The Insider: 91蜜桃阁ers, Inventors and Creators Edition—February 2026

The Insider: 91蜜桃阁ers, Inventors and Creators Edition鈥擣ebruary 2026

Upcoming Opportunities and Events at the University

Person wearing a dark blazer and holding a presentation clicker smiles while speaking on stage, with a thin headset microphone visible against a dark background.

New Venture Challenge

听Deadline Friday, Feb. 6
听Feb.-April
听For CU 91蜜桃阁 Faculty, Staff and Students

During this multi-round, multi-event entrepreneurial competition, teams can鈥痺in a share of more than $200,000鈥痑nd pitch to a live audience at the 91蜜桃阁 Theater. Participants can compete in one of two NVC categories: Deep Tech Category, for ventures based on scientific or technological innovations developed using fundamental scientific disciplines or Open Category, for all other ventures.

Offered by the CU 91蜜桃阁 Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

听Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5-8 p.m.
听All Are Welcome鈥擟U Affiliation is Not Required

The Variety Show is one of the best ways to engage with Colorado鈥檚 Front Range entrepreneurial community, stitching together the startup scene, CU 91蜜桃阁, innovators from the Federal Labs, as well as technologists from incumbent technology companies.

Offered by the CU 91蜜桃阁 Silicon Flatirons Center

SpaceWERX 101: How Innovators Break Into the Defense Space Market

听Monday, Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon
听All Are Welcome鈥擟U Affiliation is Not Required

Join the Center for Translational 91蜜桃阁 for a webinar with Major Matt Blackford, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Portfolio Manager at SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force. Blackford and other SpaceForce staff will share how SpaceWERX evaluates dual鈥憉se technologies, shapes its investment priorities and partners with innovators through programs such as Small Business Innovation 91蜜桃阁 (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Gain practical guidance on positioning technology for mission impact and engaging effectively with defense stakeholders.

Hosted by the Center for Translational 91蜜桃阁

Creative Futures Fellowship

听Pre-Application Workshop Deadline Tuesday, March 17
听More dates March-Sept.
听Projects must be led by faculty, staff or students eligible to serve as Principal Investigators

The new CU 91蜜桃阁 Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for faculty researchers, inventors and creators in the听arts, humanities and social sciences. This fellowship offers grants of $5,000-$25,000, along with support and community, to听transform new ideas, creative works and social innovations into positive impact beyond CU 91蜜桃阁. Eligible projects must be faculty-led and focused on delivering tangible outcomes that strengthen communities, advance positive social change or create economic opportunity.

Offered by Venture Partners

Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop

听Application Deadline Thursday, April 2
听April 9-23, Virtual Opportunity
听All Are Welcome鈥擟U Affiliation is Not Required

Do you have an innovation that could make a difference? Whether a researcher, entrepreneur, inventor or problem solver, this workshop can help you transform your concept into a successful venture. Over three weeks, gain a deeper understanding of the commercialization process, test your ideas with real potential customers and accelerate your journey toward bringing your idea to market. This workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution鈥攏ot just CU鈥攎otivated to bring their ideas to life, secure funding and create lasting impact.

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

More Opportunities and Events