Venture Partners News

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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$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 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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We went to a startup symposium at the University of Colorado. We saw these nine cool startups. We said “wow” a lot.

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 19:37:55 +0000

We went to a startup symposium at the University of Colorado. We saw these nine cool startups. We said “wow” a lot. Daniel Corbin … Fri, 10/11/2024 - 13:37

Colorado Public Radio—The pace of innovation and spin-off companies at the four-campus system is accelerating, particularly in the fields of health and bioscience, quantum, cybersecurity, aerospace, climate innovation, the outdoors and the food and beverage industries. The university system has 80 innovation and business accelerator programs that give patent legal, and financial support to budding entrepreneurs.

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Colorado is on track to becoming the nation’s climate tech hub

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 22:01:57 +0000

Colorado is on track to becoming the nation’s climate tech hub Daniel Corbin … Thu, 10/10/2024 - 16:01

CU Boulder Leeds School of Business—It’s common to think climate tech is synonymous with the Bay Area, however, Colorado is rapidly becoming a new hot spot. Why Colorado? Home to 24 federally funded scientific labs, like NOAA, NREL and NCAR, and major research institutions like CU, CSU and Colorado School of Mines, Colorado is a ‘hub of climate research and technical expertise.’

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Be bolder: What leaders can learn from CU Boulder’s successes in research, innovation, and football

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 21:50:11 +0000

Be bolder: What leaders can learn from CU Boulder’s successes in research, innovation, and football Daniel Corbin … Thu, 10/10/2024 - 15:50

Fast Company—The University of Colorado system was recently ranked fifth in the nation in startup creation, launching more than 20 companies in a year. And the National Academy of Inventors also ranked CU 14th in the country for patent activity, reflecting “the strength of CU-led discoveries and their potential to be translated into society-benefiting technologies with the support of CU’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

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CU researchers to compete for share of $1.25M in grant funding to bring bio- and physical-sciences innovations to market

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 16:13:05 +0000

CU researchers to compete for share of $1.25M in grant funding to bring bio- and physical-sciences innovations to market Daniel Corbin … Wed, 10/02/2024 - 10:13

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

2024 LVC Showcases

Physical Sciences Showcase: Wednesday, Oct. 23, 5:30-8 p.m.

Biosciences Showcase: Thursday, Oct. 24, 5:30-8 p.m.

Founder Central by Sweater, 2000 Central Ave #100, Boulder

Learn More and Register

LVC is run by Venture Partners, one of the university’s commercialization arms and a central resource for researchers who wish to translate their work into impactful business and social ventures. LVC finalists are working and collaborating with Venture Partners on their path to commercialization.

To date, LVC has funded 107 projects through 54 new deep-tech startup companies, which collectively have raised over $349 million in follow-on financing.

Members of the entrepreneurial and university communities are invited to attend the LVC Showcases to enjoy good food, network and see which teams will walk away with $125,000 of funding.

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

2024 Physical Sciences Finalists

Colexible

Colexible's liquid metal printed circuit board technology offers deformable, stretchable and affordable electronic assemblies that address the challenges that current rigid PCBs face with emerging technologies, such as wearable electronics, virtual/augmented reality and collaborative robots.

Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering): PI
C.J. Whelan (CU Boulder Embark EIR): CEO
Kris Obernyer: Chief Product Officer

EcoValeric Innovations

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

InfraInform

I2M-B is an end-to-end AI-based software tool that integrates cutting-edge temporal deep learning techniques with novel operations research methodologies to address the lack of an optimized, predictive and proactive approach for cost-efficient bridge and culvert maintenance planning.

Farnoush Banaei-Kashani (CU Denver Computer Science and Engineering): Co-PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Moatassem Abdalla (CU Denver Civil Engineering): Co-PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Kevin Rens: Co-Investigator, Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Mode-Locked Laser Technology

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

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

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

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 Finalists

Aatxe Therapeutics

Aatxe Therapeutics 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

Codebreaker

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

Entangl3d

Entangl3d is transforming spine surgery with a groundbreaking 3D printing platform that produces strong, bioadhesive hydrogels. Easily deployable without tissue damage, our hydrogels will reinforce intervertebral discs to prevent reherniation and degeneration.

Matt Davidson (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering, BioFrontiers Institute): PI, Co-Founder, CEO, LVC Pitch Presenter
Jason Burdick (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering, BioFrontiers Institute): Co-Founder

Flari Tech

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

IntraLumenus

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

SteriO3

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

Vesicle Therapeutics

The Vesicle team is developing a proprietary STAT3 isoform-selective antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) using novel thiomorpholino chemistry (TMO) for the treatment of head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer type, with a low survival rate due to poor responsiveness to treatments.

Xuedong Liu (CU Boulder Biochemistry): PI, LVC Pitch Presenter
Donna Peak: CEO
Curtis Woodard: COO
Gan Zhang: CTO
Marvin H. Caruthers (CU Boulder Biochemistry): Collaborator

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

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New records set as momentum continues for CU Boulder research funding, initiatives

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 19:11:37 +0000

New records set as momentum continues for CU Boulder research funding, initiatives Daniel Corbin … Thu, 09/26/2024 - 13:11

CU Boulder Today—CU Boulder researchers attracted a record $742.2 million in fiscal year 2023–24 for studies and initiatives that, among other things, could lead to an end of osteoarthritis, better space weather predictions and a more climate-resilient American West.

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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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Venture Partners Update: Startups Surge

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 20:55:02 +0000

Venture Partners Update: Startups Surge Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/12/2024 - 14:55

Bryn Rees

The University of Colorado is a star in the constellation of the U.S. innovation ecosystem. At Venture Partners at CU Boulder, we are proud to contribute to a tightly bonded community of entrepreneurs, companies, investors and government partners that make Colorado an innovation leader. By translating breakthrough research into new businesses, CU creates economic opportunities while addressing many of the world’s greatest challenges. In the past year, CU Boulder has burned especially bright through Venture Partners’ record-setting performance.

First Look at Fiscal Year 2023-24:

$ 426 M

CAPITAL RAISED BY PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

LICENSE AND OPTION AGREEMENTS

105

NSF I-CORPS^TM TEAMS TRAINED

CU STARTUPS LAUNCHED THROUGH VENTURE PARTNERS

In fiscal year 2024, Venture Partners helped to launch 35 new startup companies out of CU Boulder’s research labs. This is a great leap above CU Boulder’s previous record of 20, set in 2021, and places it among the very best university campuses globally. One of the 35 startups is Mana Battery. Built around the research of Chunmei Ban (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering), Mana is producing sodium-based batteries as an alternative to the scarcity, performance and safety drawbacks of lithium batteries that enable clean energy solutions. Mana joins several battery companies to spin out from CU Boulder in the past 10 years, which have collectively created hundreds of jobs and attracted over $1 billion in investment to the state.

Our dramatic rise in startup production is no accident. It is the fruition of a multi-year strategy to make CU Boulder the premier university campus in which to launch a new company. The team at Venture Partners has built a suite of resources to inspire, mentor, train and fund aspiring founders among faculty, graduate students and post-doctoral researchers. The surging startup numbers are built on the record productivity of these founder support programs, including lean startup training through the NSF I-Corps^TM Hub: West Region (105 teams trained this year), proof of concept grants through the Lab Venture Challenge (12 awardees totaling $1.5 million), Ascent Deep Tech Startup Creator (15 graduating companies) and the Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator, our newest program, which paired community entrepreneurs with CU Boulder innovations to form 10 new companies.

We look forward to sharing our full upcoming annual report, which will include further details of how Venture Partners lights up the innovation constellation.

Bryn Rees

Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation; Managing Director of Venture Partners at CU Boulder

By translating breakthrough research into new businesses, CU creates economic opportunities while addressing many of the world’s greatest challenges. In the past year, CU Boulder has burned especially bright through Venture Partners’ record-setting performance.

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