Home
ApplicationsÌýOpen:ÌýNSF I-Corps Hub West programs and Destination Startup Ìý| ÌýRegistration Open: Creative Futures Fellowship Ìý| ÌýInvestor Registration Open: Destination Startup
What Can We Do Together?
Upcoming Events and Opportunities
Destination Startup
ÌýÌýStartup Application Deadline Thursday, Jan. 7
ÌýÌýNow Accepting Investor Invitation Requests
ÌýÌýThursday, Feb. 26, 2026, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Boulder, CO
ÌýÌýSee Page for Eligibility Details
Launched in 2018, Destination Startup® connects investors with groundbreaking startups built on novel discoveries from leading national labs and universities in the Intermountain West. Designed for deal-flow, the showcase is for active investors, who can request an invitation here. Participating startups must be actively raising and are selected through a competitive review process and robust pitch preparation. With over $1.2 billion collectively raised to date by startups likeÌýVitriVax,ÌýArpeggio Biosciences andÌýManifest Technologies, Destination Startup is for investors and founders ready to catalyze real-world impact.
Hosted by Venture Partners
Creative Futures Fellowship
ÌýÌýInformation Session, Monday, Feb. 2, 11 a.m.-noon, Chamber Hall (S102), Imig Music Building
ÌýÌýMore dates Feb.-Sept.
ÌýÌýFor Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty
The new Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in theÌýarts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, toÌýtransform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.
Offered by Venture Partners
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Thursday, Jan. 15
ÌýÌýJan. 22-Feb. 5, Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation is Not Required
Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture. Over three weeks, gain a deeper understanding of the commercialization process, test your ideas with real potential customers and accelerate your journey toward bringing your idea to market. This workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution—not just CU—motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West
New Venture Challenge
ÌýÌýDeadline Friday, Feb. 6
ÌýÌýFeb.-April
ÌýÌýFor Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Faculty, Staff and Students
During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams can win a share of more than $200,000 and pitch to a live audience at the Boulder Theater. Participants can compete in one of two NVC categories: Deep Tech Category, for ventures based on scientific or technological innovations developed using fundamental scientific disciplines or Open Category, for all other ventures.
Offered by the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
ÌýÌýApplication Deadline Tuesday, May 5
ÌýÌýMay 12-June 23, Virtual Opportunity
ÌýÌýAll Are Welcome—Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØAffiliation is Not Required
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution.
Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West