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 ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä 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 ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä 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 ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä 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.
¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Wednesday, July 23: —A meetup for entrepreneurs, developers and investors with a focus on discussing startups, staffing, marketing and debating the hot topics of the day.
Wednesday, July 23: —Connect, collaborate, and celebrate at this open community event.
Wednesday, July 23-Thursday, July 24: —A two-day, multi-city experience providing a comprehensive view of Colorado’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.
Thursday, July 24-Friday, July 25: For academic researchers, small businesses, startups and others who haven’t worked with DARPA before. Open only to prospective MTO proposers; closed to the general public and members of the media. Advance registration required.
Thursday, July 24: —*Special Guest Speaker: Governor Jared Polis. Gain insight into the companies shaping the future of health innovation, alongside leaders from Colorado’s other advanced industries, including quantum.
Tuesday, July 29: —This is an informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Friday, Aug. 1: —Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, the Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop at Venture Partners at ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder can help you transform your concept into a successful venture.
Thursday, Aug. 7: —A monthly dinner founded to introduce a diverse set of CEOs (across backgrounds, stages and markets) to one another to share their experiences and receive outside perspectives.
Wednesday, Aug. 13: —Discover new contracting opportunities and connect with local and national government agencies, national labs, corporate and advanced industries focused on certifications, registrations and the ins and outs of contracting.
Wednesday, Aug. 27: —F±ð²¹³Ù³Ü°ù¾±²Ô²µ a showcase of investment ready Colorado life sciences startups, a panel discussion from local VCs and valuable networking opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and mentors.
Sept 3-Oct. 10: Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program—This virtual, four-week program is designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers to commercialize their innovations, helping teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation.
Sept. 16-18: —Formerly Denver Startup Week, this event brings together entrepreneurs, investors and innovators from across Colorado for three days of inspiration, learning and networking.
Applications
Friday, July 25 (deadline): —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, August 1 (deadline): â€Ì§xclusively for technology-driven startups—designed to help you learn, grow and thrive in a collaborative, supportive community.
Wednesday, August 13 (deadline): —A technology-scouting competition that fast-tracks clean-tech solutions into the oil and natural-gas value chain. Finalists will pitch live to leading operators, service companies, and investors—gaining exposure, feedback and potential partnership opportunities.
Thursday, August 28 (deadline): —Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is offering funding to help Colorado research institutions speed up applied research in advanced industries and commercialize products and services with the private sector. Projects can receive up to $150,000 in grant money.
Thursday, August 28 (deadline):—Colorado's Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is offering funding to help Colorado-basedÌýadvanced industriesÌýtechnology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Projects can receive up to $250,000.
Friday, August 29 (deadline): —A²Ô opportunity for early-stage device, diagnostic, digital health and imaging companies to display their technologies.
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: –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: –Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.