The University of Colorado Boulder and Techstars, the global startup accelerator and investor, have announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado\u2019s innovation economy.<\/p>\n
The collaboration connects CU Boulder\u2019s entrepreneurship programs and startup pipeline with Techstars\u2019 network of mentors, investors and partners\u2014creating new pathways for innovators to build and scale companies that drive real-world impact.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis partnership reflects CU Boulder\u2019s commitment to empowering people across our campus to turn ideas into impact,\u201d said Massimo Ruzzene\u00a0<\/a>, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. \u201cOur students, faculty and researchers are developing technologies, launching companies and exploring solutions to real challenges. Working with Techstars connects that talent with a global community of entrepreneurs and investors who can help move those ideas from campus into the world.\u201d<\/p>\n From discovery to startup<\/p>\n CU Boulder has emerged as one of the most vibrant startup ecosystems on a university campus in the United States. Through research, entrepreneurial education and the campus-wide Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative<\/a>, the university supports students and faculty pursuing new ventures based on breakthrough discoveries.<\/p>\n Venture Partners at CU Boulder<\/a>\u2014the university\u2019s commercialization arm\u2014has played a central role in that momentum and in initiating the new partnership. Through Venture Partners, more than 220 companies based on CU Boulder technologies have launched and collectively exited for over $11 billion. The campus was ranked first in the nation<\/a> for the number of such startups launched in 2024, the second-most ever launched by a single university campus in one year.<\/p>\n The partnership with Techstars will connect CU Boulder\u2019s innovations and entrepreneurs with one of the world\u2019s premier startup accelerators and investors.<\/p>\n Established in Boulder in 2006 by David Cohen, Brad Feld, David Brown and Jared Polis<\/a>, Techstars helped shape the city\u2019s startup culture. What began as a single accelerator program has grown into a global platform supporting founders across industries and geographies.<\/p>\n \u201cTechstars has operated continuously in Colorado for two decades. The re-launch of our Techstars Boulder accelerator<\/a> here reflects our renewed commitment to Colorado and reinforces Boulder\u2019s role as an important hub in our system,\u201d said David Cohen\u00a0<\/a>, chief executive officer of Techstars and co-founder of the company. \u201cCU Boulder is a powerful source of new ideas and new companies. By building a deeper relationship with the university, we can help more founders turn breakthroughs into companies that scale.\u201d<\/p>\n Today, Techstars has invested in thousands of startups worldwide, whose combined market value exceeds $220 billion.<\/p>\n CU Boulder and Techstars count dozens of unicorns between them, including DigitalOcean<\/a>, SendGrid, Salesloft<\/a>, and Veho<\/a> (Techstars), Infleqtion<\/a>, Ball Aerospace & Technologies<\/a>, Solid Power<\/a> and SomaLogic<\/a> (CU Boulder).<\/p>\n Expanding pathways for founders<\/p>\n Apply to the Techstars Boulder Accelerator<\/p>\n Join the 10,000+ founders who built their businesses with Techstars! Each company receives funding, access to the worldwide network of investors, hands-on mentorship, and over $4 million of perks.<\/p>\n Apply Now<\/a><\/p>\n CU Boulder\u2019s students and faculty will engage with Techstars staff, mentors and alumni through university entrepreneurship programs such as the New Venture Challenge<\/a> and Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator<\/a>. The collaboration will also create opportunities for Techstars founders to work with CU Boulder researchers and students while accessing specialized facilities and technical expertise.<\/p>\n For startups emerging from the university, the partnership opens a direct pathway to Techstars\u2019 accelerator programs and investor network.<\/p>\n \u201cThis collaboration brings together two communities deeply committed to building great companies,\u201d said Shay Har-Noy\u00a0<\/a>, managing director of Techstars Boulder. \u201cCU Boulder consistently produces exceptional research, founders and high-potential companies. By working closely, we can help even more of these teams scale into enduring, world-class businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTechstars Boulder just opened applications for its first new cohort, kicking off in person this September,\u201d said Har-Noy, \u201cWe\u2019re passionate about backing the strongest founders and companies from CU Boulder, across Colorado and from around the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Strengthening Colorado\u2019s innovation economy<\/p>\n The partnership strengthens the connection between CU Boulder\u2019s research and academic mission and the global startup community while expanding opportunities for founders emerging from the university.<\/p>\n