Events and Opportunities
Whether you're just curious to learn more about innovation and entrepreneurship or even ready to launch your next business, we have events and opportunities throughout the year to help you make the real-world impact that you envision. Keep up to date on upcoming events, opportunities and deadlines with our newsletters:Ìý
Signature Programs of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
Connecting the CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ campus with the ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ community to developÌýinnovativeÌýideas and pitchÌýfor up toÌý$50,000 in venture funding.
Student entrepreneurs with diverse perspectives who embrace theÌýspirit of innovation and impact on campus and in the ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ community.
A micro-funding opportunity for CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ undergraduate and graduate students that provides up to $500 in funding for entrepreneurial ideas in the making.
A mini job fair that brings entrepreneurially-minded CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ students and local Front Range startups together with a twist.
Join this campus-wide event that's all about making positive changes in the world.ÌýWhether you haveÌýanÌýidea or are someone eager to help those ideas become real, this is the event you don't want to miss.
CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Tuesday, March 20: –Featuring an industry panel, ample networking opportunities, presentations from investment-ready cleantech startups and an accredited investor forum.
March 24-26: —A dynamic gathering of cleantech innovators, policy makers, corporate leaders, and investors driving actionable change.
Tuesday, March 25: –An informal group for anyone interested in the startup community, particularly those with an interest in technology.
Friday, March 28: –Get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors and community members on the ski slopes.
March 30-April 1: –Focusing on the Mountain West's rapid ascent as an innovation powerhouse and global leader in sustainability and quantum technology.
Saturday, April 12: —A²Ô exciting spin-off of the New Venture Challenge (NVC), specifically designed to bring entrepreneurial learning and innovative mindsets to high school students across Colorado.
Wednesday, April 23: New Venture Challenge Finals—Top entrepreneurs pitch their innovative business ventures live to a panel of judges and compete for a share of $325,000!
Applications
Friday, March 28 (deadline):2025 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative Awards—Recognizing outstanding students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurial mentors and community champions.
Tuesday, April 1 (deadline): (Faculty only)–AB Nexus seeds projects and interdisciplinary partnerships that will become competitive for high-impact extramural funding.
Thursday, April 3 (deadline): I-CORPS Starting Blocks Workshop–Transform your innovation into a successful venture in this workshop, designedÌýfor anyone motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Sunday, April 13 (deadline): –Customer discovery, extensive mentoring, training, investor meetings, startup-corporate matching, and showcasing at both the regional and national levels.
Monday, April 14 (deadline): Research & Innovation Arts & Humanities Grant Program(Faculty only)–Supporting projects with value to the disciplines of arts, humanities and humanistic social sciences.
Tuesday, April 15 (deadline): Workforce Development Seed Grant Program (Faculty only)–Inspiring novel skill-building approaches that enhance accessibility and impact, equipping learners to thrive.
Thursday, May 1 (Second-round application deadline): ÌýDemingHigh Growth Venture Fellowship–This two-year program immerses a select group of MBA candidates in academic and experiential learning unique to growth-stage companies.
Applications open:Ìý–Student teams compete for more than $540,000 for successfully identifying a promising energy technology, assessing its market potential, and creating a business plan for commercialization.
Rolling application: –Grants that support rural entrepreneurs who are eager to level up their businesses but need a financial boost to get there.andÌýdelivering results.
Rolling Application: –Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.