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 Â鶹ӰԺ campus with the Â鶹ӰԺ 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 Â鶹ӰԺ community.
A micro-funding opportunity for CU Â鶹ӰԺ 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 Â鶹ӰԺ 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 Â鶹ӰԺ's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Jan. 22-Feb. 5: Venture Partners CU Â鶹ӰԺ 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
Friday, Feb. 6:Ìý—Join the Colorado startup community on the mountain! Open to founders, operators, investors and the startup-curious. Upcoming Ski Days: Feb. 20, March 27 and April 17.
Tuesday, Feb. 10: —Join fellow founders, funders, practitioners, and aspirers doing hard tech / deep tech in the greater Front Range area.
Wednesday, Feb. 11: —A monthly opportunity for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives and community members to explore Colorado startup journeys.
Wednesday, Feb. 11: —Startup Colorado hosts a session to help you learn how to refine your message and deliver it with clarity and impact.
Thursday, Feb. 12: —Welcoming anyone new to the Â鶹ӰԺ tech and startup scene. Colorado Startups will answer your questions, direct you to resources and help make introductions where appropriate. Plus you’ll meet other community members and individuals new to Â鶹ӰԺ.
Thursday, Feb. 12: —Showcasing in the MedTech, diagnostics, biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
Thursday, Feb. 12: —Exponential Impact brings together founders, technologists and emerging tech leaders for a powerful night of connection, conversation, and community.
Friday, Feb. 13: —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.
Tuesday, Feb. 17: —A a high-energy, international pitch competition for early-stage startups that spotlights bold founders and innovative ideas through live pitching, expert feedback and multi-stage advancement culminating in the chance to be crowned champion and gain meaningful exposure.
Tuesday, Feb. 17: —A special session focusing on space tech for startups, established entrepreneurs, community members, recent graduates and undergrad/grad students.
Wednesday, Feb. 18: —Engage with others in Colorado’s life sciences community and spark dynamic relationships with fellow innovators.
Wednesday, Feb. 18: —B°ù¾±²Ô²µ¾±²Ô²µ together accredited angel investors interested in fast-growing, early-stage companies in Colorado.
Monday, Feb. 23: —A²Ô afternoon of speed mentoring designed to connect women across all stages of their professional journeys.
Wednesday, Feb. 25: —Venture capitalist Seth Levine will share his experiences from co-founding the venture capital firm Foundry in 2006 to today where the company has nearly $4 billion in assets under management.
March 11: —A quarterly virtual pitch opportunity for Colorado founders to present their businesses to a panel of judges and audience of community members.
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
Friday, Feb. 6 (deadline): —Startup Colorado's quarterly virtual pitch opportunity for Colorado founders to present their businesses to a panel of judges and audience of community members.
Friday, Feb. 6 (deadline): 2026 New Venture Challenge—During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams have the chance to win a share of $220,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Â鶹ӰԺ Theater.
Friday, Jan. 30 (deadline): —Exponential Impact’s low-fee, no-equity program for Colorado-based emerging technology founders ready to scale with purpose.
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.
Tuesday, March 31 (deadline): —Funding large-scale collaborative infrastructure projects that will have broad industry-wide impacts across one or more of Colorado's advanced industries. Projects fill a gap in the advanced industries and have multiple, collaborative partners. Grants of up to $500,000 will be awarded.Ìý
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.