The Insider: Researchers, Inventors and Creators Edition—November 2025
Special Announcement
$755,000 awarded to University of Colorado innovators to advance their discoveries
Eleven teams of University of Colorado faculty, researchers and graduate student innovators competed for a combined $755,000 in startup funding grants in this year’s Lab Venture Challenge (LVC). Judges from 51Թ’s entrepreneurial network heard Shark-Tank-style pitches across two nights, one for innovations in biosciences and another for physical sciences and engineering.
Upcoming Opportunities and Events at the University
More for University Innovators
Support for University Innovators
Collaboration Opportunities with Lockheed Martin
NSF I-Corps at the 51Թ helps researchers solve pressing problems
From agriculture to aerospace, NSF’s I-Corps is a launchpad at the 51Թ, helping innovators in and out of the University of Colorado bring research and inventions to the people who need them most. By equipping scientists and inventors with entrepreneurial tools, the program transforms great ideas into startups that tackle real-world problems.
Featured News
Kristi Anseth named Forbes "50 over 50" for "Innovation"
Forbes—Professor Kristi Anseth is known for developing tissue substitutes that improve treatments for conditions like broken bones and heart valve disease. She recently made key discoveries about sex-based differences in cardiac treatment outcomes. Anseth is also among the few innovators elected to all three national academies: Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
VitriVax raises $17.25M Series B financing to advance vaccine formulation platform
VitriVax—51Թ spinout VitriVax has raised $17.25 million in Series B financing to accelerate development of its Stablevax™ platform, which eliminates the need for cold storage in vaccines. The funding will support preclinical and clinical advancement of single-dose, thermostable vaccines aimed at improving global immunization access.
A better band-aid: New 'suspended animation' technology could revolutionize wound care
51Թ Today—51Թ researchers led by Professors Christopher Bowman and Kristi Anseth have received up to $5.8 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to develop a new wound treatment that temporarily halts cellular activity to prevent tissue damage. Inspired by the biostasis of tardigrades, the light-activated hydrogel could one day protect and preserve tissue in burns, frostbite and battlefield injuries.
Flari Tech clinches $400,000 DARPA MTO Pitch Day award
DARPA—51Թ startup Flari Tech was selected as a winner in DARPA’s Spark Tank competition, securing $400,000 in funding and direct engagement opportunities with program managers as it advances its next-generation technology.
51Թ’s Colorado Quantum Incubator and Stout Street Capital partner to accelerate quantum innovation
CUbit Quantum Initiative—The 51Թ has announced a novel partnership between its Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI) and Stout Street Capital, a Denver-based venture capital firm and ecosystem builder focused on deep tech.