Venture Partners News /venturepartners/ en Application now open for the Lab Venture Challenge and $125,000 in funding /venturepartners/2025/06/10/internal-news/application-now-open-lab-venture-challenge-and-125000-funding <span>Application now open for the Lab Venture Challenge and $125,000 in funding</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-06-10T15:56:08-06:00" title="Tuesday, June 10, 2025 - 15:56">Tue, 06/10/2025 - 15:56</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-06/LVC%20article%20thumbnail%20061025b.png?h=ea5ab45b&amp;itok=R2-u_bti" width="1200" height="800" alt="Lab Venture Challenge"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Through the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), top innovations from the University of Colorado Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants of up to $125,000. LVC supports&nbsp;projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. These grants are funded by Venture Partners at Boulder and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/lab-venture-challenge`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:56:08 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2595 at /venturepartners Boulder warns federal research cuts could hurt economy /venturepartners/2025/05/22/external-news/cu-boulder-warns-federal-research-cuts-could-hurt-economy <span> Boulder warns federal research cuts could hurt economy</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-22T10:49:34-06:00" title="Thursday, May 22, 2025 - 10:49">Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:49</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-05/Screenshot%202025-05-30%20at%2010.53.53%E2%80%AFAM.png?h=3a6c62d4&amp;itok=0kr2iu5e" width="1200" height="800" alt="Aerial photo of the Boulder campus and the Boulder flatirons."> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>9NEWS—The termination of several major research grants at Boulder is creating ripple effects across Colorado’s economy—impacting jobs, innovation and the state’s research competitiveness. As federal funding priorities shift, the consequences are being felt well beyond the lab.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/cu-boulder-terminated-research-grants-economic-impact/73-bdd61f42-f729-4056-a4b6-bccfbdb04ab2`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 22 May 2025 16:49:34 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2586 at /venturepartners Fund your research or creative work through commercialization /venturepartners/internal-news/funding-your-research-or-creative-work-through-commercialization <span>Fund your research or creative work through commercialization</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-13T16:06:24-06:00" title="Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 16:06">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 16:06</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-03/DSCF3827%20copy.JPG?h=8ccae7a9&amp;itok=_FAKP8Zu" width="1200" height="800" alt="A diverse group of people stand together with giant prize checks."> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>For faculty, staff and students at the University of Colorado engaged in research, invention or creative work, commercialization offers a powerful pathway to fund and expand the impact of your innovations. Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at Boulder provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Unlocking funding and collaborative direction</span></h2><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-left ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">Ready to go further?</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p><strong>Protect your discoveries before you publish them: </strong>Your discoveries could have far-reaching impacts while securing recognition and opportunities for you.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/2487" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Read More</span></a></p><hr><p><strong>Find the market for your innovation: </strong>I-Corps serves as a practical and accessible first step for anyone looking to translate their discoveries into real-world solutions.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/2488" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Read More</span></a></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>One of the biggest misconceptions about commercialization is that researchers, inventors or creators do not have a say in the intellectual property they create.&nbsp;</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Venture Partners empowers innovators at Boulder, UCCS and Denver (except Denver biosciences investigators, who should work with&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="https://www.cuanschutz.edu/cu-innovations" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square">&nbsp;</i><strong>C</strong><span><strong>U Innovations</strong></span></a><span><strong>) to take the lead in translating their discoveries into real-world applications.&nbsp;</strong></span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>Whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with industry or license your technology, Venture Partners provides guidance and funding opportunities to support your journey.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Venture Partners can also help connect you with experienced industry partners or entrepreneurs who can drive commercialization forward on your behalf—ensuring that your discoveries make an impact without requiring you to leave academia.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr"><span>Non-dilutive funding: grants to advance your work</span></h3><p dir="ltr"><span>One of the most compelling reasons to explore commercialization is the availability of non-dilutive funding—grants without equity or ownership agreements. Boulder researchers and inventors have secured significant funding through programs such as:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/lab-venture-challenge" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="84cec2d0-479b-4455-89be-7352fc7ee4f9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Lab Venture Challenge"><span><strong>Lab Venture Challenge</strong></span></a><span>—A competitive grant program providing funding for early-stage innovations.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support/center-translational-research/sbirsttr" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="b11b403b-5cd6-48a5-9603-3134cb381ff9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="SBIR/STTR Grants"><span><strong>Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants</strong></span></a><span>—Federal programs that support the transition of cutting-edge research into viable commercial solutions.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>OEDIT Advanced Industry Grants—State funding designed to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies in Colorado.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>ARPA-H. ARPA-E, Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), and others—Grants for labs that require an understanding of commercialization for technology.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span>Additionally, there is substantial funding available for early-stage research and technology development. Many of these opportunities focus on transforming high-potential ideas into proof-of-concept prototypes or pilot studies. These funding sources allow innovators to de-risk their technology, generate critical data and position themselves for larger grants or private investment.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support/center-translational-research" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1f588c46-dd8b-4c5b-81e5-bba309caa4e3" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Center for Translational Research"><span><strong>Center for Translational Research</strong></span></a><span> and Venture Partners support researchers, inventors and creators in applying for non-dilutive grants. This includes assistance with state and federal grant programs, ensuring that innovators have the resources and guidance needed to successfully secure funding for their work. By leveraging these early-stage funding opportunities, researchers can bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization, making their technologies more attractive for additional funding and market entry.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr"><span>Investment and venture growth opportunities</span></h3><p dir="ltr"><span>Beyond non-dilutive funding, Venture Partners connects innovators with a variety of investment opportunities, including:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support/buff-venture-fund" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="16f379a2-e6b8-4b9c-a6f2-40af9b977eb8" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Buff Venture Fund"><span><strong>Buff Gold Ventures</strong></span></a><span>—A -affiliated venture fund investing in early-stage startups from university research.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/destination-startup" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="09dbd054-7d08-4599-8bae-35ac78fdccc3" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Destination Startup"><span><strong>Destination Startup®</strong></span></a><span>—A premier showcase that connects university startups with investors and corporate partners.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Private investment networks—Helping startups secure venture capital and strategic partnerships.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span>These success stories highlight how researchers and inventors can turn their discoveries into real-world impact while securing financial backing along the way. Many Boulder startups have gone on to secure investment funding, achieve successful exits through mergers or IPOs, or grow into sustainable operating companies. University startups typically fund research in their originating labs, providing additional sponsored research opportunities.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr"><span>Research funding from licensing royalties</span></h3><p dir="ltr"><span>Since 2019, commercialization activity through Venture Partners generated $32 million that was returned to Boulder researchers and support for research. When Venture Partners licenses an invention, the university may receive revenue in return, in the form of royalties, fees or selling equity. This is true for licenses to both established companies and startup companies. This revenue is divided among the inventor or creator personally, the originating lab of the IP, and the university’s commercialization resources.</span></p><h3 dir="ltr"><span>A path of proven success</span></h3><p dir="ltr"><span> Boulder startups are turning groundbreaking research into real-world impact.</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/vitro3d-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Vitro3D</strong></span></a><span>, specializing in volumetric 3D printing, has raised $5.2 million in funding including early-stage funding from the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC).</span></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/investors-partners/startup-portfolio/mesa-quantum-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mesa Quantum</strong></span></a><span>, advancing quantum technologies, raised $8.1 million including collaborating with the Center for Translational Research on non-dilutive grants.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/tynt-technologies-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Tynt Technologies</strong></span></a><span>, revolutionizing dynamic windows for energy-efficient buildings, has raised $17.1 million, and is now one of the first investments of the Buff Venture Fund managed by Buff Gold Ventures.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span>These success stories highlight how Boulder’s Venture Partners provides a critical bridge from research to commercialization, empowering faculty, researchers and students to secure funding, build ventures and bring transformative innovations to market.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Partnering with industry</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Your inventions could be the critical link to a new industry partnership or research funding. Innovations that address critical market needs are attractive to industry partners seeking novel solutions to their commercial problems. Generally, these companies prefer to outsource their early stage research and development. Venture Partners has dedicated resources, including the NSF I-CorpsTM Hub: West Region, to help you and your innovations meet real industry needs and identify potential partners.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Explore your path to commercialization</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Whether you're looking for grant funding, investment or strategic industry partnerships, Venture Partners at Boulder is here to help. With a range of resources, mentorship opportunities and funding programs, you can find the right path to advance your research and creative work. </span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ee81ac9c-9740-4528-807b-38c22188a3d1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Funding Opportunities and Support"><span><strong>Learn more about funding and commercialization opportunities</strong></span></a><span>.</span></p><div><div><p><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><div><div><h2 class="text-align-center"><span>What can we do together?</span><br>&nbsp;</h2></div></div><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2340" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-balance-scale fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/intellectual-property-management/disclose-an-innovation" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c9e95f9f-bd16-491c-a0b7-87db058214d9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Disclose an Innovation"><strong>Disclose and protect your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/791" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-graduation-cap fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="82926513-3a0a-408f-b460-48069e8a1004" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Entrepreneurial Training"><strong>Engage in entrepreneurial training programs</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/323" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/mentorship-and-advising" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2f8ea362-5911-4e70-a502-5f15d1754479" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mentorship and Advising"><strong>Find a mentor to advance your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/803" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-money-bill-1 fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ee81ac9c-9740-4528-807b-38c22188a3d1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Funding Opportunities and Support"><strong>Get funding for&nbsp;your innovation</strong></a></p></div></div><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/92" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-handshake fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/licensing-university-innovators" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e477b33f-541d-4bc6-99a7-ab2fc9b08e98" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Licensing for University Innovators"><strong>Find partners and opportunities for your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/1967" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-bolt fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/investors-and-partners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investor and Partnership Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with researchers</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/781" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7446d166-740e-4d04-b255-b83c3a729be0" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Startup Portfolio"><strong>Explore our startups portfolio</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2341" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-lightbulb fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/technology-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c5a76e38-d4d6-4405-903d-d7d4152c9ebb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Technology Portfolio"><strong>Explore our technology portfolio</strong></a></p></div></div><hr></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at Boulder provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>7</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-03/DSCF3827%20copy.JPG?itok=fOoDeC4r" width="1500" height="433" alt="A diverse group of people stand together with giant prize checks."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>Photo: Winners of the 2024 Lab Venture Challenge competition.</div> Tue, 13 May 2025 22:06:24 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2489 at /venturepartners University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June /venturepartners/2025/05/15/internal-news/university-colorados-ascent-deep-tech-accelerator-showcase-2025-cohort-june <span>University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-13T13:26:25-06:00" title="Tuesday, May 13, 2025 - 13:26">Tue, 05/13/2025 - 13:26</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-05/Ascent%20Showcase%20thumbnail%20header%20051525.png?h=32add62e&amp;itok=9VtcW9wh" width="1200" height="800" alt="Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-left ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title"><strong>The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase</strong></div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p>Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m.<br>Byron R. White Stadium Club at Folsom Field<br>Registration is required at</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-full ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Register Now</span></a></p></div></div></div><p class="lead">The University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator will present its 2025 cohort of startups at the Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase on <strong>Wednesday, June 25</strong>. Attendees will hear pitches from emerging deep tech ventures across disciplines such as clean energy, advanced materials, quantum computing and next-generation therapeutics, followed by a networking session with researchers, investors and community supporters.</p><p>Launched in 2021 by Venture Partners at Boulder, the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by deep tech startups (companies based on groundbreaking science or engineering) that often require substantial time, research and capital to reach the market. The five-month program builds upon prerequisite customer-discovery training through the <a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training/nsf-i-corps-hub-west-region" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1733bb2f-2a18-43d7-9594-35a8f267ff4f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region"><strong>NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region</strong></a>—also offered through Venture Partners—and provides tailored support in business formation, market strategy and fundraising.</p><p>Now in its fourth year, Ascent is showcasing one of its most diverse cohorts to date. The 2025 cohort includes startups tackling critical challenges in physical and life sciences, from sustainable energy solutions and advanced materials to medical diagnostics and therapeutic technologies.</p><p>“This showcase event is such an exciting opportunity for us and for everyone to see what the next phase of impactful companies are doing,” said Emily Vogt, director of venture development at Venture Partners. “I truly believe these companies are going to be big names in Colorado and for investors everywhere.”</p><p>Since its inception, Ascent has graduated 35 companies, which collectively have raised more than $15 million in non-dilutive grants and $41 million in seed funding from venture capital investors. Alumni have gone on to secure spots in nationally recognized incubators such as NREL’s West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate, further validating the program’s role in accelerating startups toward commercial success.</p><p><em>The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase is presented with financial support from </em><a href="https://hatchspaces.com/" rel="nofollow"><em><span><strong>Hatch Spaces LLC</strong></span></em></a><em><span> and </span></em><a href="https://www.hollandhart.com/" rel="nofollow"><em><span><strong>Holland &amp; Hart LLP</strong></span></em></a>.</p><h2><span>2025 Ascent Cohort</span></h2></div><div><div><div><div> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/ArgiLur%20logo%20041525.png?itok=O04Uz6Rc" width="375" height="252" alt="ArgiLur"> </div> </div> <h3><br><span><strong>ArgiLur</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><div><div><p><span>ArgiLur is a Boulder-based clothing company revolutionizing the fashion industry by offering carbon-sequestering clothing. Style and sustainability can go hand in hand, and we are committed to providing eco-friendly options for our customers. </span><a href="https://www.argilur.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the ArgiLur Website</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>Team: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-luisa-s%C3%A1nchez-montes-phd-3920b744/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;</a>(<a href="/ceae/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department</strong></a>), Founder and CEO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong> Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Fashion and Design, Biotech</p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/AtomCad%20040725_0.png?itok=uQ-rs8Q7" width="375" height="252" alt="AtomCAD"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>AtomTCAD Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>AtomTCAD provides precise and rapid thermal modeling of nanometer-scale semiconductors. Our software makes complex quantum physics simulations accessible. Leveraging AI, AtomTCAD enables chip designers and engineers to rapidly discover thermally optimal designs, empowering them to overcome heat challenges.</span></p><p><strong>Team: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanghamitra-neogi/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Sanghamitra Neogi</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/aerospace/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences</strong></a>), Founder, Principal Investigator; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-rivas-a5624a211/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jason Rivas</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/mse/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Materials Science &amp; Engineering Program</strong></a>), Research Engineer; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/subratapal1/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Subrata Pal</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/chemistry/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Chemistry</strong></a>), Research Engineer; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhiman-nandi-ab9063230/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Dhiman Nandi</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/chemistry/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Chemistry</strong></a>), Research Engineer</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong><span> Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Research and Exploration</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/BoldRF%20thumbnail%20header%20042225.png?itok=cFbZs8vy" width="375" height="252" alt="BoldRF"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>BoldRF LLC</strong></span></h3><div><div><div><p>BoldRF is a spin-off from Microwave Research Lab at Boulder,&nbsp;focused on the efforts to commercialize innovative tunable active RF circulators that enable resilient analog self-interference features for in-band full duplex (IBFD) RF front-ends for communication systems, radar, electronic warfare, aviation direction finding.</p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lailamarzall/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Laila Fighera Marzall</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/ecee/laila-fighera-marzall" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Electrical, Computer &amp; Energy Engineering</strong></span></a><span>), Co-Founder, CEO; </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoya-popovic-62b3553/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Zoya Popovic</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/ecee/zoya-popovic" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Electrical, Computer &amp; Energy Engineering</strong></span></a>), Co-Founder; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marishaparikh/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Marisha Parikh</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/emp/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program</strong></a>), Head of Business; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-m-johns/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Sarah Johns</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(undergraduate student, <a href="/business/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Leeds School of Business</strong></a>), Business Strategist; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanietorresm/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Stephanie Torres</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(undergraduate student, <a href="/ecee" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Electrical, Computer &amp; Energy Engineering</strong></span></a><span>), </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garydolsen/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Gary Dolsen</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Industrial Mentor</p><p><span><strong>Industries: </strong>Aerospace, Hardware and Instrumentation, Information Technology, Quantum, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/Colexible%20Technologies%20040325.png?itok=BRKbmRcy" width="375" height="252" alt="Colexible Technologies"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>Colexible Technologies LLC</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>Colexible Technologies develops cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our devices replace traditional rigid circuit boards and solid metallic wires with flexible polymers and liquid metal, offering unparalleled stretching, bending, and durability.</span></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cj-whelan3/" rel="nofollow"><strong>C.J. Whelan</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CEO, Founder (fmr. <a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/embark-deep-tech-startup-creator" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fc3e2b60-233e-49b0-ad58-49b487588eff" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator"><strong> Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence</strong></a>); <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-obernyer/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Kris Obernyer</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, VP of Product; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jianliang-xiao-03614671/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jianliang Xiao</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>), Principal Investigator, Lead Advisor</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong><span> Advanced Materials, Hardware and Instrumentation, Robotics, Sensors, Medical Devices, Manufacturing</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/EerDx%20040325.png?itok=afHJ6DRT" width="375" height="252" alt="Eerdx"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>EerDx Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p>EerDx uses earbud sleep diagnostics to transform the diagnosis and treatment of the 100 Million Americans with sleep disorders, starting with drug and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia. <a href="https://www.eerdx.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the EerDx Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bartonemery" rel="nofollow"><strong>Bart Emery</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CEO, Co-Founder; <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fsamir-c-41886121%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40colorado.edu%7C7987bf0aaad04e7ce75808dd72de388d%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638793021470185275%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=BxzvwinKpdpMQlW39vQ85mrN5evk%2Bdu%2BSnXtd4iVDug%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><strong>Samir Chabra</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CTO, Co-Founder; Jianliang Xiao, Principal Investigator, Advisor (<a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>)</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong> Sensors, Health and Wellness, Medical Devices, Diagnostics</p><hr><p>&nbsp;</p><div><h3><span><strong>Endios Bio</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p><span>Endios Bio is developing breakthrough therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the newly discovered impacts of the gene peg10, which was recently linked to ALS and Angelmans and has druggable potential. </span><a href="https://www.endiosbio.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the Endios Website</strong></span></a></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyoverton/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Wendy Overton</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(fmr. </span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/embark-deep-tech-startup-creator" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fc3e2b60-233e-49b0-ad58-49b487588eff" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator"><strong> Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence</strong></a><span>)</span></p><p><span><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics, Diagnostics</span></p></div></div><hr><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>IntraLumenus</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>IntraLumenus&nbsp;is revolutionizing interventional endoscopy with its single-use flexible&nbsp;robotic endoscope. Offering unparalleled precision, stability and control,&nbsp;our device reduces technical complexity and procedure times, enabling more endoscopists to perform advanced procedures, all while improving patient outcomes.</span></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessesheppard/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jesse M. Sheppard</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>(Alum: <a href="https://business.ucdenver.edu/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Denver Business</strong></a>, <a href="/business/mba" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Business</strong></a>), CEO, Co-Founder; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-rentschler/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mark Rentschler</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/mechanical" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>), Principal Investigator</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong><span> Biotech, Health and Wellness, Robotics, Medical Devices, Hardware and Instrumentation</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/Kitsune%20Bio%20040325.png?itok=EyPsAJGr" width="375" height="252" alt="Kitsune Bio"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>Kitsune Bio develops shape-shifting cyclic peptides that penetrate cells and adhere to targets more effectively. Our platform creates therapeutics that go beyond antibodies and small molecules, offering new treatment options for difficult diseases and improving the standard of care. </span><a href="https://kitsunebio.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the Kitsune Website</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong><span> Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics</span></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/makenna-morck/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Makenna Morck</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(Alum: </span><a href="/biochemistry/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Biochemistry</strong></span></a><span>), CEO;<strong> </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecsantiago/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Alec Santiago</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, COO; Michael Stowell (</span><a href="/mcdb/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Molecular Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology</strong></span></a><span>), CTO; Thomas Fallon, Advisor</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/LEVL%20thumbnail%20header%20040725.png?itok=Swar-uqj" width="375" height="252" alt="LEVL"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>LEVL Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>LEVL is a cutting-edge biotech company dedicated to advancing human health and extending longevity through advanced nutraceutical synergies. Our mission is to translate the latest breakthroughs in aging science into practical, effective solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. </span><a href="https://www.achievelevl.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the LEVL Website</strong></span></a></p><p><strong>Team:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylenmcclintock/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Kylen McClintock</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(fmr. <a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/embark-deep-tech-startup-creator" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fc3e2b60-233e-49b0-ad58-49b487588eff" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator"><strong> Boulder Embark Entrepreneur in Residence</strong></a>), CEO, Co-Founder; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-callen-ph-d-b79b33120/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Daniel Callen</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CSO, Co-Founder; Tom LaRocca, CRO, Co-Founder (fmr. <a href="/iphy/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Integrative Physiology</strong></a>)</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong> Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics</p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/Osmopure%20Technologies%20040325.png?itok=wMH0Abw_" width="375" height="252" alt="OsmoPure Technologies"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>OsmoPure Technologies Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>OsmoPure Technologies develops high-performance membranes for ultrapure water production in aerospace, electronics, and energy applications. Our membranes remove more contaminants, last longer and use less energy while meeting strict purity requirements and lowering chemical demand. </span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.osmopuretechnologies.com%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40Colorado.EDU%7Caff693a3776448f1606908dd72f44ace%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638793115730096476%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2%2BgNCsPCqdBuY6ppuJxdzgmS1%2Bx6xwWeZFcKbOlE3PY%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the OsmoPure Website</strong></span></a></p><p><span><strong>Team:</strong> </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kian-lopez-45089a128/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Kian Lopez</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/chbe/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering</strong></span></a><span>), CEO; </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-jorgenson/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Nadia Jorgenson</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/ceae/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></span></a>)<span>, CTO</span>; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-straub-8137156a/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Anthony Straub</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/ceae/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></span></a>)<span>, CSO</span></p><p><span><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/Tierra%20Metrics%20thumbnail%20header%20042525.png?itok=PPk4Sw9m" width="375" height="252" alt="Tierra Metrics"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>Tierra Metrics Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>We combine low-cost sensors with continuous models of the agricultural nitrogen cycle. We envision a world where digital twins of farms inform farmers and land managers in real time to reduce excess fertilizer use, cutting costs, pollution and emissions to build more resilient farming systems. </span><a href="https://www.tierrametrics.net/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Visit the Tierra Metrics Website</strong></span></a></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Ftaylor-sharpe-75597585%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40Colorado.EDU%7Ceb7b97f2da6e421c81b408dd83701fcb%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638811239768024864%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=gLYlB%2Flyn0dwBjjvHFrjG3dLpiHR543II%2Fjex7IGlu8%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><strong>Taylor Sharpe</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>(<a href="/ceae/" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></a>)<strong>,</strong> Chief Engineer; <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fgregory-l-whiting%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40Colorado.EDU%7Ceb7b97f2da6e421c81b408dd83701fcb%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638811239768040595%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=ZXOtCTNcmnuqTsDF9devKIZDD2wfvyknVLbw%2BOzmQq0%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><strong>Greg Whiting</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/mechanical/gregory-l-whiting" rel="nofollow"><strong> Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>), Co-Founder; <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fwhendee-silver-b297a7292%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40Colorado.EDU%7Ceb7b97f2da6e421c81b408dd83701fcb%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638811239768054377%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=e6PLhl5XAhIIciVsuP0m7lYjwsge1Hz2Jtk%2Fc41mSBg%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><strong>Whendee Silver</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder; <a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fana-claudia-arias-b5a324%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cdaniel.leonard%40Colorado.EDU%7Ceb7b97f2da6e421c81b408dd83701fcb%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C638811239768067326%7nknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=8xKXOIbBCFtC9aelZKpyICBrSDjjmch6fiAdcl6UhxI%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><strong>Ana Arias</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder</p><p><span><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Hardware and Instrumentation, Sensors, Information Technology, Software, Manufacturing, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities</span></p><hr> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/2025-04/WindSenseAI%20040325.png?itok=uXicolUN" width="375" height="252" alt="WindSenseAI"> </div> </div> <p>&nbsp;</p><h3><span><strong>WindSenseAI Inc.</strong></span></h3><div><div><p><span>WindSenseAI optimizes wind farm performance through AI-driven wake steering control (WSC). Our deep learning models predict how turbine yawing impacts power output, adapting in real-time to site-specific wind conditions to maximize efficiency and asset performance.</span></p><p><span><strong>Team: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoife-henry-843956112/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Aoife Henry</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, CEO, Co-Founder (</span><a href="/ecee/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Electrical, Computer &amp; Energy Engineering</strong></span></a><span>)</span></p><p><span><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>The University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator will present its 2025 cohort of startups in a June showcase. Attendees will hear pitches from emerging deep tech ventures across disciplines such as clean energy, advanced materials, quantum computing and next-generation therapeutics, followed by a networking session with researchers, investors and community supporters.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-05/Ascent%20Showcase%20header%20image%20051525d.png?itok=mcqoS2DB" width="1500" height="844" alt="Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 13 May 2025 19:26:25 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2567 at /venturepartners Using federally funded university research to power America /venturepartners/2025/05/15/external-news/using-federally-funded-university-research-power-america <span>Using federally funded university research to power America</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-12T12:07:14-06:00" title="Monday, May 12, 2025 - 12:07">Mon, 05/12/2025 - 12:07</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-05/Forbes%20article%20051525.png?h=c3033cb2&amp;itok=TwHOKrcl" width="1200" height="800" alt="Two people stand at a white board planning something complex"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/397"> Innovators News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/12"> Startup News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Forbes—Since World War II, the U.S. research and development (R&amp;D) enterprise has driven an era of prosperity and innovation, fueling breakthroughs in space, medicine and technology while empowering our national security and international trade.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/05/12/using-federally-funded-university-research-to-power-america/`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 12 May 2025 18:07:14 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2568 at /venturepartners University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents /venturepartners/2025/05/08/external-news/university-colorado-ranks-among-top-20-us-universities-granted-patents <span>University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-08T11:11:40-06:00" title="Thursday, May 8, 2025 - 11:11">Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:11</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/article-thumbnail/old_main_boulder.png?h=a67eec12&amp;itok=wIl4C5B8" width="1200" height="800" alt="Old Main building in front of the flatirons"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/251"> Advanced Materials </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/309"> Aerospace </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/85"> Biosciences </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/525"> Climate, Energy &amp; Sustainability </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/247"> Hardware &amp; Instrumentation </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/317"> Quantum &amp; Photonics </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> Connections—The University of Colorado has secured the No. 18 position on the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents list, reinforcing ’s standing as a national leader in research, innovation and real-world impact. At Boulder, 53% of the campus’s patents have been licensed commercially.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://connections.cu.edu/stories/university-colorado-ranks-among-top-20-us-universities-granted-patents`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 08 May 2025 17:11:40 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2556 at /venturepartners University of Colorado Boulder awards pre-seed funding to alum’s promising GPS spin-off /venturepartners/2025/05/06/internal-news/university-colorado-boulder-awards-pre-seed-funding-alums-promising-gps-spin <span>University of Colorado Boulder awards pre-seed funding to alum’s promising GPS spin-off</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-05-06T12:28:58-06:00" title="Tuesday, May 6, 2025 - 12:28">Tue, 05/06/2025 - 12:28</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-05/2025_NVC_Championships128GA.png?h=58bdc200&amp;itok=9YkdwxSO" width="1200" height="800" alt="A group of people pose together with a giant prize check"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/12"> Startup News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <span>Heather Hansen</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/about" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="48b5ec97-4679-4c2b-ac82-f80088542b80" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title=" Us"><span><strong>Venture Partners at Boulder</strong></span></a><span> bridged a historic investment gap to move a deep tech spin-off a step closer to the marketplace by awarding $100,000 in pre-seed funding to </span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/precisionterra-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1dcd778b-6ae4-4c78-bc7a-bdda7c54a60d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="PrecisionTerra Inc."><span><strong>PrecisionTerra</strong></span></a><span>, founded by CEO&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/maithreyi-gopalakrishnan/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(alum,&nbsp;</span><a href="/physics/academics/graduate-students/graduate-program-requirements-phd/applied-physics-and-applied-sciences" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Physics</strong></span></a><span>). Gopalakrishnan went on to win $144,000 in additional funding for the company in the </span><a href="/nvc/2025/04/24/trailblazing-ideas-and-entrepreneurial-spirit-reap-rewards-2025-nvc-finals" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>2025 New Venture Challenge</strong></span></a><span>.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Venture Partners created the pre-seed fund to help bridge the so-called “valley of death” between research and commercialization, where even high-potential start-ups can sometimes get lost, said </span><a href="/venturepartners/bryn-rees" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="10ec4777-72c9-4acb-be3a-b3f1267d360c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Bryn Rees"><span><strong>Bryn Rees</strong></span></a><span>, associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. “When somebody creates an innovation with broad potential to be translated out into a new venture, there is now funding to support the earliest stages of that new company,” said Rees. “This was a missing piece.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>With the new funding mechanism, the university supports company founders translating Boulder innovations with high potential for broad, real-world applications, said Rees. The fund is intended to help startups as they prepare for outside investment, a critical moment on their path to commercialization.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>“It’s a&nbsp;demonstration of the university's commitment to innovation and to its faculty,” said Rees.&nbsp;“For Boulder to be a destination of choice for the most innovative faculty and students, it’s critical that we support and resource our innovators, and having this new investment mechanism, a pre-seed investment fund, is a really important part of that. This complements the many upstream funding resources, like the </span><a href="/venturepartners/lab-venture-challenge" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Lab Venture Challenge</strong>,</span></a><span> and downstream resources, like </span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support/buff-venture-fund" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="16f379a2-e6b8-4b9c-a6f2-40af9b977eb8" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Buff Venture Fund"><span><strong>Buff Gold Ventures</strong></span></a><span>.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>PrecisionTerra is commercializing a cutting-edge software solution that enhances coverage in GPS-degraded environments where signals are weak, including those with ‘vertical distractions’ such as tall buildings, deep canyons or even large trees. The breakthrough technology, which improves the signal strength of GNSS receivers, was developed by Jade Morton (</span><a href="/aerospace/jade-morton" rel="nofollow"><span><strong> Boulder Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences</strong></span></a><span>), director of the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research and leader of the Satellite Navigation and Sensing Laboratory.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The tech addresses a critical market need in industries where poor GPS quality undermines performance, including mapping, autonomous vehicles and military operations. “What excites me about Dr. Morton's technology is its potential to improve the reliability of positioning systems used in mission-critical applications where human safety and economic stability are of utmost importance,” said Gopalakrishnan. “Think collision avoidance for autonomous vehicles, autonomous planting and harvesting operations for large-scale farming, and military navigation in active war zones.”</span><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><a href="/venturepartners/node/1732" rel="nofollow"> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/page/path_to_commercialization_mountain_graphic_white_back.png?itok=jASLlu5E" width="375" height="211" alt="Illustration of a mountain as a metaphor where researchers can climb one of two paths with their discovery of either starting a company or licensing their protected intellectual property"> </div> </div> </a><h3 class="text-align-center">But what is "commercialization?"</h3><p class="text-align-center lead">The path to commercialization—also known as "research translation" or "tech transfer"—can be challenging, so Venture Partners unites&nbsp;industry partners, entrepreneurs and investors to help&nbsp;researchers, inventors and creators at the University of Colorado bring their groundbreaking discoveries into the marketplace.</p><p class="text-align-center"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/1732" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Explore the Path to Commercialization</span></a></p><hr><h2 dir="ltr"><span>An exceptional partnership</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>As an undergraduate, Gopalakrishnan was a Boettcher scholar and pursued a passion for engineering, entrepreneurship and dance. Post-graduation, she celebrates an enduring connection to the university and to strengthening community bonds. On a whim during the pandemic, Gopalakrishnan began volunteering as a mentor with Venture Partners and has seen several of those entrepreneurs develop flourishing, impactful companies.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Passionate about solving large-scale problems by leveraging frontier technology, Gopalakrishnan founded PrecisionTerra as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) in the inaugural cohort of the&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/embark-deep-tech-startup-creator" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator</strong></span></a><span>. Embark is a Venture Partners’ program that matches entrepreneurs with promising innovations and provides intellectual property (IP) rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to selected EIRs.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Through Embark, Gopalakrishnan and others explored Venture Partners’ curated portfolio of Boulder technologies. “These were some of our top technologies that we believe could be, and should be, a startup,” said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners. Once Gopalakrishnan learned more about Morton’s remarkable research, she knew she wanted to form a company around it and pitched a commercialization plan to land the six-month spot as an EIR.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The Venture Partners’ team was impressed with Gopalakrishnan’s pitch, said Zgagacz. She had already tested the technology and engaged in customer discovery with big and small companies through the </span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training/nsf-i-corps-hub-west-region" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1733bb2f-2a18-43d7-9594-35a8f267ff4f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region"><span><strong>NSF I-Corps: Hub West Region</strong></span></a><span> programming offered through Venture Partners to find out how Morton’s GPS technology could meet their needs. “Because Maithreyi has the technical background and the entrepreneurial background, she’s really the full package,” said Zgagacz.</span></p> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-05/2025_NVC_Championships128GA.png?itok=RTDuam8C" width="750" height="500" alt="A group of people pose together with a giant prize check"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p><em><span>New Venture Challenge Deep Tech category judges Blair Simpson, principal, Denver Angels (left), and Joey Money, consultant, IndustriSpark (right), celebrate as D4 investments partner Kelly Coyne (center, left) hands Precision Terra founder and CEO Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan&nbsp;her $144,000 first prize check. Photo: Glenn Asakawa, Boulder.</span></em></p> </span> </div> <p dir="ltr"><span>In addition to Embark, Gopalakrishnan took part in other Boulder programs, including the New Venture Challenge, and has managed&nbsp;</span><a href="/catalyzecu/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Catalyze </strong></span></a><span> and been a </span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/mentorship-and-advising" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2f8ea362-5911-4e70-a502-5f15d1754479" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mentorship and Advising"><span><strong>mentor for other aspiring entrepreneurs</strong></span></a><span>. It’s that long-term relationship and the fact that Gopalakrishnan has been an “exceptional partner,” said Rees, that made PrecisionTerra an obvious choice for the new pre-seed funding. “In Maithreyi, we’re attracting the interest of very talented entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” he said.&nbsp;</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Moving the needle forward</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Already, PrecisionTerra has letters of intent from prospective customers and at least one cooperative agreement in place with a large GPS receiver manufacturer that is loaning the company some hardware to test software capabilities over the coming months. Gopalakrishnan emphasized that a software solution for GPS signal-weak environments is attractive to existing companies because it doesn’t require manufacturing new chips or motherboards which are lengthy and costly upgrades.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>PrecisionTerra now has a fully operational end-to-end, software-based GPS signal processor. “It’s not yet a complete product, but it’s absolutely the foundation we need to do validation testing,” said Gopalakrishnan. The new pre-seed funding, combined with competition winnings and additional pre-seed funding from outside sources, will allow the company to hire a summer staff to perform critical testing proving how the PrecisionTerra’s tech bests what is on the market today.&nbsp;</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>“I was really honored to receive funding, and I think it’s going to be tremendously helpful in accelerating some early testing that we need to do,” said Gopalakrishnan. “We can take those results, go to prospective customers and say, ‘This is a commercial grade device and you can see how much more effective our ability to track GPS signals is’—and that would really move the needle forward for us as a company.”</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Innovation incubator</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>The new pre-seed funding is the latest element complementing a robust ecosystem attracting the best researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to Boulder, said Rees. “The environment that we’ve created here in Venture Partners is an incubator through which founders can really prove themselves."&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Gopalakrishnan credits Rees and colleagues for being there every step of the way, from curating outstanding innovations to PrecisionTerra’s founding and where the company is now. “At this point, Venture Partners really feels almost like a family that is there for me and has my back. They’re always thinking about ways and opportunities to provide us with support,” she said. “It’s all so valuable.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>In PrecisionTerra, Rees sees both proof of concept in how university innovators can imagine their work translated to commercial products (even if they don’t want to be the ones running the company) and how entrepreneurs can take that baton and carry it forward. “Maithreyi and others have laid out a great model of how to engage with the university, build a new venture, and get this initial investment. It’s a replicable model that others are already doing well,” said Rees. “And the more, the better.”&nbsp;</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Winning big at the Boulder Theater</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Most recently, </span><a href="/nvc/2025/04/24/trailblazing-ideas-and-entrepreneurial-spirit-reap-rewards-2025-nvc-finals" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>PrecisionTerra garnered significant recognition at Boulder’s 2025 New Venture Challenge (NVC) Finals</strong></span></a><span>, where entrepreneurial teams of Boulder students, faculty and staff competed for a share of $325,000 in funding. Gopalakrishnan’s pitch secured the top prize of $144,000 in the newly introduced Deep Tech Category, which focuses on ventures built around scientific or technological innovations, a partnership between Venture Partners and NVC.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The recognition and funding from ’s top-ranked entrepreneurial competition not only underscores PrecisionTerra's potential impact but also highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity fostered within Boulder's vibrant startup ecosystem.</span></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><div><div><h2 class="text-align-center"><span>What can we do together?</span><br>&nbsp;</h2><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2340" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-balance-scale fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/intellectual-property-management/disclose-an-innovation" 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</div> </div> </div> <div>Venture Partners at Boulder bridged a historic investment gap to move a deep tech spin-off a step closer to the marketplace by awarding $100,000 in pre-seed funding to PrecisionTerra, founded by CEO Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan (alum, Boulder Physics). Gopalakrishnan went on to win $144,000 in additional funding for the company in the 2025 New Venture Challenge.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-05/2025_NVC_Championships128GA%20copy.png?itok=RefH1fof" width="1500" height="739" alt="A group of people stand with a giant prize check"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 06 May 2025 18:28:58 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2551 at /venturepartners The coolest technology in the universe /venturepartners/2025/04/14/internal-news/coolest-technology-universe <span>The coolest technology in the universe </span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-14T13:24:08-06:00" title="Monday, April 14, 2025 - 13:24">Mon, 04/14/2025 - 13:24</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-04/hardware-1024x576.jpg?h=8fb26a96&amp;itok=D6Zk3Bhx" width="1200" height="800" alt="The internal hardware of a quantum computer in a laboratory."> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/397"> Innovators News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/12"> Startup News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <span>Heather Hansen</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><p class="lead"><a href="https://infleqtion.com/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Infleqtion</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">’s star continues to rise as Colorado’s quantum hub grows. The company of firsts, spun out of Boulder as ColdQuanta, seems to be everywhere these days, including outer space, while commercializing pioneering research to address needs across several critical markets including positioning, navigating and timing, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing.&nbsp;</span><span> &nbsp;</span></p> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-04/Dana_Anderson_2016_web%20crop.jpg?itok=f8WZwjEY" width="750" height="750" alt="Dana Anderson"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Dana Anderson, Glenn L. Murphy Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Professor of Physics and JILA Fellow, 2024</p> </span> </div> </div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">It was decades ago but Dana Anderson (</span><a href="https://jila.colorado.edu/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>JILA</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, </span><a href="/artsandsciences/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong> Boulder College of Arts and Sciences</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><a href="/engineering/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>College of Engineering and Applied Science</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">) still recalls well the day his research took a major turn. “I started to do atoms instead of photons,” he said. While Anderson makes it sound like a subtle shift–focusing on atoms and subatomic particles instead of particles of light (lasers)–that move has contributed significantly to the present and future of quantum technologies worldwide.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Anderson, now Infleqtion’s chief technology officer, then began focusing on cold atom inertial sensing, a process in which ultra-cold atoms (cooled to near absolute zero) are used to precisely measure forces like rotation and acceleration. That unprecedented accuracy is based on leveraging atoms’ wave-like nature in a controlled quantum state. It was groundbreaking work also built on a strong foundation of quantum innovation at Boulder spanning decades and (up to that point) two Nobel Prizes.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p><span lang="EN-US">That was the mid-1990s and, around the same time, Anderson’s JILA colleagues, </span><a href="https://www.nist.gov/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>NIST</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> fellow Eric Cornell and Boulder physicist Carl Wieman, created a never-before-seen state of matter called the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), in which ultracold atoms coalesce into a single “superatom” with uniform properties. </span><a href="/today/2001/10/08/wieman-and-cornell-win-2001-nobel-prize-physics" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>They received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics for that work</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, shared with MIT physicist Wolfgang Ketterle and 70 years after Albert Einstein predicted BECs could exist based on the work of Satyenda Bose. “Boy, that’s going to be useful,” Anderson recalls thinking at the time, imagining BEC being used to dramatically boost the performance of various devices, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, gravimeters and magnetometers. “I felt that it would change the world,” he said.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Following the BEC breakthrough, the trio went on to guide cold atoms through hollow core optical fibers, leading to Anderson and Cornell’s “atom chip” work and Anderson’s group demonstrating the first ultracold atom chip “portable vacuum system” in 2004. Those innovative techniques created a controlled environment for Anderson and others to study and manipulate atoms, a critical step in developing technologies like atomic clocks, quantum sensors and quantum computers.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><h2><span>&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US">“Slowly building the technology”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></h2></div><div> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-04/1980_Dana_Anderson.JPG?itok=UIoeotxP" width="750" height="489" alt="A man stands in a lab surrounded by complicated computer equipment"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <div><p><span>Dana Anderson poses with a spectrum analyzer in a laboratory at JILA. Photo: JILA, 1980.</span></p></div> </span> </div> <p><span lang="EN-US">As a “born and raised physicist,” said Anderson, he’s always looking for practical applications for cutting-edge science. “I’m an applied physicist, so I like to do things that are useful,” he said. “They don’t have to happen tomorrow but be useful sooner or later.”&nbsp; In those earlier days of quantum research, making that transition meant landing grants from the U.S. Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). That funding, said Anderson, “allowed us to focus on developing the technology and getting it out into the world.” During that time, they solved many problems, said Anderson. “We were struggling and making mistakes like gangbusters and trying this and trying that, and slowly building the technology,” he said.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">In 2007, Anderson made the first critical leap from lab to market when he founded ColdQuanta with the goal of streamlining devices for BEC experiments using the technology discovered at . After receiving a $100,000 proof of concept investment from what was then the Technology Transfer Office (now </span><a href="/venturepartners/about" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="48b5ec97-4679-4c2b-ac82-f80088542b80" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title=" Us"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Venture Partners at Boulder</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">), ColdQuanta earned contracts from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><a href="/venturepartners/joshua-bennett" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4e6542b6-a4c4-4f91-819a-8352abb8357c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Joshua Bennett"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Josh Bennett</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, assistant director of licensing at Venture Partners, now manages much of the university’s portfolio of quantum technologies, and he sees Infleqtion’s success as key to both advancing quantum research worldwide and paving the way for new quantum spinouts from . “Since they were the first real quantum company out of Colorado to translate their research into a commercial entity, and they’ve become a leader globally in their research and in their work, I think it’s fair to say that without Infleqtion (or ColdQuanta), we wouldn’t be seeing all these other quantum spin-outs in the last two, three years,” he said.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Infleqtion laid the groundwork for several other Boulder quantum companies now working with Venture Partners, including </span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/icarus-quantum-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="341c6dd5-ced1-42ac-803e-cd968cc4fe1b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Icarus Quantum Inc."><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Icarus Quantum</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, </span><a href="/venturepartners/node/2356" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Flari Tech</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> and </span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/mesa-quantum-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="880a4316-8328-4ae9-8f4a-bab637d77715" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mesa Quantum Inc."><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Mesa Quantum</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">. Today, through Venture Partners (the commercialization arm for Boulder, Denver’s physical sciences and UCCS), the entrepreneurs behind these startups have myriad programs to help get their ventures off the ground.</span><span>&nbsp;</span><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><a href="/venturepartners/node/1732" rel="nofollow"> <div class="align-right image_style-small_500px_25_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle small_500px_25_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/small_500px_25_display_size_/public/page/path_to_commercialization_mountain_graphic_white_back.png?itok=jASLlu5E" width="375" height="211" alt="Illustration of a mountain as a metaphor where researchers can climb one of two paths with their discovery of either starting a company or licensing their protected intellectual property"> </div> </div> </a><h3 class="text-align-center">But what is "commercialization?"</h3><p class="text-align-center lead">The path to commercialization—also known as "research translation" or "tech transfer"—can be challenging, so Venture Partners unites&nbsp;industry partners, entrepreneurs and investors to help&nbsp;researchers, inventors and creators at the University of Colorado bring their groundbreaking discoveries into the marketplace.</p><p class="text-align-center"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/1732" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Explore the Path to Commercialization</span></a></p><hr></div><div><p><span>&nbsp;</span><br><span lang="EN-US">What distinguishes Infleqtion today, said Scott Sternberg, executive director of the </span><a href="/initiative/cubit/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>bit Quantum Initiative</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, is their ability to combine the capabilities of quantum phenomenon with highly engineered platforms that focus on customer usability. “Infleqtion embodies the vibrant campus efforts to support the translation of fundamental discovery towards product realization and company growth,” said Sternberg. “We are fortunate to have such a great company, forged here in Boulder, that now leads the international quantum community.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-US">&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Beyond proving that quantum tech can lead to a compelling business entity, Infleqtion blazed the trail to Colorado becoming a national quantum hub, said </span><a href="/venturepartners/bryn-rees" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="10ec4777-72c9-4acb-be3a-b3f1267d360c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Bryn Rees"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Bryn Rees</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. He points to Anderson’s important role in boosting </span><a href="https://www.elevatequantum.org/" rel="nofollow"><span lang="EN-US"><strong>Elevate Quantum</strong></span></a><span lang="EN-US">, a consortium of over 120 quantum-focused organizations in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. “[Infleqtion] has become an international quantum success and sensation,” he said. “They're now a big-time player.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><h2><span lang="EN-US">Inflection points</span></h2></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Anderson recalls well how most people responded when he first started pitching the concept of commercializing quantum tech. Looking back on his first quantum-related NSF proposal nearly 20 years ago, he said, “Now those [concepts] seem right in the thick of things but back then most people said, ‘This is too unrealistic’. That’s what it was like.” Anderson knew that he was on the fringe, especially at a time when most people still used flip phones. “We were crazy people that were really gung-ho, and yet, we certainly didn't have a good business ‘story’,” said Anderson. “But I just believed that quantum was going to be important.”&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Now quantum technology promises to revolutionize industries from computing, healthcare, defense, energy, finance and beyond. Building on decades of research from Anderson and others, Infleqtion is driving advances in that burgeoning ecosystem. The company now offers quantum hardware and software products—from quantum clocks and sensors, positioning components and glass cells containing cold atoms to quantum computers and quantum-enabled, AI-driven software.&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Several years ago, Anderson famously took ultracold atoms (around 10 million of them) out of the lab and onto his own plane, to test the robustness of his team’s magneto-optical trap. Not long after that, it was deployed by NASA for use on the International Space Station, making it what could be called the ‘coolest’ tech in the universe. “When we commercialized a Bose Einstein condensation machine… including making things very small,” said Anderson, “NASA noticed and said, ‘Let's put it up into space’. And that was terribly important for our growing up.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><blockquote><p><span lang="EN-US">Research labs and commercial entities worldwide are now using Infleqtion’s products to generate high-value information and improve reliability and performance in quantum computing. Customers and collaborators include the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the Japanese Moonshot Program, the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre and the </span><span>Defense Cyber Marvel 3, a global cyber defense competition.</span><span lang="EN-US">.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></blockquote></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Infleqtion is also now participating in the first round of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) newly formed Quantum &amp; Space Collaboration. The collaboration aims to use quantum tech to move the needle forward in national security, energy/sustainability and economic interests.&nbsp;</span><span> &nbsp;</span></p></div><div> <div class="align-right image_style-medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <div class="imageMediaStyle medium_750px_50_display_size_"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/medium_750px_50_display_size_/public/2025-04/best-inventions-2022-coldquanta-albert.png?itok=mOJt_ooM" width="750" height="510" alt="A large, tall computer."> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Infleqtion's cloud-based quantum matter machine, “Albert, named TIME's Best Inventions. Photo: TIME, 2022</p> </span> </div> <p><span lang="EN-US">In 2022, ColdQuanta adopted the trade name Infleqtion to mark the company’s transition from research and development of quantum technology to deploying it for commercial uses. The company has now been through two successful rounds of funding, most recently raising $110 million in its Series B round in 2022. TIME magazine also named the company’s cloud-based quantum matter machine, dubbed “Albert,” as one of its 2022 Best Inventions. Infleqtion’s software platform recently secured a $1.15 million DOE grant, paving the way for energy-efficient computing.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span lang="EN-US">Of all its latest advances, Anderson is most enthusiastic about Oqtant, a first-of-its-kind quantum innovation platform launched last year that democratizes quantum discovery and invention by giving researchers, innovators and students access to quantum matter via BECs where they can create, manipulate and study quantum phenomena—and all they need is internet access. “I’m extremely excited about Oqtant,” said Anderson. “Everyone having the building blocks of our universe at their fingertips points us toward a new age of exploration and discovery.”</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><p><span>Anderson is gratified to see that he and his colleagues' own 'eureka' quantum moments</span><span lang="EN-US"> of long ago are finally being realized on a larger scale. Infleqtion’s readiness to meet that new understanding and demand has meant quantum leaps in the company’s recent growth. “We knew that BEC was going to be big, and we’re seeing that now,” he said.</span><span>&nbsp;</span></p><p><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><div><div><h2 class="text-align-center"><span>What can we do together?</span><br>&nbsp;</h2><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2340" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-balance-scale fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/intellectual-property-management/disclose-an-innovation" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c9e95f9f-bd16-491c-a0b7-87db058214d9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Disclose an Innovation"><strong>Disclose and protect your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/791" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-graduation-cap fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="82926513-3a0a-408f-b460-48069e8a1004" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Entrepreneurial Training"><strong>Engage in entrepreneurial training programs</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/323" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/mentorship-and-advising" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2f8ea362-5911-4e70-a502-5f15d1754479" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mentorship and Advising"><strong>Find a mentor to advance your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/803" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-money-bill-1 fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ee81ac9c-9740-4528-807b-38c22188a3d1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Funding Opportunities and Support"><strong>Get funding for&nbsp;your innovation</strong></a></p></div></div><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/92" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-handshake fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/licensing-university-innovators" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e477b33f-541d-4bc6-99a7-ab2fc9b08e98" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Licensing for University Innovators"><strong>Find partners and opportunities for your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/1967" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-bolt fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/investors-and-partners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investor and Partnership Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with researchers</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/781" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7446d166-740e-4d04-b255-b83c3a729be0" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Startup Portfolio"><strong>Explore our startups portfolio</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2341" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-lightbulb fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/technology-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c5a76e38-d4d6-4405-903d-d7d4152c9ebb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Technology Portfolio"><strong>Explore our technology portfolio</strong></a></p></div></div><hr></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Infleqtion’s star continues to rise as Colorado’s quantum hub grows. The company of firsts, spun out of Boulder as ColdQuanta, seems to be everywhere these days, including outer space, while commercializing pioneering research to address needs across several critical markets including positioning, navigating and timing, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing.&nbsp; </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2025-04/hardware-1024x576.jpg?itok=GE6aWcsW" width="1500" height="844" alt="The internal hardware of a quantum computer in a laboratory."> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p><span>The internal hardware of Infleqtion's neutral atom quantum computing platform. Photo: Infleqtion, 2025.</span></p> </span> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>The internal hardware of Infleqtion's neutral atom quantum computing platform. Photo: Infleqtion, 2025.</div> Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:24:08 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2522 at /venturepartners Find the market for your innovation /venturepartners/internal-news/find-market-your-innovation <span>Find the market for your innovation</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-08T16:06:23-06:00" title="Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 16:06">Tue, 04/08/2025 - 16:06</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2024-10/Elliot%20Strand%20working%20greenhouse%20102824.png?h=6161a13d&amp;itok=vhkQiSed" width="1200" height="800" alt="A white man with brown hair in blue t-shirt and wearing protective glasses concentrates on his work in a greenhouse."> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>Could your research, invention or creative idea make an impact beyond the academic world? The National Science Foundation’s I-Corps<sup>TM</sup> programs offer the ideal starting point. Designed to help those new to commercialization explore the market potential of their innovations, I-Corps serves as a practical and accessible first step for anyone looking to translate their discoveries into real-world solutions.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Why start with I-Corps?</span></h2><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-left ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">Ready to go further?</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p><strong>Protect your discoveries before you publish them: </strong>Your discoveries could have far-reaching impacts while securing recognition and opportunities for you.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/2487" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Read More</span></a></p><hr><p><strong>Fund your research or creative work through commercialization: </strong>transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/node/2489" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Read More</span></a></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>For some, commercialization can feel far removed from their academic goals. But what if the process aligned with your mission to create a meaningful impact? The NSF I-Corps program provides a structured, supportive pathway for exploring how your innovation could address real-world challenges—with no prior entrepreneurial experience.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span> Boulder is a national leader in the NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region, a collaboration with universities across the West, including University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, California Institute of Technology, University of California (Riverside and Santa Barbara), University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Utah, Colorado School of Mines, University of New Mexico.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>As part of I-Corps Hub West, Boulder (through Venture Partners at Boulder, part of Boulder’s Research &amp; Innovation Office) offers hands-on regional I-Corps programs open to researchers, faculty, students and staff from any discipline or institution.&nbsp;</strong></span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>That programming begins with the introductory three-week Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop and advances through the four-week Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program. Teams are then primed to pursue the&nbsp; National I-Corps Teams Program, where they can win a $50,000 grant.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Through I-Corps, you will:</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span>Conduct customer discovery to understand market needs and pain points.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Assess the commercial potential of your idea in a supportive environment.</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Develop the commercialization mindset needed to move your innovation forward.</span></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Real results, real impact</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>I-Corps has helped countless entrepreneurs and nontraditional innovators take their first steps toward commercialization. Participants leave with a clearer understanding of their innovation’s market potential and a roadmap for next steps, whether that means pursuing funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs or the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), applying for the National I-Corps program where teams can further advance their innovation and win $50,000, or connecting with industry partners for licensing opportunities.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span> Boulder companies like </span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/page-technologies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a06cd8e0-8fe2-4d27-b37a-195f7bc434f9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="PAGE Technologies"><span><strong>PAGE Technologies</strong></span></a><span>,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/mesa-quantum-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="880a4316-8328-4ae9-8f4a-bab637d77715" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mesa Quantum Inc."><span><strong>Mesa Quantum</strong></span></a><span> and&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/manifest-technologies" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="38ed0817-751c-4cbf-a6b7-f25fd67b716d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Manifest Technologies (prev. Vitro3D Inc.)"><span><strong>Vitro3D</strong></span></a><span> began their journey with customer discovery and market validation—essential skills gained through I-Corps programming.&nbsp;</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>How I-Corps fits into the path to commercialization</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>I-Corps and Venture Partners empower innovators to take the lead in translating their discoveries into real-world applications, providing guidance and opportunities to support your journey, whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with industry or license your technology.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Venture Partners can also help connect you with industry partners or experienced entrepreneurs who can drive commercialization forward on your behalf—ensuring that your discoveries make an impact without requiring you to leave academia.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Whether your journey leads to licensing agreements, starting your own venture or collaborations with entrepreneurs, Venture Partners helps ensure your success.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Take the first step today</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Your work at could be the foundation for the next groundbreaking innovation. NSF I-Corps and Venture Partners are here to help you explore your innovation’s potential. With no prior experience required and a supportive, inclusive environment, there’s no better way to begin your journey.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training/nsf-i-corps-hub-west-region" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1733bb2f-2a18-43d7-9594-35a8f267ff4f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region"><span><strong>Learn more and apply to the I-Corps program here</strong></span></a><span>. Whether you’re ready to disclose an innovation or simply want to explore the possibilities, I-Corps is your stepping-off point for turning ideas into impact.</span><br>&nbsp;</p><hr><div><div><h2 class="text-align-center"><span>What can we do together?</span><br>&nbsp;</h2><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2340" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-balance-scale fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/intellectual-property-management/disclose-an-innovation" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c9e95f9f-bd16-491c-a0b7-87db058214d9" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Disclose an Innovation"><strong>Disclose and protect your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/791" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-graduation-cap fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="82926513-3a0a-408f-b460-48069e8a1004" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Entrepreneurial Training"><strong>Engage in entrepreneurial training programs</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/323" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/mentorship-and-advising" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="2f8ea362-5911-4e70-a502-5f15d1754479" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mentorship and Advising"><strong>Find a mentor to advance your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/803" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-money-bill-1 fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="ee81ac9c-9740-4528-807b-38c22188a3d1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Funding Opportunities and Support"><strong>Get funding for&nbsp;your innovation</strong></a></p></div></div><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/92" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-regular fa-handshake fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/licensing-university-innovators" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="e477b33f-541d-4bc6-99a7-ab2fc9b08e98" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Licensing for University Innovators"><strong>Find partners and opportunities for your innovation</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/1967" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-bolt fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/investors-and-partners" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investor and Partnership Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with researchers</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/781" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-users fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7446d166-740e-4d04-b255-b83c3a729be0" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Startup Portfolio"><strong>Explore our startups portfolio</strong></a></p></div><div class="col ucb-column"><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/node/2341" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-lightbulb fa-2x ucb-icon-style-circle">&nbsp;</i></a></p><p class="text-align-center"><a href="/venturepartners/technology-portfolio" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c5a76e38-d4d6-4405-903d-d7d4152c9ebb" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Technology Portfolio"><strong>Explore our technology portfolio</strong></a></p></div></div><hr></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>Could your research, invention or creative idea make an impact beyond the academic world? The National Science Foundation’s I-CorpsTM programs offer the ideal starting point.</div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>7</div> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2024-10/Elliot%20Strand%20working%20greenhouse%20102824.png?itok=W3iDtfdx" width="1500" height="598" alt="A white man with brown hair in blue t-shirt and wearing protective glasses concentrates on his work in a greenhouse."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> <div>Photo: Elliot Strand, co-founder of PAGE Technologies</div> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:06:23 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2488 at /venturepartners From research to impact: Massimo Ruzzene /venturepartners/2025/03/31/external-news/research-impact-massimo-ruzzene <span>From research to impact: Massimo Ruzzene</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-08T11:13:45-06:00" title="Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 11:13">Tue, 04/08/2025 - 11:13</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2025-04/Massimo%20article%20040125.png?h=216b12b1&amp;itok=_fYK5IoC" width="1200" height="800" alt="A man stands and gives a presentation to a group of people in a classroom"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-categories" itemprop="about"> <span class="visually-hidden">Categories:</span> <div class="ucb-article-category-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-folder-open"></i> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>CEO Magazine—Research is more than just a group of scholars furrowing away behind closed doors in universities around the globe, and Massimo Ruzzene of all people knows that. As the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation at the University of Colorado Boulder ( Boulder), he sees research as a broad arc that moves from initial findings to real-world applications.</div> <script> window.location.href = `https://amp.theceomagazine.com/business/executive-interview-feature/from-research-to-impact-massimo-ruzzene/`; </script> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:13:45 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2507 at /venturepartners