Home

Ìý

From University Innovation to Real-World Impact

Venture Partners at ̽»¨ÊÓÆµÌýsupports university researchers, inventors and creators in translating theirÌýgroundbreaking discoveries into new solutions, businesses and partnerships that address the world's greatest challenges.

Ìý

Ìý

ApplicationsÌýare open forÌýtheÌýNSF I-Corps Hub West programs and Lab Venture Challenge.

The Venture Partners Impact


2021 Innovation & Economic Prosperity AwardÌý
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU®)

Ranked 5th for Startup Creation

—2023, Read More

Launched a Record-Setting 36 Startups

—2024, Read More

Ranked #18 for Patent Activity

—2024,

Ìý


$Ìý8Ìýbillion

impact on national economy (from 2018-2022)


$Ìý5.2Ìýbillion

impact on statewide economy (from 2018-2022)


$Ìý3.5Ìýbillion

in capital funding raisedÌýby startups commercializing ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ technology (since 2018)


798+

license and option agreements signed (since 2014)


220+

startup ventures spun out of university technology


1484+

inventions disclosed (since 2014)

Subscribe to E-Newsletters

The InsiderÌýis a series of newsletters from Venture Partners featuring theÌýlatest headlines, news, events, opportunities and emerging university innovations in three editions:

Inventors andÌýResearchers (Monthly) | Community (Monthly) | Investors (Quarterly)

View the latest InsidersÌýÌýSubscribe to The Insider

Latest News and Announcements

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

An aerial photo of the iconic ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ campus with the Boulder flatirons in the background

̽»¨ÊÓÆµ Research & Innovation Office | Workshop: Funding Strategies in a New Federal Landscape

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 34 p.m. MST
+ More Dates Through December

Has the recent federal transition prompted you to reconsider your research funding approach? Join RIO’s Donna Axel for a fast-paced, 30-minute introduction to Pivot, internal funding opportunities, and other free tools available with your CU Login. Bring your team—faculty, staff, and students are all welcome!


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps | Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program

Sept. 3-Oct. 10, Virtual Event | Application Deadline Wednesday, Aug. 27

This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corpsâ„¢ program, R2M leverages the nationally recognized Lean LaunchPad and Business Model Canvas methodologies specifically designed for researchers, entrepreneurs, inventors and problem solvers from any research or community institution.


̽»¨ÊÓÆµ Silicon Flatirons |

Thursday, Sept. 11, Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom

Now in its third year, the Startup Variety Show is one of the best ways to connect with Colorado’s Front Range innovation scene. It brings together ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ researchers, federal lab innovators, startup founders and technologists from established companies—all on one stage. The show highlights the region’s most creative minds and the ideas shaping what’s next.


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps | Therapeutics Customer Discovery Program

Oct. 7-Nov. 4, Virtual Event | Application Deadline Wednesday, Aug. 27

Do you have a therapeutic innovation that could improve lives? This program is a focused, five-week entrepreneurial training program designed to help academic researchers and early-stage biotech innovators explore the commercial potential of therapeutic technologies. Open to innovators inside and outside the University of Colorado.


An aerial photo of the iconic ̽»¨ÊÓÆµ campus with the Boulder flatirons in the background

̽»¨ÊÓÆµ Research & Innovation Office | Research & Innovation Seed Grant Program

Application Deadline Monday, Oct. 13

Seed Grants aim to stimulate inter- and multidisciplinary research, scholarship and creative projects with high potential for innovation and/or impact. These grants support creative, and sometimes high-risk, high-reward initiatives, including team development proposals for future large collaborative projects. Projects may take a variety of forms but should represent an investment in advancing the university’s future research, scholarly or creative activities.


I-Corps Hub West

Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps | Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

Nov. 6-20, Virtual Event | Application Deadline Thursday, Oct. 30

Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture. Over three weeks, gain a deeper understanding of the commercialization process, test your ideas with real potential customers and accelerate your journey toward bringing your idea to market. This workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution—not just CU—motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.Ìý