The Insider — September 2026 | Venture Partners at CU �Ǹ�Թ�

The Insider — September 2026

University Events and Opportunities

CU �Ǹ�Թ� Research & Innovation Week

��Oct. 12-16 ����Various Venues ����All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

The eighth annual Research & Innovation Week is designed to elevate awareness across campus, build a sense of shared community, create opportunities for collaboration and recognize exceptional leadership and outcomes. Join us as we highlight and shape tomorrow's leaders, showcase some of our most compelling innovations and demonstrate CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s positive impact on humanity.

��Oct. 14, 2:30-4:30 p.m. ����CU �Ǹ�Թ� Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Community (SEEC) Building ����For Researchers and Inventors at CU �Ǹ�Թ� and Deep Tech Industry Representatives

Research funding requires a diversified approach. Join CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s Venture Partners, Industry Research Partnerships and Center for Translational Research to explore practical strategies to expand beyond traditional funding sources and position research for greater impact. Faculty and research teams will gain actionable funding insights, while industry participants can discover emerging innovations, explore collaboration opportunities and provide valuable feedback to help researchers communicate the potential of their work.��

Part of CU �Ǹ�Թ� Research & Innovation Week

Lab Venture Challenge Showcases

��Physical Sciences: Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-8:30 p.m.��| Biosciences: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8:30 p.m. ��The Dairy Arts Center, �Ǹ�Թ� ����All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

Teams of top innovators from the University of Colorado will pitch to a panel of judges and a live audience for a share of more than $1 million in grants for their early-stage projects in bio- and physical sciences with compelling market potential. Past pitches have included everything from next-generation batteries to cancer treatments, and LVC has funded 117 projects that have gone on to launch 70 startups and raise more than $691 million, including Arkana Therapeutics, Mesa Quantum and Forge Nano — CU �Ǹ�Թ�'s 11th unicorn spinout. ��

Offered by Venture Partners

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

��Application Deadline Thursday, Oct. 29 ����Nov. 5-19 ��Virtual Opportunity ����All Are Welcome — CU Affiliation is Not Required

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.

Offered by Venture Partners and NSF I-Corps^TM Hub West

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