Information for Start-Ups

The Venture Center provides startups with support and facilities for their journey to launch a new company. The assistance includes a top-tier network of mentors and advisors, entrepreneurial showcases, methods to spotlight startups to potential investors, and access to vetted service providers. For more information visit the Beck Venture Center website.

The InnoHub is the heart of innovation at Colorado School of Mines, where groundbreaking ideas take shape and collaborative projects thrive. With cutting-edge resources and a dedicated space for research and development, the InnoHub empowers students, faculty and staff to tackle complex challenges and create solutions that make an impact on industries and communities. It’s a space designed to spark creativity, promote interdisciplinary work and support every stage of the innovation process—from concept to prototype. For more information visit the InnoHub website.

The Mines Venture Fund I is a ten-million-dollar fund investing in entrepreneurs and innovative startups emanating from the faculty, alumni, staff, students, and partners of the Colorado School of Mines. It is intended for funding needed in early stages to provide a financial pathway for founders to develop and grow their ventures. Investments are made in promising startup teams and innovative technologies to foster success and provide a return on investment with a portion returning/donated to the foundation for scholarships and other benefits to the institution. For more information, please visit the Venture Fund website.

Innovators selected to participate will be housed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with additional support from the Colorado School of Mines. Each year, West Gate will select up to five innovators via a competitive process and will each receive:

• Each fellowship provides an annual stipend of $100,000 for two years with healthcare and relocation benefits for qualifying candidates.
• Will gain unparalleled access to NREL’s facilities, equipment, and expertise, as well as receive $175,000 of research and development funding to foster research collaboration.

Fellows will have access to experienced business mentorship, entrepreneurial training programs, and exclusive networking opportunities. These programs will expose fellows to a wide range of leaders from academia, industry, government, and finance that can serve as advisors and partners. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit West Gate’s website.

A yearly living stipend up to $110K plus a health insurance stipend and travel allowance.

• $100K in research funding and access to at least $75K in additional flexible capital.
• Mentorship and support from a dedicated fellowship team.
• A program of intensive entrepreneurial training.
• Multiple in-person meetings with the Activate Anywhere team, other fellows, and the full Activate community.

For more information, please contact the TTO or visit Activate’s website.

This grant helps Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses develop and commercialize advanced technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Each grant requires two match dollars in cash for every one state dollar requested and projects can receive up to $250,000. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit OEDIT’s Early-Stage Capital grant website.

The SBIR/STTR program aims to stimulate technological innovation, use small business to meet Federal R/R&D needs, increase participation of under-represented small businesses and increase commercialization of federally funded research and development. Start-up companies and small business can apply on their own or in partnership with Mines. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit the SBIR/STTR website. To search current topics open for solicitation across all federal agencies, visit the topics search website.

Traxion offers a network of industry experts, successful executives and experienced entrepreneurs who provide guidance on the process of starting and growing a company and share insights on industry trends, competition, and market opportunities. Their core services include customer validation, team formation, business model development and fund raising. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit Traxion’s website.

Innosphere’s incubation programs support the commercialization efforts of entrepreneurs who are launching and scaling high-tech startups. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit Innosphere’s website.

Fitzsimons Innovation Community is a campus where health and life sciences companies of all sizes work on their next big things. They offer customized workspace, collaborative campus, and proximity to one of the top health systems and medical schools in the country. For more information, please contact the TTO or visit Fitzsimons’ website.