Climate, Energy &amp; Sustainability /venturepartners/ en 鶹ѰBoulder ranks among world's top institutions for climate science research /venturepartners/2026/06/30/external-news/cu-boulder-ranks-among-worlds-top-institutions-climate-science-research <span>鶹ѰBoulder ranks among world's top institutions for climate science research</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-06-30T14:41:30-06:00" title="Tuesday, June 30, 2026 - 14:41">Tue, 06/30/2026 - 14:41</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/feature-title-image/adobestock_632805326_2.jpeg?h=7fc45408&amp;itok=uiqqgPHC" width="1200" height="800" alt="Aerial photo of the 鶹ѰBoulder campus with the Boulder Flatirons in the background."> </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>鶹ѰBoulder Today—鶹ѰBoulder has been named one of the world's leading institutions for climate science, ranking eighth globally in the latest analysis of the&nbsp;most highly cited climate research institutions by Carbon Brief.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>The ranking places 鶹ѰBoulder among the world's most influential organizations advancing climate science and highlights the university's decades-long leadership in environmental research. It also makes 鶹ѰBoulder the highest-ranked university in Colorado and one of just 13 U.S. institutions to place in the global top 20.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/today/2026/06/30/cu-boulder-ranks-among-worlds-top-institutions-climate-science-research" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Full Story From 鶹ѰBoulder Today</span></a><br>&nbsp;</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-none ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><h2>What could you do with a 鶹Ѱtechnology?</h2><div><div><p>Venture Partners manages a portfolio of over 1,000 technologies from university investigators and partners with entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes—from startups to the Fortune 500—to bring these inventions to market.</p><p dir="ltr"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/technology-portfolio" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Explore Partnership Opportunities</span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col ucb-column"><h2>Turn your discovery into real-world impact</h2><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Venture Partners helps researchers, inventors and creators take their groundbreaking discoveries every step of the way, from intellectual property (IP) management to market launch.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/university-innovators" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">More for University Innovators</span></a></p></div></div></div></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>鶹ѰBoulder Today—鶹ѰBoulder has been named one of the world's leading institutions for climate science, ranking eighth globally in the latest analysis of the most highly cited climate research institutions by Carbon Brief.</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/feature-title-image/adobestock_632805326_2.jpeg?itok=g7nOeN-q" width="1500" height="535" alt="Aerial photo of the 鶹ѰBoulder campus with the Boulder Flatirons in the background."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 20:41:30 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2905 at /venturepartners 2026 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase highlights CU’s next breakthrough startups /venturepartners/2026/06/29/internal-news/2026-ascent-deep-tech-community-showcase-highlights-cus-next-breakthrough-startups <span>2026 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase highlights CU’s next breakthrough startups</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-06-29T18:32:08-06:00" title="Monday, June 29, 2026 - 18:32">Mon, 06/29/2026 - 18:32</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-06/2026%20Ascent%20Cohort%20fun%20062926b.JPG?h=18716f8b&amp;itok=14BbCnYv" width="1200" height="800" alt="/venturepartners/2026/06/29/internal-news/2026-ascent-deep-tech-community-showcase-highlights-cus-next-breakthrough-startups"> </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"> 鶹ѰStartup 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 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">Interested in the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator?</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature, intensive research and development, and significant capital requirements. Ascent understands the needs and pathways for deep tech startups to find early success.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Visit the Ascent Website</span></a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder capped off its fifth </span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="c08ebb07-1159-4805-8252-ef44e3820f89" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator"><span><strong>Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator</strong></span></a><span> with the 2026 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase, where research-based startup teams pitched innovations originating from the University of Colorado to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and fellow researchers. The showcase featured ventures developing breakthrough solutions in health, robotics, advanced materials and more.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Over five months, Ascent teams received mentorship from deep tech experts and Venture Partners staff as they worked toward company formation, refined their paths to market and built compelling fundraising strategies. The showcase marked a milestone for the teams as they emerged ready to engage with early investors, partners and national accelerators.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>A Track Record of Impact</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Since its launch in 2021, Ascent has supported 67 teams across CU’s Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs campuses. Program alumni have raised over $20 million in non-dilutive funding and $47 million in venture capital investment, with many advancing to top-tier programs such as NREL West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate. Ascent is now a cornerstone of 鶹ѰBoulder’s deep tech pipeline, helping to turn university inventions and research into impactful startups that solve global challenges.&nbsp;</span><br>&nbsp;</p><div><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><p dir="ltr">With 22 teams, 2026 was Ascent's largest cohort to date, including several teams from the <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>Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator</strong></a>, which matches motivated entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations developed at 鶹ѰBoulder.</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Ascent 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 </span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training/nsf-i-corps-hub-west" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1733bb2f-2a18-43d7-9594-35a8f267ff4f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="NSF I-Corps Hub West "><span><strong>NSF I-Corps<sup>TM</sup> Hub West—</strong></span></a><span>also offered through Venture Partners—and provides tailored support in business formation, market strategy and fundraising.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“This showcase was 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.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>"Every company on the stage represents years of research, countless conversations with customers, and the courage to turn a scientific breakthrough into a startup," said </span><a href="/venturepartners/about/people/emily-vogt" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="1b66b9d4-5cde-494a-a7d3-54f0d1cae827" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Emily Vogt"><span><strong>Emily Vogt</strong></span></a><span>, director of venture development and Ascent at Venture Partners. "The showcase is our opportunity to celebrate those founders and the community that's committed to helping them build what's next."</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Recordings of the showcase pitches will be available for viewing through the Venture Partners website in the coming weeks. </span><a href="/venturepartners/form/subscribe-for-updates?program=Ascent%20Deep%20Tech%20Accelerator%20Showcase" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Subscribe for Updates</strong></span></a></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase was presented with financial support from </span><a href="https://www.hollandhart.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Holland &amp; Hart</strong></a><strong> </strong>and<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.richtr.io/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Richtr Financial Studio</strong></a>.</p><h2><span>Presenters: 2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase</span></h2><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/2026-02/Agami%20Zero%20thumbnail%20header%20020926.png?itok=sdd9LKvj" width="375" height="252" alt="Agami Zero"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>Agami Zero</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/agami-zero-inc" rel="nofollow"><strong>Agami Zero Inc.&nbsp;</strong></a>develops hydrogen-powered, off-grid EV fast charging and clean power systems for grid-constrained and remote locations. Leveraging CU-licensed electrolysis technology, Agami Zero enables reliable EV charging and energy access without requiring utility upgrades, using cost-effective green hydrogen. <a href="https://agamizero.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the Agami Zero Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealjafarmakrani" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jafar Makrani</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:jafar.makrani@agamizero.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>jafar.makrani@agamizero.com</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyle-iii/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Lyle Antieau</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CTO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Hardware and Instrumentation</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Arkana Therapeutics</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/arkana-therapeutics" rel="nofollow"><strong>Arkana Therapeutics</strong></a>&nbsp;leverages animals with extreme physiology to discover novel therapeutic molecules and drug targets.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-gugel-ph-d-96a991337/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jack Gugel</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(Alum: 鶹ѰBoulder Molecular, Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:jack@arkanatx.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>jack@arkanatx.com</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-martin-ph-d-045504146/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Thomas Martin</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CSO; &nbsp;Jonathan Long (<a href="https://med.stanford.edu/profiles/jonathan-long" rel="nofollow"><strong>Stanford Medicine</strong></a>), Co-Founder, Scientific Advisor; Leslie Leinwand (<a href="/mcdb/leslie-leinwand" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Molecular, Cellular &amp; Developmental Biology</strong></a>, <a href="/biofrontiers/leslie-leinwand" rel="nofollow"><strong>BioFrontiers Institute</strong></a>), Scientific Advisor</p><p><strong>Industry Applications:</strong> <span>Biotech</span></p></div></div></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/2026-02/BioStamp%20020926.png?itok=CJQHn7OM" width="375" height="252" alt="BioStamp"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>BioStamp</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>BioStamp synthesizes DNA barcodes for engineered microorganisms, enabling biological intellectual property protection, compliance and high-fidelity identification. BioStamp's technology reduces detection false positives and collision probability through deterministic sequences, improving upon core limitations of random barcoding.</p><p><strong>Team Members:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-docter-09515b127/" rel="nofollow"><strong>John Docter</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/even/john-docter" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Environmental Engineering Program</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:john.docter@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>john.docter@colorado.edu</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cresten/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Cresten Mansfeldt</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/ceae/cresten-mansfeldt" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CSO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Biotech, Genomics, Research and Exploration</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-02/BoBoRobo%20020926.png?itok=Ut6cZW-2" width="375" height="252" alt="BoBoRobo"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>BoBoRobo</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/boborobo/" rel="nofollow"><strong>BoBoRobo</strong></a>&nbsp;(Boulder-Born Robotics) automates the design, validation and deployment of industrial robotic workcells from a simple English prompt, cutting integration costs by 50% and time-to-live from six months to 10 days. <a href="https://boborobo.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the BoBoRobo Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandroroncone" rel="nofollow"><strong>Alessandro Roncone</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/cs/alessandro-roncone" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Computer Science</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/anujpasricha/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Anuj Pasricha</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(Alum: 鶹ѰBoulder Computer Science), Co-Founder, CTO, <a href="mailto:anuj.pasricha@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>anuj.pasricha@colorado.edu</strong></a>*</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Robotics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-06/Dualys%20Bio%20logo%20061826.png?itok=UD3-oDwq" width="375" height="250" alt="Dualys Bio"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>Dualys Bio</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Dualys Bio is developing a programmable bacterial enzymes platform—a CRISPR for proteins—to destroy undruggable fusion oncoproteins in childhood cancers. The mRNA-LNP platform delivers precision protein cleavage where no drug has gone before.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjzorn/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Andrew Zorn</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, <a href="mailto:andrew@dualys.bio" rel="nofollow"><strong>andrew@dualys.bio</strong></a><strong>*</strong>, CEO; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmcmenemy/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Scott McMenemy</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CSO;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech, <span>Therapeutics</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Enlixa Bio</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Enlixa Bio is building an in vitro platform that quantifies transcription kinetics to help biopharma identify and validate drug candidates against transcriptional targets.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhilc/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Nik Chopra</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:nik@enlixabio.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>nik@enlixabio.com</strong></a>*; Dylan Taatje (<a href="/biochemistry/dylan-taatjes" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Biochemistry</strong></a>), Scientific Advisor, <a href="mailto:dylan.taatjes@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>dylan.taatjes@colorado.edu</strong></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech, Genomics, Diagnostics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-02/Flari%20020926.png?itok=Nst79NMd" width="375" height="252" alt="Flari"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>Flari Tech</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/flari" rel="nofollow"><strong>Flari Tech Inc.&nbsp;</strong></a>is building a breath analysis platform powered by the 2005 Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb technology, based on cutting-edge innovations from <a href="/physics/jun-ye" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jun Ye</strong></a>'s lab at <a href="https://jila.colorado.edu/" rel="nofollow"><strong>JILA</strong></a>. Flari Tech aims to provide affordable, accessible disease detection solutions by revolutionizing breath diagnostics with quantum sensing. <a href="https://flaritech.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the Flari Tech Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Member:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/xinyao/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Eva Yao</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:info@flaritech.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>info@flaritech.com</strong></a>*</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Medical Devices, Diagnostics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>FlowPoint Bio</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>FlowPoint Bio is redefining cell engineering with its high-viability, continuous-flow microfluidic platform that enables delivery of gene-editing payloads directly into the nucleus, regardless of cell type or payload size. <a href="https://flowpoint.bio/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the FlowPoint Bio Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/vineeterasala/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Vineet Erasala</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:vineet@flowpoint.bio" rel="nofollow"><strong>vineet@flowpoint.bio</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiaoyun-ding-65621a1b/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Xiaoyun Ding</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/mechanical/xiaoyun-sean-ding" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>), Co-Founder, Scientific Advisor</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech, Manufacturing</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Games and Theory</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Games and Theory LLC applies game theory and AI to model adversaries' thinking, competition and adaptation. Our simulation platform serves defense wargaming and commercial strategic foresight, exploring hundreds of scenarios with statistical analysis to inform high-stakes decisions. <a href="https://www.gamesandtheory.space/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the Games and Theory Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-holzinger/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Marcus Holzinger</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/aerospace/marcus-holzinger" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences</strong></a>), <a href="mailto:marcus@gamesandtheory.space" rel="nofollow"><strong>marcus@gamesandtheory.space</strong></a><strong>*</strong>, Co-Founder, Principal Investigator (PI); <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-mcmahon-022ba56/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jay McMahon</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/aerospace/jay-mcmahon" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences</strong></a>), Co-Founder, Principal (PI)</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Aerospace, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Civic Engagement and Government, Software</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-02/iMembrane%20Therapeutics%20020926.png?itok=PXHuHYJY" width="375" height="252" alt="iMembrane Therapeutics"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>iMembrane Therapeutics</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>iMembrane Therapeutics develops AI-designed miniproteins that overcome limitations of conventional biologics. The iMembrane Therapeutics platform enables stable, tunable and precisely dosed cytokine modulators for treating severe inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong>Jingshi Shen, Co-Founder, CSO; Suzhao Li, <a href="mailto:sli@imembranetherapeutics.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>sli@imembranetherapeutics.com</strong></a>*, Co-Founder, CEO; Charles Dinarello, Advisor</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Therapeutics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>LeTau Robotics</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>LeTau Robotics develops AI foundation models to teach robots human-like dexterity with 100x less training data. LeTau Robotics enables rapid deployment (hours vs. months) for complex manipulation across manufacturing, logistics and labs—at a fraction of traditional costs.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhengxiong-l-1abaa11a8/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Zhengxiong Li</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://cse.ucdenver.edu/~lizheng/" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰDenver Computer Science and Engineering</strong></a>), CEO, Co-Founder, <a href="mailto:zhengxiong.li@ucdenver.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>zhengxiong.li@ucdenver.edu</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lingfeng-tao-787928137/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Lingfeng Tao</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, Advisor; Xinmin Fang (Student: 鶹ѰDenver Engineering, Design and Computing), Co-Founder, Advisor; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fenglong-ma-69805832/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Fenglong Ma</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CTO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Robotics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Nanosynth</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Nanorobotic DNA synthesis using error detection and real-time correction to overcome fundamental limits of traditional DNA manufacturers. <a href="https://www.nanosynthbio.com/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the Nanosynth Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-johnson-7bb9a524/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Joshua Johnson</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/atlas/joshua-johnson" rel="nofollow"><strong>The ATLAS Institute</strong></a>), <a href="mailto:joshua@nanosynthbio.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>joshua@nanosynthbio.com</strong></a><strong>*</strong>, Co-Founder, CEO; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirela-alistar-843959251/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mirela Alistar</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CTO (<a href="/atlas/mirela-alistar" rel="nofollow"><strong>The ATLAS Institute</strong></a>)</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-02/PEGI%20LLC%20020926.png?itok=E8FnzZUF" width="375" height="252" alt="PEGI LLC"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>PEGI LLC</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Peroxide Enhanced Germicidal Irradiation (PEGI) rapidly inactivates microbes, allergens and volatile organic compounds in HVAC systems, keeping coils clean between seasonal maintenance. PEGI boosts energy efficiency, extends system life, improves indoor air quality, and is easily retrofitted into existing commercial and residential systems.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmalee-biesiada-phd" rel="nofollow"><strong>Emma Biesiada</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/faculty/hernandez/" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Aerobiology and Disinfection Lab</strong></a>), Founder, CTO, <a href="mailto:emmalee.biesiada@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>emmalee.biesiada@gmail.com</strong></a>*; <a href="/faculty/hernandez/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mark Hernandez</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/even/faculty/mark-hernandez" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Environmental Engineering Program</strong></a>), Advisor</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Medical Devices</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Renovare Therapeutics Inc.</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><div>Renovare Therapeutics is developing regenerative therapeutics for osteoarthritis. Our portfolio of products can be customized to meet patients where they are, enabled through technologies including innovative biomaterials, gene therapies and controlled delivery of drugs and biologics that regenerate joint tissues.</div><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-j-bryant-34786223b/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Stephanie Bryant</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/chbe/stephanie-j-bryant" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Chemical and Biological Engineering</strong></a>), Founder, CSO; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethascott/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Liz Scott</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CEO, <a href="mailto:elizabeth.scott-2@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>elizabeth.scott-2@colorado.edu</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-payne-a7670b7/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Karin Payne</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Principal Investigator (PI); Laurie Goodrich, Co-PI; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-santangelo-216878a0/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Kelly Santagelo</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Senior Investigator; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-zuscik-194829305/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mike Zuscik</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-PI</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Advanced Materials, Biotech, Therapeutics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>RipaLith</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>RipaLith is based on the research by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mija-hubler-987b9159/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mija Hubler</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>(<a href="/ceae/mija-h-hubler" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></a>), an expert in concrete degradation and structural performance. RipaLith is developing a concrete preservation solution that can be applied to existing concrete infrastructure to repair cracks—extending lifespan without costly replacement.</p><p><strong>Team Members:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mija-hubler-987b9159/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mija Hubler</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><strong>&nbsp;</strong>(<a href="/ceae/mija-h-hubler" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></a>), Co-Founder, Engineering Advisor; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eforchielli/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Elena Forchielli</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:elena.forchielli@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>elena.forchielli@colorado.edu</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paolo-f-svc-innovation/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Paolo Forchielli</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, COO;</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Advanced Materials, Construction, Biotech</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>SureFire</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>SureFire employs breakthrough LLM and quantum information techniques to more quickly and accurately detect wildfire ignitions from existing thermal camera images. SureFire is launching solutions for fire detection and risk management for customers such as fire agencies, power utilities, insurance companies, and sensor vendors.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/garydolsen/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Gary Robert Dolsen</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:garydolsen@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>garydolsen@gmail.com</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/longji-cui-19007819a/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Longji Cui</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/mechanical/longji-cui" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CSO, Principal Investigator (PI); <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuczun/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Kyle Kuczun</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, CTO, CPO;</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Sensors, Software</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Synforce</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Synforce develops a synergistic catalytic technology to enable efficient clean-fuel generation and water treatment.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong>Sarang Gosavi, Co-Entrepreneurial Lead; Dishan Chooi, Co-Entrepreneurial Lead; Yunxuan Zhu, Co-Technical Lead; Longji Cui (鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), <a href="mailto:longji.cui@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow"><strong>longji.cui@colorado.edu</strong></a>*, Advisor, Principal Investigator (PI); Anurag Chauhan, Co-Technical Lead</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Synteric Robotics</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Synteric Robotics builds small, autonomous insect-inspired inspection robots designed to navigate tight, hazardous environments. Our technology combines novel micromechanics, sensing and autonomy to inspect infrastructure humans can’t easily reach.</p><p><strong>Team Members:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-carpenter/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Rob Carpenter</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Founder, <a href="mailto:rob@frostrivercapital.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>rob@frostrivercapital.com</strong></a>*</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Robotics</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></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/2026-02/VeriLocal%20020926.png?itok=Uxx2TdLT" width="375" height="252" alt="VeriLocal"> </div> </div> <h3><span><strong>VeriLocal</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>VeriLocal Inc. is an AI platform that filters out non-local social media noise during fast-moving events. Using machine learning to identify geographically authentic content, it delivers real-time, high-signal local insight for crisis response, utilities, insurance, media and other decision-makers. <a href="https://verilocal.ai/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Visit the VeriLocal Website</strong></a></p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddmcguire1/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Todd McGuire</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp; (<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:todd@verilocal.ai" rel="nofollow"><strong>todd@verilocal.ai</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisestdenis/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Lise St. Denis</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://earthlab.colorado.edu/our-team/lise-ann-st-denis" rel="nofollow"><strong>Earth Lab</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CSO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Information Technology, Software, Smart Cities</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>Fortifyd</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Fortifyd develops software-designed, 3D-printed impact-absorbing metamaterials that outperform traditional foams. Our precisely tuned materials protect against repetitive low-energy hits and high-impact forces, enabling safer, customizable protection for helmets and other impact-critical applications.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamteri/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Teri Ham</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, <a href="mailto:hamteri@gmail.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>hamteri@gmail.com</strong></a>*; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/renee-kakareka/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Renee Sanchez</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, COO; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sloan-le/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Sloan Le</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CTO</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Advanced Materials, Software, Additive Manufacturing</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><h3><span><strong>YarraBio</strong></span></h3></div><div><div><p>Yarrabio develops technologies for cancer research, drug discovery and clinical oncology.</p><p><strong>Team Members: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/savanh-chanthaphavong-phd" rel="nofollow"><strong>Savanh Chantha-Phavong</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/venturepartners/node/1868" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Embark Startup Founder</strong></a>), Co-Founder, CEO, CSO, <a href="mailto:savanh.c@yarrabio.com" rel="nofollow"><strong>savanh.c@yarrabio.com</strong></a><strong>*</strong>; <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreypneu/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Corey Neu</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, Co-Founder, Scientific Advisor, Principal Investigator (PI)</p><p><strong>Industry Applications: </strong>Biotech</p><p>&nbsp;</p><hr><p>&nbsp;</p></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </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><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-industry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investment and Industry Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with 鶹Ѱresearchers</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>Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder capped off its fifth Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator with the 2026 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase, where research-based startup teams pitched innovations originating from the University of Colorado to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and fellow researchers. The showcase featured ventures developing breakthrough solutions in health, robotics, advanced materials and more.</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/2026-06/2026%20Ascent%20Cohort%20fun%20062926b.JPG?itok=u79C2Uag" width="1500" height="1000" alt="/venturepartners/2026/06/29/internal-news/2026-ascent-deep-tech-community-showcase-highlights-cus-next-breakthrough-startups"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 30 Jun 2026 00:32:08 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2899 at /venturepartners Eight 鶹ѰBoulder researchers and four startups receive funding through Colorado’s Advanced Industries Accelerator /venturepartners/2026/06/02/eight-cu-boulder-researchers-and-four-startups-receive-funding-through-colorados <span>Eight 鶹ѰBoulder researchers and four startups receive funding through Colorado’s Advanced Industries Accelerator</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-06-02T17:21:52-06:00" title="Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 17:21">Tue, 06/02/2026 - 17:21</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/feature-title-image/adobestock_632805326_2.jpeg?h=7fc45408&amp;itok=uiqqgPHC" width="1200" height="800" alt="Aerial photo of the 鶹ѰBoulder campus with the Boulder Flatirons in the background."> </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"> 鶹ѰInnovators News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/12"> 鶹ѰStartup 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><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)&nbsp;</span><a href="https://oedit.colorado.gov/press-release/colorados-advanced-industries-accelerator-program-supports-36-recipients-developing" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>has announced</strong></span></a><span> that eight 鶹Ѱ researchers and four university-connected startup companies received funding through the latest round of the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. The awards, granted through the Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention programs, represent one of the university's strongest performances to date.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The grants support a range of 鶹ѰBoulder innovations, including gene therapies, augmented reality, aerospace, advanced materials, robotics, AI and regenerative medicine. Statewide, OEDIT awarded nearly $7.5 million to Colorado researchers and companies developing technologies to accelerate and expand Colorado’s advanced-industries economy. 鶹ѰBoulder startups and researchers will receive a total of $2.2 million.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>"鶹ѰBoulder’s research enterprise continues to produce discoveries with the potential to address major global challenges, and these awards demonstrate the importance of strategic public investment in helping research breakthroughs achieve their full potential,” said&nbsp;</span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmassimo-ruzzene-4771334%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CChris.Yankee%40Colorado.EDU%7C83003d159955419b3a0e08dec02f3ac9%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C639159506251519881%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=cxeLvwj0%2B4K3f0eNA9JhDr2ASD5kwOdYfbaA73KZtJQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Massimo Ruzzene</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at 鶹ѰBoulder. "Programs like the Advanced Industries Accelerator play a critical role in helping transformative technologies move from the laboratory into practical application, delivering tangible benefits to communities in Colorado and beyond."</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>The Proof of Concept Grant program helps Colorado research institutions accelerate applied research and commercialization activities, while the Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant supports Colorado companies commercializing innovative technologies that will be manufactured or scaled in Colorado.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>Historically, these grants have provided powerful returns to the state, in terms of follow-on investment and company growth, according to&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/about/people/bryn-rees-page" 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>, senior associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships at 鶹ѰBoulder. “Colorado has built one of the strongest environments in the country for translating research into new businesses. OEDIT has been an essential partner in that effort. 鶹ѰBoulder spinout companies like&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/forge-nano-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Forge Nano</strong></span></a><span> and&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/onkure-therapeutics-inc-nasdaq-okur" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>OnKure Therapeutics</strong></span></a><span> have grown to become publicly traded companies, and for them, early support from the Advanced Industries program was critical. This new round of awards is a great signal of what is to come,” said Rees.</span></p></blockquote><p>&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><p>&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr"><span>Today,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder</strong></span></a><span> and the campus’<strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/funding-opportunities-and-support/center-translational-research" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Center for Translational Research</strong></span></a><span> support researchers and startup teams pursuing translational funding—financial support that helps move discoveries and innovations from the research laboratory toward real-world application and commercialization—opportunities, including OEDIT grants, U.S. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards and other translational research programs.</span></p><blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>“These funding programs are often catalytic moments for research teams and startup companies,” said&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/about/people/sarah-hughes" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="f56e380f-1ec7-47c3-b6b6-eb0d45e36f7f" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Sarah Hughes"><span><strong>Sarah Hughes</strong></span></a><span>, director of the Center for Translational Research at 鶹ѰBoulder. “The Center for Translational Research helps innovators identify opportunities, strengthen commercialization strategies and compete for funding that can accelerate the path from discovery to impact.”</span></p></blockquote><p dir="ltr"><span>The latest Advanced Industries awards come as 鶹ѰBoulder continues to demonstrate national leadership in research commercialization and startup formation.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Fourteen of the awardees—including teams from the Colorado School of Mines and 鶹ѰDenver—participated in the&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/university-innovators/entrepreneurial-training/nsf-i-corps-hub-west" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>National Science Foundation I-Corps™ customer discovery and commercialization programs offered through 鶹ѰBoulder</strong></span></a><span>. The university is part of&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.icorpshubwest.org/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>NSF I-Corps Hub West</strong></span></a><span>, a partnership of 11 research institutions that includes Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, University of Southern California and others.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Most recently,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2026/04/28/internal-news/forge-nano-list-16-billion-spac-deal-making-it-cu-boulders-11th-unicorn-spinout" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Forge Nano announced plans to go public through a $1.6B SPAC deal, making it 鶹ѰBoulder’s 11th “unicorn” company</strong></span></a><span>—a startup valued at $1 billion or more while still privately held. Forge Nano traces part of its early support to funding from OEDIT through a partnership with the 鶹ѰBoulder that would later become the&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/lab-venture-challenge" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Lab Venture Challenge</strong></span></a><span>. The company commercializes atomic layer deposition nanocoating technology developed at 鶹ѰBoulder and now produces advanced battery materials and semiconductor manufacturing technologies.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>In fiscal year 2024,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2025/09/15/internal-news/cu-boulder-ranked-1-launching-startups-based-university-discoveries" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder launched 35 new companies based on university intellectual property</strong></span></a><span>, more than any other U.S. campus that year. Commercialization activities through Venture Partners generated an&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2026/03/09/internal-news/commercialization-through-venture-partners-cu-boulder-drives-87-billion-impact" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>economic impact of $8.7 billion nationally and $5.1 billion in Colorado</strong></span></a><span> over the last five years, according to a report from the Leeds School of Business.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The university also recently&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2026/04/02/internal-news/cu-boulder-and-techstars-announce-partnership-accelerate-colorados-entrepreneurial" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>announced a strategic partnership with Techstars</strong></span></a><span>, the global startup accelerator and investor network founded in Boulder, to expand opportunities for founders and further strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The Advanced Industries Accelerator Program received 144 applications during the latest funding cycle, which were reviewed by panels of business, technical and financial experts across Colorado’s advanced industries sectors. Final recommendations were approved by the Economic Development Commission on May 21, 2026. The next application cycle will open July 1, 2026.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰProof-of-Concept Grants</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/atlas/mirela-alistar" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mirela Alistar</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a nanorobotic DNA synthesis platform that uses real-time error correction to produce the long genetic templates required for advanced gene therapies.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/chbe/christopher-n-bowman" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Christopher Bowman</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a photopolymer-based optical materials platform to improve the performance and manufacturing of holographic elements for augmented reality displays.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/mechanical/xiaoyun-sean-ding" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Xiaoyun Ding</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a microfluidic cell-modification platform to improve the manufacturing efficiency and payload capacity of cell and gene therapies.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="https://lasp.colorado.edu/people/timothy-hellickson/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Timothy Hellickson</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a satellite-mounted, space-debris detection system to identify and characterize orbital debris that is too small for conventional radar tracking.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/ceae/mija-h-hubler" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mija Hubler</strong></span></a><span><strong>&nbsp;</strong>- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a regenerative, biobased tape for the durable repair of cracks in residential, commercial, and municipal concrete infrastructure.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/ecee/laila-fighera-marzall" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Laila Marzall</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing an innovative in-band full-duplex analog hardware architecture to enable spectrum-agile wireless communication systems.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/aerospace/jay-mcmahon" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Jay McMahon</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing an artificial intelligence–powered strategic wargaming platform for evaluating complex conflict scenarios in the defense and aerospace sectors.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹Ѱ, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="/chbe/stephanie-j-bryant" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Stephanie Bryant</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing a customizable therapeutic platform to restore cartilage and bone in patients with osteoarthritis at any stage of disease progression.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>University of Colorado Denver, PI&nbsp;</span><a href="https://cse.ucdenver.edu/~lizheng/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Zhengxiong Li</strong></span></a><span>&nbsp;- Denver, CO $150,000: Developing a foundation model platform that enables robots equipped with high-degree-of-freedom anthropomorphic hands to master complex manufacturing and assembly tasks.</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰEarly-Stage Capital and Retention Grants</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://bluecubed.net/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Blue Cubed LLC</strong></span></a><span> - Lafayette, CO $250,000: Developing a laser communications terminal designed for seamless interoperability between satellite networks.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span><strong>Codebreaker Tx Inc.</strong> - Boulder, CO $250,000: Developing a genomic data-as-a-service platform that generates high-resolution biological datasets for artificial intelligence-driven research and drug development.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="/venturepartners/modendo-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Modendo Inc.</strong></span></a><span> - Boulder, CO $250,000: Developing an ultrathin, fiber-based optical probing platform designed for the failure analysis and security evaluation of advanced 3D semiconductor architectures.</span></p><p><a href="/venturepartners/vesicle-therapeutics-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Vesicle Therapeutics Inc.</strong></span></a><span> - Boulder, CO $250,000: Developing a targeted genetic therapy to treat head and neck cancer by distinguishing between different versions of the same protein.</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </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><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 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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-industry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investment and Industry Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with 鶹Ѱresearchers</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>The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) has announced that eight 鶹Ѱ researchers and four startups received funding through the latest round of the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. The awards, granted through the Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention programs, represent one of the university's strongest performances to date.</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/feature-title-image/adobestock_632805326_2.jpeg?itok=g7nOeN-q" width="1500" height="535" alt="Aerial photo of the 鶹ѰBoulder campus with the Boulder Flatirons in the background."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 02 Jun 2026 23:21:52 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2883 at /venturepartners A powerhouse in battery breakthroughs /venturepartners/2026/06/02/internal-news/powerhouse-battery-breakthroughs <span>A powerhouse in battery breakthroughs</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-06-02T13:03:01-06:00" title="Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 13:03">Tue, 06/02/2026 - 13:03</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-04/Ban_Laboratory_b_roll_20250211_JMP_51.MP4_.04_17_47_48.Still001.jpg?h=8f74817f&amp;itok=KXE1zLD6" width="1200" height="800" alt="A researcher holds up a small device labeled “MANA,” displaying a compact module with colored indicators and connection ports."> </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"> 鶹ѰInnovators News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/12"> 鶹ѰStartup 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 class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-black"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p class="text-align-center lead"><i class="fa-solid fa-podcast fa-xl">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;<strong>Listen to This Story:</strong><br><a href="/venturepartners/media/3662" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-solid fa-file-audio fa-xl">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/V0TauMIEGsY?si=RtFrSMke5H2KYK_F" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-brands fa-youtube fa-xl">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wh58ASJCxzbRh5ZfejMJ4?si=NGqhD7BBQ5-M51NvqOyqUQ" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-brands fa-spotify fa-xl">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ideas-into-impact-|-venture-partners-at-cu-boulder/id1896868469" rel="nofollow"><i class="fa-brands fa-apple fa-xl">&nbsp;</i></a></p></div></div></div><p class="small-text" dir="ltr"><strong>Photo: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-singstock/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Nick Singstock</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><strong>, CTO and co-founder of new 鶹ѰBoulder startup </strong><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/mana-battery-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="32269d09-ae1c-42b8-a044-0d6d4e61de0b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Mana Battery Inc."><strong>Mana Battery</strong></a><strong> holds up a prototype of their new sodium-based battery.</strong></p><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>The 鶹Ѱ is at the cutting edge of battery technology, from groundbreaking research to billion-dollar ventures.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>When&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-evans-a3b36055/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Tyler Evans</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(Alum: 鶹ѰBoulder </span><a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span> and </span><a href="/mse/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Material Science</strong></span></a><span>) was applying to PhD programs, he knew he wanted to focus on batteries. “I remember having this impression that batteries were literally a way to bottle up energy and put it in your pocket and use it to do what you wanted, anytime you wanted, and that feels a lot like a superpower,” he said.&nbsp;</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p dir="ltr"><span>That was the start of an exciting era in energy storage, and the race was on to build a better battery that lasted longer, was safer and less expensive. At the time, there were just a handful of universities, including 鶹ѰBoulder, working on that kind of technology, and Evans was interested in working specifically with&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sehee-lee-1b52738/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Se-Hee Lee</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(</span><a href="/mechanical/se-hee-lee" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span>), a pioneer in solid state battery technology who had joined 鶹ѰBoulder from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (now the National Laboratory of the Rockies) several years earlier.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="small-text" dir="ltr"><span><strong>Photo: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-evans-a3b36055/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Tyler Evans</strong></span></a><span><strong>, CEO and co-founder of </strong></span><a href="https://mana%20battery/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mana Battery</strong></a><span><strong>, alum of 鶹ѰBoulder 鶹ѰBoulder </strong></span><a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span><strong> and </strong></span><a href="/mse/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Material Science</strong></span></a><span><strong>.</strong></span></p><p><span>Evans felt an immediate affinity with Lee’s research objectives and lab culture and wanted to join his team. “Because I knew I wanted to study energy storage and new battery technologies, the support I found was instrumental in setting me up not just to be a good battery scientist and technologist but also to look at the world through the lens of application and understand what could be useful for the world.”</span></p></div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-right col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-04/Tyler%20Evans_Mana%20Battery_20250211_JMP_A_1.MP4_.23_32_10_59.Still001%20copy.jpg?itok=cxSRwqim" alt="A researcher in a battery development lab, standing in front of advanced testing equipment." loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Photo: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-evans-a3b36055/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Tyler Evans</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, CEO and co-founder of <a href="https://Mana Battery" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mana Battery</strong></a>, alum of 鶹ѰBoulder 鶹ѰBoulder <a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span> and </span><a href="/mse/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Material Science</strong></span></a><span><strong>.</strong></span></p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 2"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-left col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-04/CUE_Stoldt_Lee_Lab_2014_045.JPG?itok=FLOEZtXP" alt="Two researchers work side by side using a glovebox in a laboratory, inserting their hands into sealed ports to handle materials inside." loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Photo: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sehee-lee-1b52738/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Se-Hee Lee</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(left) and Conrad Stoldt (right) both faculty and researchers in <a href="/mechanical/conrad-stoldt" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder's Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span><strong>,</strong></span> in their lab at 鶹ѰBoulder, using a glovebox. The glovebox is used to handle battery materials in an oxygen- and moisture-free environment, preventing reactions with air and enabling the safe development of next-generation energy technologies.</p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p dir="ltr"><span>Soon, Evans was part of the team generating test data that led to grant funding for&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/04/24/internal-news/cu-boulder-spinout-solid-power-building-better-battery-consumers-and-climate" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Solid Power Inc.</strong></span></a><span>, a company spun out of the university by Se-Hee Lee and Conrad Stoldt (</span><a href="/mechanical/conrad-stoldt" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span>). At the same time, Evans was crossing paths with </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasmcampbell/details/experience/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Doug Campbell</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>—Solid Power’s co-founder and a deep tech startup veteran, then its CEO—and </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshbg/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Josh Buettner Garrett</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, the company’s CTO. Through those interactions, Evans was learning about the commercialization path for university lab innovations. “It felt exciting to be a part of that, to see your work have a pretty immediate and direct impact on a company that was hopefully going to make a real impact in the world,” he said.</span></p><p class="small-text" dir="ltr"><span><strong>Photo: </strong></span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sehee-lee-1b52738/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Se-Hee Lee</strong></span></a><span><strong>&nbsp;(left) and Conrad Stoldt (right) both faculty and researchers in </strong></span><a href="/mechanical/conrad-stoldt" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder's Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span><strong>, in their lab at 鶹ѰBoulder, using a glovebox. The glovebox is used to handle battery materials in an oxygen- and moisture-free environment, preventing reactions with air and enabling the safe development of next-generation energy technologies.</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Since then, Solid Power has become an industry-leading developer of next-generation all-solid-state battery technology. The company went public in 2021 with major partnership deals with BMW, Ford and Samsung SDI and now has a 75,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Thornton. As a company co-founder, Lee is excited to see Solid Power at the forefront of this technology, and he’s equally gratified that the company has hired many past 鶹ѰBoulder undergraduate, Master’s and PhD students. “Creating so much opportunity for the younger generation, that’s kind of the most exciting stuff,” said Lee.&nbsp;</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><h2 dir="ltr"><span>“Incredible productivity in battery innovation”</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>Lee was also the principal investigator (PI) guiding the team that led to the spinout of another company, this one co-founded by Evans and fellow student&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniela-molina-piper-b9045818/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Daniela Molina Piper</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(Alum: 鶹ѰBoulder </span><a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span>). That venture was SiILion Inc., which focused on developing high-energy, non-flammable, Li-ion (lithium-ion) systems for solid state batteries. Evans saw a new Li-ion cell technology through prototype and early-pilot demonstrations until 2018, when the company was acquired by Tesla.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="small-text" dir="ltr"><span><strong>Photo: Early prototypes of the </strong></span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/04/24/internal-news/cu-boulder-spinout-solid-power-building-better-battery-consumers-and-climate" rel="nofollow"><strong>Solid Power</strong></a><span><strong> solid state batteries.</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Solid Power and SiILion put 鶹ѰBoulder on the map for battery breakthroughs, giving the outside world a sense of the high caliber of research coming out of the university, according to </span><a href="/venturepartners/about/people/bryn-rees-page" 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>, senior associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. Soon thereafter, in 2020,&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshak/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Michael Marshak</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(Fmr.&nbsp;</span><a href="/chemistry/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Chemistry</strong></span></a><span>) founded Otoro Energy Inc. to commercialize a breakthrough flow battery—a rechargeable battery in which electrolyte flows through one or more electrochemical cells from one or more tanks—technology developed in his lab. The company’s patented low-cost electrolyte, licensed from 鶹ѰBoulder, uses abundant and non-critical minerals, is water-based (pH-neutral), non-corrosive, non-flammable and non-toxic. “We’ve had this incredible productivity in battery innovation at CU. It’s a unique strength that we’ve got here,” said Rees.</span></p></div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-right col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/article-image/solid_power.jpeg?itok=dwLKYSjw" alt="Scientist holds up batteries" loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Photo: Early prototypes of the <a href="/venturepartners/2023/04/24/internal-news/cu-boulder-spinout-solid-power-building-better-battery-consumers-and-climate" rel="nofollow"><strong>Solid Power</strong></a> solid state batteries.</p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </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>&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><p>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 3"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p dir="ltr"><span>Other prolific university labs have contributed to advancing battery technologies in unexpected and intriguing ways. Take&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-al-weimer-0a37361b/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Alan Weimer</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>’s (</span><a href="/chbe/alan-w-weimer" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Chemical and Biological Engineering</strong></span></a><span>) lab, where students work at the forefront of innovation in atomic layer deposition (ALD) nanocoating technology. That’s the process of putting down ultra-thin coatings on particles and plastics to improve the performance of new and existing products, including batteries. Researchers on Weimer’s team have shown that, with lithium-ion batteries, ALD can improve performance, extend life cycle and enhance safety in consumer electronics like laptops, cell phones and electric vehicles.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="small-text" dir="ltr"><span><strong>Photo: Factory floor of </strong></span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/forge-nano-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d91f0df1-7e42-4c7a-839c-b829cf75653c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Forge Nano Inc. "><strong>Forge Nano</strong></a><span><strong>.</strong></span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Weimer co-invented the core ALD tech that formed the foundation for an early spinout, ALD NanoSolutions Inc., which merged with&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/forge-nano-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Forge Nano Inc.</strong></span></a><span> in 2021. Forge Nano was co-founded by&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-lichty-251a5b1/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul Lichty</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>&nbsp;(Alum:&nbsp;鶹ѰBoulder </span><a href="/mechanical/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span> and&nbsp;</span><a href="/chbe/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Chemical and Biological Engineering</strong></span></a><span>) and Dave King (postdoctoral research assistant) both formerly part of Weimer’s team. Lichty, now Forge Nano’s CEO, developed and patented an idea for scaling up the ALD process, and the company now uses the technology to make scalable nano-coatings for various applications, including batteries, semiconductors, and more. Forge Nano’s proprietary ALD formulation, called “Atomic Armor,” makes batteries’ electrodes better at storing energy. “It's difficult to think of anything else I could have done that would have as big an impact as this company,” </span><a href="/chbe/2023/07/31/cu-boulder-engineering-grad-builds-world-leading-materials-science-company" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Lichty has said</strong></span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p></div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-right col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2025-12/Forge%20Nano%20121225_0.jpg?itok=iSjOufN9" alt="Two engineers stand inside an industrial facility inspecting a large, automated manufacturing system with conveyors, hoppers, and enclosed processing units labeled “Forge Nano.&quot;" loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Photo: Factory floor of <a href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/forge-nano-inc" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="d91f0df1-7e42-4c7a-839c-b829cf75653c" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Forge Nano Inc. "><strong>Forge Nano</strong></a>.</p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </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-content-media ucb-article-content-media-above"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-04/Chunmei%20Ban%20Lab%20group%20photo%20041026.jpg?itok=I_TvaICN" alt="A multidisciplinary research team poses in a lab, showcasing tools and components used to develop next-generation battery materials and energy technologies." loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>A photo of the Ban Group, including Tyler Evans (left, furthest back), Chunmei Ban (center right), and Nick Singstock (far right)</p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p class="small-text"><strong>Photo: Ban Group, including Tyler Evans (left, furthest back), Chunmei Ban (center right), and Nick Singstock (far right)</strong></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>An ecosystem of great battery scientists</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰBoulder researchers like Lee, Lichty and Evans have distinguished themselves by taking on the tough challenges inherent in advancing batteries and storage tech, and successfully pushing those innovations out into the world in an unprecedented and meaningful way. “The notion in the field was that battery technology is too hard, and it’s too hard for these companies to successfully raise capital. It’s too hard for them to get partnerships and to commercialize. Yet what we’ve seen at 鶹ѰBoulder has totally turned that thinking upside down,” said Rees. “These really great research capabilities have translated into super impactful ventures.”&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Several factors make 鶹ѰBoulder a powerhouse for battery innovation, according to Evans. “The Front Range and 鶹ѰBoulder have a unique confluence of ingredients that have [contributed] to our strong track record of battery technology companies in the last decade or so,” he said. “First, the network of universities, national laboratories and entrepreneurial resources provides a pool of world-class people and creates fertile ground for breakthroughs. Second, the representation of major players in the energy industry and industries that use battery technology… creates pull for new technologies with a focus on building commercial value. And finally, situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, the people here have a very direct connection to the environment; we’re intimately linked to the impact of our work.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Evans is now CEO and co-founder of&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/mana-battery-inc" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mana Battery Inc.</strong></span></a><span>, a 2023 spinout of&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chunmei-b-10b4171a/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Chunmei Ban</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>’s (</span><a href="/mechanical/chunmei-ban" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering</strong></span></a><span>) lab. Ban, company co-founder and a leading researcher in batteries and battery materials, focuses on next-generation electrochemical materials, specifically sodium and magnesium, to meet the need to improve renewable energy storage systems. Mana Battery is advancing that groundbreaking work by developing sodium-ion batteries that are cheaper, safer and longer-lasting than standard lithium-ion ones.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>At a 鶹ѰBoulder-hosted conference on batteries and storage technology in 2024, Ban commented, “The U.S. has one of the largest sources of soda ash. The reserve is huge, so we have the resources to do something, and I feel it’s the right time,” she said. “We feel confident about our technology, a gigantic market for batteries is already here, and I have a great team.”&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>At that same meeting, Evans expressed gratitude at being part of the ecosystem of great battery scientists at the university. “鶹ѰBoulder has a really impressive track record in the battery space, and Mana is sitting in a place to enable a sodium-ion battery transition; they do everything lithium-ion can do at half the cost, which the grid needs. Batteries have the potential to change the world.”</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </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><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-industry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investment and Industry Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with 鶹Ѱresearchers</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>The 鶹Ѱ has emerged as a leading hub for battery innovation, producing breakthrough research and a series of successful startups—including Solid Power, SiILion, Otoro Energy, Forge Nano and Mana Battery—that are advancing safer, cheaper and more effective energy storage technologies. The university’s unique combination of world-class researchers, entrepreneurial support and industry partnerships has helped transform laboratory discoveries into companies with significant economic and societal impact.</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/2026-04/Ban_Laboratory_b_roll_20250211_JMP_51.MP4_.04_17_47_48.Still001.jpg?itok=s9_T2T73" width="1500" height="844" alt="A researcher holds up a small device labeled “MANA,” displaying a compact module with colored indicators and connection ports."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:03:01 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2859 at /venturepartners The solar cell that moonlights as an LED, and does both better /venturepartners/2026/04/27/external-news/solar-cell-moonlights-led-and-does-both-better <span>The solar cell that moonlights as an LED, and does both better</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-04-27T13:12:02-06:00" title="Monday, April 27, 2026 - 13:12">Mon, 04/27/2026 - 13:12</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-04/STOCK%20refraction%20043026.jpeg?h=30ee5e8e&amp;itok=zc6xAOKL" width="1200" height="800" alt="Abstract image with bright, rainbow-colored light streaks and lens flares crossing diagonally over a blue background."> </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/398"> 鶹ѰTechnology and Discovery 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>鶹ѰBoulder Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI)—Imagine a display that harvests ambient light when it is not actively in use, offsetting some of its own energy consumption. The materials physics shows that this is possible; the same semiconductor material can, in principle, emit and absorb light efficiently.&nbsp;</p><p>What has been missing is a device architecture that allows it to do both without reductions in efficiency of either application. A new study reports a perovskite diode that converts sunlight to electricity at 26.7% efficiency (a world record at the time of publication submission) and emits light at 31% efficiency, figures that would be high for a device designed to do only one of those things.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/rasei/2026/04/27/solar-cell-moonlights-led-and-does-both-better" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Read More from RASEI</span></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="https://www.cell.com/joule/abstract/S2542-4351(26)00073-5?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2542435126000735%3Fshowall%3Dtrue" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;Read the Paper in Joule</span></a><br>&nbsp;</p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-none ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><div class="row ucb-column-container"><div class="col ucb-column"><h2>What could you do with a 鶹Ѱtechnology?</h2><div><div><p>Venture Partners manages a portfolio of over 1,000 technologies from university investigators and partners with entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes—from startups to the Fortune 500—to bring these inventions to market.</p><p dir="ltr"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/technology-portfolio" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Explore Partnership Opportunities</span></a></p></div></div></div><div class="col ucb-column"><h2>Turn your discovery into real-world impact</h2><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p>Venture Partners helps researchers, inventors and creators take their groundbreaking discoveries every step of the way, from intellectual property (IP) management to market launch.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/university-innovators" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">More for University Innovators</span></a></p></div></div></div></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>鶹ѰBoulder Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI)—Imagine a display that harvests ambient light when it is not actively in use, offsetting some of its own energy consumption. The materials physics shows that this is possible.</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/2026-04/STOCK%20refraction%20043026.jpeg?itok=eiZUNrvK" width="1500" height="922" alt="Abstract image with bright, rainbow-colored light streaks and lens flares crossing diagonally over a blue background."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:12:02 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2871 at /venturepartners 鶹ѰBoulder and Techstars announce partnership to accelerate Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem /venturepartners/2026/04/02/internal-news/cu-boulder-and-techstars-announce-partnership-accelerate-colorados-entrepreneurial <span>鶹ѰBoulder and Techstars announce partnership to accelerate Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-04-02T13:19:02-06:00" title="Thursday, April 2, 2026 - 13:19">Thu, 04/02/2026 - 13:19</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-04/Techstars%20partnership%20article%20thumbnail%2004026c.png?h=ea5ab45b&amp;itok=gG9oK9rJ" width="1200" height="800" alt="鶹Ѱ and Techstars"> </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"> 鶹ѰStartup News </a> <a href="/venturepartners/taxonomy/term/361"> Venture Partners News </a> </div> <a href="/venturepartners/about/people/daniel-leonard">Daniel Leonard</a> <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>The 鶹Ѱ and Techstars, the global startup accelerator and investor, have announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The collaboration connects 鶹ѰBoulder’s entrepreneurship programs and startup pipeline with Techstars’ network of mentors, investors and partners—creating new pathways for innovators to build and scale companies that drive real-world impact.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“This partnership reflects 鶹ѰBoulder’s commitment to empowering people across our campus to turn ideas into impact,” said </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-ruzzene-4771334/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Massimo Ruzzene</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. “Our students, faculty and researchers are developing technologies, launching companies and exploring solutions to real challenges. Working with Techstars connects that talent with a global community of entrepreneurs and investors who can help move those ideas from campus into the world.”</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>From discovery to startup</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰBoulder has emerged as one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems on a university campus in the United States. Through research, entrepreneurial education and the campus-wide </span><a href="/innovate/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship Initiative</strong></span></a><span>, the university supports students and faculty pursuing new ventures based on breakthrough discoveries.</span></p><p 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="About Us"><span><strong>Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder</strong></span></a><span>—the university’s commercialization arm—has played a central role in that momentum and in initiating the new partnership. Through Venture Partners, more than 220 companies based on 鶹ѰBoulder technologies have launched and collectively exited for over $11 billion. </span><a href="/venturepartners/2025/09/15/internal-news/cu-boulder-ranked-1-launching-startups-based-university-discoveries" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a67cd1f7-c1f3-4345-b129-5f5a8a549e95" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="鶹Ѱ ranked No. 1 for launching startups based on university discoveries"><span><strong>The campus was ranked first in the nation</strong></span></a><span> for the number of such startups launched in 2024, the second-most ever launched by a single university campus in one year.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The partnership with Techstars will connect 鶹ѰBoulder’s innovations and entrepreneurs with one of the world’s premier startup accelerators and investors.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.techstars.com/about" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Established in Boulder in 2006 by David Cohen, Brad Feld, David Brown and Jared Polis</strong></span></a><span>, Techstars helped shape the city’s startup culture. What began as a single accelerator program has grown into a global platform supporting founders across industries and geographies.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“Techstars has operated continuously in Colorado for two decades. The re-launch of our </span><a href="https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/boulder-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Techstars Boulder accelerator</strong></span></a><span> here reflects our renewed commitment to Colorado and reinforces Boulder’s role as an important hub in our system,” said </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidgcohen/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>David Cohen</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, chief executive officer of Techstars and co-founder of the company. “鶹ѰBoulder is a powerful source of new ideas and new companies. By building a deeper relationship with the university, we can help more founders turn breakthroughs into companies that scale.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Today, Techstars has invested in thousands of startups worldwide, whose combined market value exceeds $220 billion.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰBoulder and Techstars count dozens of unicorns between them, including </span><a href="https://www.digitalocean.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>DigitalOcean</strong></span></a><span>, SendGrid, </span><a href="https://www.salesloft.com/lp/talk-to-sales" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Salesloft</strong></span></a><span>, and </span><a href="https://www.shipveho.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Veho</strong></span></a><span> (Techstars), </span><a href="/venturepartners/2025/04/14/internal-news/coolest-technology-universe" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a0351198-b3e0-4572-a695-38583cc77f9b" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="The coolest technology in the universe and the origins of Infleqtion at 鶹ѰBoulder"><span><strong>Infleqtion</strong></span></a><span>, </span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/09/28/internal-news/astronomical-achievements-its-way-outer-space-ball-aerospace-launched-cus-entrepreneurial" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="5d8662b8-6d05-4729-97a0-9f02fe6fc688" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Astronomical achievements: On its way to outer space Ball Aerospace launched CU’s entrepreneurial engine"><span><strong>Ball Aerospace &amp; Technologies</strong></span></a><span>, </span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/04/24/internal-news/cu-boulder-spinout-solid-power-building-better-battery-consumers-and-climate" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="a8648b05-e2fd-4d4f-92a1-feb28e343f61" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="鶹ѰBoulder spinout Solid Power is building a better battery for consumers and the climate"><span><strong>Solid Power</strong></span></a><span> and </span><a href="/venturepartners/2024/10/30/internal-news/somalogic-spun-out-gold-lab-cu-boulder-revolutionized-protein-discovery-methods-provide" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="0d0706ed-71a9-465d-96f8-0356a9953301" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="SomaLogic, spun out of the Gold Lab at 鶹ѰBoulder, revolutionized protein discovery methods to provide insights into disease discovery and treatment"><span><strong>SomaLogic</strong></span></a><span> (鶹ѰBoulder).</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Expanding pathways for founders</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">Apply to the Techstars Boulder Accelerator</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p>Join the 10,000+ founders who built their businesses with Techstars! Each company receives funding, access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and over $4 million of perks.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-full ucb-link-button-regular" href="https://www.techstars.com/accelerators/boulder-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Apply Now</span></a></p></div></div></div><p dir="ltr"><span>鶹ѰBoulder’s students and faculty will engage with Techstars staff, mentors and alumni through university entrepreneurship programs such as the </span><a href="/nvc/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>New Venture Challenge</strong></span></a><span> and </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"><span><strong>Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator</strong></span></a><span>. The collaboration will also create opportunities for Techstars founders to work with 鶹ѰBoulder researchers and students while accessing specialized facilities and technical expertise.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>For startups emerging from the university, the partnership opens a direct pathway to Techstars’ accelerator programs and investor network.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“This collaboration brings together two communities deeply committed to building great companies,” said </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnoy/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Shay Har-Noy</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, managing director of Techstars Boulder. “鶹ѰBoulder consistently produces exceptional research, founders and high-potential companies. By working closely, we can help even more of these teams scale into enduring, world-class businesses.”</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“Techstars Boulder just opened applications for its first new cohort, kicking off in person this September,” said Har-Noy, “We’re passionate about backing the strongest founders and companies from 鶹ѰBoulder, across Colorado and from around the country.”</span></p><h2 dir="ltr"><span>Strengthening Colorado’s innovation economy</span></h2><p dir="ltr"><span>The partnership strengthens the connection between 鶹ѰBoulder’s research and academic mission and the global startup community while expanding opportunities for founders emerging from the university.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“Boulder has long been a catalyst where research, entrepreneurship and community come together to improve people’s lives,” said </span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryn-rees-53312916/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Bryn Rees</strong></span><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a><span>, senior associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships at 鶹ѰBoulder. “This partnership with Techstars builds on that foundation. Together, we can help more great ideas become companies and more founders bring transformative ideas to the world.”</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>The 鶹Ѱ and Techstars, the global startup accelerator and investor, have announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy.</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/2026-03/CU%20Boulder%20and%20Techstars%20033126.png?itok=ULPMMr_j" width="1500" height="844" alt="鶹Ѱ and Techstars"> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:19:02 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2851 at /venturepartners Commercialization through Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder drives $8.7 billion impact nationwide /venturepartners/2026/03/09/internal-news/commercialization-through-venture-partners-cu-boulder-drives-87-billion-impact <span>Commercialization through Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder drives $8.7 billion impact nationwide</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-09T14:33:09-06:00" title="Monday, March 9, 2026 - 14:33">Mon, 03/09/2026 - 14:33</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-03/Scientists%20examine%20glowing%20green%20substance.png?h=8561f4f9&amp;itok=gKw72ZGk" width="1200" height="800" alt="Four researchers in lab coats and safety glasses stand in a laboratory while one holds up a flask glowing bright green under a handheld light, with the others watching and smiling."> </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="small-text" dir="ltr"><em>Photo: Christopher Bowman (left), professor of chemical and biological engineering at the 鶹Ѱ, holds a beaker of hydrogel as a graduate student illuminates the material with a flashlight. </em><a href="/engineering/cu-boulder-leading-45M-ARPAH-grants-self-healing-joints-wound-care" rel="nofollow"><em><strong>Supported by an up-to-$5.8M contract from ARPA-H</strong></em></a><em>, the team is developing a hydrogel that could lead to new treatments for a host of serious tissue injuries, from battlefield blast wounds to frostbite and diabetic ulcers.</em></p><div class="ucb-box ucb-box-title-hidden ucb-box-alignment-right ucb-box-style-fill ucb-box-theme-lightgray"><div class="ucb-box-inner"><div class="ucb-box-title">&nbsp;</div><div class="ucb-box-content"><p class="lead"><strong>2025 Venture Partners Economic Impact Report</strong></p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-full ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/media/3578" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents"><i class="fa-solid fa-download">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;Read the Full Report</span></a></p></div></div></div><p class="lead" dir="ltr"><span>Commercialization activities through&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder</strong></span></a><span> had an economic impact of&nbsp;$8.7 billion nationally and&nbsp;$5.1 billion in the state of Colorado over the last five years, according to a new report from the Leeds School of Business.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The study was completed by the&nbsp;</span><a href="/business/business-research-division" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Business Research Division of the Leeds School of Business</strong></span></a><span>—led by Brian Lewandowski, executive director—which conducts economic impact studies and research projects for the state, the university and local organizations. The report reinforces the economic growth that results from the 鶹Ѱ’s leadership in commercializing new discoveries and launching ventures. It also underlines commercialization as a significant addition to the economic impact of&nbsp;</span><a href="/today/2025/10/29/cu-boulder-drives-5b-boost-colorados-economy" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>鶹ѰBoulder reported recently in a separate report</strong></span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Highlight findings from the report on fiscal years 2021–2025 include:&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li dir="ltr"><span>Venture Partners held&nbsp;405 unique commercialization agreements, which included&nbsp;364 revenue-generating intellectual property (IP)&nbsp;&nbsp;licenses and&nbsp;67 licenses to startups that raised capital.&nbsp;</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Startups founded on 鶹ѰBoulder technology generated&nbsp;$3.7 billion in capital funding.&nbsp;</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>The economic impact on the national economy included an estimated&nbsp;31,200 jobs, 19,156 in Colorado.&nbsp;</span></li><li dir="ltr"><span>Commercialization of licenses and startups spanned&nbsp;41 states and&nbsp;40 countries.&nbsp;</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span>In fiscal year 2024, 鶹ѰBoulder&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2025/09/15/internal-news/cu-boulder-ranked-1-launching-startups-based-university-discoveries" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>reached a historic milestone</strong></span></a><span>, launching 35 new companies based on university IP during fiscal year 2024, more than any other U.S. campus that year. In addition to holding the No. 1 spot for that year, the achievement also places 鶹ѰBoulder No. 2 for the most startups launched in a single year by a U.S. campus.</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><p dir="ltr"><br><span>Venture Partners leads commercialization with a comprehensive approach and&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>suite of programming</strong></span></a><span>. This includes the new&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/embark" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator</strong></span></a><span>, which matches industry entrepreneurs with groundbreaking university discoveries, and&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/creative-futures-fellowship" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Creative Futures Fellowship</strong></span></a><span>, which provides grants, training and community for promising ventures in the arts, humanities and social sciences.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“One of 鶹ѰBoulder’s priorities is supporting our innovators,” said Bryn Rees, senior associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. “Through Venture Partners, that means supporting our creative faculty, graduate students and postdocs who are addressing important problems in their work. Commercialization increases the campus’s ability to translate promising discoveries and innovations into real-world solutions. ”&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>This year, Infleqtion,<strong>&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="/venturepartners/2025/04/14/internal-news/coolest-technology-universe" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>spun out of 鶹ѰBoulder as ColdQuanta and rooted in pioneering research led by Dana Anderson</strong></span></a><span> (JILA, College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Applied Science), went public at a $1.8B valuation—becoming 鶹ѰBoulder’s tenth unicorn alongside companies including Amgen,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/09/28/internal-news/astronomical-achievements-its-way-outer-space-ball-aerospace-launched-cus-entrepreneurial" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Ball Aerospace &amp; Technologies</strong></span></a><span>,&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2023/04/24/internal-news/cu-boulder-spinout-solid-power-building-better-battery-consumers-and-climate" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Solid Power</strong></span></a><span> and&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2024/10/30/internal-news/somalogic-spun-out-gold-lab-cu-boulder-revolutionized-protein-discovery-methods-provide" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>SomaLogic</strong></span></a><span>.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>The revenue 鶹ѰBoulder receives from licensing innovations created at the university is reinvested in what Rees calls a “virtuous cycle,” supporting the innovators themselves as well as the commercialization training, mentorship and funding programs run by Venture Partners.&nbsp;</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>“Today, someone wishing to commercialize an innovation at 鶹ѰBoulder has access to a tremendous amount of support, and they have that because of the past successes of their peers and the reinvestment of the university’s share in that success,” said Rees. "The end result is a greater capacity for 鶹ѰBoulder to deliver on the promise of breakthrough research that benefits society and promotes economic growth.”&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Additional impact metrics can be found in the&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/about/reports/current-annual-report" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Venture Partners Annual Report</strong></span></a><span> and the&nbsp;</span><a href="/venturepartners/2022/11/18/internal-news/cu-boulder-commercialization-drives-8-billion-impact" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>previous economic impact study 2018-22</strong></span></a><span>.</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-industry" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="7de607e7-a898-46d9-a1a1-1825a872fff5" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Investment and Industry Opportunities"><strong>Explore investing in and partnering&nbsp;with 鶹Ѱresearchers</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>Commercialization activities through&nbsp;Venture Partners at 鶹ѰBoulder had an economic impact of&nbsp;$8.7 billion nationally and&nbsp;$5.1 billion in the state of Colorado over the last five years, according to a report from the Leeds School of Business.</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/2026-03/Scientists%20examine%20glowing%20green%20substance.png?itok=u9J7wgJb" width="1500" height="1012" alt="Four researchers in lab coats and safety glasses stand in a laboratory while one holds up a flask glowing bright green under a handheld light, with the others watching and smiling."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 09 Mar 2026 20:33:09 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2839 at /venturepartners Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary /venturepartners/2026/02/20/professor-featured-colorado-environmental-film-festival-documentary <span>Professor featured in Colorado Environmental Film Festival documentary</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-20T10:27:19-07:00" title="Friday, February 20, 2026 - 10:27">Fri, 02/20/2026 - 10:27</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/Women%20of%20Carbon%20doc%20022026.png?h=8bb67a7d&amp;itok=ejh9JHXy" width="1200" height="800" alt="Colorful promotional poster for the film Women of Carbon, featuring a collage of women’s faces overlaid on industrial imagery, with bold blue title text and warm red and orange tones."> </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"> 鶹ѰInnovators 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 dir="ltr"><a href="https://ceff2026.eventive.org/schedule/ceff-opening-night-reception-film-screening-6966d2d0522e55168b226422" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Women of Carbon</strong></span></a><span>, a documentary featuring&nbsp;</span><a href="/ceae/mija-h-hubler" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Mija Hubler</strong></span></a><span>,&nbsp;associate professor of structural engineering and structural mechanics, was selected as the opening night film for the Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Golden. The film highlights women&nbsp;transforming the construction industry through sustainable innovation, decarbonization and green technology.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><span>Hubler’s research interests include aging of construction materials, concrete infrastructure design and construction methods and the design of alternative construction materials from biological elements and engineered waste materials. She is a co-founder of&nbsp;</span><a href="https://prometheusmaterials.com/" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>Prometheus Materials</strong></span></a><span>, a bio-cement startup in Longmont, Colorado.</span></p><p dir="ltr"><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/ceae/professor-featured-colorado-environmental-film-festival-documentary" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;Read the Full Story</span></a></p><h2>The University of Colorado Connection</h2><a href="https://prometheusmaterials.com/" 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/collection-image/prometheus_materials_logo.png?itok=RR-PzaTZ" width="375" height="57" alt="Prometheus Materials"> </div> </div> </a><p>Prometheus Materials&nbsp;Inc., which produces a zero-carbon concrete alternative, was co-founded by four faculty members at 鶹ѰBoulder: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-v-srubar-iii-phd-b2157544/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Wil Srubar</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherri-cook-a9ba4032/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Sherri Cook</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>, <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mija-hubler-987b9159/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Mija Hubler</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i><strong>&nbsp;</strong></a>(<a href="/ceae/" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering</strong></a>)&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-cameron-17381028/" rel="nofollow"><strong>Jeff Cameron</strong><i class="fa-brands fa-linkedin">&nbsp;</i></a>&nbsp;(<a href="/biochemistry/" rel="nofollow"><strong>鶹ѰBoulder Biochemistry</strong></a>). With a cross-disciplinary grant from DARPA that funded the underlying inventions, they were interested in forming a startup company and worked with Venture Partners to find a CEO and co-founder. Through the Venture Partners mentor network, they found serial entrepreneur Loren Burnett, and since then, Prometheus Materials has been off to the races!&nbsp;Prometheus is now headquartered in Longmont, CO.</p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/startup-portfolio/prometheus-materials-inc" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">View Profile</span></a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>鶹ѰBoulder College of Engineering and Applied Science—Women of Carbon, a documentary featuring Mija Hubler, highlights women transforming the construction industry through sustainable innovation, decarbonization and green technology. Hubler’s research interests include aging of construction materials, concrete infrastructure design and construction methods and the design of alternative construction materials from biological elements and engineered waste materials. She is a co-founder of&nbsp;Prometheus Materials, a bio-cement startup in Longmont, Colorado.</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/2026-02/Women%20of%20Carbon%20doc%20022026.png?itok=gzzmAl-W" width="1500" height="844" alt="Colorful promotional poster for the film Women of Carbon, featuring a collage of women’s faces overlaid on industrial imagery, with bold blue title text and warm red and orange tones."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Fri, 20 Feb 2026 17:27:19 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2826 at /venturepartners Three faculty members elected to National Academy of Engineering /venturepartners/2026/02/13/external-news/external-news/three-faculty-members-elected-national-academy-engineering <span>Three faculty members elected to National Academy of Engineering</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-13T10:21:02-07:00" title="Friday, February 13, 2026 - 10:21">Fri, 02/13/2026 - 10:21</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/Web%20Express%20Article%20Thumbnails%20%281%29.png?h=ea5ab45b&amp;itok=R9iZ7ZC6" width="1200" height="800" alt="Composite image featuring three professional headshots of men in business attire, each smiling or looking at the camera against neutral or outdoor backgrounds."> </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"> 鶹ѰInnovators 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>鶹ѰBoulder Today—This week, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) announced that three faculty members at 鶹ѰBoulder were elected to the ranks of this prestigious organization. Dana Anderson, Iain Boyd and Bob Erickson are among the 130 scientists and engineers from around the country who will be inducted as members of the NAE at a meeting this fall.</div> <script> window.location.href = `/today/2026/02/12/3-faculty-members-elected-national-academy-engineering`; </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> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:21:02 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2825 at /venturepartners How one engineering alum optimizes clean energy operations before they break /venturepartners/2026/02/05/external-news/how-one-engineering-alum-optimizes-clean-energy-operations-they-break <span>How one engineering alum optimizes clean energy operations before they break</span> <span><span>Daniel Corbin …</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-02-05T10:49:33-07:00" title="Thursday, February 5, 2026 - 10:49">Thu, 02/05/2026 - 10:49</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/venturepartners/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-02/STOCK%20windmill%20022026.jpeg?h=9441cc15&amp;itok=CMQnzPk9" width="1200" height="800" alt="Row of large wind turbines generating renewable energy across a landscape with rolling hills and mountains in the background."> </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"> 鶹ѰInnovators 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>鶹ѰBoulder College of Engineering and Applied Science—Aoife Henry is leading Zentus, a startup she founded that addresses a critical challenge in the energy sector: preventing costly equipment failures that can bring wind and solar farms offline without warning. <span>After participating in the </span><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span><strong>University of Colorado Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator</strong></span></a><span><strong>,</strong> Henry landed a fellowship with the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.</span></p><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/ecee/engineering-alum-optimizes-clean-energy-operations-before-they-break" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-up-right-from-square">&nbsp;</i>&nbsp;Read the Full Story</span></a></p><div><div><div><div><div><h2><span>Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator</span></h2></div><div><div><div><a href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" 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/2025-09/Ascent%20small%20090925b.png?itok=qmYL56g3" width="375" height="164" alt="Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator"> </div> </div> </a><p><span><strong>An accelerator for research teams building deep tech startups coming out of the University of Colorado campuses in Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver. </strong></span>Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature, intensive research and development, and significant capital requirements. Ascent understands the needs and pathways for deep tech startups to find early success.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p><a class="ucb-link-button ucb-link-button-blue ucb-link-button-default ucb-link-button-regular" href="/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/ascent-deep-tech-accelerator" rel="nofollow"><span class="ucb-link-button-contents">Learn More</span></a><br><br>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div>鶹ѰBoulder College of Engineering and Applied Science—Aoife Henry is leading Zentus, a startup she founded that addresses a critical challenge in the energy sector: preventing costly equipment failures that can bring wind and solar farms offline without warning. After participating in the University of Colorado Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator, Henry landed a fellowship with the Stanford Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.</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/2026-02/STOCK%20windmill%20022026.jpeg?itok=Eq2fKM5L" width="1500" height="725" alt="Row of large wind turbines generating renewable energy across a landscape with rolling hills and mountains in the background."> </div> </div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:49:33 +0000 Daniel Corbin Leonard 2829 at /venturepartners