News

CU System Climbs to $12.2 Billion in Economic Impact Across State

Kelsey Cipolla — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:41:27 +0000

CU System Climbs to $12.2 Billion in Economic Impact Across State Kelsey Cipolla Fri, 10/31/2025 - 11:41

A new report from Leeds' Business Research Division highlights CU’s growing role in the state’s economy through education, research, innovation and health care.

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Timely—and Timeless—Career Insights at EdInvest Forum

Jane Majkiewicz — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:46:03 +0000

Timely—and Timeless—Career Insights at EdInvest Forum Jane Majkiewicz Fri, 10/31/2025 - 09:46

Jane Majkiewicz

At the Personal Financial Planning Program’s (PFP) 3rd annual EdInvest Wealth Management Forum on October 24, Leeds students gained hands-on experience and career insights through real-world challenges.

From left to right, 2024 finance graduates Brad Hostetler, Chevie Walerowicz, Gilly Halzel and Luke Johnson, and Lexi Schmidt from Beacon Pointe.

This year’s forum, which was facilitated by the Burridge Center for Finance, featured early career and senior advisor career panels, as well as student-led financial literacy roundtables hosted by members of the Financial Planning Student Club.

Additionally, Harry Starn, teaching professor and director of the PFP program, organized a Financial Planning Case Competition sponsored by First Manhattan. The competition featured six teams developing a comprehensive plan that they presented to industry professionals. First- and second-place teams were awarded prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

Real-world wisdom for new finance managers

The early career panel featured four Leeds alumni along with industry professional Lexi Schmidt, a wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe. The panel shared candid insights about transitioning from college to the workplace and paths to career success. Luke Jackson (Fin’24), now an associate wealth advisor at Beacon Pointe, described how his internship led to a full-time role and how navigating a three-office merger taught him adaptability.

Gilad “Gilly” Halzel (Fin’24) advanced from client service associate to wealth advisor at Mariner Wealth Advisors and stressed the importance of networking. Chevie Walerowicz (Fin’24) credited her junior-year internship at Mariner for paving the way to her current role as an associate wealth advisor. Brad Hostetler (Fin’24), a financial planning associate at TCI Wealth Advisors, landed his position immediately after graduation.

Students like Denise Arroyo Rojas (Fin’28) found the event invaluable. “I was particularly excited about this event since I’m a sophomore, while most attendees were seniors in the PFP program or had an established career as a financial planner. Everything that the panelists said was fresh and relevant information. I’m grateful to be invited to events like these that give me a chance to peek at what I could possibly be doing after Leeds.”

Key takeaways for career success

Manage energy and time wisely
Halzel noted the shift from college freedom to full-time structure: “Staying energized all day is a big adjustment,” he said, and it’s also about balancing life outside the office. Walerowicz added, “Learn to prioritize and figure out what makes you happy. You’ll have less time for friends and hobbies, so plan for things like going to the gym.”

Interview the company, too
Hostetler encouraged students to approach interviews as mutual evaluations, emphasizing the importance of cultural fit and shared values.

Job or location first?
Schmidt shared her experience of moving to New York, California and then Colorado, the latter of which she came to without having a specific job offer. Lesson learned: “Having a job prior to moving to a city can alleviate so much stress.”

Be a ‘yes’ person
Hostetler advised new hires to immerse themselves as much as possible. “Join meetings, introduce yourself and learn how both individuals and the team work to get a holistic view.”

Make yourself valuable
Jackson suggested identifying gaps and then pursuing certifications to help fill them. “I noticed a skills gap in blockchain and digital assets, so I learned more to add value.”

Classroom knowledge counts
Halzel reinforced the classroom-to-career link. For example, he was skeptical at first but ended up loving a tax planning course taught by Nicole Lazzeri, assistant teaching professor of accounting. He discovered what he learned “is relevant to everything I do at work.”

Build relationships and seek mentors
Halzel emphasized the industry’s collaborative nature. “Colleagues want to help you … listen to their experiences and different specialties.” He reminded students that networking is a lifelong skill and is about authentic connections and natural conversations. Schmidt agreed, noting, “There are no dumb questions.”

Skills That Matter

Early career panelists highlighted important skills to cultivate, both during a job search as well as throughout one's career.

Authenticity and patience
Walerowicz urged students to be themselves and not stress about having everything figured out. Hostetler added that it’s important to enjoy life and not only focus on your career track. “You’re working really hard … remember to give yourself some grace.”

Soft skills and curiosity
Jackson highlighted trust-building through curiosity. He recommended being well read. “The ability to walk into a room and talk with someone about their passion—that will build a connection immediately.”

Mentorship and continuous learning
Panelists unilaterally recommended seeking advice broadly, not only one-to-one, and taking advantage of every available resource, such as training videos.

Tech savviness and AI integration
Technology is reshaping the industry. Panelists said AI tools are increasingly part of their workday and can help with things like research, staying informed about news and generating reports.

Remote work discipline
Schmidt recommended keeping your day busy and structured to avoid procrastination.

The future financial planner

Hostetler knew early on that he wanted to be an advisor, but he stressed the importance of exploring options. The industry offers many paths: “You can be client-facing without being an advisor. There are roles in client service, relationship management and investment committees. Internships and job searches help you discover what you don’t like and narrow down what you do want. If you can find that alignment, that’s really useful.”

Schmidt added that staying informed is critical. “The future of financial planning is about balance. Read widely and stay on top of news to have educated discussions,” she noted, pointing out that different generations and cultural nuances play a role in expectations.

Hostetler emphasized a shift in priorities. “It’s less about chasing excess returns and more about relationships—making clients feel comfortable, understanding risk tolerance, and covering retirement, cash flow and budgeting cohesively.”

The Leeds advantage

Events like the EdInvest Forum showcase Leeds’ commitment to preparing students for dynamic careers through networking opportunities, case competitions, career treks and more.

“CFP® Professionals are dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their personal and financial goals,” said Starn. “The Leeds Personal Financial Planning (PFP) Program prepares students with both the technical expertise and interpersonal skills needed for success. Experiences beyond the classroom—such as the EdInvest Wealth Management Forum, internships, networking events and Financial Planning Club activities—provide students with insights that help them discover their career pathways within the financial services industry.”

Interested in exploring the Personal Financial Planning Program at Leeds? Learn more about the curriculum and career opportunities.

This fall’s EdInvest Wealth Management Forum showcased six teams competing in the Financial Planning Case Competition, alongside engaging panels and roundtables—including a standout session where five industry professionals shared early career insights.

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Startups and Sandwiches: Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:10:55 +0000

Startups and Sandwiches: Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 10/28/2025 - 16:10

Grace Garfoot

What do a finance consulting founder, a mirror designer-manufacturer, and a biotech entrepreneur turned artist have in common? At this week’s Startups & Sandwiches, they distilled their diverse entrepreneurial journeys into a shared theme: transforming lessons into meaningful careers and life paths.

“Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose” was the compelling theme of the latest Startups & Sandwiches, a seminar series sponsored by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Three industry executives with different entrepreneurial backgrounds shared vulnerable stories about the highs and lows of their career journeys.

Guest speakers Carol Hansen, founder and CEO of Tatonka Ventures; Josh Mandel, president and CEO of Majestic Mirror & Frame; and Andy Sklawer, founder and former CEO of Fresh Tracks Therapeutics and current owner of a Boulder art gallery, inspired the audience with their insights and hard-won advice. Their personal stories brought a fresh perspective to timeless advice on building a fulfilling career and life.

Failing and finding yourself

Andy Sklawer willingly shared some of the tough circumstances that shaped who he is today.

As a child with undiagnosed ADHD, he explained how being given the space to heal changed how he approached failure and his capacity for success. “It was the first time in my life that I had the opportunity to focus on myself. What I realized is that it is OK to ask for help.”

Life Lessons to Take to Heart

As part of the Deming Center’s SPARK Initiative, Startups & Sandwiches brings students together with seasoned entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs, venture capitalists, connectors and technology leaders ... and they leave each seminar with more than lunch.

At the “Failure, Fortune and Finding Your Purpose” session, panelists Carol Hansen, Josh Mandel and Andy Sklawer shared personal stories to embolden the next generation of business leaders to believe in themselves and take risks. Here is some of their shared advice.

Don’t hold yourself to an impossible standard. Even the people you look up to the most don’t have it all, so allow yourself to make sacrifices and be imperfect.
Recognize that mentorship comes in many forms. Observe characteristics and small details in the people and the world around you to find inspiration.
Don’t be afraid of change or failure. Embrace both and learn from them to avoid making the same mistake twice.
Do it. You don’t know if something is going to work until you try it.
Be grateful for where you are and acknowledge all aspects of your life that drive you. Don’t let your goals become entirely motivated by money.
Ask for help if you need it.
Don’t measure your success against someone else’s. Everyone’s path is different.

He also experienced a dramatic fall that plunged him into a significant life change. He descended 30 feet off a rock wall, leaving him with a shattered leg but miraculously still alive. “What I learned from that was to immediately go to gratitude, because it’s a beautiful thing that we’re all sitting here and we’re alive,” he said.

“It’s so easy to get in your head with business and school, but we are all here, and it’s important to be grateful.” The second thing is to be present, he emphasized, urging the audience to remember to “put your phone down.”

Changing the way you see success

Josh Mandel shared how his definition of success continues to evolve and has changed throughout his career and personal trajectory. After graduating from CU, his goals revolved around making money. Having children shifted his focus to to providing for and supporting his family. A self-proclaimed “girl dad,” Mandel highlighted how being there for his daughters became more important than the work trips that once consumed his time.

“Don’t judge your success by someone else’s scorecard,” he said. He reminded attendees that everyone defines success differently, and it’s OK for that definition to change over time. “The only constant is change, and you have to be open to it.”

Finding mentors everywhere

Carol Hansen's perspective was shaped by observing people whom she didn’t consider role models as much as by those whom she would want to emulate.

“What resonated with me was people along the way who I did not want to be like,” she said, referring to specific characteristics as well as to entire personalities. She summed it up: “Look for people who you don’t want to be like or ways you don’t want to behave.”

She also found that she derived meaning from her life’s work when she could see the direct impact her business was having on the community around her. “I don’t feel like I have a profound purpose,” she explained. For her, the overall goal has always been to be a good person and contribute to society.

“I found niches of purpose across each one of the businesses that we started,” she explained. Purpose doesn’t have to come in one grand package, she reassured the audience. “There’s nothing wrong if you don’t have that right away.”

What do a finance consulting founder, a mirror designer-manufacturer, and a biotech entrepreneur turned artist have in common? At this week’s Startups & Sandwiches, they distilled their diverse journeys into a shared theme: transforming life’s lessons into meaningful careers.

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The Penny’s Days Are Numbered: What the Change Means for Your Wallet

Kelsey Cipolla — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:32:20 +0000

The Penny’s Days Are Numbered: What the Change Means for Your Wallet Kelsey Cipolla Wed, 10/22/2025 - 10:32

What will the phasing out of the penny mean for consumers, and could it be a step toward eliminating other coins? Leeds' Edward Van Wesep breaks down what you need to know.

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Career Paths: Leaning on Each Other—How Student Connections Lead to Career Success

Jane Majkiewicz — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:52:56 +0000

Career Paths: Leaning on Each Other—How Student Connections Lead to Career Success Jane Majkiewicz Mon, 10/20/2025 - 11:52

Georgia Horan

At Leeds, not only do students find forever friends in their classes, but they also discover the first steps toward their future careers.

For Lucy Kubas (Fin, Mktg’25) and Michelle Enkhaldar (Bus, Mktg’25), their career journey began in their senior year Pricing and Channels of Distribution course. On the first day of class, Kubas sat down next to Enkhaldar, and a conversation sparked what would later shape their professional paths. With a little inspiration—and the support of a dedicated alum who helped open doors to internships and job opportunities—the two found not only direction but also a shared momentum that carried them into their post-grad careers.

A class connection

The two seniors had met each other before, as Enkhaldar was the president of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� American Marketing Association (AMA) chapter, where Kubas was a member. They connected on LinkedIn. Kubas was in the middle of her senior year job search and saw that Enkhaldar had just completed an internship with Amélie Company, a Denver-based advertising agency. She asked Enkhaldar some questions about it the next time they saw each other, and Enkhaldar shared her story.

Hard work pays off

Michelle Enkhaldar (Bus, Mktg’25)

Back in January 2024, Enkhaldar was in the thick of her junior-year internship search. The previous semester, in September 2024, she was awarded the Forever Buffs “Buff of the Month,” as well as being recognized as the Leeds GOLD Board Outstanding Undergraduate. She juggled her academic workload with planning concerts for the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Program Council and volunteering with Camp Kesem, a support community for children of parents who have cancer. Between those efforts, Enkhaldar squeezed internship searches into late-night LinkedIn scrolls.

One evening, she was searching online through the Leeds Network and wherever else she could find internship opportunities that piqued her interest. She saw an opening at Amélie Company, whose mission of giving back to the people of Colorado resonated with her. She was inspired by efforts such as a partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation to develop a nonjudgmental awareness campaign to tackle driving while under the influence of marijuana. “This is the company I want to work for this summer,” she thought.

"Leeds builds a great foundation, and if you take the initiative, it can launch your career."

Michelle Enkhaldar (Bus, Mktg’25)

After applying, she felt driven to make a direct connection with the company. She cold-messaged eight employees on LinkedIn before noticing that one, Royer Lopez (Mktg’18, MBA’26), was a Leeds alumnus. She excitedly reached out to him, and soon after, they met on Zoom to discuss the job. As she progressed through the interview stage, she recalled the campaigns Lopez had told her about—projects she could align with. “He was such a great support system,” she said. By the end of the semester, Enkhaldar’s hard work paid off, and she got an internship with Amélie.

That summer, Enkhaldar worked on the Keep the Party Safe Initiative. She worked with the Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention to educate at-risk populations on the dangers of fentanyl. She was able to apply her experience from the Program Council. “There was a connection there,” she said, bringing together the skills for planning music events to planning campaigns. “I felt more confident that leaders and people in the workplace appreciated me taking initiative,” Enkhaldar said.

When Kubas expressed interest in joining Amélie, Enkhaldar eagerly put her in touch with Lopez to start the process.

Following in a friend’s footsteps

Lucy Kubas (Fin, Mktg’25)

After hearing about Enkhaldar’s experience, Kubas felt confident in her decision to apply to Amélie. She met Lopez shortly before graduation, and like her friend, she loved the company's mission. Instead of prioritizing products, they prioritize people. Just days after graduating in May, Kubas walked into her job at Amélie.

Over the summer, she was excited to work with 988 Colorado, a hotline designed to connect people in Colorado to a trained specialist for emotional distress, mental health crises and substance use concerns. She helped design pop-ups for Rockies games and Fiddler’s Green Ampitheatre and created an ambient radio station that helped people feel calmer.

Midway through June, she was called into a meeting with her supervisor. They loved her work and wanted to offer her a full-time role in a new position created for her. Now, Kubas works as a digital account specialist, spending half her time with the accounts team and the other half with the media team in a role she loves—one that’s perfectly suited to her career aspirations.

A career launch

Enkhaldar was able to parlay her internship and academic experiences into a role at Live Nation through its College Associate Program in New York City. This past summer, she was excited to facilitate the digital content development of their new product Snap Nation, a bridge between Snapchat and Live Nation. She said that opportunity would never have happened without Amélie, or the Leeds connection that started it all.

"Honestly, every opportunity that I've had is because of my connection to Leeds and networking with alumni. Leeds builds a great foundation, and if you take the initiative, it can launch your career,” she said.

Leaning on each other

Enkhaldar and Kubas attribute their career success to the support system at Leeds. “You are all in this together, and it’s important to lean on and support each other,” said Enkhaldar. She emphasized, “The people that you're in class with now, even if they are a grade or two below, are going to be VPs or senior managers one day.”

"Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your class. That can sometimes be a little nerve-wracking and scary, but we’re all in the same boat."

Lucy Kubas (Fin, Mktg’25)

Kubas advised focusing on peer support, not intimidation. “Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in your class. That can sometimes be a little nerve-wracking and scary, but we’re all in the same boat,” she said. Learning about other’s different experiences is valuable, she added.

Enkhaldar summed it up this way: “Confidence, kindness and taking initiative will open future doors. At the end of the day, your peers are your support system, and the little things go a long way.”

Lucy Kubas (Fin, Mktg’25) and Michelle Enkhaldar (Bus, Mktg’25) turned their classroom conversations into career success. Their story shows the power of leaning on your peers, taking initiative and building confidence in networking.

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Turning Ideas into Action in the EMBA Innovation Challenge

Jane Majkiewicz — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 15:17:04 +0000

Turning Ideas into Action in the EMBA Innovation Challenge Jane Majkiewicz Sun, 10/19/2025 - 09:17

Jane Majkiewicz

One of the signature programs of the Leeds Executive MBA Program is the EMBA Innovation Challenge—a hands-on experience in which students develop innovative solutions for real-world clients and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

Erin Johnson (EMBA’26), one of the members of the winning team for the spring 2025 EMBA Innovation Challenge, was thrilled to see the team’s work come to life this fall at SideDoor Hair Salon, the Boulder business they partnered with for the project.

The team proposed “The Red Room,” a red light therapy service that co-owners Laurel Doxsey and Lisa Lynde eagerly implemented.

“When we partnered with the local Boulder salon to create a new revenue stream, I had no idea we were building something truly special,” shared Johnson on LinkedIn, saying the red light therapy room is “generating real revenue and delighting customers.”

Using existing space at the salon, the winning team proposed offering red light therapy, a non-invasive skincare treatment using red and near-infrared wavelengths.

"What I'm most excited about is the relationships built along the way with the owners. Their willingness to open their doors, share their challenges and trust our vision was humbling."

Erin Johnson (EMBA’26)

Johnson reflected, “What I'm most excited about is the relationships built along the way with owners Lisa and Laurel. Their willingness to open their doors, share their challenges and trust our vision was humbling. Seeing the genuine excitement in their eyes when The Red Room launched reminded me why I love what we're doing,” she said.

A timely partnership

“After the pandemic, it was a pretty rough time for us,” said Lynde. As the salon underwent a management transition, a partner introduced them to the EMBA Innovation Challenge.

“We were up for the challenge—to have the opportunity for graduate students to help us figure out a better business plan, or to see where they could help us grow,” she added.

The team—Johnson, Anna Coragliotti, Ashley Wang, Cherie Jarvis and Martha Siegmund—all EMBA students graduating in spring 2026—met with the owners multiple times to understand the business and its challenges. Lynde especially appreciated the in-person meetings.

“They really listened and asked questions about our business,” she said. In her 41 years in the salon business, Lynde was delighted to see that the team came up with a novel way to use the existing space. It aligned perfectly with their mission to offer relaxing experiences to clients.

Strategy meets innovation

Emily Ryan (EMBA’23), a judge at the challenge, knows firsthand how impactful the experience is. As a former participant, she appreciated how the challenge was embedded within the semester’s coursework.

“During the term you’re taking the innovation project, you're also doing coursework focused on HR and people strategy. You're also taking a financial course focused on projecting, profitability and building out financial models. Having the trio work in tandem adds depth to the presentation,” Ryan said.

“You’re not just innovating for the market—you’re thinking about staffing, specialization, equipment needs, and how to project and recoup investments."

Emily Ryan (EMBA’23)

She emphasized that students gain exposure beyond their usual work silos. “You’re not just innovating for the market—you’re thinking about staffing, specialization, equipment needs, and how to project and recoup investments,” she said. “We learned statistics, economics, accounting, finance, and marketing. The Innovation Challenge pulls it all together—intentionally—around finance, HR and innovation," she added.

There’s another benefit: “It’s super fun.”

Fresh thinking for businesses

“When you’re enmeshed in your day-to-day, it’s hard to think outside the box,” Ryan said. “Having an external party with no prior insight into the business brings fresh perspectives.”

Johnson echoed that sentiment: “This is what the Executive MBA education is about—building bridges between academic excellence and real-world impact, creating a network of innovators who lift each other up, and strengthening our local business community in the process.”

The Leeds Executive MBA Innovation Challenge transforms classroom learning into real-world impact—last spring’s winning team helped a local salon launch a new service that’s already generating revenue and delighting customers.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Named an Ignition School for Second Consecutive Year

Kelsey Cipolla — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 17:46:33 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Named an Ignition School for Second Consecutive Year Kelsey Cipolla Fri, 10/17/2025 - 11:46

Kristen Fischer

Inc. and Fast Company have released their second annual list of “Ignition Schools,” honoring institutions that impact society through innovation and entrepreneurship. The University of Colorado Boulder has once again been recognized for its role in fostering this impact.

For the second year in a row, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has been named to the prestigious Ignition Schools list, a collaboration between Inc. and Fast Company that highlights the top 50 institutions leading in entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Leeds School of Business and the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship are integral to CU’s culture of innovation, shaping trailblazing entrepreneurs through dynamic teaching and research long before they graduate.

Brad Werner, the Deming Center’s faculty director of the New Venture Launch program and the JRN Faculty Scholar, has seen Leeds grow tremendously in its entrepreneurial programming. He teaches the fundamentals of starting a business and shows students how to understand and solve complex problems. The classes go beyond memorizing facts; they teach students how to think.

“I think it’s really eye-opening for the students,” Werner said. “They become empowered.”

Whether students launch businesses or not, they can still bring entrepreneurial problem-solving skills to the table at large companies. “It’s not just starting businesses; it’s creative problem-solving, which goes everywhere,” Werner added.

Erick Mueller, an adjunct professor and Deming’s executive director, says classes are unique because they use existing partnerships that give students revenue to pursue ideas. Faculty often leverage their own connections in the business world to support students.

“We connect students with world-leading experts and scientists,” Mueller said. “There’s all this breadth of opportunities for them.”

Another differentiator is how faculty members guide their students and graduates to scale up after their businesses launch. “We meet them where they’re at, and we help them move a step or two forward,” Mueller added.

“CU has built a name for itself, with many schools around the country asking for the playbook."

Matt Brady, Leeds Assistant Teaching Professor

Deming stands above

Leeds was ranked the 15th best public undergraduate entrepreneurship program by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025 Best Undergraduate Business Program rankings, thanks to award-winning professors and programs at the Deming Center.

The center has been in the spotlight before, winning multiple awards over the years from AACSB International and the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers—the preeminent organization in entrepreneurship education worldwide—including the Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines award and the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation award.

In addition, Deming hosted the preeminent Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Conference (GEIRC) last year, which drew attendees from Taiwan, Australia, China, the United Kingdom, Italy and more to explore the wide-ranging impacts of entrepreneurship and innovation.

More recently, the Deming Center joined Leeds’ Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility in launching Boulder Climate Ventures, a collaboration with Breakthrough Energy to turn student-driven climate tech initiatives into startups. Boulder Climate Ventures (BCV) is part of Breakthrough Energy’s University Climate Ventures network, joining Stanford University, MIT and others. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� is the first public university to be included in the network.

From world-class to worldwide

The New Venture Launch (NVL) program, a class open to about 20 students each spring, has produced over a dozen companies in the last three years. Students in the program compete in the New Venture Challenge, a competition that unites students and the greater Boulder community to formulate and fund ideas.

The Colorado Sustainability Challenge is a powerful reflection of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� growing innovation ecosystem—especially at Leeds. Originally launched in 2021 as the Sustainability Hackathon by Matt Brady, assistant teaching professor in Organizational Leadership and Information Analytics, the event has doubled in size each year. In 2025, it expanded statewide, drawing teams from across the Front Range to compete for $21,000 in prizes. The first-place team included CU students from both Leeds and the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Brady sees even greater potential ahead. “CU has built a name for itself,” he said, "with many schools around the country asking for the playbook." He’s confident that some of this year’s winning ideas will become real businesses. “It will definitely happen that some of these ideas will come to life and go to market.” As a feeder to ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� New Venture Challenge, the hackathon has already helped launch ventures like FoodWise—and Brady expects more to follow.

Deming’s podcast, “Creative Distillation,” hosted by Werner and Jeff York, faculty director of the Deming Center, has helped put the program on the map. It brings together entrepreneurs and researchers from around the globe to review research and share insights.

“We’re not only doing work that’s important to Boulder…we’re doing work that’s world-class,” Werner pointed out.

Colorado, one of the technology hubs for quantum computing, leads the world in terms of quantum organizations and jobs. Faculty and students engage with these startups, and several graduates are even leading them.

Deming also brings in leaders from the entrepreneurial world to serve as instructors. David Brown, who co-founded the massive commercial accelerator Techstars in Boulder, is now a faculty member associated with the Deming Center.

In addition to sending students to South Africa and Israel as consultants to local entrepreneurs, the school runs a five-year program to help rural areas and native communities in Colorado grow ventures. “It’s not just helping students; it’s helping Colorado,” Mueller said.

York has published several studies on environmental entrepreneurship, which is the intersection of creating eco-friendly and economically friendly startups. The fusion of sustainability and business is a big focus in the Boulder region.

“It’s a place where people care deeply about environmental issues but also social issues,” York said. This special interest—along with the university’s involvement in environmental ventures—is unique to ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��.

Today’s innovators, future igniters

Student success contributes to Deming’s notoriety in the entrepreneurial education arena.

For example, Jamie Saunders (center), a Leeds MBA graduate, took part in the New Venture Launch, where she developed her idea for Affix Communities. The startup makes tiny homes that become legal year-round residences, paving the way for more affordable homeownership.

Icarus Quantum, pioneered by Poolad Imany, Kaden Sisk, and Christian Wagner, is developing quantum dot technology to further secure quantum communications. It provides expanded data security that’s about 70 times more efficient than competitors, according to Werner.

Sristy Agrawal, Cameron Ghia, Ty Silver and Madeline Maersk Moller founded Mesa Quantum to build next-generation quantum devices. The company makes chip-sized atomic clocks that enable high-bandwidth use and precision GPS navigation.

“One of the most valuable skills I gained through the course was the practical knowledge of entrepreneurship, which was transformative for me, coming from an academic background,” said Agrawal, the current CEO. She completed her PhD in physics from CU and took the New Venture Launch class.

“[The] course gave me the tools to not only register my company but also build my first pitch deck, secure my initial grant and launch Mesa Quantum Systems,” added Agrawal, whose company has raised $4 million in venture capital and secured a $2 million government grant.

Aloukika Patro, a sophomore pursuing an entrepreneurship certificate, is grateful for the resources and support from Deming. “They give us insights on the business basics and how to bring it to reality,” said Patro.

“One skill that I have taken away from these workshops is the importance of having a growth mindset ... I believe that having a growth mindset and persevering through challenges in the journey is what is going to lead us to success.”

Fast Company and Inc. released their list for the second year of institutions that impact society through innovation and entrepreneurship. How is the Leeds School of Business igniting some of that impact?

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Boulder Climate Ventures Ignites Climate Tech Momentum with Fall Series

Jane Majkiewicz — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:57:42 +0000

Boulder Climate Ventures Ignites Climate Tech Momentum with Fall Series Jane Majkiewicz Thu, 10/16/2025 - 09:57

Jane Majkiewicz

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� new BCV initiative kicked off a seven-week speaker series to spark climate innovation and entrepreneurship. The program connects the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community with experts to explore opportunities in climate tech.

Seven Weeks of Climate Tech Brainstorming

Want to be a part of BCV? Register for upcoming sessions:

October 22: Electricity Demand
October 29: Critical Minerals
November 5: Ag Tech
November 12: Nuclear
November 19: Geoengineering
December 3: Adaption and Resilience

This week, Boulder Climate Ventures (BCV) kicked off its inaugural fall speaker series, “Business Opportunities in Climate Tech,” drawing a packed room of more than 100 attendees. Students from business, engineering, law, and arts and sciences joined faculty, staff and community members to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and climate innovation.

Katherine Ratledge (pictured above), program manager for the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility (CESR), welcomed guests to the first of seven sessions. Boulder Climate Ventures (BCV) is part of Breakthrough Energy’s University Climate Ventures network, joining Stanford University, MIT, Technical University of Munich and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� is the first public university to be included in the network.

Ratledge explained that the interdisciplinary program, facilitated by CESR and the Deming Center, is designed to equip students with the tools and resources to develop and launch high-impact companies. “We are not talking about the future, we are talking about the here and now,” she said. “We don’t just need breakthrough tech—we need breakthrough companies.”

“We don’t just need breakthrough tech—we need breakthrough companies.”

Katherine Ratledge, program manager at CESR

BCV builds on ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� reputation for cutting-edge research, its status as a top university for startups, and the region’s strengths—including national labs and a thriving tech ecosystem. The goal, Ratledge said, is to educate the community about opportunities and to “think broadly and boldly” about ways to make the world cleaner, more efficient and more resilient. The endgame? Commercialize new technologies in an industry projected to reach $1.8 trillion.

Graduate students will be invited to participate in a climate tech venture discovery class this spring, building on ideas generated during the series. Ratledge emphasized the importance of community: “We want people in the room to ask questions and never stop pushing—this is what we need to solve these problems.”

Sonya Gustafson, founder of startup Distill Energy and a new Leeds mentor, was energized by the event. Her new company aims to de-risk development in energy markets, and she looks forward to connecting with students who may become future employees.

Climate Tech 3.0: A Multitrillion-Dollar Opportunity

Trent Yang, BCV team member and entrepreneur in residence at Leeds, shared sobering statistics about climate change’s impact. “Because the global economy and all our infrastructure was built on an idea that our climate was stable, we are going to have to rebuild our global economy for a changing climate,” he said.

Solutions must go beyond emissions mitigation to include resilience, adaptation and global heat management. Yang cited deadly heatwaves in India and Pakistan as examples of the urgent need for innovation. “This is a multitrillion-dollar opportunity to change our world for the better,” he said. “This is what climate investing is all about.”

Yang outlined three phases of climate tech evolution:

Climate Tech 1.0: Early investments, many of which failed due to long ramp-up times and funding challenges.
Climate Tech 2.0: The 2010s saw global collaboration and commitments from large companies.
Climate Tech 3.0: Today’s phase is marked by global investment, with China leading the way and the United States and European Union close behind.

“This is a multitrillion-dollar opportunity to change our world for the better. This is what climate investing is all about.”

Trent Yang, BCV team member and Leeds entrepreneur-in-residence

To transition to a net-zero world, Yang said, we must triple our investments. That means deploying massive capital for new solutions and infrastructure. BCV aims to address this urgency with scalable, pragmatic solutions. Key success factors include a regional focus vs. global collaboration, market-driven strategies in the United States, a laser focus on product-market fit, and economically competitive solutions, he said.

Local leadership

Susie Strife, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� MENV instructor and director of sustainability, climate action and resilience for Boulder County, highlighted the power of local climate leadership. “There are 3,000 cities across the U.S. banding together to respond to the climate crisis,” she said.

Strife described how local governments respond to climate-related disasters, drive policy and power communities more efficiently. In Boulder, strategies include climate action services and seed funding for innovation. She cited the Buy Clean Colorado Act, biochar projects, and Boulder Mushroom’s wildfire mitigation efforts as examples.

Despite the challenges, Strife remains optimistic. “I can’t help but think there’s no better time to be in climate—it’s a field full of possibilities,” she said.

“I can’t help but think there’s no better time to be in climate—it’s a field full of possibilities."

Susie Strife, Boulder County director of sustainability

Entrepreneurial wisdom

The session concluded with Yang moderating a panel featuring (pictured from left to right) Doug Campbell, founder of Solid Power; Mike McGehee, professor of chemical engineering at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and founder of Tynt Technologies; Tasso von Windheim, a climate tech investor; and Bryn Rees of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Innovation and Partnerships.

“Entrepreneurship is part science and part art—you can’t just learn it in the classroom,” said Yang. “We will bring real, successful practitioners in to help you create a successful venture going forward.”

McGehee, whose students have launched 19 businesses, emphasized mentorship. “You want to pick investors that do far more than give you money,” he said.

Von Windheim stressed the importance of a strong tech team and early founders’ agreements, while Rees encouraged students to leverage ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� entrepreneurial ecosystem and the wealth of resources in the region.

Panelists agreed on key ingredients for success: the ability to pivot, understanding your minimum viable product, knowing your strengths and weaknesses, and building the right team.

“Look to your left, look to your right—that’s called your network,” said Campbell. “That’s the most valuable thing in your career.” Reflecting on his own entrepreneurial journey, he added, “At the end of the day, it was a leap of faith. That’s what being an entrepreneur is.”

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� new BCV initiative kicked off a seven-week speaker series to spark real-world solutions for climate innovation and entrepreneurship.

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A Passion for Fashion: Introducing Leeds’ New Student Club

Jane Majkiewicz — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 22:14:46 +0000

A Passion for Fashion: Introducing Leeds’ New Student Club Jane Majkiewicz Tue, 10/14/2025 - 16:14

Grace Garfoot

This fall, Ryder Nicolaus (Mktg’28) and Oliver Welsh (Bus, Fin’28) launched the Fashion Case Club at Leeds. With ambitions to expand beyond the Leeds community, the duo is shaping the club’s mission to incorporate underrepresented aspects of fashion while building a following, securing notable guest speakers and actively growing valuable industry connections.

Sewing the seeds of inspiration

Friends and fashion entrepreneurs Ryder Nicolaus (Mktg’28) and Oliver Welsh (Bus, Fin’28) didn’t wait for college to start making their mark. Even before arriving at Leeds, they had already launched their own branded clothing lines–Nicolaus with PAX Apparel and Welsh with Chill Ville. Now, as undergrads, they’ve channeled that shared passion into founding the Fashion Case Club—Leeds’ first student organization focused on the fashion industry.

The idea took shape last year over winter break, when the two realized that Leeds lacked representation for students interested in the business of fashion. “We feel like this is something that doesn’t have a lot of resources at CU and Leeds,” Welsh said. “Fashion as a whole is underrepresented within clubs and classes, especially compared to other universities. That’s why we started the club."

With a strong attendance at its first few meetings and an unfolding lineup of high-profile guest speakers, the club is already gaining traction.

“I’ve always been into really niche, creative endeavors, whether it was making rings or woodworking. I also knew that I wanted to go into business, so combining those two aspects, I decided to start my own clothing company,” Nicolaus (pictured right) said. “I wanted to experience what it was like running a company, so I decided to do that through something I really enjoy. I like the marketing and business analytics side of it, and that’s what brought me to Leeds,” he added.

For both Welsh and Nicolaus, getting into fashion was sparked by the desire to design their own clothes and appreciating the thrift culture. When visiting Leeds during an admitted students’ day, it resonated with them to hear that some graduates had gone on to work at North Face.

After getting their new club registered as an official Leeds student club, Nicolaus and Welsh promoted it at the Leedsapalooza annual student club event, catching the attention of CJ Riggins, an advisor for the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship. Intrigued by their apparel and their effort to bring a fashion initiative to Leeds, she became a faculty sponsor for the club.

“She has been so helpful in that role,” said Welsh. “I think she loves seeing students come together who are creatively driven entrepreneurs,” he added. And with fashion being the seventh largest industry in the world, projected to reach $1.87 trillion in 2025, Riggins’ support further validated for Nicolaus and Walsh that fashion should have a place in the business conversations happening at Leeds. Entrepreneurs like Garmai Matthew (MBA’25) and Rylan Montoya (Bus’25) are prime examples of Leeds students who have applied their business education to fashion startups.

Following the threads

As they’ve begun to hold meetings, the club has attracted new members by lining up high-level fashion industry insiders. One of their first meetings featured speaker Anthony Pace, a representative from Crocs. An executive from Ralph Lauren will be an upcoming presenter.

Attracting speakers of that caliber is a result of something Welsh and Nicolaus have been practicing in both life and business: persistence.

“We started off by cold calling on LinkedIn, and the success rate wasn’t great for that,” Welsh admitted. “But every time someone did reach out, we would make sure to be as enthusiastic and as sociable as we could to make an impression.”

“One of the first people we met with—who works at North Face—gave us helpful information on how we could improve our networking. Since then, every time we talk to someone, we ask them for contacts they can pass on,” Welsh added.

“It’s cool being a part of Leeds because you learn how intertwined everyone is networking-wise," said Nicolaus. His connections for the new club started in the Sustainable Business Club: “From there, I spoke to someone in Leeds and asked for a connection, and she was the one who led us to a contact from North Face.”

Setting trends for the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community

As they move past the initial stages of evolving the club, Welsh and Nicolaus want to open it to any CU student that is interested in fashion, giving them practical industry experience before they go out into the world. "We are a business-oriented club, but that doesn’t mean we’re exclusive to business," said Welsh.

The co-founders want to expose students to professional aspects of the fashion industry that are cross-disciplinary and applicable to a wide range of interests. They plan to address subjects such as color theory, retail math, merchandising, and other real-world concepts that aren’t typically taught in the classroom. For fashion-oriented and non-fashion-oriented people alike, Welsh and Nicolaus believe this learning will be invaluable.

“We’re going to teach concepts through workshops, case studies and guest speakers. We will offer topics that anyone considering the fashion industry should learn," said Welsh.

As the co-founders continue to raise the club’s visibility and look forward to carving out their professional career paths, they have already learned one essential component of success—collaboration. They both echoed the same sentiment: They couldn’t do this without each other.

Leeds’ new Fashion Case Club is tailoring its focus on the business of fashion to engage students across the ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� community. With a growing membership and a lineup of industry insiders, the club is stitching together style, innovation and opportunity.

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How to Outsmart Online Scammers in the Age of AI, According to a Cybersecurity Expert

Kelsey Cipolla — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 14:58:21 +0000

How to Outsmart Online Scammers in the Age of AI, According to a Cybersecurity Expert Kelsey Cipolla Tue, 10/14/2025 - 08:58

As cybercriminals use generative AI to craft more convincing scams, Leeds School of Business expert Sebastian Schuetz shares tips for protecting yourself.

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