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ApplicationsÌýOpen:ÌýNSF I-Corps Hub West programs Ìý| ÌýRegistration Open: Creative Futures Fellowship | Registration Open: Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase
What Can We Do Together?
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
ÌýÌýTuesday, Feb. 17, 5-8 p.m., Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
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The Variety Show is one of the best ways to engage with Colorado’s Front Range entrepreneurial community, stitching together the startup scene, CU Â鶹ӰԺ, innovators from the Federal Labs, as well as technologists from incumbent technology companies.
Offered by the CU Â鶹ӰԺ Silicon Flatirons Center
ÌýÌýWednesday, Feb. 18, from 2-3 p.m., Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýCU Â鶹ӰԺ Affiliation Required
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CU Â鶹ӰԺ Postdocs are invited to join CU’s Federal Relations team and Lewis-Burke Associates (LBA)—a government relations firm based out of Washington, D.C. that works closely with CU Â鶹ӰԺ—for an in-person town hall that will highlight current federal policy and funding trends, White House research priorities and potential federal opportunities relevant to the CU Â鶹ӰԺ community. The discussion will span a range of federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE), NASA and the National Endowments for the Humanities and the Arts (NEH, NEA), among others.
Hosted by the Research and Innovation Office (RIO)
ÌýÌýMonday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon, Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
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Join the Center for Translational Research for a webinar with Major Matt Blackford, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Portfolio Manager at SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force. Blackford and other SpaceForce staff will share how evaluates dual‑use technologies, shapes its investment priorities and partners with innovators through programs such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Gain practical guidance on positioning technology for mission impact and engaging effectively with defense stakeholders.
Hosted by the Center for Translational Research
Destination Startup
ÌýÌýThursday, Feb. 26, 2026, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Â鶹ӰԺ, CO
ÌýÌýFor Startup Investors
ÌýÌýRequest an Invitation
Launched in 2018, Destination Startup® connects investors with groundbreaking startups built on novel discoveries from leading national labs and universities in the Intermountain West. Designed for deal-flow, the showcase is for active investors, who can request an invitation here. Participating startups must be actively raising and are selected through a competitive review process and robust pitch preparation. With over $1.2 billion collectively raised to date by startups likeÌýVitriVax,ÌýArpeggio Biosciences andÌýManifest Technologies, Destination Startup is for investors and founders ready to catalyze real-world impact.
Hosted by Venture Partners
Creative Futures Fellowship
ÌýÌýPre-Application Workshop Deadline Tuesday, March 17
ÌýÌýMore dates March-Sept.
ÌýÌýProjects must be led by faculty, staff or students eligible to serve as Principal Investigators
ÌýÌýRegister for Pre-Application Workshop
The new CU Â鶹ӰԺ Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in theÌýarts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, toÌýtransform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond CU Â鶹ӰԺ. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.
Offered by Venture Partners
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Thursday, April 2
ÌýÌýApril 9-23, Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
ÌýÌýApply Now
Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop 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. This workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution—not just CU—motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Tuesday, May 5
ÌýÌýMay 12-June 23, Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
ÌýÌýApply Now
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ 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-CorpsTM Hub West
Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase
ÌýÌýWednesday, June 24, 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m., Byron R. White Stadium Club, Folsom Field
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—CU Affiliation is Not Required
ÌýÌýRegister Now
The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase brings together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado. Attendees will have a chance to see pitches from each of the Ascent 2025 cohort startups, followed by a networking happy hour to learn more.
Offered by Venture Partners