Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator

Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator

Wanted: Entrepreneurs to launch startups based on University of Colorado СÀ¶ÊÓƵ innovations

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator by Venture Partners at CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ matches motivated entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations developed at the University of Colorado СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. Through a competitive selection process, Embark will hire up to seven Embark Startup Founders to serve as CEOs of new deep tech companies built around technology developed in CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s world-class research enterprise. This is an opportunity to lead a startup utilizing cutting-edge technology, with the support of CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s high-impact entrepreneurial resources and programs.

The Embark Advantage

The Embark Impact Since 2023

20

Companies have been founded

13

Companies have participated in an accelerator or incubator programÌý

12

Companies have received follow-on funding

"Starting a company with Venture Partners feels like having the wind at your back."—, CEO and Co-Founder of

“The program provided me with access to unique, high-impact IP as well as the resources to launch, including guidance on non-dilutive funding, university IP licensing and presenting to investors."—, Founder and CU of PrecisionTerra

Explore more impact in our annual reportÌýÌý

Entrepreneurs Wanted: Join Embark

Applications for the 2024 Embark cohort are closed. You can still review the information below about Embark key dates, eligibility and other details. Information about the 2025 cohort will be posted soon.ÌýSubscribe to Updates

Embark is designed for aspiring founders who are ready to lead a startup but don’t yet have their own idea. If hired, you will spend six months forming your company, refining your business model, and accelerating your path to market through CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s deep tech commercialization ecosystem, including entrepreneurial training and accelerators, as well as funding opportunities through investor introductions and grants. The selected startup founders will receive a free exclusive option to obtain an express license on special terms available only to companies forming around CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s technology.

Application

Prospective startup founders begin by applying for the position with a resume and cover letter. All applicants will also be invited to submit a short video. Then, from Oct. 2-Dec. 11, selected candidates will be invited to explore dozens of CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s most promising technologies, propose a startup concept, and pitch their vision for that technology. Hired startup founders will receive salary support as temporary employees from Jan. 1-June 30, 2026, reporting to the Director of Venture Development.Ìý

Dates & Deadlines

Dates & Deadlines

Application

Aug. 11-Sept. 12: Application open for Embark Startup Founder positions

  • âš  Within one week of applying, applicants will be invited to submit a short video pitch.

Sept. 22-26: Selected candidates notified of advancement to the interview process

Interview Process

Thursday, Oct. 2: Embark Kickoff Meeting in person in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ or via Zoom

Oct. 8-24: Candidates get access to explore the full technology portfolio and meet with research teams

  • âš  During this phase, the candidates will be invited to prescheduled meetings with the research teams. It will be considered inappropriate to reach out to a research team outside of the scheduled time and without prior authorization from Embark management.

Oct. 24-Nov. 30: Candidates do customer discovery, develop a business model and build a pitch deck

Selection of Finalists

Monday, Dec. 1: Semi-final pitch videos dueÌý

Friday, Dec. 5: Finalists notified of advancement to the finals

Selection of Embark Startup Founders

Thursday, Dec. 11: Finalists pitch day, in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ (in-person recommended)

Dec. 11-17: Embark Startup Founders notified of employment

Jan. 1-June 30: Embark Startup Founder employment

How the Interview Process Works

  • Prospective startup founders submit an application, which includes a resume and cover letter.
  • All applicants are required to submit a short video pitch for a technology that will be provided after their application is submitted. This is evaluated, along with the resume and cover letter, to determine which candidates advance to the interview process.
  • The interview process requires the candidates to:review top technologies from CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s intellectual property portfolio;
    • speak with the university research teams that developed the technologies;
    • select a technology to move forward;
    • complete customer discovery, assess product-market fit, determine value proposition, and form a team; and
    • pitch the business idea to the Venture Partners leadership team. Please note that the startup founders selected for this role will be chosen based on their pitch.
  • There will be live information sessions over Zoom on various topics during the interview process. These are optional but are intended to provide helpful information or training to the candidate pool.Ìý

Qualifications

What We Require

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.
  • Direct experience in at least one startup company or relevant product or project management experience in a company or other organization.
  • At least three years of leadership experience at a startup or leading a team within a company or other organization.Ìý

What You Will Need

  • Passion to build and launch your own company.
  • The entrepreneurial hustle and resourcefulness to identify potential business opportunities and blaze a new path where none have previously existed.
  • Attitude and aptitude for partnership and relationship building, especially with the university technology inventors.
  • Collaborative and problem-solving outlook.
  • Excellent relational and communication skills.
  • Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, racial, political, geographical and other differences.

What We Would Like You to Have

  • Experience as a startup founder or executive, ideally in a company with a strong emphasis on science or engineering.
  • Track record of leading successful startup ventures, including raising capital, securing partnerships, product launch/sales or company exit
  • Preferred qualifications may be used to further reduce the pool of applicants to those who are most highly qualified.Ìý

Startup Founder Positions

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Form a company and sign a free startup option agreement.
  • Build and launch a new startup centered around a technology developed at CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ.
  • Provide executive-level leadership for your startup.
  • Collaborate with university researchers who developed the founding technology for your company.
  • Complete early startup benchmarks toward commercialization.
  • Assess product-market fit and the viability of the overall business, and pivot to alternative strategies if necessary.
  • Complete Venture Partners Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator, and other training provided throughout employment.
  • Provide regular reports to Venture Partners leadership on startup progress and achievements.

What You Should Know

  • The Embark Startup Founder position is primarily remote, although in-person meetings are occasionally offered.
  • Startup founders must complete the standard hiring processes at CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ, which include a background check.
  • This temporary position is not eligible for benefits or visa sponsorship.
  • Up to two startup founders will win $50,000 for the CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ lab that developed the technology to help further the development of the technology.Startup founders will work with the research team to develop milestones to be achieved with the grant funding.
    • The grant is not offered or paid to the startup company, and the work must be completed in a CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ lab.
    • Not all technologies are eligible for this grant; more details will be provided to the applicants during the interview process.
    • No option agreement, license agreement, employment or grant is offered or issued until it is provided in writing and signed by an authorized individual at CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ. CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ reserves the right to change the details and conditions of Embark.
  • CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ will provide a free, 12-month Exclusive Option Agreement to the startup companies formed by the hired Embark Startup Founders. The Exclusive Option Agreement holds the technology for the company until it is ready to license the intellectual property.
    • Venture Partners’ leadership may offer Exclusive Option Agreements to other top candidates who are not hired for the position, provided their pitches meet specific criteria and they are interested in launching companies without the Embark Startup Founder position.

What We Can Offer

This position will provide a monthly stipend of $5,400 for the duration of the 6-month employment period, from Jan. 1-June 30, 2026. This period requires a 15-hour-per-week time commitment to work on the startup, although most successful founders in prior cohorts have dedicated more time to launching their companies.Ìý Founders achieve additional financial value through equity in their startup companies.Ìý

Need Guidance?

For general questions about Embark:

  • Please contact Marta Zgagacz, senior director of Venture Partners AND Amy Dodenhoff, director of venture development at Venture Partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

No! We are seeking individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset who wish to establish their own company. We recognize that everyone who has previously started a startup, raised money or had a successful exit did that for the first time at some point. Experience with startups is a plus, but it is not required. For those who have not started a company before, relevant product or project management experience in a company or other organization should be described in the candidate’s resume and/or cover letter.ÌýÌý

Successful candidates fully commit to the interview process, during which they evaluate technologies and develop a plan to commercialize one of them. They are actively seeking an opportunity to build a startup company and put in the work to thoroughly evaluate the commercial potential of a technology, conduct customer discovery, assess product-market fit, define the value proposition, determine the necessary team and prepare an excellent pitch. ÌýEach applicant may only submit one semi-final pitch.Ìý

Embark Startup Founders are founders (or cofounders) of the company. Successful startup founders jump head-first into the work to build their company. During the program, startup founders will form a new company and take significant steps to build the foundation for commercializing the technology. Key steps include forming an entity (such as an LLC or corporation) with all necessary founding documents, signing an Option Agreement with the University of Colorado, conducting customer discovery, developing a go-to-market plan, and initiating fundraising efforts. Startup founders receive one-on-one training and advising from various members of the Venture Partners leadership team and mentors.Ìý

Startup founders will participate in Venture Partners programs, including NSF I-CorpsTM Hub West and the Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator. They are also eligible to work with the Center for Translational Research and to apply to participate in Destination Startup®. Some may also be eligible to participate in the Lab Venture Challenge, competing for additional funding to further prepare the research lab’s technology for commercialization. Startup founders are encouraged to seek additional funding for their startup by engaging with potential investors and applying for grant opportunities, including those offered by the (e.g., Early Stage Capital Retention grants) and .Ìý

Yes, in fact, the team will be a factor in determining the strength of a pitch for the Embark Startup Founder positions. You can apply for the startup founder position with team members in mind. We also suggest exploring the option of working with other applicants to form a team. Only one startup founder will be paid for each startup company. If a team forms between two (or more) applicants, only one will receive the paid position with Venture Partners.Ìý

Venture Partners has existing startup teams that are seeking a business leader and/or CEO. If you are interested in joining a team, please contact Amy Dodenhoff. If you choose to join an existing startup team, you will not be eligible for the Embark Startup Founder position. Some existing teams may have funds to pay a salary or may provide only equity compensation in the early stages. Any compensation for such a role will be a discussion between you and the existing team.Ìý

When this happens, Venture Partners staff may inquire with all interested applicants in that technology to gauge their interest in forming a team (or multiple teams). On a case-by-case basis, Venture Partners may connect interested applicants. It is up to the job applicants whether they are interested in forming a team. ÌýWe will not force anyone who does not want to join a team to form a team.

If multiple applicants (or multiple teams of applicants) pitch the same technology in the semi-finals or finals, the judges will select the best pitch to win the Embark Startup Founder position and exclusive access to the intellectual property via an Option Agreement.Ìý

Note that the team is a component that is evaluated in these pitches, so applicants with complementary skillsets may present a stronger team than individuals. That said, it is not always the case that a team is chosen over a very strong individual business leader.

The Embark Startup Founder applicants will be given access to the technologies after the Embark kickoff meeting on October 2. The applicants choose their top five technologies and will have the opportunity to join group meetings with the research team that developed those technologies. Venture Partners may be able to fa