Every year, dozens of breakthrough inventions emerge from CU Boulder’s research labs. While some are spun out by creators themselves, others are poised to partner with entrepreneurs beyond university walls looking to launch the latest and greatest technologies. Enter Embark, the newest program offered by Venture Partners at CU Boulder.
Embark bridges this gap by recruiting and matching entrepreneurs with promising university innovations. “Just because the university inventors didn’t create a startup company doesn’t mean the technology is not a really exciting startup opportunity,” said Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation and managing director of Venture Partners.
“The first cohort of entrepreneurs have been in high gear since they were selected by the Venture Partners team last year and have risen to each challenge,” said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “They do not rest; they take advantage of everything we suggest to them,” she said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, how we support our startups,” added Zgagacz.
Last year’s Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) cohort saw notable success with their new startups in their first year. For example, PrecisionTerra, founded by EIR Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, is a software solution that improves the signal strength of GNSS receivers in urban environments. The company has raised over $130,000 and was accepted to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NSIN Vector accelerator. Green Steel Environmental, founded by EIRs Jonathan Teaford and Jon Jonis, is developing sustainable additives to revolutionize the wastewater recovery industry. The company has raised over $350,000 and will exhibit at the Biogas Americas trade show in Savannah, GA, in October.
Now in its second year, over 114 entrepreneurs applied to Embark and explored a curated portfolio of more than 50 technologies from various scientific and engineering fields, including biotechnology, quantum science, advanced materials and aerospace. The Venture Partners team then worked closely with the entrepreneurs and inventors to find the right matches and the greatest opportunities for impact.
