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For faculty, staff and students at the University of Colorado engaged in research, invention or creative work, commercialization offers a powerful pathway to fund and expand the impact of your innovations. Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.

Unlocking funding and collaborative direction

One of the biggest misconceptions about commercialization is that researchers, inventors or creators do not have a say in the intellectual property they create.Ìý

Venture Partners empowers innovators at CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ, UCCS and CU Denver (except CU Denver biosciences investigators, who should work withÌý) to take the lead in translating their discoveries into real-world applications.Ìý

Whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with industry or license your technology, Venture Partners provides guidance and funding opportunities to support your journey.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Venture Partners can also help connect you with experienced industry partners or entrepreneurs who can drive commercialization forward on your behalf—ensuring that your discoveries make an impact without requiring you to leave academia.

Non-dilutive funding: grants to advance your work

One of the most compelling reasons to explore commercialization is the availability of non-dilutive funding—grants without equity or ownership agreements. CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ researchers and inventors have secured significant funding through programs such as:

• Lab Venture Challenge—A competitive grant program providing funding for early-stage innovations.
• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants—Federal programs that support the transition of cutting-edge research into viable commercial solutions.
• OEDIT Advanced Industry Grants—State funding designed to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies in Colorado.
• ARPA-H. ARPA-E, Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), and others—Grants for labs that require an understanding of commercialization for technology.

Additionally, there is substantial funding available for early-stage research and technology development. Many of these opportunities focus on transforming high-potential ideas into proof-of-concept prototypes or pilot studies. These funding sources allow CU innovators to de-risk their technology, generate critical data and position themselves for larger grants or private investment.

TheÌýCenter for Translational Research and Venture Partners support researchers, inventors and creators in applying for non-dilutive grants. This includes assistance with state and federal grant programs, ensuring that CU innovators have the resources and guidance needed to successfully secure funding for their work. By leveraging these early-stage funding opportunities, researchers can bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization, making their technologies more attractive for additional funding and market entry.

Investment and venture growth opportunities

Beyond non-dilutive funding, Venture Partners connects CU innovators with a variety of investment opportunities, including:

• Buff Gold Ventures—A CU-affiliated venture fund investing in early-stage startups from university research.
• Destination Startup®—A premier showcase that connects university startups with investors and corporate partners.
• Private investment networks—Helping CU startups secure venture capital and strategic partnerships.

These success stories highlight how CU researchers and inventors can turn their discoveries into real-world impact while securing financial backing along the way. Many CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ startups have gone on to secure investment funding, achieve successful exits through mergers or IPOs, or grow into sustainable operating companies. University startups typically fund research in their originating labs, providing additional sponsored research opportunities.

Research funding from licensing royalties

Since 2019, commercialization activity through Venture Partners generated $32 million that was returned to CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ researchers and support for research. When Venture Partners licenses an invention, the university may receive revenue in return, in the form of royalties, fees or selling equity. This is true for licenses to both established companies and startup companies. This revenue is divided among the inventor or creator personally, the originating lab of the IP, and the university’s commercialization resources.

A path of proven success

CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ startups are turning groundbreaking research into real-world impact.

• Vitro3D, specializing in volumetric 3D printing, has raised $5.2 million in funding including early-stage funding from the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC).
• Mesa Quantum, advancing quantum technologies, raised $8.1 million including collaborating with the Center for Translational Research on non-dilutive grants.
• Tynt Technologies, revolutionizing dynamic windows for energy-efficient buildings, has raised $17.1 million, and is now one of the first investments of the Buff Venture Fund managed by Buff Gold Ventures.Ìý

These success stories highlight how CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ’s Venture Partners provides a critical bridge from research to commercialization, empowering faculty, researchers and students to secure funding, build ventures and bring transformative innovations to market.

Partnering with industry

Your inventions could be the critical link to a new industry partnership or research funding. Innovations that address critical market needs are attractive to industry partners seeking novel solutions to their commercial problems. Generally, these companies prefer to outsource their early stage research and development. Venture Partners has dedicated resources, including the NSF I-CorpsTM Hub: West Region, to help you and your innovations meet real industry needs and identify potential partners.

Explore your path to commercialization

Whether you're looking for grant funding, investment or strategic industry partnerships, Venture Partners at CU ÌÇÐÄVlogÆƽâ°æ is here to help. With a range of resources, mentorship opportunities and funding programs, you can find the right path to advance your research and creative work. Learn more about funding and commercialization opportunities.