Award & Investment Overview
Six Colorado State University-led technologies have received a combined $800,000 through the Colorado Advanced Industries Proof of Concept (AI POC) Grant Program to accelerate commercialization across healthcare, agriculture, transportation, quantum technologies, and sustainable energy.
Funded by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and administered at CSU through CSU Strata in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President for Research, the program provides proof-of-concept funding that helps university-developed technologies advance toward commercial markets.
The six funded projects include innovations in implantable biomaterials, vector-borne disease prevention, veterinary oncology, fleet electrification, quantum control technologies, and carbon capture for sustainable aviation fuel.
Together, the awards demonstrate Colorado’s continued investment in reducing technical risk and advancing university innovations toward licensing, startup formation, strategic partnerships, and market adoption.
Approach & Ecosystem Context
The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant Program illustrates how state-supported proof-of-concept funding strengthens university commercialization by providing targeted investment during one of the highest-risk stages of technology development.
Rather than funding basic research, the program supports technologies that require additional validation before attracting private investment, licensing partners, or startup capital. By focusing on commercialization readiness, the program helps researchers demonstrate technical feasibility, reduce development risk, and strengthen market opportunities.
From a Mind the GAP perspective, proof-of-concept programs remain foundational components of university commercialization ecosystems because they bridge the gap between research discovery and downstream commercialization. These programs provide flexible funding that allows research institutions to mature promising technologies before they are positioned for venture investment, licensing, or broader industry engagement.
Innovation & Technology
The six funded projects represent a broad cross-section of Colorado State University’s commercialization pipeline.
A Novel Implantable Materials Platform is advancing next-generation biomaterials for implantable medical technologies.
Development of a Medicated Bird Feed for Enhanced Control of West Nile Virus Transmission is developing a novel strategy to reduce mosquito-borne disease transmission.
Evaluation of an Oncolytic Virus (MYXVorfC) Adjunct Therapy to Prevent Recurrence of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas is advancing new therapeutic approaches for veterinary oncology.
Intelligent Electrification Planning for Fleets is developing advanced planning tools to support commercial fleet electrification.
Revolutionizing Quantum Control at the Atomic Scale with a Nanoengineered Probe Design is creating enabling technologies for quantum research and advanced instrumentation.
Single-Step Electrochemical Carbon Capture and Conversion to Dimethyl Ether: An Accelerated Pathway to Sustainable Aviation Fuel is developing integrated carbon capture technologies supporting sustainable fuel production.
Potential Market Uses and Applications
A Novel Implantable Materials Platform
Potential Clinical Applications
- Implantable medical devices
- Regenerative medicine
- Advanced biomaterials
- Surgical technologies
Development of a Medicated Bird Feed for Enhanced Control of West Nile Virus Transmission
Potential Agriculture & Public Health Applications
- Mosquito-borne disease control
- Wildlife health
- Public health interventions
- Vector management
Evaluation of an Oncolytic Virus (MYXVorfC) Adjunct Therapy to Prevent Recurrence of Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Potential Veterinary Applications
- Veterinary oncology
- Companion animal therapeutics
- Cancer treatment
- Precision veterinary medicine
Intelligent Electrification Planning for Fleets
Potential Transportation Applications
- Fleet electrification
- Commercial transportation
- Energy infrastructure planning
- Fleet management
Revolutionizing Quantum Control at the Atomic Scale with a Nanoengineered Probe Design
Potential Electronics Applications
- Quantum computing
- Precision sensing
- Semiconductor research
- Advanced instrumentation
Single-Step Electrochemical Carbon Capture and Conversion to Dimethyl Ether: An Accelerated Pathway to Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Potential Energy Applications
- Carbon capture
- Sustainable aviation fuel
- Industrial decarbonization
- Clean energy manufacturing
Colorado State University has also opened applications for the next round of Advanced Industries Proof of Concept funding. The program offers up to $130,000 per project for eligible faculty developing technologies aligned with Colorado’s advanced industry sectors, with applications closing on August 10.
