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 Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder campus with the Boulder 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 Boulder community.
A micro-funding opportunity for Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder 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 Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder students and local Front Range startups together with a twist.
Join this collaborative 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.
Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's entrepreneurial mentor network supports innovative activity on campus led by students, faculty and staff.
Off-Campus Opportunities
Events
Wednesday, June 3: —Startup Colorado's quarterly virtual pitch opportunity for Colorado founders to present their businesses to a panel of judges and audience of community members.
Thursday, June 4: —Celebrating 8 pioneering companies innovating in workforce development.
Tuesday, June 9: —Helping life science and digital health startups better understand how to position themselves for investors and industry partners.
Wednesday, June 10: —Join Chris Franks, CEO of Promptus, and learn what separates founders who scale from founders who stall, and the specific skills you can develop to build both a great company and a great life.Ìý
Thursday, June 11: LVC and OEDIT grants Information Session—Learn how to compete for up to $250,000 in translational funding through Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Lab Venture Challenge and Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade grants. Program leaders and funding experts will share guidance on eligibility, timelines and best practices.
Thursday, June 11: —Welcoming anyone new to the Boulder tech and startup scene. Colorado Startups will answer your questions, direct you to resources and help make introductions where appropriate. Plus you’ll meet other community members and individuals new to Boulder.
Thursday, June 11: —The Colorado BioScience Institute brings people together to directly support the future of life sciences in Colorado—from classroom, to campus, to career.
Thursday, June 11:Ìý—Whether you’re working on a startup, writing code, learning AI tools, or exploring a new idea, this is your space to connect with others who are doing the same.
Friday, June 12: —Do you like being outside? How about on a Friday morning when the trails aren’t packed? Startup Hikes is a series designed to help you meet and get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors, and community members. Whether you’ve been in Colorado forever or just moved here, see some familiar faces and meet new ones. Upcoming Hikes: July 31, Aug. 21, Sept. 18.
Tuesday, June 16: –‘The Show’ stitches together the startup scene, Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, innovators from the Federal Labs and technologists from incumbent technology companies. This session features finalists from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder’s New Venture Challenge and 1-minute lightning pitches from the Startup Summer cohort.
Tuesday, June 16: —A panel of platform biotechnology companies representing different stages of a startup’s lifecycle will examine how platform strategies differ by stage, from early credibility building to public market valuation.
Wednesday, June 24: —The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase brings together researchers, investors and community supporters to highlight innovative deep tech startups spinning out of the University of Colorado. Attendees will have a chance to see pitches from each of the Ascent 2025 cohort startups, followed by a networking happy hour.
Wednesday, June 24: (±¹¾±°ù³Ù³Ü²¹±ô)—Explore how to get clear on your business direction and build momentum in a way that feels aligned with your creativity and capacity. Hosted by Startup Colorado.
Friday, June 26: —Discover a practical framework to address the root causes of founder burnout and learn to treat inner work as a true business growth strategy. Hosted by Startup Colorado.
Thursday, July 9: —Welcoming anyone new to the Boulder tech and startup scene. Colorado Startups will answer your questions, direct you to resources and help make introductions where appropriate. Plus you’ll meet other community members and individuals new to Boulder.
Applications
Wednesday, June 10 (deadline): —For founders seeking a deeply engaged network of investors and mentors committed to their growth.
Wednesday, June 10 (deadline) | —A nationwide pitch competition for entrepreneurs building and scaling businesses within their communities. The quarter-final round will select one entrepreneur per state, and the final pitch competition in Washington, D.C. will culminate in a $1 million prize pool.
Monday, June 15 (deadline): —This national, founder-first program is designed to support early-stage companies preparing for commercialization. Health, medical, and life sciences startups can compete for $10,000 in non-dilutive funding.
Sunday, June 21 (deadline): —The Watson Institute's no-cost program supports both nonprofit and for-profit Denver metro area entrepreneurs. The comprehensive program provides award-winning training, dedicated mentorship, and sustained support to impact-driven entrepreneurs.
Sunday, June 28 (deadline): —Designed for entrepreneurs impacting refugees, highly marginalized, and displaced individuals globally. Supported by Western Union and powered by Watson Institute.
Sunday, June 28 (deadline): —For ventures in any sector based in Colorado.
Wednesday, July 1 (deadline): —Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCUs) and risk management professionals will work directly with selected startups during an intensive six-hour risk analysis session, followed by a live pitch competition. Hosted by the Colorado and Pike's Peak chapters of the CPÂ鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØSociety on the Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØDenver campus.
Thursday, July 9 (program begins): —A no-cost, three-month program is designed for traditionally underserved Denver tech founders who are preparing for funding and growth.
Sunday, July 12 (deadline): â€ÖÀ³Ü±è±è´Ç°ù³Ù¾±²Ô²µ economic development, financial inclusion or small business growth in your Denver community.Ìý
Thursday, July 16 (deadline): —Connecting breakthrough technology companies with leading mining organizations seeking solutions to some of the industry's most pressing challenges. Selected finalists will have the opportunity to present directly to mining companies, investors, and industry leaders while receiving valuable feedback and partnership opportunities.
Friday, July 24 (deadline): Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop—Offered as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps™ Hub: West Region, this workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution motivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.
Rolling Application: —A²Ô open-access, equity-free biotech accelerator for early-stage founders.
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: —ForÌýinvestors and advanced industries businesses in the amount of 25% toÌý35% per investment up to $100,000.
Rolling Application: –Apply for the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade's funding and trade show participation program.