticals, and the company now has three PI3Kα inhibitor programs, including one currently in clinical development.

Opening the gate

Liu hasn’t stopped there, instead turning his attention to developing a new precision delivery system. The platform is based on using gectosomes, small membranes that can transport molecules within and between cells to deliver therapeutic agents to specific locations in the body. Liu said this type of system—which he calls “opening the gate”—has many advantages, including targeting specific cells which can make a drug more effective and minimize overall side effects.

“We can move those machineries precisely into the cell type we want and target them without bothering other non-relevant cells. It’s a great unmet medical need,” said Liu. “We believe we have a great opportunity to really target the Achilles heels of cancer cells and the delivery system could be actually a very broad application, not only cancer but many chronic diseases, genetic diseases.”

Vesicle Therapeutics Inc.

Pioneering programmable extracellular vesicles to deliver therapeutic proteins and nucleic acids to intracellular targets.

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Building upon that research from his lab, Liu recently founded Vesicle Therapeutics. “This was always a goal in my mind, and I was always interested in this area,” said Liu. “And CU gave me a lot of opportunities to pursue it.” Working with Nelson and others at Venture Partners, Liu was able to test market feasibility of this new delivery system with programs including Lab Venture Challenge, PHAST (Pandemic Hyper Accelerator for Science and Technology, a program launched in 2021 to help fight the COVID pandemic) and the Research-to-Market Discovery Program.

Liu is grateful to now have a robust support system for spinouts at the university. When he started at CU in 2000, there was no Venture Partners with the broad suite of entrepreneurial programs currently offered. “Nowadays, it’s evolved so much that it really powers the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the Boulder and Denver areas,” said Liu.

“I personally benefited tremendously from that support, where you can grow your idea with this proof of concept and test your idea and see if it has potential to grow into something bigger and be commercialized,” he said. “Venture Partners are really phenomenal for the university, I think they’re truly a catalyst for innovations and invention here.”

Liu sees himself as a lifelong learner, in the lab and the business world, with a lot still to contribute. He knows there will be ups and downs and unforeseen problems that will impede his progress to some extent. But even if success is not immediate, he believes, “There’s a lot of hope for the future.”

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Kristi Anseth named Forbes "50 over 50" for "Innovation"

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 16:39:04 +0000

Kristi Anseth named Forbes "50 over 50" for "Innovation" Daniel Corbin … Tue, 10/21/2025 - 10:39

Forbes—Professor Kristi Anseth is known for developing tissue substitutes that improve treatments for conditions like broken bones and heart valve disease. She recently made key discoveries about sex-based differences in cardiac treatment outcomes. Anseth is also among the few innovators elected to all three national academies: Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.

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Partnering Opportunities for CU Technologies

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Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to CU Boulder

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:04:55 +0000

Frugal engineering innovator Saad Bhamla headed to CU Boulder Daniel Corbin … Fri, 10/10/2025 - 11:04

CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering—Georgia Tech associate professor and 2025 Schmidt Polymath Saad Bhamla will join CU Boulder’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the BioFrontiers Institute this August. Known for pioneering ultra-low-cost scientific tools and bio-inspired devices, Bhamla plans to collaborate across campus and spin out new companies leveraging CU Boulder’s innovation ecosystem.

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CU Boulder professor joins global commission on indoor air quality

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:04:37 +0000

CU Boulder professor joins global commission on indoor air quality Daniel Corbin … Mon, 09/29/2025 - 10:04

Mark Hernandez is serving as a commissioner of the newly launched Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air to elevate indoor air as a critical public health priority and drive coordinated global action and solutions.

Announced at the United Nations during Climate Week, the Commission brings together more than 170 global leaders from over 30 countries, including a former U.S. Surgeon General, global health authorities, senior scientists and researchers from leading universities as well as executives and sustainability leaders across design, real estate, technology and manufacturing.

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Partnership Opportunities for CU Climate, Energy and Sustainability

Climate, energy and sustainability innovations are shaping the most urgent frontier of science and society—transforming how we power our world, manage resources and respond to environmental change. At the University of Colorado, groundbreaking research is driving not just new insights, but practical solutions to the global climate crisis.

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CU Boulder Environmental Engineering Program—Mark Hernandez is serving as a commissioner of the newly launched Global Commission on Healthy Indoor Air to elevate indoor air as a critical public health priority and drive coordinated global action and solutions.

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Watch: Mapping neural activity to detect brain disorders

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:47:54 +0000

Watch: Mapping neural activity to detect brain disorders Daniel Corbin … Thu, 09/25/2025 - 12:47

CUbit Quantum Initiative—Svenja Knappe (CU Boulder Mechanical Engineering) is collaborating with scientists from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus to advance the use of quantum sensors into real-world health applications. These quantum sensors could aid in more effective diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of brain disorders.

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