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This page contains all the information available to help you promote this opportunity to your network and community. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to Daniel Leonard, senior marketing and communications specialist for Venture Partners at daniel.leonard@colorado.edu.Ìý

Opportunity Information

Launched in 2018, Destination Startup^® connects investors with groundbreaking startups built on novel discoveries from leading national labs and universities in the Intermountain West. Designed for deal-flow, the showcase is for active investors, who can request an invitation here. Participating startups must be actively raising and are selected through a competitive review process and robust pitch preparation. With over $1.2 billion collectively raised to date by startups likeÌýVitriVax,ÌýArpeggio Biosciences ²¹²Ô»åÌýManifest Technologies, Destination Startup is for investors and founders ready to catalyze real-world impact.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, 11:59 p.m. MT

When and Where:Ìý

• The investor showcase is Thursday, Feb. 26, in ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß, CO.
• Presenters and investors are invited to a VIP happy hour hosted by our financial supporter, Cooley LLC, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, in ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß, CO.
• Live pitch practice for presenters takes place virtually.

Who: Teams should have a signed Option Agreement or License Agreement from a participating university or national lab; teams that have signed a License Agreement will be given preference. See full eligibility details on the application info page.

Information and Application Page: colorado.edu/venturepartners/opportunities-and-events/destination-startup
Vanity URL: Ìýor

About the Host

Set in the heart of our university's bold, innovative community of scholars and learners, Venture Partners at CU ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß brings the university's world-class researchers together with business, startup and entrepreneurial communities to translate groundbreaking solutions into economic and social impact.

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Sample Email Copy

Subject: Apply Now: Showcase your startup at Destination Startup 2026!

Dear [Recipient's Name],

We are excited to invite you to apply for Destination Startup 2026, a premier investor showcase in ¶¶Òõ´«Ã½ÔÚÏß, CO that brings together groundbreaking researchers and innovative startups with investors from across North America. This showcase is a unique opportunity to present your startup to a diverse audience ready to invest in promising new ventures like yours

Why Apply?

• Exposure to Investors: Get your startup in front of a wide range of investors, including venture capitalists, angel investors and strategic partners.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with other innovative startups, researchers and industry leaders.
• Funding Potential: Previous participants have collectively raised over $1.2 billion in venture, angel, strategic and grant funding.
• Prestigious Platform: Join a select group of startups from leading universities and federal laboratories across the Intermountain West.

Eligibility: Teams should have a signed Option Agreement or License Agreement from a participating university or national lab. A competitive, independently juried pre-showcase selection process will determine which applicants will be invited to the February showcase.

Key Dates:

• Wednesday, Jan. 7, 11:59 p.m. MT: Application Deadline
• Monday, Jan. 26: Presenting Startups Notified​
• Week of Feb. 2: Pitch Practice
• Week of Feb. 16: Pitch Practice
• Wednesday, Feb. 25: VIP happy hour hosted by our financial supporter, Cooley LLC
• Thursday, Feb. 26: Destination Startup Investor Showcase

To get all the program information and to apply, please visit the application page. We encourage you to begin your preparation as soon as possible.

For any questions, feel free to contact me or Amy Dodenhoff, director of Destination Startup, at amy.dodenhoff@colorado.edu.

Don't miss this chance to elevate your startup to new heights!

Best regards,

[Your Signature]