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Whether you're developing new technologies, pioneering creative works or advancing scientific discoveries, Venture Partners at 麻豆原创 provides support to help transform your ideas into real-world solutions鈥攚hile 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 鈥� 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 麻豆原创, 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鈥攁lso offered through Venture Partners鈥攁nd 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.

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

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鈥檚 West Gate, Creative Destruction Lab, Techstars and Activate, further validating the program鈥檚 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

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 S谩nchez Montes (麻豆原创 Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering Department), Founder and CEO

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

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 (麻豆原创 Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences), Founder, Principal Investigator; Jason Rivas (麻豆原创 Materials Science & Engineering Program), Research Engineer; Subrata Pal (麻豆原创 Chemistry), Research Engineer; Dhiman Nandi (麻豆原创 Chemistry), Research Engineer

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

BoldRF LLC

BoldRF is a spin-off from Microwave Research Lab at 麻豆原创, 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 (麻豆原创 Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder, CEO; Zoya Popovic (麻豆原创 Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Co-Founder; Marisha Parikh (麻豆原创 Lockheed Martin Engineering Management Program), Head of Business; Sarah Johns (undergraduate student, 麻豆原创 Leeds School of Business), Business Strategist; Stephanie Torres (undergraduate student, 麻豆原创 Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering), Gary Dolsen, Industrial Mentor

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. 麻豆原创 Embark Entrepreneur in Residence); Kris Obernyer, VP of Product; Jianliang Xiao (麻豆原创 Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator, Lead Advisor

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

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 (麻豆原创 Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

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

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. 麻豆原创 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, 麻豆原创 Business), CEO, Co-Founder; Mark Rentschler (麻豆原创 Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering), Principal Investigator

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

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: 麻豆原创 Biochemistry), CEO; Alec Santiago, COO; Michael Stowell (麻豆原创 Molecular Cellular & Developmental Biology), CTO; Thomas Fallon, Advisor

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. 麻豆原创 Embark Entrepreneur in Residence), CEO, Co-Founder; Daniel Callen, CSO, Co-Founder; Tom LaRocca, CRO, Co-Founder (fmr. 麻豆原创 Integrative Physiology)

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness, Biotech, Therapeutics

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 (麻豆原创 Chemical and Biological Engineering), CEO; Nadia Jorgenson (麻豆原创 Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CTO; Anthony Straub (麻豆原创 Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), CSO

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

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 (麻豆原创 Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering), Chief Engineer; Greg Whiting (麻豆原创 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

WindSenseAI 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 (麻豆原创 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 鈥� Mon, 05/12/2025 - 12:07

Forbes鈥擲ince 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 鈥� Thu, 05/08/2025 - 11:11

CU Connections鈥擳he 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鈥檚 standing as a national leader in research, innovation and real-world impact. At 麻豆原创, 53% of the campus鈥檚 patents have been licensed commercially.

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麻豆原创 awards pre-seed funding to alum鈥檚 promising GPS spin-off

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 06 May 2025 18:28:58 +0000

麻豆原创 awards pre-seed funding to alum鈥檚 promising GPS spin-off Daniel Corbin 鈥� Tue, 05/06/2025 - 12:28

Heather Hansen

Venture Partners at 麻豆原创 bridged a historic investment gap to move a deep tech spin-off a step closer to the marketplace by awarding $100,000 in pre-seed funding to PrecisionTerra, founded by CEO Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan (alum, 麻豆原创 Physics). Gopalakrishnan went on to win $144,000 in additional funding for the company in the 2025 New Venture Challenge.

Venture Partners created the pre-seed fund to help bridge the so-called 鈥渧alley of death鈥� between research and commercialization, where even high-potential start-ups can sometimes get lost, said Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. 鈥淲hen somebody creates an innovation with broad potential to be translated out into a new venture, there is now funding to support the earliest stages of that new company,鈥� said Rees. 鈥淭his was a missing piece.鈥�

With the new funding mechanism, the university supports company founders translating 麻豆原创 innovations with high potential for broad, real-world applications, said Rees. The fund is intended to help startups as they prepare for outside investment, a critical moment on their path to commercialization.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a demonstration of the university's commitment to innovation and to its faculty,鈥� said Rees. 鈥淔or 麻豆原创 to be a destination of choice for the most innovative faculty and students, it鈥檚 critical that we support and resource our innovators, and having this new investment mechanism, a pre-seed investment fund, is a really important part of that. This complements the many upstream funding resources, like the Lab Venture Challenge, and downstream resources, like Buff Gold Ventures.鈥�

PrecisionTerra is commercializing a cutting-edge software solution that enhances coverage in GPS-degraded environments where signals are weak, including those with 鈥榲ertical distractions鈥� such as tall buildings, deep canyons or even large trees. The breakthrough technology, which improves the signal strength of GNSS receivers, was developed by Jade Morton (麻豆原创 Ann and H.J. Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences), director of the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research and leader of the Satellite Navigation and Sensing Laboratory.

The tech addresses a critical market need in industries where poor GPS quality undermines performance, including mapping, autonomous vehicles and military operations. 鈥淲hat excites me about Dr. Morton's technology is its potential to improve the reliability of positioning systems used in mission-critical applications where human safety and economic stability are of utmost importance,鈥� said Gopalakrishnan. 鈥淭hink collision avoidance for autonomous vehicles, autonomous planting and harvesting operations for large-scale farming, and military navigation in active war zones.鈥�

But what is "commercialization?"

The path to commercialization鈥攁lso known as "research translation" or "tech transfer"鈥攃an 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.

An exceptional partnership

As an undergraduate, Gopalakrishnan was a Boettcher scholar and pursued a passion for engineering, entrepreneurship and dance. Post-graduation, she celebrates an enduring connection to the university and to strengthening community bonds. On a whim during the pandemic, Gopalakrishnan began volunteering as a mentor with Venture Partners and has seen several of those entrepreneurs develop flourishing, impactful companies.

Passionate about solving large-scale problems by leveraging frontier technology, Gopalakrishnan founded PrecisionTerra as an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) in the inaugural cohort of the Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator. Embark is a Venture Partners鈥� program that matches entrepreneurs with promising CU innovations and provides intellectual property (IP) rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to selected EIRs.

Through Embark, Gopalakrishnan and others explored Venture Partners鈥� curated portfolio of 麻豆原创 technologies. 鈥淭hese were some of our top technologies that we believe could be, and should be, a startup,鈥� said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners. Once Gopalakrishnan learned more about Morton鈥檚 remarkable research, she knew she wanted to form a company around it and pitched a commercialization plan to land the six-month spot as an EIR.

The Venture Partners鈥� team was impressed with Gopalakrishnan鈥檚 pitch, said Zgagacz. She had already tested the technology and engaged in customer discovery with big and small companies through the NSF I-Corps: Hub West Region programming offered through Venture Partners to find out how Morton鈥檚 GPS technology could meet their needs. 鈥淏ecause Maithreyi has the technical background and the entrepreneurial background, she鈥檚 really the full package,鈥� said Zgagacz.

New Venture Challenge Deep Tech category judges Blair Simpson, principal, Denver Angels (left), and Joey Money, consultant, IndustriSpark (right), celebrate as D4 investments partner Kelly Coyne (center, left) hands Precision Terra founder and CEO Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan her $144,000 first prize check. Photo: Glenn Asakawa, 麻豆原创.

In addition to Embark, Gopalakrishnan took part in other 麻豆原创 programs, including the New Venture Challenge, and has managed Catalyze CU and been a mentor for other aspiring entrepreneurs. It鈥檚 that long-term relationship and the fact that Gopalakrishnan has been an 鈥渆xceptional partner,鈥� said Rees, that made PrecisionTerra an obvious choice for the new pre-seed funding. 鈥淚n Maithreyi, we鈥檙e attracting the interest of very talented entrepreneurs who want to be a part of the university鈥檚 entrepreneurial ecosystem,鈥� he said.

Moving the needle forward

Already, PrecisionTerra has letters of intent from prospective customers and at least one cooperative agreement in place with a large GPS receiver manufacturer that is loaning the company some hardware to test software capabilities over the coming months. Gopalakrishnan emphasized that a software solution for GPS signal-weak environments is attractive to existing companies because it doesn鈥檛 require manufacturing new chips or motherboards which are lengthy and costly upgrades.

PrecisionTerra now has a fully operational end-to-end, software-based GPS signal processor. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not yet a complete product, but it鈥檚 absolutely the foundation we need to do validation testing,鈥� said Gopalakrishnan. The new pre-seed funding, combined with competition winnings and additional pre-seed funding from outside sources, will allow the company to hire a summer staff to perform critical testing proving how the PrecisionTerra鈥檚 tech bests what is on the market today.

鈥淚 was really honored to receive funding, and I think it鈥檚 going to be tremendously helpful in accelerating some early testing that we need to do,鈥� said Gopalakrishnan. 鈥淲e can take those results, go to prospective customers and say, 鈥楾his is a commercial grade device and you can see how much more effective our ability to track GPS signals is鈥欌€攁nd that would really move the needle forward for us as a company.鈥�

Innovation incubator

The new pre-seed funding is the latest element complementing a robust ecosystem attracting the best researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to 麻豆原创, said Rees. 鈥淭he environment that we鈥檝e created here in Venture Partners is an incubator through which founders can really prove themselves."

Gopalakrishnan credits Rees and colleagues for being there every step of the way, from curating outstanding innovations to PrecisionTerra鈥檚 founding and where the company is now. 鈥淎t this point, Venture Partners really feels almost like a family that is there for me and has my back. They鈥檙e always thinking about ways and opportunities to provide us with support,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all so valuable.鈥�

In PrecisionTerra, Rees sees both proof of concept in how university innovators can imagine their work translated to commercial products (even if they don鈥檛 want to be the ones running the company) and how entrepreneurs can take that baton and carry it forward. 鈥淢aithreyi and others have laid out a great model of how to engage with the university, build a new venture, and get this initial investment. It鈥檚 a replicable model that others are already doing well,鈥� said Rees. 鈥淎nd the more, the better.鈥�

Winning big at the Boulder Theater

Most recently, PrecisionTerra garnered significant recognition at 麻豆原创鈥檚 2025 New Venture Challenge (NVC) Finals, where entrepreneurial teams of 麻豆原创 students, faculty and staff competed for a share of $325,000 in funding. Gopalakrishnan鈥檚 pitch secured the top prize of $144,000 in the newly introduced Deep Tech Category, which focuses on ventures built around scientific or technological innovations, a partnership between Venture Partners and NVC.

The recognition and funding from CU鈥檚 top-ranked entrepreneurial competition not only underscores PrecisionTerra's potential impact but also highlights the entrepreneurial spirit and opportunity fostered within 麻豆原创's vibrant startup ecosystem.

What can we do together?

Find partners and opportunities for your innovation

Explore investing in and partnering with CU researchers

Explore the Path to Commercialization

Venture Partners at 麻豆原创 bridged a historic investment gap to move a deep tech spin-off a step closer to the marketplace by awarding $100,000 in pre-seed funding to PrecisionTerra, founded by CEO Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan (alum, 麻豆原创 Physics). Gopalakrishnan went on to win $144,000 in additional funding for the company in the 2025 New Venture Challenge.

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The coolest technology in the universe

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:24:08 +0000

The coolest technology in the universe Daniel Corbin 鈥� Mon, 04/14/2025 - 13:24

Heather Hansen

Infleqtion鈥檚 star continues to rise as Colorado鈥檚 quantum hub grows. The company of firsts, spun out of 麻豆原创 as ColdQuanta, seems to be everywhere these days, including outer space, while commercializing pioneering research to address needs across several critical markets including positioning, navigating and timing, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing.

Dana Anderson, Glenn L. Murphy Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Professor of Physics and JILA Fellow, 2024

It was decades ago but Dana Anderson (JILA, 麻豆原创 College of Arts and Sciences and College of Engineering and Applied Science) still recalls well the day his research took a major turn. 鈥淚 started to do atoms instead of photons,鈥� he said. While Anderson makes it sound like a subtle shift鈥揻ocusing on atoms and subatomic particles instead of particles of light (lasers)鈥搕hat move has contributed significantly to the present and future of quantum technologies worldwide.

Anderson, now Infleqtion鈥檚 chief technology officer, then began focusing on cold atom inertial sensing, a process in which ultra-cold atoms (cooled to near absolute zero) are used to precisely measure forces like rotation and acceleration. That unprecedented accuracy is based on leveraging atoms鈥� wave-like nature in a controlled quantum state. It was groundbreaking work also built on a strong foundation of quantum innovation at 麻豆原创 spanning decades and (up to that point) two Nobel Prizes.

That was the mid-1990s and, around the same time, Anderson鈥檚 JILA colleagues, NIST fellow Eric Cornell and 麻豆原创 physicist Carl Wieman, created a never-before-seen state of matter called the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), in which ultracold atoms coalesce into a single 鈥渟uperatom鈥� with uniform properties. They received the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physics for that work, shared with MIT physicist Wolfgang Ketterle and 70 years after Albert Einstein predicted BECs could exist based on the work of Satyenda Bose. 鈥淏oy, that鈥檚 going to be useful,鈥� Anderson recalls thinking at the time, imagining BEC being used to dramatically boost the performance of various devices, including accelerometers, gyroscopes, gravimeters and magnetometers. 鈥淚 felt that it would change the world,鈥� he said.

Following the BEC breakthrough, the trio went on to guide cold atoms through hollow core optical fibers, leading to Anderson and Cornell鈥檚鈥渁tom chip鈥� work and Anderson鈥檚 group demonstrating the first ultracold atom chip 鈥減ortable vacuum system鈥� in 2004. Those innovative techniques created a controlled environment for Anderson and others to study and manipulate atoms, a critical step in developing technologies like atomic clocks, quantum sensors and quantum computers.

鈥淪lowly building the technology鈥�

Dana Anderson poses with a spectrum analyzer in a laboratory at JILA. Photo: JILA, 1980.

As a 鈥渂orn and raised physicist,鈥� said Anderson, he鈥檚 always looking for practical applications for cutting-edge science. 鈥淚鈥檓 an applied physicist, so I like to do things that are useful,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 have to happen tomorrow but be useful sooner or later.鈥� In those earlier days of quantum research, making that transition meant landing grants from the U.S. Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). That funding, said Anderson, 鈥渁llowed us to focus on developing the technology and getting it out into the world.鈥� During that time, they solved many problems, said Anderson. 鈥淲e were struggling and making mistakes like gangbusters and trying this and trying that, and slowly building the technology,鈥� he said.

In 2007, Anderson made the first critical leap from lab to market when he founded ColdQuanta with the goal of streamlining devices for BEC experiments using the technology discovered at CU. After receiving a $100,000 proof of concept investment from what was then the CU Technology Transfer Office (now Venture Partners at 麻豆原创), ColdQuanta earned contracts from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, NASA and the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Josh Bennett, assistant director of licensing at Venture Partners, now manages much of the university鈥檚 portfolio of quantum technologies, and he sees Infleqtion鈥檚 success as key to both advancing quantum research worldwide and paving the way for new quantum spinouts from CU. 鈥淪ince they were the first real quantum company out of Colorado to translate their research into a commercial entity, and they鈥檝e become a leader globally in their research and in their work, I think it鈥檚 fair to say that without Infleqtion (or ColdQuanta), we wouldn鈥檛 be seeing all these other quantum spin-outs in the last two, three years,鈥� he said.

Infleqtion laid the groundwork for several other 麻豆原创 quantum companies now working with Venture Partners, including Icarus Quantum, Flari Tech and Mesa Quantum. Today, through Venture Partners (the commercialization arm for 麻豆原创, CU Denver鈥檚 physical sciences and UCCS), the entrepreneurs behind these startups have myriad programs to help get their ventures off the ground.

But what is "commercialization?"

What distinguishes Infleqtion today, said Scott Sternberg, executive director of the CUbit Quantum Initiative, is their ability to combine the capabilities of quantum phenomenon with highly engineered platforms that focus on customer usability. 鈥淚nfleqtion embodies the vibrant campus efforts to support the translation of fundamental discovery towards product realization and company growth,鈥� said Sternberg. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have such a great company, forged here in Boulder, that now leads the international quantum community.鈥�

Beyond proving that quantum tech can lead to a compelling business entity, Infleqtion blazed the trail to Colorado becoming a national quantum hub, said Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for innovation and partnerships. He points to Anderson鈥檚 important role in boosting Elevate Quantum, a consortium of over 120 quantum-focused organizations in Colorado, Wyoming and New Mexico. 鈥淸Infleqtion] has become an international quantum success and sensation,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey're now a big-time player.鈥�

Inflection points

Anderson recalls well how most people responded when he first started pitching the concept of commercializing quantum tech. Looking back on his first quantum-related NSF proposal nearly 20 years ago, he said, 鈥淣ow those [concepts] seem right in the thick of things but back then most people said, 鈥楾his is too unrealistic鈥�. That鈥檚 what it was like.鈥� Anderson knew that he was on the fringe, especially at a time when most people still used flip phones. 鈥淲e were crazy people that were really gung-ho, and yet, we certainly didn't have a good business 鈥榮tory鈥�,鈥� said Anderson. 鈥淏ut I just believed that quantum was going to be important.鈥�

Now quantum technology promises to revolutionize industries from computing, healthcare, defense, energy, finance and beyond. Building on decades of research from Anderson and others, Infleqtion is driving advances in that burgeoning ecosystem. The company now offers quantum hardware and software products鈥攆rom quantum clocks and sensors, positioning components and glass cells containing cold atoms to quantum computers and quantum-enabled, AI-driven software.

Several years ago, Anderson famously took ultracold atoms (around 10 million of them) out of the lab and onto his own plane, to test the robustness of his team鈥檚 magneto-optical trap. Not long after that, it was deployed by NASA for use on the International Space Station, making it what could be called the 鈥榗oolest鈥� tech in the universe. 鈥淲hen we commercialized a Bose Einstein condensation machine鈥� including making things very small,鈥� said Anderson, 鈥淣ASA noticed and said, 鈥楲et's put it up into space鈥�. And that was terribly important for our growing up.鈥�

Research labs and commercial entities worldwide are now using Infleqtion鈥檚 products to generate high-value information and improve reliability and performance in quantum computing. Customers and collaborators include the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the Japanese Moonshot Program, the UK鈥檚 National Quantum Computing Centre and the Defense Cyber Marvel 3, a global cyber defense competition..

Infleqtion is also now participating in the first round of the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 (DOE) newly formed Quantum & Space Collaboration. The collaboration aims to use quantum tech to move the needle forward in national security, energy/sustainability and economic interests.

Infleqtion's cloud-based quantum matter machine, 鈥淎lbert, named TIME's Best Inventions. Photo: TIME, 2022

In 2022, ColdQuanta adopted the trade name Infleqtion to mark the company鈥檚 transition from research and development of quantum technology to deploying it for commercial uses. The company has now been through two successful rounds of funding, most recently raising $110 million in its Series B round in 2022. TIME magazine also named the company鈥檚 cloud-based quantum matter machine, dubbed 鈥淎lbert,鈥� as one of its 2022 Best Inventions. Infleqtion鈥檚 software platform recently secured a $1.15 million DOE grant, paving the way for energy-efficient computing.

Of all its latest advances, Anderson is most enthusiastic about Oqtant, a first-of-its-kind quantum innovation platform launched last year that democratizes quantum discovery and invention by giving researchers, innovators and students access to quantum matter via BECs where they can create, manipulate and study quantum phenomena鈥攁nd all they need is internet access. 鈥淚鈥檓 extremely excited about Oqtant,鈥� said Anderson. 鈥淓veryone having the building blocks of our universe at their fingertips points us toward a new age of exploration and discovery.鈥�

Anderson is gratified to see that he and his colleagues' own 'eureka' quantum moments of long ago are finally being realized on a larger scale. Infleqtion鈥檚 readiness to meet that new understanding and demand has meant quantum leaps in the company鈥檚 recent growth. 鈥淲e knew that BEC was going to be big, and we鈥檙e seeing that now,鈥� he said.

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Infleqtion鈥檚 star continues to rise as Colorado鈥檚 quantum hub grows. The company of firsts, spun out of 麻豆原创 as ColdQuanta, seems to be everywhere these days, including outer space, while commercializing pioneering research to address needs across several critical markets including positioning, navigating and timing, global communication security and efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum computing.

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The internal hardware of Infleqtion's neutral atom quantum computing platform. Photo: Infleqtion, 2025.

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The internal hardware of Infleqtion's neutral atom quantum computing platform. Photo: Infleqtion, 2025.

Find the market for your innovation

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 22:06:23 +0000

Find the market for your innovation Daniel Corbin 鈥� Tue, 04/08/2025 - 16:06

Could your research, invention or creative idea make an impact beyond the academic world? The National Science Foundation鈥檚 I-Corps^TM programs offer the ideal starting point. Designed to help those new to commercialization explore the market potential of their innovations, I-Corps serves as a practical and accessible first step for anyone looking to translate their discoveries into real-world solutions.

Why start with I-Corps?

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.

Fund your research or creative work through commercialization: transform your ideas into real-world solutions鈥攚hile securing funding to advance your work.

For some, commercialization can feel far removed from their academic goals. But what if the process aligned with your mission to create a meaningful impact? The NSF I-Corps program provides a structured, supportive pathway for exploring how your innovation could address real-world challenges鈥攚ith no prior entrepreneurial experience.

麻豆原创 is a national leader in the NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region, a collaboration with universities across the West, including University of Southern California, University of California, Los Angeles, California Institute of Technology, University of California (Riverside and Santa Barbara), 麻豆原创, Colorado State University, University of Utah, Colorado School of Mines, University of New Mexico.

As part of I-Corps Hub West, 麻豆原创 (through Venture Partners at 麻豆原创, part of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Research & Innovation Office) offers hands-on regional I-Corps programs open to researchers, faculty, students and staff from any discipline or institution.

That programming begins with the introductory three-week Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop and advances through the four-week Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program. Teams are then primed to pursue the National I-Corps Teams Program, where they can win a $50,000 grant.

Through I-Corps, you will:

Conduct customer discovery to understand market needs and pain points.
Assess the commercial potential of your idea in a supportive environment.
Develop the commercialization mindset needed to move your innovation forward.

Real results, real impact

I-Corps has helped countless entrepreneurs and nontraditional innovators take their first steps toward commercialization. Participants leave with a clearer understanding of their innovation鈥檚 market potential and a roadmap for next steps, whether that means pursuing funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs or the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), applying for the National I-Corps program where teams can further advance their innovation and win $50,000, or connecting with industry partners for licensing opportunities.

麻豆原创 companies like PAGE Technologies, Mesa Quantum and Vitro3D began their journey with customer discovery and market validation鈥攅ssential skills gained through I-Corps programming.

How I-Corps fits into the path to commercialization

I-Corps and Venture Partners empower CU innovators to take the lead in translating their discoveries into real-world applications, providing guidance and opportunities to support your journey, whether you want to launch a startup, collaborate with industry or license your technology.

Entrepreneurship isn鈥檛 for everyone. Venture Partners can also help connect you with industry partners or experienced entrepreneurs who can drive commercialization forward on your behalf鈥攅nsuring that your discoveries make an impact without requiring you to leave academia.

Whether your journey leads to licensing agreements, starting your own venture or collaborations with entrepreneurs, Venture Partners helps ensure your success.

Take the first step today

Your work at CU could be the foundation for the next groundbreaking innovation. NSF I-Corps and Venture Partners are here to help you explore your innovation鈥檚 potential. With no prior experience required and a supportive, inclusive environment, there鈥檚 no better way to begin your journey.

Learn more and apply to the I-Corps program here. Whether you鈥檙e ready to disclose an innovation or simply want to explore the possibilities, I-Corps is your stepping-off point for turning ideas into impact.

What can we do together?

Find partners and opportunities for your innovation

Explore investing in and partnering with CU researchers