The University of Colorado Boulder and Techstars have announced a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy.
The collaboration links CU Boulder’s entrepreneurship programs and startup pipeline with Techstars’ global network of mentors, investors, and partners. The goal is to create new pathways for innovators to build and scale companies based on university research and real-world problem-solving.
CU Boulder has established itself as a leading university for startup creation, supported by its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative and commercialization efforts through Venture Partners. The university has launched more than 220 companies based on its technologies, with those ventures collectively generating over $11 billion in exits. In 2024, CU Boulder ranked first in the United States for the number of startups launched from university discoveries.
Through this new partnership, founders emerging from CU Boulder will gain direct access to Techstars’ accelerator programs, funding opportunities, and global investor network. At the same time, Techstars founders will be able to collaborate with CU Boulder researchers and tap into university resources and technical expertise.
Founded in Boulder in 2006, Techstars has grown into a global platform supporting thousands of startups with a combined market value exceeding $220 billion. Both organizations have contributed to the creation of major companies, including DigitalOcean, SendGrid, Salesloft, and Veho from Techstars, and Infleqtion, Ball Aerospace & Technologies, Solid Power, and SomaLogic from CU Boulder.
The partnership will also integrate Techstars into CU Boulder’s entrepreneurship ecosystem, including programs such as the New Venture Challenge and Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator. Additionally, the relaunch of the Techstars Boulder accelerator will further strengthen the local startup environment, with a new cohort beginning in September.
Overall, the collaboration is designed to deepen connections between academic research and the global startup community, enabling more ideas developed at the university to become scalable companies.
KEY QUOTES:
“This partnership reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to empowering people across our campus to turn ideas into impact. Our students, faculty and researchers are developing technologies, launching companies and exploring solutions to real challenges. Working with Techstars connects that talent with a global community of entrepreneurs and investors who can help move those ideas from campus into the world.”
Massimo Ruzzene, Senior Vice Chancellor For Research And Innovation And Dean Of The Institutes, University Of Colorado Boulder
“Techstars has operated continuously in Colorado for two decades. The re-launch of our Techstars Boulder accelerator here reflects our renewed commitment to Colorado and reinforces Boulder’s role as an important hub in our system. CU Boulder is a powerful source of new ideas and new companies. By building a deeper relationship with the university, we can help more founders turn breakthroughs into companies that scale.”
David Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, Techstars
“This collaboration brings together two communities deeply committed to building great companies. CU Boulder consistently produces exceptional research, founders and high-potential companies. By working closely, we can help even more of these teams scale into enduring, world-class businesses. Techstars Boulder just opened applications for its first new cohort, kicking off in person this September. We’re passionate about backing the strongest founders and companies from CU Boulder, across Colorado and from around the country.”
Shay Har-Noy, Managing Director, Techstars Boulder
“Boulder has long been a catalyst where research, entrepreneurship and community come together to improve people’s lives. This partnership with Techstars builds on that foundation. Together, we can help more great ideas become companies and more founders bring transformative ideas to the world.”
Bryn Rees, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor For Innovation And Partnerships, University Of Colorado Boulder
