Want to get more involved with entrepreneurship and innovation? Below is a list of workshops, talks, challenges, conferences, and more hosted both by Mines as well as by our partners and organizations around the world.
Have an event you’d like featured? Please email your event’s name, date, and a brief description to Lexie Mitchell.
October 18, 2018 from 6-8pm
RVC & Traxion Golden Angels Investor Forum at the Colorado School of Mines (FOR ACCREDITED INVESTORS)
This Investor Forum will enable area Angel investors to meet with two company founders who will present their company and the investment opportunity. After the presentations, investors will meet for an in-depth discussion about the strength of the investment opportunities and whether the group would like to move forward with due diligence. Newcomers are welcome regardless of whether they are experienced Angels or if they are just curious. There is no requirement to invest and each investor makes personal decisions on each deal.
The forum helps to make Angel Investing fun and more efficient by pooling the wisdom, efforts and funding of many individuals and syndicating on investments. By sharing in due diligence and negotiation we are able to fund many more deals than if we pursued them as individuals.
To attend, you must be an accredited investor (net worth of at least one million US dollars, not including the value of one’s primary residence, or have made at least $200,000 each year for the last two years [or $300,000 together with his or her spouse if married] and have the expectation to make the same amount this year). We do not require a minimum investment. More Information Here
ONGOING EVENTS
Fall/Winter 2018
Traxion: Request for Industry Experts
Traxion, Golden’s local tech incubator and close ally of Mines, has several companies in their Fall program who are looking for industry experts or startup veterans willing to have short meetings or calls to provide market insight or share technical/scientific knowledge.
Here are a few specific opportunities:
– SAAS development, implementation and pricing model.
– Online sales and fulfillment for a consumer product – Amazon, international, alternatives.
– Compliance with FDA requirements for wellness consumer product marketing claims.
– Online database development.
– Oil & gas land/mineral rights owners or independent petroleum consultants.
– Selling technology products or services to the oil & gas industry.
– Early stage biotech, preferably diagnostics.
– Design and manufacturing for medical diagnostics as part of FDA approval process.
Outside of these, Traxion is also always looking to expand their network of advisors and industry experts who are willing to share information and experience with company founders. Questions? Email Traxion
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month
E&I Happy Hour: New Terrain Brewing Company
Everyone is welcome to join us at this informal happy hour! Whether you’re interested in learning more about entrepreneurship and innovation, have a startup idea you want to get feedback on, or just want to meet other like-minded people, this meet up is for you. Questions? Email Sid Saleh
NOW OPEN
The DaVinci Machines Exhibit: Denver, CO
Mines is a proud sponsor of The Da Vinci Machines Exhibit. Located in Downtown Denver in the Denver Pavilions (500 16th St. Mall), the exhibit is displaying hand-crafted inventions built from Leonardo’s 500 year old designs as well as his artistic masterpieces which have been digitally remastered for an up close and personal look at the greatest genius of all time. If you are a Mines student, staff, or faculty member make sure to bring your ID for a special discounted admission price of $7 through June 30th! More Information Here
October 24, 2018 from 5-7pm
Energy Tech Startup Funding: The Funder’s Perspective – Oskar Blues Brew & Grill (1624 Market St.)
Join us for a panel representing the spectrum of startup funding, from self-funded to VC to banking. Panelists include: Charlie Strickler, President, Conduit Resources; Jeremy Arendt, Managing Partner, Cottonwood Venture Partners; Ben Abadi, Managing Director, Energy Innovation Capital; Kelly Belcher, Director ERI Group, Silicon Valley Bank; and Abby Mercado, Venture Associate, Altira Group (Moderator).
Thanks to Silicon Valley Bank for sponsoring the evening. Come join us at a great venue, share some beer and snacks while networking, and gain some insight into Energy Tech funding from those in the know. More Information Here
Application Deadline: October 26, 2018
Innovation Crossroads
Energy entrepreneurs all over the country are coming up with revolutionary ideas that have the potential to change how America uses energy. However, these same innovators frequently face daunting challenges that delay promising ideas from entering commercial practice, including limited early-stage capital, long validation requirements, and difficulty scaling up laboratory technology to commercial scale.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory recognizes these challenges and, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Tennessee Valley Authority, has developed a program, Innovation Crossroads, to help entrepreneurs create the next generation of clean energy companies. At Innovation Crossroads, ORNL will match innovators with technology leaders, experienced mentors, and business and investment networks that can accelerate the transition of their world-changing ideas to the marketplace. More Information Here
Application Deadline: October 31, 2018
ASU Innovation Open
The ASU Innovation Open is around the corner! It’s a great funding opportunity for any student-led tech ventures who are already up and running (a good rule of thumb is if you’ve been awarded at least $5k in funding).
*Who*: The best collegiate student-led tech startups are encouraged to apply.
*What*: The third annual ASU Innovation Open. A *$100K prize*, sponsored by Avnet, is up for grabs. Winner take all; no strings attached. *Over $50K in finalist and runner-up funding*, sponsored by Zero Mass Water, ON Semi, and others, is also available. Learn more: http://winasu.io/
*When*: Apply by October 31, 2018 with a standard 5-minute video pitch. Apply here: http://winasu.io/how-to-apply/
*Where*: Semi-finalist and finalist ventures will be invited to pitch in metro Phoenix later this year and early next year.
*Why*: Check out this 30 second promo video: https://youtu.be/743kgpuL7m4
Ongoing Starting NOW: Several Rounds Available
JUMP into STEM: Online National Innovation Competition
JUMP into STEM is an online crowdsourcing community, launched by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in 2015 designed to motivate student engagement in STEM field research and innovation. ORNL is collaborating with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to offer JUMP into STEM Challenges that will culminate in a Final Event competition to select and award up to 6 paid summer internships at ORNL or NREL. More Information Here