Venture Partners News

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� awards therapeutics funding to advance promising drug development projects

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 18:15:58 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� awards therapeutics funding to advance promising drug development projects Daniel Corbin … Mon, 07/14/2025 - 12:15

Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has announced the first recipients of a new translational funding program designed to advance promising, early-stage therapeutics with strong commercial potential. The program provides up to $50,000 per project to help ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� researchers generate critical validation data or develop new intellectual property, bringing new treatments a step closer to patients in need.

“��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� is a world-class destination for bioscience research,” said Hannah Nelson, associate director of licensing at Venture Partners, “and our innovative faculty have created a robust pipeline of novel drugs and therapeutic targets.”

Many promising therapeutic projects reach a stage where they no longer qualify for basic research funding but are still too early for translational grants or private investment. This funding gap can stall progress.

But what is "commercialization?"

The path to commercialization—also known as "research translation" or "tech transfer"—can be challenging, so Venture Partners unites industry partners, entrepreneurs and investors to help researchers, inventors and creators at the University of Colorado bring their groundbreaking discoveries into the marketplace.

Explore the Path to Commercialization

This funding program is designed to bridge that gap by supporting commercially promising drug development efforts. The awarded projects ultimately aim to develop FDA-approved drugs and have a clear path to commercialization, having validated their development approach through customer discovery interviews.

“This funding supports a critical stage in drug development,” said Justin Stitzlein, venture analyst at Venture Partners. “Our goal is to give these teams the support they need to generate compelling data and position themselves for the next stage of development. We believe this kind of early support can unlock significant long-term impact.”

Awardees

Orally Available Obesity Therapeutic

Led by Distinguished Professor Leslie Leinwand (BioFrontiers Institute, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology), with PhD student Jack Gugel and postdoctoral researchers Thomas Martin and Yuxiao Tan, the team is developing an orally available obesity drug that suppresses appetite without affecting gastric emptying or causing muscle loss. Their compound offers a differentiated mechanism from current GLP-1 agonists such as Wegovy/Ozempic, aiming to improve tolerability and adherence.

Efflux Pump Inhibitor Discovery Platform

Professor Corrie Detweiler (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology) and her team are developing novel small-molecule inhibitors that restore the effectiveness of antibiotics against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Using a host-informed, high-throughput assay platform that better reflects infection conditions, they aim to identify efflux pump inhibitors to treat patients with infections that do not respond to traditional antibiotics alone.

What can we do together?

Disclose and protect your innovation

Engage in entrepreneurial training programs

Find a mentor to advance your innovation

Get funding for your innovation

Find partners and opportunities for your innovation

Explore investing in and partnering with CU researchers

Explore our startups portfolio

Explore our technology portfolio

Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� has announced the first recipients of a new translational funding program designed to advance promising, early-stage therapeutics with strong commercial potential. The program provides up to $50,000 per project to help ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� researchers generate critical validation data or develop new intellectual property, bringing new treatments a step closer to patients in need.

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How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation—a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� administrator explains

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 17:39:46 +0000

How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation—a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� administrator explains Daniel Corbin … Tue, 07/08/2025 - 11:39

Supporting a Groundbreaking Innovation Pipeline

$8 billion in economic impact, a record-breaking 36 startups launched in a single year and $1.2 billion raised for CU startups and innovations: These are some of the results reported in the latest annual report from Venture Partners.

Read Our Annual Report

From The Conversation

Over the past several months, universities have lost more than $11 billion in funding. Research into cancer, farming solutions and climate resiliency are just a few of the many projects nationally that have seen cuts. The Conversation asked Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, to explain how these cuts and freezes are impacting the university and Colorado’s local economy.

Read on The Conversation Website

The Conversation—Over the past several months, universities have lost more than $11 billion in funding. Research into cancer, farming solutions and climate resiliency are just a few of the many projects nationally that have seen cuts. The Conversation asked Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, to explain how these cuts and freezes are impacting the university and Colorado’s local economy.

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2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase highlights CU’s next breakthrough startups

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 18:20:43 +0000

2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase highlights CU’s next breakthrough startups Daniel Corbin … Mon, 06/30/2025 - 12:20

Daniel Leonard

Members of the 2025 Ascent Cohort. Left-right: Maria Luisa Sanchez Montes, Gary Dolsen, Laila Marzall, Makenna Morck, Kian Lopez, Aoife Henry, Taylor Sharpe, Michael Stowell, Alec Santiago, Justin Stitzlein (Ascent staff member), Kylen McClintock, Sanghamitra Neogi, Dan Callen, Jason Rivas, Bart Emery, Subrata Pal, Dhiman Nandi, Alexandra Whiteley, Marisha Parikh, Wendy Overton, Emily Voigt (Ascent staff member). Photo: Ryan Vachon

Interested in the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator?

Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature, intensive research and development, and significant capital requirements. Ascent understands the needs and pathways for deep tech startups to find early success.

Visit the Ascent Website

Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� capped off its fourth Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator with the 2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase, where research-based startup teams pitched innovations to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and fellow researchers. The showcase featured ventures developing breakthrough solutions in health, energy, aerospace and more.

Over five months, Ascent teams received mentorship from deep tech experts and Venture Partners staff as they worked toward company formation, refined their paths to market and built compelling fundraising strategies. The showcase marked a milestone for the teams as they emerged ready to engage with early investors, partners and national accelerators.

A Track Record of Impact

Since its launch in 2021, Ascent has supported 47 teams across CU’s Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs campuses. Program alumni have raised over $20 million in non-dilutive funding and $41 million in venture capital investment, with many advancing to top-tier programs such as NREL West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate. Ascent is now a cornerstone of ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� deep tech pipeline, helping to turn university inventions and research into impactful startups that solve global challenges.

But what is "commercialization?"

Explore the Path to Commercialization

The accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by deep tech startups (companies based on groundbreaking science or engineering) that often require substantial time, research and capital to reach the market. The five-month program builds upon prerequisite customer-discovery training through the NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region—also offered through Venture Partners—and provides tailored support in business formation, market strategy and fundraising.

“This showcase was such an exciting opportunity for us and for everyone to see what the next phase of impactful companies are doing,” said Emily Vogt, director of venture development at Venture Partners. “I truly believe these companies are going to be big names in Colorado and for investors everywhere.”

Recordings of the showcase pitches will be available for viewing through the Venture Partners website in the coming weeks. Sign Up for Updates

The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase was presented with financial support from Richtr Financial Studio, Hatch Spaces: Life Sciences, Holland & Hart and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Presenters: 2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

ArgiLur

ArgiLur is a Boulder-based clothing company revolutionizing the fashion industry by offering carbon-sequestering clothing. Style and sustainability can go hand in hand, and we are committed to providing eco-friendly options for our customers. Visit the ArgiLur Website

Team: Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department), Founder and CEO

Industry Applications: Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Fashion and Design, Biotech

Contact: Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes, marialuisa.sanchezmontes@colorado.edu

AtomTCAD Inc.

AtomTCAD provides precise and rapid thermal modeling of nanometer-scale semiconductors. Our software makes complex quantum physics simulations accessible. Leveraging AI, AtomTCAD enables chip designers and engineers to rapidly discover thermally optimal designs, empowering them to overcome heat challenges.

Team: Sanghamitra Neogi (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences), Founder, Principal Investigator; Jason Rivas (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Materials Science & Engineering Program), Research Engineer; Subrata Pal (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chemistry), Research Engineer; Dhiman Nandi (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chemistry), Research Engineer

Industry Applications: Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Research and Exploration

Contact: Sanghamitra Neogi, sanghamitra.neogi@colorado.edu

BoldRF LLC

BoldRF is a spin-off from Microwave Research Lab at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, focused on the efforts to commercialize innovative tunable active RF circulators that enable resilient analog self-interference features for in-band full duplex (IBFD) RF front-ends for communication systems, radar, electronic warfare, aviation direction finding.

Team: Laila Fighera Marzall (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder, CEO; Zoya Popovic (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder; Marisha Parikh (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program), Head of Business; Sarah Johns (undergraduate student, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Leeds School of Business), Business Strategist; Stephanie Torres (undergraduate student, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Gary Dolsen, Industrial Mentor

Industries: Aerospace, Hardware and Instrumentation, Information Technology, Quantum, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities

Contact: Laila Fighera Marzall, laila.marzall@colorado.edu

EerDx Inc.

EerDx uses earbud sleep diagnostics to transform the diagnosis and treatment of the 100 Million Americans with sleep disorders, starting with drug and cognitive behavioral therapy for chronic insomnia. Visit the EerDx Website

Team: Bart Emery, CEO, Co-Founder; Samir Chabra, CTO, Co-Founder; Jianliang Xiao, Principal Investigator, Advisor (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Industry Applications: Sensors, Health and Wellness, Medical Devices, Diagnostics

Contact: Bart Emery, bart@eerdx.com

Endios Bio

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. Visit the Endios Website

Team: Wendy Overton (fmr. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark Entrepreneur in Residence)

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

Contact: Wendy Overton, wendy.overton@endiosbio.com

Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.

Kitsune Bio develops shape-shifting cyclic peptides that penetrate cells and adhere to targets more effectively. Our platform creates therapeutics that go beyond antibodies and small molecules, offering new treatment options for difficult diseases and improving the standard of care. Visit the Kitsune Website

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics

Team: Makenna Morck (Alum: ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Biochemistry), CEO; Alec Santiago, COO; Michael Stowell (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology), CTO; Thomas Fallon, Advisor

Contact: Makenna Morck, makenna@kitsunebio.com

LEVL Inc.

LEVL is a cutting-edge biotech company dedicated to advancing human health and extending longevity through advanced nutraceutical synergies. Our mission is to translate the latest breakthroughs in aging science into practical, effective solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday life. Visit the LEVL Website

Team: Kylen McClintock (fmr. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark Entrepreneur in Residence), CEO, Co-Founder; Daniel Callen, CSO, Co-Founder; Tom LaRocca, CRO, Co-Founder (fmr. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Integrative Physiology)

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics

Contact: Kylen McClintock, kylenmcclintock@gmail.com

OsmoPure Technologies Inc.

OsmoPure Technologies develops high-performance membranes for ultrapure water production in aerospace, electronics, and energy applications. Our membranes remove more contaminants, last longer and use less energy while meeting strict purity requirements and lowering chemical demand. Visit the OsmoPure Website

Team: Kian Lopez (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chemical and Biological Engineering), CEO; Nadia Jorgenson (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CTO; Anthony Straub (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CSO

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

Contact: Kian Lopez, Kian.lopez@colorado.edu

Tierra Metrics Inc.

We combine low-cost sensors with continuous models of the agricultural nitrogen cycle. We envision a world where digital twins of farms inform farmers and land managers in real time to reduce excess fertilizer use, cutting costs, pollution and emissions to build more resilient farming systems. Visit the Tierra Metrics Website

Team: Taylor Sharpe (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), Chief Engineer; Greg Whiting (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Co-Founder; Whendee Silver, Co-Founder; Ana Arias, Co-Founder

Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Hardware and Instrumentation, Sensors, Information Technology, Software, Manufacturing, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities

Contact: Taylor Sharpe, taylor.sharpe@colorado.edu

ZentusAI Inc.

WindSenseAI optimizes wind farm performance through AI-driven wake steering control (WSC). Our deep learning models predict how turbine yawing impacts power output, adapting in real-time to site-specific wind conditions to maximize efficiency and asset performance.

Team: Aoife Henry, CEO, Co-Founder (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)

Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech

Contact: Aoife Henry, Aoife.henry@colorado.edu

What can we do together?

Disclose and protect your innovation

Engage in entrepreneurial training programs

Find a mentor to advance your innovation

Get funding for your innovation

Find partners and opportunities for your innovation

Explore investing in and partnering with CU researchers

Explore our startups portfolio

Explore our technology portfolio

Venture Partners capped off its third Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator with the 2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase, where research-based startup teams pitched innovations to an audience of investors, entrepreneurs and fellow researchers. The showcase featured ventures developing breakthrough solutions in health, energy, aerospace and more.

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Federal tech-transfer law pays tremendous dividends as research universities spark regional economies

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:52:19 +0000

Federal tech-transfer law pays tremendous dividends as research universities spark regional economies Daniel Corbin … Mon, 06/16/2025 - 09:52

Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)—According to a new report, American research universities like the University of Colorado in recent decades have become engines of innovation for state and regional economies, thanks in large part to the federal Bayh-Dole Act, which incentivizes technology commercialization.

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Application now open for the Lab Venture Challenge and $125,000 in funding

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 21:56:08 +0000

Application now open for the Lab Venture Challenge and $125,000 in funding Daniel Corbin … Tue, 06/10/2025 - 15:56

Through the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), top innovations from the University of Colorado 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. These grants are funded by Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) Advanced Industries Program.

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� warns federal research cuts could hurt economy

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 22 May 2025 16:49:34 +0000

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� warns federal research cuts could hurt economy Daniel Corbin … Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:49

9NEWS—The termination of several major research grants at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� is creating ripple effects across Colorado’s economy—impacting jobs, innovation and the state’s research competitiveness. As federal funding priorities shift, the consequences are being felt well beyond the lab.

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Fund your research or creative work through commercialization

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 13 May 2025 22:06:24 +0000

Fund your research or creative work through commercialization Daniel Corbin … Tue, 05/13/2025 - 16:06

For faculty, staff and students at the University of Colorado engaged in research, invention or creative work, commercialization offers a powerful pathway to fund and expand the impact of your innovations. Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.

Unlocking funding and collaborative direction

Ready to go further?

Protect your discoveries before you publish them: Your discoveries could have far-reaching impacts while securing recognition and opportunities for you.

Find the market for your innovation: I-Corps serves as a practical and accessible first step for anyone looking to translate their discoveries into real-world solutions.

One of the biggest misconceptions about commercialization is that researchers, inventors or creators do not have a say in the intellectual property they create.

Venture Partners empowers innovators at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, UCCS and CU Denver (except CU Denver biosciences investigators, who should work with CU Innovations) to take the lead in translating their discoveries into real-world applications.

Whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with industry or license your technology, Venture Partners provides guidance and funding opportunities to support your journey.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone. Venture Partners can also help connect you with experienced industry partners or entrepreneurs who can drive commercialization forward on your behalf—ensuring that your discoveries make an impact without requiring you to leave academia.

Non-dilutive funding: grants to advance your work

One of the most compelling reasons to explore commercialization is the availability of non-dilutive funding—grants without equity or ownership agreements. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� researchers and inventors have secured significant funding through programs such as:

Lab Venture Challenge—A competitive grant program providing funding for early-stage innovations.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grants—Federal programs that support the transition of cutting-edge research into viable commercial solutions.
OEDIT Advanced Industry Grants—State funding designed to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies in Colorado.
ARPA-H. ARPA-E, Partnerships for Innovation (PFI), and others—Grants for labs that require an understanding of commercialization for technology.

Additionally, there is substantial funding available for early-stage research and technology development. Many of these opportunities focus on transforming high-potential ideas into proof-of-concept prototypes or pilot studies. These funding sources allow CU innovators to de-risk their technology, generate critical data and position themselves for larger grants or private investment.

The Center for Translational Research and Venture Partners support researchers, inventors and creators in applying for non-dilutive grants. This includes assistance with state and federal grant programs, ensuring that CU innovators have the resources and guidance needed to successfully secure funding for their work. By leveraging these early-stage funding opportunities, researchers can bridge the gap between discovery and commercialization, making their technologies more attractive for additional funding and market entry.

Investment and venture growth opportunities

Beyond non-dilutive funding, Venture Partners connects CU innovators with a variety of investment opportunities, including:

Buff Gold Ventures—A CU-affiliated venture fund investing in early-stage startups from university research.
Destination Startup®—A premier showcase that connects university startups with investors and corporate partners.
Private investment networks—Helping CU startups secure venture capital and strategic partnerships.

These success stories highlight how CU researchers and inventors can turn their discoveries into real-world impact while securing financial backing along the way. Many ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� startups have gone on to secure investment funding, achieve successful exits through mergers or IPOs, or grow into sustainable operating companies. University startups typically fund research in their originating labs, providing additional sponsored research opportunities.

Research funding from licensing royalties

Since 2019, commercialization activity through Venture Partners generated $32 million that was returned to ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� researchers and support for research. When Venture Partners licenses an invention, the university may receive revenue in return, in the form of royalties, fees or selling equity. This is true for licenses to both established companies and startup companies. This revenue is divided among the inventor or creator personally, the originating lab of the IP, and the university’s commercialization resources.

A path of proven success

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� startups are turning groundbreaking research into real-world impact.

Vitro3D, specializing in volumetric 3D printing, has raised $5.2 million in funding including early-stage funding from the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC).
Mesa Quantum, advancing quantum technologies, raised $8.1 million including collaborating with the Center for Translational Research on non-dilutive grants.
Tynt Technologies, revolutionizing dynamic windows for energy-efficient buildings, has raised $17.1 million, and is now one of the first investments of the Buff Venture Fund managed by Buff Gold Ventures.

These success stories highlight how ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Venture Partners provides a critical bridge from research to commercialization, empowering faculty, researchers and students to secure funding, build ventures and bring transformative innovations to market.

Partnering with industry

Your inventions could be the critical link to a new industry partnership or research funding. Innovations that address critical market needs are attractive to industry partners seeking novel solutions to their commercial problems. Generally, these companies prefer to outsource their early stage research and development. Venture Partners has dedicated resources, including the NSF I-CorpsTM Hub: West Region, to help you and your innovations meet real industry needs and identify potential partners.

Explore your path to commercialization

Whether you're looking for grant funding, investment or strategic industry partnerships, Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� is here to help. With a range of resources, mentorship opportunities and funding programs, you can find the right path to advance your research and creative work. Learn more about funding and commercialization opportunities.

What can we do together?

Disclose and protect your innovation

Engage in entrepreneurial training programs

Find a mentor to advance your innovation

Get funding for your innovation

Find partners and opportunities for your innovation

Explore investing in and partnering with CU researchers

Explore our startups portfolio

Explore our technology portfolio

Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions—while securing funding to advance your work.

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Photo: Winners of the 2024 Lab Venture Challenge competition.

University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 13 May 2025 19:26:25 +0000

University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June Daniel Corbin … Tue, 05/13/2025 - 13:26

The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

Wednesday, June 25, 4:30-7:30 p.m.
Byron R. White Stadium Club at Folsom Field
Registration is required at

The University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator will present its 2025 cohort of startups at the Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase on Wednesday, June 25. Attendees will hear pitches from emerging deep tech ventures across disciplines such as clean energy, advanced materials, quantum computing and next-generation therapeutics, followed by a networking session with researchers, investors and community supporters.

Launched in 2021 by Venture Partners at ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator addresses the unique challenges faced by deep tech startups (companies based on groundbreaking science or engineering) that often require substantial time, research and capital to reach the market. The five-month program builds upon prerequisite customer-discovery training through the NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region—also offered through Venture Partners—and provides tailored support in business formation, market strategy and fundraising.

Now in its fourth year, Ascent is showcasing one of its most diverse cohorts to date. The 2025 cohort includes startups tackling critical challenges in physical and life sciences, from sustainable energy solutions and advanced materials to medical diagnostics and therapeutic technologies.

“This showcase event is such an exciting opportunity for us and for everyone to see what the next phase of impactful companies are doing,” said Emily Vogt, director of venture development at Venture Partners. “I truly believe these companies are going to be big names in Colorado and for investors everywhere.”

Since its inception, Ascent has graduated 35 companies, which collectively have raised more than $15 million in non-dilutive grants and $41 million in seed funding from venture capital investors. Alumni have gone on to secure spots in nationally recognized incubators such as NREL’s West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate, further validating the program’s role in accelerating CU startups toward commercial success.

The Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase is presented with financial support from Hatch Spaces LLC and Holland & Hart LLP.

2025 Ascent Cohort

ArgiLur

Team: Maria Luisa Sánchez Montes (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department), Founder and CEO

Industry Applications: Advanced Materials, Environment and Sustainability, Fashion and Design, Biotech

AtomTCAD Inc.

Industry Applications: Aerospace, Advanced Materials, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Research and Exploration

BoldRF LLC

Industries: Aerospace, Hardware and Instrumentation, Information Technology, Quantum, Research and Exploration, Smart Cities

Colexible Technologies LLC

Colexible Technologies develops cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our devices replace traditional rigid circuit boards and solid metallic wires with flexible polymers and liquid metal, offering unparalleled stretching, bending, and durability.

Team: C.J. Whelan, CEO, Founder (fmr. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark Entrepreneur in Residence); Kris Obernyer, VP of Product; Jianliang Xiao (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator, Lead Advisor

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

EerDx Inc.

Team: Bart Emery, CEO, Co-Founder; Samir Chabra, CTO, Co-Founder; Jianliang Xiao, Principal Investigator, Advisor (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Industry Applications: Sensors, Health and Wellness, Medical Devices, Diagnostics

Endios Bio

Team: Wendy Overton (fmr. ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Embark Entrepreneur in Residence)

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

IntraLumenus

IntraLumenus is revolutionizing interventional endoscopy with its single-use flexible robotic endoscope. Offering unparalleled precision, stability and control, our device reduces technical complexity and procedure times, enabling more endoscopists to perform advanced procedures, all while improving patient outcomes.

Team: Jesse M. Sheppard (Alum: CU Denver Business, ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Business), CEO, Co-Founder; Mark Rentschler (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator

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

Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics

LEVL Inc.

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics

OsmoPure Technologies Inc.

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

Tierra Metrics Inc.

WindSenseAI Inc.

Team: Aoife Henry, CEO, Co-Founder (��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)

Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech

The University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator will present its 2025 cohort of startups in a June showcase. Attendees will hear pitches from emerging deep tech ventures across disciplines such as clean energy, advanced materials, quantum computing and next-generation therapeutics, followed by a networking session with researchers, investors and community supporters.

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Using federally funded university research to power America

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 12 May 2025 18:07:14 +0000

Using federally funded university research to power America Daniel Corbin … Mon, 05/12/2025 - 12:07

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Forbes—Since World War II, the U.S. research and development (R&D) enterprise has driven an era of prosperity and innovation, fueling breakthroughs in space, medicine and technology while empowering our national security and international trade.

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University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Thu, 08 May 2025 17:11:40 +0000

University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents Daniel Corbin … Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:11

CU Connections—The University of Colorado has secured the No. 18 position on the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2024 Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents list, reinforcing CU’s standing as a national leader in research, innovation and real-world impact. At ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ��, 53% of the campus’s patents have been licensed commercially.

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Venture Partners News

���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ awards therapeutics funding to advance promising drug development projects

But what is "commercialization?"

Awardees

Orally Available Obesity Therapeutic

Efflux Pump Inhibitor Discovery Platform

What can we do together?

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How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation—a ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ administrator explains

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2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase highlights CU’s next breakthrough startups

A Track Record of Impact

But what is "commercialization?"

Presenters: 2025 Ascent Deep Tech Community Showcase

ArgiLur

AtomTCAD Inc.

BoldRF LLC

EerDx Inc.

Endios Bio

Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.

LEVL Inc.

OsmoPure Technologies Inc.

Tierra Metrics Inc.

ZentusAI Inc.

What can we do together?

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Federal tech-transfer law pays tremendous dividends as research universities spark regional economies

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Application now open for the Lab Venture Challenge and $125,000 in funding

Off

���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ warns federal research cuts could hurt economy

Off

Fund your research or creative work through commercialization

Unlocking funding and collaborative direction

Non-dilutive funding: grants to advance your work

Investment and venture growth opportunities

Research funding from licensing royalties

A path of proven success

Partnering with industry

Explore your path to commercialization

What can we do together?

Off

University of Colorado's Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator to showcase 2025 cohort in June

2025 Ascent Cohort

ArgiLur

AtomTCAD Inc.

BoldRF LLC

Colexible Technologies LLC

EerDx Inc.

Endios Bio

IntraLumenus

Kitsune Biotherapeutics Inc.

LEVL Inc.

OsmoPure Technologies Inc.

Tierra Metrics Inc.

WindSenseAI Inc.

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Using federally funded university research to power America

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University of Colorado ranks among Top 20 U.S. universities for granted patents

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��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� awards therapeutics funding to advance promising drug development projects

How slashing university research grants impacts Colorado’s economy and national innovation—a ��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� administrator explains

��Ҵ�ý�ƽ�� warns federal research cuts could hurt economy