Quantum & Photonics

CU Boulder releases quantum workforce roadmap for economy’s next big thing

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 18:46:01 +0000

CU Boulder releases quantum workforce roadmap for economy’s next big thing Daniel Corbin … Thu, 10/31/2024 - 12:46

CU Boulder Today—A new workforce roadmap released this week aims to train, prepare and inspire the next generation of quantum workers and the general public in Colorado and the Mountain West.

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JILA-based innovation team Flari Tech wins CU Boulder’s 2024 Lab Venture Challenge for breakthrough breath diagnostic technology targeting lung cancer

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 18:32:13 +0000

JILA-based innovation team Flari Tech wins CU Boulder’s 2024 Lab Venture Challenge for breakthrough breath diagnostic technology targeting lung cancer Daniel Corbin … Tue, 10/29/2024 - 12:32

JILA—Flari Tech Inc., a startup rooted in cutting-edge JILA research, has clinched one of the prestigious 2024 Lab Venture Challenge (LVC) grants from the University of Colorado Boulder, advancing its pioneering work to build a breathalyzer for diagnostics use targeting life-threatening diseases such as lung cancer.

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CU Boulder spinout LongPath Technologies to expand methane detection with $162M DOE loan

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 22:27:33 +0000

CU Boulder spinout LongPath Technologies to expand methane detection with $162M DOE loan Daniel Corbin … Mon, 10/28/2024 - 16:27

CU Boulder Today—A small crowd, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, gathered on a wide stretch of lawn on the CU Boulder campus to witness a one-of-kind technology demonstration—a laser device that could soon transform the oil and gas industry in the American West and keep potent greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere.

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$1.25M awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 21:10:46 +0000

$1.25M awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries Daniel Corbin … Mon, 10/28/2024 - 15:10

Daniel Leonard

Fourteen teams of University of Colorado faculty, researchers and graduate student innovators competed for a combined $1.25 million in startup funding grants in this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC). Judges from CU Boulder’s entrepreneurial network heard Shark-Tank-style pitches across two nights, one for innovations in biosciences and another for physical sciences and engineering.

Interested in the 2025 LVC?

LVC supports CU projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support.

Learn More

Through LVC, top innovators from CU Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs compete for grants of up to $125,000. LVC supports projects that address a commercial need, have a clear path to a compelling market and have strong scientific support. The LVC grants are funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program, as well as Venture Partners at CU Boulder and the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. Ten awards were granted this year for a total of $1,250,000.

This culminating event for these groundbreaking teams showcased the university’s initiative to support innovators from discovery to economic success. LVC is run by Venture Partners at CU Boulder, the university’s commercialization arm and central resource for researchers who wish to translate their work into impactful business and social ventures. As part of the LVC program, all the competitors worked with Venture Partners to protect their innovations and practice their funding pitches for business audiences. LVC awardees will continue to work and collaborate with Venture Partners on their path to commercialization.

“At this early stage, funding is essential, but can be a challenge to obtain,“ said Joshua Bennett, director of LVC and senior licensing manager at Venture Partners. “All of these teams have promising innovations ready to launch new businesses. LVC is a unique opportunity for those innovators to receive that vital funding, and we’re proud to work with the State of Colorado to make it happen..”

To date, LVC has funded over 117 projects through 64 new deep-tech startup companies; collectively, these companies have raised over $349 million in follow-on financing.

Applications for the next LVC will open in July 2025.

This year’s LVC was additionally made possible by Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti LLP, Wilson Sonsini, Cooley and Cozen O'Connor.

2024 Physical Sciences $125,000 Winners

Winners of the physical sciences competition from left to right: Gerry Conroy, Gregor P. Henze and Galen Williams of WHISPER Energy; Joshua Bennett, director of the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC); Roberta Leão of EcoValeric Innovations; Anthony Straub, Kian Lopez of OsmoPure Technologies; Gregory Whiting, Taylor Sharpe of Tierra Metrics; Thomas R. Schibli of Mode-Locked Laser Technology. Photo: Keanan Wilson.

EcoValeric Innovations

EcoValeric's invention is an electrochemical process that converts biomass-based levulinic acid into 4-hydroxyvaleric acid (HVA), a versatile intermediate for producing biodegradable plastics, biofuels and green solvents. This scalable, renewable process reduces reliance on fossil fuels while enhancing sustainability. Visit EcoValeric's website

Roberta Leão (CU Boulder Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Adam Holewinski (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering): PI
Will Lucas: CTO

Mode-Locked Laser Technology

This groundbreaking mode-locked laser technology overcomes the limitations of existing systems and is suitable for harsh environments. These systems excel in applications that require the best phase noise performance in a small and efficient device. Applications include PNT and RF instrumentation.

Thomas R. Schibli (CU Boulder Physics): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Chris Singer (Alum: CU Boulder Business): Business Development
Christopher B. Oei: Product Design, Advanced Manufacturing

OsmoPure Technologies

OsmoPure is introducing a membrane for ultrapure water production tailored to the stringent demands of electronics, aerospace and green hydrogen sectors. The technology uses distillation driven by pressure, rather than heat, to produce high-purity product water with ten times higher energy efficiency. Visit the OsmoPure website

Kian Lopez (PhD student, CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Anthony Straub (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering): Principal Investigator (PI)
Nadia Jorgenson (PhD candidate, CU Boulder Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering): Director of R&D

WHISPER Energy

WHISPER Energy is a wireless, battery-free sensor platform for smart buildings. It uses machine learning to cut energy consumption by 30%+, providing real-time data to optimize energy use and reduce emissions. Developed with a $2 million ARPA-E grant, it advances zero emissions economically and efficiently. Visit the WHISPER website

Galen Williams (CU Boulder 2023 Embark EIR): Co-Founder and CEO
Gregor P. Henze (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, RASEI): PI and Co-Founder
Gerry Conroy: Technical Lead and Advisor

Tierra Metrics

Tierra Metrics' novel high-spatial density sensor innovation will enable real-time characterization of the soil nitrogen cycle which will help growers, land managers and others to improve efficiency and profitability, as well as improve soil health and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Visit the Tierra Metrics website

Gregory Whiting (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Taylor Sharpe (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering) Chief Engineer
Whendee Silver: Co-Founder
Ana Claudia Arias: Co-Founder

2024 Biosciences $125,000 Winners

Winners of the biosciences competition from left to right: Emmalee Biesiada of Sterio3; Eva Yao of Flari Tech; Tanya Warnecke of Codebreaker; Jesse M. Sheppard of IntraLumenus; Makenna Morck, Alec Santiago, Michael Stowell of Kitsune Bio. Photo: Keanan Wilson.

Codebreaker

Codebreaker is building a platform for generating variant genomes at scale in an AI framework that drives variant genome design and machine learning to generate significance maps broadly across human disease and drug response.

Ryan Layer (BioFrontiers Institute: PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Ryan T. GIll: CEO
Tanya Warnecke: CTO
Jordan Abbott: KOL-Collaborator

Flari Tech

Flari Tech is building a laser-based breathalyzer to detect lung cancer noninvasively and rapidly with high sensitivity. Powered by CU's Nobel Prize-winning optical frequency comb, it would empower healthcare providers, patients and researchers in lung cancer prevention, treatment and monitoring. Read more about Flari

Eva Yao (CU Boulder 2023 Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Jun Ye (CU Boulder Physics, JILA): PI
Qizhong Liang (PhD candidate, CU Boulder Physics, JILA): Technical Lead
Apoorva Bisht (PhD student, CU Boulder Physics, JILA): Research Assistant

Kitsune Bio

Kitsune Bio enhances the structural adaptability of cyclic peptides, improving their ability to bind, inhibit and access challenging intracellular targets. This unique platform unlocks new opportunities for treating complex diseases and improving patient outcomes.

Makenna Morck (CU Boulder Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Alec Santiago (CU Boulder Embark EIR): COO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Michael Stowell (CU Boulder Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology): PI

IntraLumenus

Let’s never cut open a patient again. IntraLumenus is a treaded robotic capsule endoscope that travels through the colon under its own power, provides localization and mapping, and dual channel tool access, enabling colorectal procedures to be performed intraluminally, or from within the colon.

Jesse M. Sheppard (CU Boulder Embark EIR): CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Mark Rentschler (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering): PI

SteriO3

Peroxide Enhanced Germicidal Irradiation (PEGI) provides rapid, low-resource sterilization of microbial contaminants. With adaptable configuration capabilities, PEGI will be engineered into compact, portable units for low-temperature sterilization of surgical equipment, including 3D-printed implants. Visit the SteriO3 website

Emmalee Biesiada (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering): Principal Investigator (PI), LVC Pitch Presenter
Steve Hughes: CEO
Mark Hernandez (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering): Chief Scientific and Project Advisor

Fourteen teams of University of Colorado faculty, researchers and graduate student innovators competed for a combined $1.25 million in startup funding grants in this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC).

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CU Physics Professor Jun Ye is Awarded the Monroe Endowed Professorship

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 18:13:18 +0000

CU Physics Professor Jun Ye is Awarded the Monroe Endowed Professorship Daniel Corbin … Tue, 10/15/2024 - 12:13

CU Boulder Physics—This prestigious new professorship, resulting from a $1 million endowment underscores the university’s growing prominence in quantum information science and applied quantum physics. Jun Ye is internationally recognized for his groundbreaking work in precision measurement, ultracold molecules and ultra-high precision atomic clocks.

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CU Boulder research funding more than doubled in the last decade

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 17:57:44 +0000

CU Boulder research funding more than doubled in the last decade Daniel Corbin … Mon, 10/14/2024 - 11:57

Daily Camera—Research funding at the University of Colorado Boulder has more than doubled in the last decade, increasing by about $391 million. There were 35 CU Boulder-affiliated startup companies this last fiscal year compared to 10 the year before.

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Infleqtion secures $1M grant to advance quantum software

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:00:02 +0000

Infleqtion secures $1M grant to advance quantum software Daniel Corbin … Wed, 09/25/2024 - 13:00

BizWest—Infleqtion, a quantum information company that began at CU Boulder as Coldquanta, recently received a $1.15 million Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop software for quantum computing.

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Polaris Electro-Optics demonstrates groundbreaking 102 Gbps PAM-4 silicon photonic modulator technology

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:54:00 +0000

Polaris Electro-Optics demonstrates groundbreaking 102 Gbps PAM-4 silicon photonic modulator technology Daniel Corbin … Wed, 09/25/2024 - 12:54

Photonics Online—A new variant of liquid crystal is at the core of CU Boulder startup Polaris Electro-Opstics' technology. Designed as a seamless drop-in enhancer of silicon photonic chips, Polaris's modulator technology paves the way for the next generation of optical interconnects critical to the future of data center disaggregation.

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2024 cohort of CU Boulder’s Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator launches new startups

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:00:40 +0000

2024 cohort of CU Boulder’s Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator launches new startups Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/13/2024 - 13:00

Daniel Leonard

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with CU Boulder technologies to bring those breakthroughs to market in response to urgent societal needs. Embark has launched its second Entrepreneurs in Residence cohort and will provide Intellectual Property rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to launch startups with real-world impact.

Every year, dozens of breakthrough inventions emerge from CU Boulder’s research labs. While some are spun out by creators themselves, others are poised to partner with entrepreneurs beyond university walls looking to launch the latest and greatest technologies. Enter Embark, the newest program offered by Venture Partners at CU Boulder.

Ready to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey?

Embark is CU Boulder's deep tech startup creator for matching entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

Visit Embark Webpage

Embark bridges this gap by recruiting and matching entrepreneurs with promising university innovations. “Just because the university inventors didn’t create a startup company doesn’t mean the technology is not a really exciting startup opportunity,” said Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation and managing director of Venture Partners.

“The first cohort of entrepreneurs have been in high gear since they were selected by the Venture Partners team last year and have risen to each challenge,” said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “They do not rest; they take advantage of everything we suggest to them,” she said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, how we support our startups,” added Zgagacz.

Last year’s Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) cohort saw notable success with their new startups in their first year. For example, PrecisionTerra, founded by EIR Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, is a software solution that improves the signal strength of GNSS receivers in urban environments. The company has raised over $130,000 and was accepted to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NSIN Vector accelerator. Green Steel Environmental, founded by EIRs Jonathan Teaford and Jon Jonis, is developing sustainable additives to revolutionize the wastewater recovery industry. The company has raised over $350,000 and will exhibit at the Biogas Americas trade show in Savannah, GA, in October.

Now in its second year, over 114 entrepreneurs applied to Embark and explored a curated portfolio of more than 50 technologies from various scientific and engineering fields, including biotechnology, quantum science, advanced materials and aerospace. The Venture Partners team then worked closely with the entrepreneurs and inventors to find the right matches and the greatest opportunities for impact.

Selected applicants went through a rigorous 8-week program where they learned about the technologies for the first time, collaborated with the researchers, began customer discovery and pitched their business ideas in the final EIR selection process. “We were impressed with all of these entrepreneurs and how much progress they made to get to this point,” said Amy Dodenhoff, director of venture development at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “We are excited to see what the new EIRs can do over the next six months with their new companies.”

The selected entrepreneurs—founding ten new startups on university-owned technologies—will launch their companies with an option agreement from the university and receive funding for technology development plus a six-month part-time salary to jumpstart their ventures.

With funding from CU Boulder, the program aims to increase diversity in the startup community by supporting individuals who may not have the financial means to pursue entrepreneurship without salary support.

Embark’s emphasis on matching entrepreneurs with groundbreaking innovations holds the potential to unleash the full impact of CU Boulder’s research into the world.

Information about the 2025 Embark Showcase for investors and the business community is expected in January 2025. Sign Up for Updates

2024 Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence

Aatxe Therapeutics

Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR): Makenna Morck (Alum: CU Boulder Biochemistry) and Alec Santiago
Principal Investigator (PI): Michael Stowell (CU Boulder Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology)

Aatxe Therapeutics is a cyclic peptide platform that maximizes structural adaptability to improve cell penetrance, accessing and targeting challenging proteins. With this unique value, Aatxe can target proteins previously thought undruggable, improving patient outcomes in complex diseases.

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness

Carbon-Storing Hempcrete

EIR: Nick Manuzak (Alum: CU Boulder Business)
PI: Wil Srubar (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science)

Carbon-Storing Hempcrete is a carbon-negative biocomposite building material that sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) at an increased and accelerated rate. It also offers insulative properties, resulting in energy savings and a reduced building carbon footprint.

Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Construction, Advanced Materials

Colexible Technologies

EIR: C.J. Whelan
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Colexible Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our components and devices offer unparalleled stretching, bending and durability in wearable devices, automotive components and industrial electronics.

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials

EcoValeric Innovations

EIR: Roberta Leão
PI: Adam Holewinski (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering)

EcoValeric Innovations converts levulinic acid (LA) into 4-Hydroxyvaleric acid (HVA) and HVA-based derivatives, including biopolymers, bioplastics, green chemicals and biofuels, using a breakthrough electrochemical process. Our solutions have applications across diverse industries, delivering scalable, eco-friendly alternatives. Visit the EcoValeric Website

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Fashion and Design, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials

Endios Bio

EIR: Wendy Overton
PI: Alexandra Whiteley (CU Boulder Biochemistry)

Endios Bio is developing breakthrough therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the newly discovered impacts of the gene peg10, which was recently linked to ALS and Angelmans and has druggable potential.

Industry Applications: Biotech, Health & Wellness, Therapeutics, Diagnostics

IntraLumenus

EIR: Jesse M. Sheppard (Alum: CU Denver Business, CU Boulder Business)
PI: Mark Rentschler (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Endoculus' mission is to revolutionize how lower gastrointestinal endoscopies are performed by significantly improving access to the colon for gastroenterologists, eliminating mechanical constraints, reducing the number of procedures and reducing the time it takes to complete interventional endoscopies and screenings.

Industry Applications: Biotech, Health and Wellness, Robotics, Medical Devices, Hardware and Instrumentation

FOWTech

EIR: George Douaire
PI: Lucy Pao (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)

FOWTech specializes in advanced control systems for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs), enhancing stability and power generation in deep-water environments. Our innovative technology manages seven degrees of freedom (DOFs) of floating platforms, improving power output and reducing maintenance costs.

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Information Technology, Software, Civic Engagement and Government, Hardware and Instrumentatio

Longevity Escape Velocity Labs

EIR: Kylen McClintock
PI: Tom LaRocca (CU Boulder Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Laboratory)

LEVL targets the biology of aging to create novel therapeutics and personalized protocols that help people live longer and healthier. LEVL's first formulation is a fasting mimetic shown to restore older mice to youthful biomarkers by inducing levels of autophagy comparable to rapamycin. Visit the LEVL Website

Industry Applications: Biotech, Artificial Intelligence, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics

Serenity PSG

EIR: Bart Emery
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Serenity PSG is reinventing the sleep diagnostic experience for patients and physicians using earbud flexible biosensors that move full sleep lab capabilities to the home. Serenity PSG is led by Bart Emery, a two-time CU alum and experienced venture capitalist passionate about improving healthcare for all.

Industry Applications: Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Health and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with university technologies to bring those breakthroughs to market in response to urgent societal needs. Embark has launched its second Entrepreneurs in Residence cohort and will provide Intellectual Property rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to launch startups with real-world impact.

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If GPS goes dark, Mesa Quantum has a backup plan

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:35:32 +0000

If GPS goes dark, Mesa Quantum has a backup plan Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/05/2024 - 12:35

CNBC—CU Boulder startup Mesa Quantum has raised $3.7 million in seed funding on top of a $1.7 million Space Force grant to develop chip-scale quantum sensors.
The startup’s quantum sensors could bring navigation, timing and positioning data to electronic devices of every kind, alleviating their need to pick up distant GPS satellite signals. Many GPS satellites covering the U.S. have aged beyond their initially intended lifespan.

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