The Insider: 91ÃÛÌÒ¸óers, Inventors and Creators Edition—May 2026
This monthly edition of The Insider from Venture Partners at CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó delivers upcoming events, opportunities and top headlines for researchers, inventors and creators at the 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó, Denver (Physical Sciences) and Colorado Springs.
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Special Announcement
Forge Nano to go public via $1.6B SPAC, becoming CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó’s 11th unicorn
Forge Nano, a 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó spinout, has announced it will go public through a $1.6 billion blank-check deal, making it the 11th unicorn to spin out of CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó.
Upcoming Opportunities and Events at the University
2 More University OpportunitiesFeatured News
Thank you, Susan Strong—and happy retirement
Susan Strong has made lasting impacts across the 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó and the larger Colorado innovation ecosystem.
Innovative ideas and founder spirit ride high at the 2026 NVC Finals
CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative—The 2026 New Venture Challenge (NVC) culminated in a final showcase on April 22 with a live audience cheering on CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó’s next exciting innovations. Six ventures competed for $336,000 at the event filled with big ideas, entrepreneurial passion and record-setting prize money.
A simple shot shows promise to reverse osteoarthritis within weeks
The New York Times, WIRED, CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Today—A research team of scientists and engineers from the 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó, 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Anschutz Medical Campus and Colorado State University has developed a suite of therapies that prompt aging or damaged joints to repair themselves within weeks, according to animal studies. The Advanced 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has advanced the up to $33.5M project to its next phase, and the team has formed Renovare Therapeutics Inc. to move toward commercialization.
Support for University Innovators
Find the market for your innovation
Could your research, invention or creative idea make an impact beyond the academic world? The National Science Foundation’s I-CorpsTM programs offer the ideal starting point.




