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. If you have an event you’d like added to the calendar, please email Dr. Werner Kuhr.
Sign up to ATTEND the Summit | February 5, 2021
Get your virtual seat early! Sign up to attend The Energy Venture Investment Summit FREE by February 5th. Discover emerging energy technology, alternative energy and traditional oil and gas start-up ventures present their business plan to a captive audience of institutional and hedge fund investors, private equity, high net worth investors and commercial investment bankers.
EnerCom, Inc., a nationally recognized management consultancy, and Colorado School of Mines, a leading public research university focused on science and engineering, announced today that it will host the first annual The Energy Venture Investment Summit presented by Colorado School of Mines and EnerCom Wednesday, February 10th – Thursday, February 11th 2021. Due to the pandemic, the conference will be hosted virtually on EnerCom’s proprietary energy news platform, Oil & Gas 360®, targeting more than 25,000 energy professionals and investors.
Register Here
Join Mines community virtually as we celebrate the launch of the MINES@150 Campaign.
The McNeil Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation goals for MINES@150 include the Labriola Innovation Hub programing and student engagement.
Mines Create48
Mines inventathon put on by Mines Democratize Creativity Club.
What is Create48?
Create48 is a weekend-long inventathon that allows Mines students to group up and create a unique invention prototype to solve real-world problems! Through rapid-prototyping and a “fail fast” mentality, student teams will brainstorm, sketch, design, and build a brand new “pretotype”, that will then be presented to judges. Inventions are judged off of design, purpose & value, as well as practicality and function. Backed by Mines faculty and the E&I department, the goal of this event is to provide more creative learning experiences for Mines students, and promote the implementation of entrepreneurship around campus.
What do we need from you?
We are asking for 4 hours of your time, Sunday morning, September 6th (Labor Day Weekend). Mentors will provide feedback to teams, during 30 minute sessions via Zoom (or in person if willing). This will help students refine their ideas before they present to the panel of judges. I’m reaching out to you, because I think that you’d be a great fit. This group has a wide variety of skills and backgrounds that would greatly benefit the students involved.
We’d love to have your expertise and creative minds at this event! We are working quickly to pivot plans to follow coronavirus regulations, so we will provide a full itinerary very soon.
I’ve provided a Google Form below, please fill it out with your response. This might be the first time some of you are hearing about Democratize Creativity and Create48, so please shoot me any questions you have about these topics. I would greatly appreciate your input!
Please Fill out this form with your Response: https://forms.gle/1wQQu2VF6dVWZh4RA
Innovate EMx Information Session
Wednesday, Aug. 12 | 4:00 PM
Join today for our last information session on Innovate EMx. Bring your questions or scheduling concerns and we’ll give you answers.
GET READY FOR MINES EMX HACKATHON
PAST EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Award Ceremony for EMx Flash Challenge
Wednesday April 29, 2020 | 5 -6 PM | Online
Join the movement at MinesX to register for the event and receive details on the event
Or email jennycrawford@mines.edu for more details.
Virtual Happy Hour this Wednesday with your Region VIII FEMA Team
Wednesday April 15, 2020 | 6 -8 PM | Online
Join the movement at MinesX to register for the event and receive details on the event
Or email jennycrawford@mines.edu for more details.
EMx FLASH CHALLANGE
Part One: Define the Problem.
April 18 | 10 AM – 12 PM | Online
- Free Lunch e-Coupon
- Cash Prizes
- Open to any Colorado Higher Education student.
Join the movement at MinesX to register for our EMx Challenges. After you become a member MinesX will send you detailed information and updates on EMx Challenges.
For more information please email Jenny Crawford at jennycrawford@mines.edu
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE SERIES
BROWN HALL 269 | THURSDAY, MARCH 12 | 4 PM – 5:30 PM
Please join us for an engaging roundtable of entrepreneurial Mines. This roundtable series will give participants a platform to explore the multiple ways to innovate through entrepreneurial thinking. We will explore the contemporary challenges of innovating a business model to capture value effectively and responsibly. Our aim is to crowdsource the best out-of-the-building thinking while grounding the discussions in rigorous methods and promising research.
GUEST ENTREPRENEUR: DYLAN DAVIS
Dylan Davis is currently seeking advice from experienced professionals for his web-based lobbying startup company. Dylan’s goal is to use existing technology (i.e. the internet) to build up democratic infrastructure by allowing a greater number of American citizens to have an active role in their government. Some of the unique ideas of Dylan’s company include, but are not limited to, easy access to political information, the ability to connect and engage in movements, and eventually the ability to start one’s own movement. The purpose of this company is to focus on issues, rather than political parties, to bring awareness to the many problems that shape our everyday lives. The business is still in the very early stages of development, so any insights and opinions are welcomed! Dylan asks that you skim the attached document to familiarize yourself with the details of his intent for the business (a copy of this will also be given at the roundtable). Please RSVP by Wednesday, March 11, and we look forward to seeing you at this session of our business model roundtable series!
Thursday, February 27, 2020 | 12:00PM – 1:30PM | Arthur Lakes Library: Boettcher
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PATENTING IN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
Presented by Rich Levine, Adjunct Instructor in Law
Free lunch for registered attendees
This workshop is part of the Modern Research 501 workshop series. The Modern Researcher 501 is a workshop series aiming to provide early career researchers with tips, tools, and best practices across the research lifecycle.
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Colorado School of Mines campus, Green Center
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Careers
The Colorado School of Mines Career Center is collaborating with the Natural Resources and Energy Policy program to host a career presentation and networking event on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Careers.
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE SERIES
MARQUEZ 235 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Please join us for an engaging roundtable of entrepreneurial Mines. This roundtable series will give participants a platform to explore the multiple ways to innovate through entrepreneurial thinking. We will explore the contemporary challenges of innovating a business model to capture value effectively and responsibly. Our aim is to crowdsource the best out-of-the-building thinking while grounding the discussions in rigorous methods and promising research.
GUEST COMPANY
In the quest for stronger health and motion analytics, the first step is data collection. Cipher Skin has developed a patented sensor technology that revolutionizes the way data on human movement is collected, reported, analyzed and monitored. With greater quantity and quality of data collected, Cipher Skin is leading the way towards a new field of predictive health and performance optimization.
Saturday, January 18
FUTURE CITY COMPETITION:
Colorado’s Brightest 6th, 7th, & 8th Graders Present Their Solution For Clean Water – Tap Into Tomorrow
Students Compete in Regional Finals at College of The Green Center at Colorado School of Mines Engineering
For more information contact Lizzie Meyer at (515)419-9944
January 7
Innovate Defense | H4D
All disciplines are welcome (graduates and exceptional undergraduates). Enrollment is limited.
SOLVE REAL PROBLEMS. MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.
Apply Your Knowledge, Skills and Creativity to Challenging Problems. Discover Your Untapped Potential. Learn how to design and test solutions to important national security problems with speed, urgency and creativity. You’ll learn how to develop technology solutions to solve important national security problems, use beneficiary discovery and business model development, while applying entrepreneurial principles & problem validation to actual national security problems
Problems for Spring 2020:
- Tracking Security Clearances – CO National Guard
- Cultivating Talent – CO National Guard
- Let’s Warm Up! – Mountain Home Air Force Base
- SCIF in a Box – US Air Force
- Approving Tactics for Rapidly Delivered Space Systems – US Air Force Space Command (AFSPC)
- Identification of Inspection Topics – US Air Force Inspection Agency
- Getting Home Safe Shouldn’t Be Difficult – FE Warren Air Force Base
- Modern Government Innovation Practices – US Air Force Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP)
- RS Denver Poolee Development – US Marine Corps
Thursday, December 5 at 8:30am
The 2019 Henderson Challenge Final Shark Pitches
CTLM 102
Continental breakfast starts at 8:30 am
The Shark pitches start at 9:15 am
The winners are announced at 12:00 noon.
The 2019 Henderson Challenge is brought to you by Mines, Freeport McMoRan, Climax Molybdenum and the Henderson Mine. Teams of Mines students and faculty and alumni mentors have been working on the CHARGE: Develop a concept for the Sustainable repurposing of the Henderson Mine’s mill facilities and land holdings that is economically sustainable, socially acceptable and provides a positive and lasting legacy to the community.
We have five great teams in the final competition, and they have been working on creative, interdisciplinary ideas with positive impacts for Clear Creek, Summit and Grand Counties. What innovative and sustainable concepts will the student teams develop?
The final project presentations will result in three prize winners – first place team receives $25,000, and the second and third places receive $15,000 and $10,000 respectively.
HEALTH INNOVATION NOW: CONVERSATION WITH DR. MATTHIAS HEYDEN FROM ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Wednesday, October 28, 2020 | 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Zoom link: https://mines.zoom.us/j/94933603651?pwd=R3NxZ2RodEo3RHdrOGl5MW9PTS9PZz09
Solvent-Mediated Driving Forces in (Bio)Molecular System
Understanding direct intermolecular interactions in atomistic simulations on a qualitative or even semi-quantitative level is relatively straightforward with simplified empirical models that include just enough detail. For example, we can understand the consequences of Pauli repulsion and dispersion interactions between atoms or molecules using the Lennard-Jones potential. Likewise, we can understand electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bond formation between molecules using fitted partial charges that are assigned to individual atoms. All of the above are essential ingredients of molecular mechanics force fields used in atomistic molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations.
However, even in such simplified representations of reality, one quickly realizes that in condensed systems, such as liquids and solutions, additional forces are at play, which are less trivial to describe. The latter are solvent-mediated interactions that result from the preferential solvation or desolvation of molecular interfaces and associated free energy changes. These interactions cannot be understood in terms of individual microstates (i.e. sets of coordinates), but require a thermodynamic ensemble for the solvent molecules. A popular example are hydrophobic interactions, which have been associated with protein folding and stability and many other self-assembly processes. However, also so-called hydrophilic solvent-mediated interactions are frequently observed in the form of water-mediated hydrogen bonds. Quantifying such indirect intermolecular interactions is non-trivial, but fundamentally important for our understanding of thermodynamic driving forces in chemistry and biochemistry.
We develop specialized tools that allow us to analyze solvation-induced free energy changes from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations with spatial resolution. Our methods allow us to compare the solvation of simple organic molecules with distinct substitution patterns, to quantify solvent-mediated interactions involved in protein conformational changes and complex formation, and to study the role of solvation for conformational ensembles of intrinsically disordered proteins.
Join Zoom link: https://mines.zoom.us/j/94933603651?pwd=R3NxZ2RodEo3RHdrOGl5MW9PTS9PZz09
Contact Judith Klein for more details judithklein@mines.edu
HEALTH INNOVATION NOW: CONVERSATION WITH BIOLOOMICS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15TH , 2020 AT 12:30 P.M. TO 1:45 P.M.
Join us for the conversation with Bioloomics, a Colorado Biotechnology Company specializing in the development of in vivo biosensors and drug discovery.
Join Zoom link: https://mines.zoom.us/j/94933603651?pwd=R3NxZ2RodEo3RHdrOGl5MW9PTS9PZz09
Contact Judith Klein for more details judithklein@mines.edu
HEALTH INNOVATION NOW: CONVERSATION WITH VELOCE DIGITAL- SMARTTAB
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8TH , 2020 AT 12:30 P.M. TO 1:45 P.M.
Join us for the conversation with Veloce Digital- SmartTab , a digital medicine company to know about their smart injectables and how they transform into ingestibles for oral biologics and the progress as a startup in the future of digital medicine.
Join Zoom link: https://mines.zoom.us/j/94933603651?pwd=R3NxZ2RodEo3RHdrOGl5MW9PTS9PZz09
Password: 362850
MINES@CATALYST RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
This exciting live online event will celebrate Mine’s history and future in health research. Opening remarks from Colorado School of Mines, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Catalyst Health Technology Integrator research leadership. The research symposium live break-out sessions will include health and bio research presentations, particularly our long-standing research collaboration with Children’s Hospital Colorado. This event is open to the public. Please join us online Wednesday, September 2, 20 20. Opening speakers will be: Dr. Paul Johnson, President, Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Stefanie Tompkins, VP Research & Technology, Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Frederick Suchy, MD, Assistant Dean of Research, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Mike Biselli, Partner/Owner Catalyst HTI.
For further information, please contact the Mines@Catalyst at catalyst@mines.edu
April 20, 2020 Ref: Urgent Laboratory Space Leasing Request – Greater Denver Metro Area
SARKAR-KLEIN Labs is seeking off-site laboratory space. Proposals submitted in response to this RFP shall include the minimum requirements identified in the RFP- even if those capabilities do not currently exist in that space. Proposals submitted shall include a price per square foot that reflects the total price after any design/modification/construction that may be required to meet the criteria stated in the proposal has been completed. Desired lease start date of June 1, 2020, with duration of 1 year.
MINES@CATALYST Celebration and Research Symposium
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 | Online | RSVP
Join us for an exciting evening online to learn more about Mines@Catalyst , including health and technology research in collaboration with Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Learn More Here
CALL TO ACTION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Visit Initiative for AI in Bio & Health at Catalyst, HTI to see the list of projects we have in response to COVID-19
Learn More Here
Every individual is affected and many want to help, but it is not clear how. This website and initiative, led by Mines at Catalyst and the University’s Biosciences and Engineering faculty, is out attempt to bring different industries and disciplines together, to repurpose technology, invent new technology and develop creative solutions to unprecedented problems. The expertise and capabilities needed to combat the virus require an unprecedented convergence of disciplines. We plan to facilitate communication and cooperation for AI in bio and health at the Colorado School of Mines with others interested in collaboration with us to combat the deadly virus with all of the modern arsenal of technology available to us.
Mines is well known for its expertise in technology and engineering, and with over 45 faculty working in bio and health related application areas, we have the capacity to understand the biological intricacies of a viral pandemic. The headquarter for this initiative is the Mines suite within the Catalyst Health Tech Integrator (HTI) in RiNo, where Mines is embedded in a network of industries and stakeholders in the health sector, ensuring the relevance of the collaborative infrastructure for public health in Colorado.
In response to our list of projects here, if you can take action, provide additional help, or have inquiries, or if you have a project that involves Mines and COVID-19 that you would like to see listed here, please fill out the form below or contact Judith Klein at judithklein@mines.edu
PAST EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
CIPHER SKIN
Biosleeve launch at MINES@Catalyst Suite 245
Thursday, December 12, 2019
6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
There are hundreds of pipeline breaches every year, costing billions of dollars in maintenance and damages. What if you could detect them in real time and prevent them from happening?
Cipher Skin’s patented sensor technology makes it possible to remotely monitor real-time pipeline integrity.
All-Energy-Tech Holiday Social
We’re trying to end a great year for oil & gas (said nobody) with a bang.
Invite your friends, co-workers, and peers to join us for a mass gathering of energy tech’s finest for free food and beverage, great networking, and some timely insights.
A Digital Transformation Success – The DCP Midstream Story
Bill Johnson, the Chief Transformation Officer of DCP Midstream, will be the presenter.
Bill will share the story of the successful digital transformation of DCP.
The result: over $20MM in savings, with a more empowered organization.
When: Tuesday, December 3, 5 – 7 PM
Where: Oskar Blues Brew & Grill, 1624 Market (16th / Market), downstairs
Registration is at:
A Digital Transformation Success – The DCP Midstream Story
Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00pm
Career Sustainability: Coping with rapid technology change
Join us on October 30 for an exclusive joint networking opportunity with Lehigh University. Explore our new space at Catalyst HTI (https://lnkd.in/edp_ryq) in RiNo! Our evening will include a conversation on career sustainability with industry leaders from across the Denver area. With jobs constantly evolving to reflect changes in technology and business models, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for new opportunities and to consider alternative career paths. Our panel will share their own experiences with career pivots and positioning yourself to explore new options. The program will also include our interactive networking corner and networking reception.
Get more information here: https://weare.mines.edu/s/840/19/interior.aspx?sid=840&gid=1&pgid=6081&cid=10169&ecid=10169&crid=0&calpgid=13&calcid=745
January 11-15, 2021
SBIR or Small Business Innovation Research Grants make up one of the key ways that University spinouts and innovation firms fund early-development and commercialization of their technologies. To highlight the strategic use of this program we’ve collected a dynamic week-long conference featuring experts across the Colorado and National Innovation Ecosystem January 11-15, 2021.
Basic Details:
SBIR week overview and registration links
Monday – Friday, Jan. 11-15
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Monday Just Getting Started in SBIR
Tuesday You are Writing an SBIR Proposal
Wednesday Which Federal Agency Do You Target?
Thursday Leveraging Your SBIR Money
Friday Execute on Your SBIR and Go To Market!
Apply Here
Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge
Submit your solution by January 29, 2021, at 5 pm PT
Cisco is committed to positively impacting 1 billion people by 2025. As part of our work, we seek to inspire and empower a generation of global problem solvers who will not only survive – but drive and thrive – in our increasingly digital economy. With the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital technologies connecting devices and data, good ideas now have the ability to make a difference more quickly than ever before – and they’re here to help.
Their fifth annual Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge aims to recognize new business ideas that leverage technology for social impact from early-stage entrepreneurs around the world. $1,000,000 USD in prize money will help accelerate the adoption of breakthrough technology, products, and services that drive economic development and/or solve social or environmental problems.
Apply Here
Rice Business Plan Competition
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM CST Sunday, January 17, 2021.
As one of the world’s richest and largest graduate-level student startup competition, held over April 5-9, 2021. Mines students are encouraged to participate in this year’s competition, where more than 40 select student-led, early-stage companies can pitch their ventures. More than $1 million in prizes are up for grabs.
The competition, entering its 21st year, gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company. For the second time, the event will be virtual. With no need for travel, we hope to see new and different startups applying for the competition.
Apply Here
ASU Innovation Open
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Who: The best collegiate student-led tech startups are encouraged to apply.
What: The fifth annual ASU Innovation Open. $300K in grant funding is up for grabs, including TWO winner-take-all $100K cash prizes.
When: Apply by Saturday, October 31, 2020 with a standard 5-minute video pitch. Here’s how – https://asu.io/apply/
Where: This year’s semi-finals and finals will be remote due to COVID-19. Winners will be announced at the final virtual event on Friday, February 5, 2021.
Why: Win one of six winner-take-all prizes:
$100K cash – IoT prize sponsored by Avnet
$100K cash – Climate Change prize sponsored by Breakthrough Energy Ventures (Bill Gates-led fund)
$25K cash – Technology for Social Equity prize sponsored by Zero Mass Water
$25K cash – Transform Your Thinking prize sponsored by ON Semiconductor
$25K cash + $25K in-kind design services – Hardware Engineering prize sponsored by ASU eSeed + SilSync
$25K cash + $10K AWS credits – Amazon Alexa prize sponsored by Amazon Alexa + Amazon Web Services
Apply Now: www.asu.io
RIoT’s annual IoT Demo Night
Join RIoT for our annual IoT Demo Night – this time with a twist!
This year’s event will be 100% virtual and unlike any virtual event you have attended in 2020, featuring interactive speed networking, live demos, superstar speakers from the sports world, and a LIVE collegiate Esports Exhibition game!
Join for a night of fun and explore the new and disruptive technologies dominating the sports and entertainment world, make new industry connections with speed networking, and root for your favorite team as Barton College and NC State battle for the title of RIoT Exhibition Games Champion.
Speakers Include:
– Jen Welter, Professional Football Coach, Atlanta Legends & first female NFL coach
– Paul Christianson, Professional Esports Coach, Barton College
– Rob Thompson, Founder, GamePlanU
– Keith Smart, NBA Basketball Coach, known for his game-winning shot in the 1987 NCAA championship game
– Larry Long Jr., Director of Collegiate Sports, Teamworks
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE: https://www.airmeet.com/e/a8832c60-f6af-11ea-8a9b-83ce701486dd
RIoT IoT Demo Night is sponsored by Fourscore Business Law.
To learn more about Fourscore Law, please visit their website: https://fourscorelaw.com/
Activate Your Future
Activate supports entrepreneurial, innovative scientist and engineers who are developing hard teachnology solutions to society’s most urgent needs. Through a two-year program, our fellows emved at a leading research laboratory while transfomring a concept into a product with the potential for global impace.
Apply Here
RVC Pandemic Tech HyperAccelerator
Applications are now open for the RVC Pandemic Tech HyperAccelerator, a virtual, one-week program designed to identify and grow the most promising innovators that are addressing the direct and indirect social, health, business, education and economic impacts of this, and future pandemics.
The intense program will prepare companies to raise venture capital, and concludes in a Demo Day where founders will pitch to over 200 investors and community members. This is the best opportunity to get fundraising ready in one action-filled week!
Are you a pandemic tech company looking to raise funding? Do you know a founder who is? We encourage any interested applicants to join the RVC team at an upcoming info session!
Learn more at an upcoming info session:
September 22 | 12-1pm MT | register here
October 6 | 12-1pm MT | register here
Destination Startup
Get your startup in front of investors and prospective partners!
Since its inception in 2018, more than 450 investors and business leaders from across the country have attended Destination Startup®. This showcase is an amazing opportunity to pitch your technology and/or company topotential investors, the regional entrepreneurial community and fellow university peers. We’re excited to invite the best of the Rocky Mountain Region’s innovation ecosystem to apply for the chance to present at Destination Startup® 2021.
Any startup that is commercializing an innovation from, or in formal partnership with, one of the region’s research institutions or federal laboratories is eligible to apply. A competitive, independently juried pre-event selection process will determine which applicants will be invited to pitch at the event on February 16-18, 2021.
A two-page summary is all that is needed to start the process. Apply online at colorado.edu/venturepartners/destination-startup
Learn More Here
Denver Startup Week
Built by the community, for the community Denver Startup Week is a celebration of everything entrepreneurial in Denver and is the largest free event of its kind. In 2020, we will host the first ever virtual Denver Startup Week to come together, celebrate a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Denver and beyond, and showcase and build the city’s culture of innovation. Now is the time to get involved as we look forward to Denver Startup Week 2020!
Learn More Here
Colorado NextCycle Pitch Session
You’re invited to witness a unique experience – the Colorado NextCycle Pitch Session. On October 8th, five teams from the Colorado NextCycle program will pitch their recycling end market ideas to compete for the opportunity to meet one-on-one with two eminent leaders in sustainable investing: Closed Loop Partners and the Colorado Impact Fund. The Colorado NextCycle program has provided the teams with state, community, and recycling data, support and mentorship, and a busines plan boot camp. Each of the teams has developed an idea into a viable recycling end market business plan to implement in Colorado, and on October 8th they will present their plans to an audience of investors, community leaders, government officials, media, and a judging panel of industry experts. Then they will face the panel of judges for a live question session. In the past, this event was held in-person, but due to safety restrictions related to the pandemic, the pitch session is going virtual – this means the audience could be made up of people from around the world. The event is free, but space is limited – so register now to be in the audience for this truly exciting event!
Register Here
Sneak peek at the teams:
FoamCycle
- Headquartered: August, NJ
- Colorado Business Idea: Partner with Colorado cities/municipalities to create drop-off stations to collect and densify expanded polystyrene (EPS) or foam packaging. FoamCycle will utilize the recovered material to create a recycled picture frame product.
Loop Industries
- Headquartered: Terrebonne, QC
- Colorado Business Idea: Produces virgin-quality rPET resin and polyester fiber by depolymerizing a wide variety of PET waste.
Sana Packaging
- Headquartered: Denver, CO
- Colorado Business Idea: Designs and develops cannabis packaging for a circular economy using plant-based hemp plastic, reclaimed ocean plastic, and other sustainable materials.
Timber Age Systems Inc.
- Headquartered: Durango, CO
- Colorado Business Idea: Develop small scale, agile, local manufacturing for cross laminated timber utilizing previously unused and unwanted local timber in Southwest Colorado.
1-UP Materials, Inc.
- Headquartered: Newport, RI
- Colorado Business Idea: Manufacture 100% upcycled building materials using mixed waste plastic, low value glass, and aseptic and gable-top cartons.
NSF I-PERF Innovative Research Opportunities and Professional Development for the Entrepreneurially Minded Postdoc
Up to Us Clinton Foundation Campus Competition
While college classes and career opportunities for students may look different this year, civic engagement and American democracy are two pressing issues that remain at the forefront of young people’s minds. As of June 2020, the U.S. national debt stands at more than $25 trillion. Moreover, the next generation faces the highest levels of student debt of any generation, and now must brace for an uncertain job market that is being rattled by the ramifications of COVID-19.
Through the Up to Us Campus Competition, students work to address the growing national debt and build a vibrant economic future by taking collective action in their community. Students receive $800 in funding to turn their ideas into action, and the Up to Us team provides training in leadership, campaign management, digital advocacy and professional development. At the end of the program, students have the opportunity to apply for exclusive paid internships, Harvard Business School Online courses, and a chance at winning the $10,000 grand prize.
Learn More Here
Activate Fellowship
We’re holding a webinar next Tuesday, August 11th @ 9am PST. We’d love to have anyone interested in the fellowship join us. Send them here to register and check out all our upcoming events, including a Q&A session with our fellows and alumni!
AGILITY PRIME
July 15 & 16, 2020 | Online
Join the AFWERX team virtually on July 15th and 16th to learn about near-term research and development funding opportunities for Agility Prime Advanced Air Mobility related technologies. Companies, research institutions, and universities will have the chance to compete for an estimated $10M worth of Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts that will be awarded within 90 days of the event for contract values up to $150K.
COVID-19 Student Action Fund
Are you a college student committed to addressing the COVID-19 crisis? Apply by June 3 to receive $2,000 USD to $5,000 USD in seed funding for your social impact project.
Launched by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, the CGI U COVID-19 Student Action Fund will identify and support select students at universities around the world who are developing awareness and prevention campaigns, social enterprises, infectious disease monitoring and response systems, and other emergency response initiatives that are providing immediate support for public health practitioners and other essential workers on the frontlines of the global pandemic. Apply now with your commitment to take action. With special thanks to our supporters, Founding Partner, Kevin Xu, and the CGI University Network.
35 Mules Innovation Hub
In case you haven’t heard the news, on February 10, Florida Power & Light announced the launch of 35 Mules – an innovation hub powered by FPL, a NextEra Energy Company.
Our goal at 35 Mules is to help entrepreneurs develop their game-changing ideas in energy, water and energy-adjacent industries into a business based in Florida, further supporting the state’s economic growth and flourishing business environment.
I’m sure you are a bit distracted with the global pandemic and trust you are all safe and healthy. Even through this challenge, we are pressing forward and hope to have 20 startups on site by September of this year. Now that we have launched, if you know an entrepreneur or innovator with a good idea, send them our way. We will surround them with all the resources needed to build a successful business and change the world.
Learn More Here
Colorado COVID Corps
Colorado COVID Corps stabilizes the economy by filling essential jobs with those who need work.
We’re recruiting undergrad & grad students to lend your expertise and perspective to build this program!
Background: There are thousands of essential jobs available right now at places like grocery stores, hospitals, and warehouses. There are also thousands of people out of work due to COVID business closures. AND, there are students like many of you who are about to graduate.
Enter Colorado COVID Corps (a working name). Our mission is to stabilize the economy by filling essential jobs. To do this, we need to rebrand these jobs as “heroes” who are collectively serving their community & state.
Here’s what to do:
1) Sign up to get involved! Click the button below to join a committee: design & branding, business strategy, research & database build, and social media, marketing, and growth hacking.You’ll work with expert strategists & students across the state to design, build, and market the platform.
2) Want to know more? Find more details here, and contact Nina.Sharma@du.edu with questions.
Join the colorado COVID Corps
HumanKind Network
HumanKind is a platform designed to bridge the gap between the university community across Colorado, and those in need of help during the COVID-19 crisis. By directly pairing volunteers with existing groups, we cut down on the time you have to spend finding volunteer opportunities.
There are two ways to get involved:
1) Help build & support the HumanKind platform. HumanKind is looking for students who have design/engineering, operations, tech, and marketing expertise. You’ll work in small groups of students from across the state. If interested, contactBrandon.Moynihan@Colorado.edu.
2) Sign up to be a volunteer. Click the link below to share your interest and areas of expertise.
” color=”blue”] Raise your Hand for Humankind
PAST EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
9th annual 21st Century Energy Transition Symposium
April 28-29, 2020
Embassy Suites
1420 Stout Street
Denver, CO
All registrations will be charged $7.00 for a registration processing fee.
General registration – $250 per participant; Total — $257
[Reimbursement policy: If cancelled by 4/15/20 symposium will reimburse $150 total. If cancelled by 4/24/20 symposium will reimburse $120]
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Full-time Student — $75 per participant from any of the four Collaboratory organizations or other certified academic institutions (including K-12, community colleges, private schools, home schooling groups, four year colleges). Total – $82
[Reimbursement policy: If cancelled by 4/15/20 symposium will reimburse $20 total]
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To request a stipend in order to request a registration discount, you must contact symposium chair, Maury Dobbie, at Maury.Dobbie@coloradocollaboratory.org or call 970-491-3788
Register Here
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM | Colorado School of Mines campus, Green Center
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Careers
The Colorado School of Mines Career Center is collaborating with the Natural Resources and Energy Policy program to host a career presentation and networking event on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Careers.
RSVP
CALLING FOR APPLICATIONS
MINING CLEANTECH CHALLENGE
Application are now open. The deadline for submissions March 2, 2020.
APPLY NOWDoes your company have a technology or product that improves mining operations?
The fourth annual Mining Cleantech Challenge provides targeted connections between mining industry operators, OEMs, and clean technology solution providers, with the goal of meeting industry’s needs and bringing innovative solutions to the marketplace.
There are no geographic restrictions or requirements for participating companies. Apply by March 2 for an opportunity to present your innovative technology to major industry players such as Newmont, BHP, Fresnillo, and Ausenco. The winning company receives a $5,000 cash prize.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 2020
MINES ENERGY VENTURE SUMMIT: Investing in the Global Energy Transition
TUESDAY | MARCH 3, 2020 | GOLDEN, CO
Apply for a chance to pitch to several top-ranked corporate venture funds in the energy sector. Sponsored by the Mines Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Mines Office of Research and Technology Transfer, this all-day program will showcase innovative energy-related technologies applicable to the oil and gas sector, e.g., technologies that enhance facility reliability or operations efficiency. Selected companies will be notified by February 18, 2020
Selected companies will be invited to present their technologies to the Investor Group on March 3, 2020, in Golden. While preference may be given to those with proven commercialized or prototyped technologies, we will also give consideration to innovators who can demonstrate a credible technology development path toward solving relevant challenges and will consider collaborative partnerships. The most promising technology, as decided by the judges based on merit of potential value and/or demonstrated technology development capacity, will be eligible for partnerships and investments by the investors present.
Corporate Investor Interest for the Mines Energy Venture Summit:
- Shell Corporate Venture Group
- Schlumberger Corporate Venture Group
- CNI Corporate Venture Group
- ENI Next Corporate Venture Group
- OMZEST Corporate Venture Group
- Exxon Mobil Corporate Venture Group
- NEXA Resources Corporate Venture Group
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
- Company has ownership of a technology that matches an area of interest listed below.
- Company has a proven commercialized or prototyped technology, or can demonstrate a credible technology development path.
- Company must have the commitment and adequate staff resources to be able to follow up.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Successful applicants will be invited to present in Golden on March 3, 2020.
- There is no charge to participate in this event.
- Attendees are responsible for their own transportation and travel costs.
- Companies must be prepared to attend the entire day of programming.
- Final selection of participating firms will be made by Mines.
Selected companies will be invited to present their technologies to the Investor Group on March 3, 2020, in Golden. While preference may be given to those with proven commercialized or prototyped technologies, we will also give consideration to innovators who can demonstrate a credible technology development path toward solving relevant challenges and will consider collaborative partnerships. The most promising technology, as decided by the judges based on merit of potential value and/or demonstrated technology development capacity, will be eligible for partnerships and investments by the investors present.
* Contact the Mines Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for more information. Email WKuhr@mines.edu | Innovation.Mines.edu/events
LEARN MORE HERE
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
GOLDEN ANGELS INVESTORS
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES STARZER HALL | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 | 6 PM – 8 PM
Through the Traxion Venture Network and a group of CSM Alumni, the “Golden Angels” partners with the Rockies Venture Club (RVC) to offer monthly investor forums in which two early stage company founders present an overview of their company, the market opportunity and the amount of capital they’re trying to raise.
The accredited investors then meet privately to discuss the companies and suggest additional information to request from the founders. The RVC team also discusses other companies that are in the process of raising capital.
Wherever possible, presenting founders have an affiliation with Mines, and many of the companies include alumni on their Board or advisory group.
Please RSVP in advance. If you have questions about the group, please email startup@traxion.co.
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE SERIES
MARQUEZ 235 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 | 4 PM – 5 PM
Please join us for an engaging roundtable of entrepreneurial Mines. This roundtable series will give participants a platform to explore the multiple ways to innovate through entrepreneurial thinking. We will explore the contemporary challenges of innovating a business model to capture value effectively and responsibly. Our aim is to crowdsource the best out-of-the-building thinking while grounding the discussions in rigorous methods and promising research.
GUEST COMPANY
In the quest for stronger health and motion analytics, the first step is data collection. Cipher Skin has developed a patented sensor technology that revolutionizes the way data on human movement is collected, reported, analyzed and monitored. With greater quantity and quality of data collected, Cipher Skin is leading the way towards a new field of predictive health and performance optimization.
LEARN MORE HERE
2020 Rice Business Plan Competition
The deadline for submissions is 11:59 PM CST Monday, January 27, 2020.
Apply to compete in the 2020 Rice Business Plan Competition! This is the world’s richest and largest graduate-level student startup competition, hosted at Rice University in Houston, Texas on March 26-28, 2020, comprised of 42 select early-stage companies pitching their business ventures and vying for $1.5 million in prizes.
The competition, celebrating our 20th anniversary, is designed to give collegiate entrepreneurs a real-world experience to present their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhance their business strategy, and learn what it takes to launch a successful company.
We provide an intense, immersive experience over the three-day event for student startup founders to pitch to investors, receive multiple rounds of feedback and advance their startup. There is also significant time designated for interaction with our judges and prize sponsors, the majority of whom are from the investment community.
Alumni from the RBPC have raised more than $2.3 billion in funding and have generated more than 28 successful exits, valued at nearly a billion dollars. We track, follow and promote all startups that compete in the RBPC, and some of our stats and success stories here.
The RBPC is unique in its statue, size, format and participants—due in no small part to the quality of our competitors. Startups at the 2019 RBPC competition said:
“Quick access to investor feedback, advice on pitching and storytelling, network of talented individuals from top universities in the US.
Logistics were flawless. One of the best conferences I have ever attended!
RBPC provided us access to individuals that you would have to wait for months otherwise to get just an appointment.
The access to mentors, judges, and extensive feedback made this competition invaluable to the development of our business.
What an experience! It was challenging, inspirational, and beyond believe rewarding. Our team recommends it to any and everybody for entrepreneurial, business, and investor connections!”
I believe you have a diverse student population working on technologies and concepts that could become (or already are) viable business ventures. Encourage them to realize their potential with this competition!
I appreciate you sharing this information with your faculty, staff, students and those interested in entrepreneurship, and encouraging teams to apply.
Complete information, including application, eligibility requirements, competition format and general guidelines, is here: https://rbpc.rice.edu/. Please contact me at csantamaria@rice.edu or rbpc@rice.edu with any questions; your student startups are also welcome to contact me.
ENERGY FELLOWS INSTITUTE:
Become a student ENERGY FELLOW
Application are now open. Deadline is Febuary 14, 2020
Come Energize Your Career at the Clean Energy Networking Reception
Tuesday, January 28 Rayback Collective, Boulder 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Register for the event using your secret student code that does not include drinks: SF2020
Join CCIA members, Energy Fellows Institute alumni and clean energy executives and researchers at a casual networking reception on Tuesday, January 28, from 4-7 p.m., at the Rayback Collective in Boulder. Learn more about Energy Fellows Institute from the instructors, alumni and staff, and learn how to apply to attend the career-charging executive bootcamp program in 2020. Registration is $20 and includes beer and wine
Mines Entrepreneurship & Innovation Social Meetups
Wednesday’s
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Buffalo Rose – 1119 Washington Ave. Golden, CO
Mines Entrepreneurship & Innovation Social is a bi-weekly gathering of faculty, staff, alumni, mentors and friends who want to engage in and contribute to growing the innovation eco-system and solving problems that matter to many.
Come meet entrepreneurs launching new startups or intrapreneurs innovating products and services in established organizations. Team up with a Mines faculty member to commercialize impactful research or mentor an energized student team.
PAST EVENTS
January 2 – 4, 2020 Dallas, TX
2020 KEEN National Conference
EMphasizing Value
Are you interested in helping students apply entrepreneurial mindset to create value on campus and beyond? Then the 2020 KEEN National Conference is for you. Our theme this year is EMphasizing Value.
Engineers change the world for good when they have a mindset emphasizing value for others. In KEEN, faculty identify this mindset as the entrepreneurial mindset (EM). Engineers with EM:
- Know there is more to learn
- Ask great questions
- Seek out new information
- Talk to people who will be most impacted
- Test out concepts to get feedback
- Understand the importance of both what and why
- Practice critical evaluation of their own ideas
- Consider future implications
This mindset is key to personal and professional success. As faculty, we equip engineering students with a technical skillset – a powerful toolbox – to take into a rapidly changing world. But a mindset that aims that toolbox at creating value for self and for others will have impact. This is why the 2020 conference theme is EMphasizing Value – to showcase the elements and dimensions of value.
Join 500 colleagues in exploring the impact that EMphasizing Value can have on your work and the future of your students. You’ll enjoy inspiring keynote presenters and KEEN Talks, as well as to collaborate with peers across 30+ hands-on sessions and panels that will immediately impact your work on campus.
https://engineeringunleashed.com/events/nationalconference.aspx
Colorado NextCycle
Applications Due November 20, 2019
WHY DO WE NEED NEXTCYCLE?
As a fast-growing state with aggressive recycling goals, Colorado is actively investing in infrastructure to collect and sort recyclables. But recycling requires more than just getting materials into a bin or bale.
Colorado contains no shipping ports which means most recovered materials must be trucked large distances to end markets – not the most economical or sustainable option. And with increasing populations that expect access to curbside recycling, Colorado’s goal is to nurture local end markets.
That is where Colorado NextCycle comes in. The program is aimed at supporting the development of business ideas that create or improve recovered commodity and organic material end markets within Colorado – creating a local circular economy.
In fact, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has committed $3 million in end market funding in the past year alone – with additional rounds of funding planned.
You get the idea. Colorado is serious about developing local end markets. The Colorado NextCycle program mentors teams toward shovel-ready end market business ideas – ripe for private investment or CDPHE grant funding. Colorado NextCycle goes beyond recycling to supporting new design, renewing recycled materials, and reviving local economies.
The application period for the second season of Colorado NextCycle is now open. Letters of Intent are due by 4:00pm MST on November 20th. Be sure to download the jump kit that contains information about the program, instructions on how to apply, a list of important dates, and links to resources to begin developing your business ideas. Download the PDF jump kit on the Colorado NextCycle webpage at: https://www.colorado.gov/cdphe/nextcycle.