Come celebrate Â鶹ӰԺ's innovative startup culture with over 200 events, free and open to the public, atÌýÌýMay 14–18. Take a look below at some of the sessionsÌýfeaturing CU Â鶹ӰԺ faculty, staff, students and alumni, including CU Regent Heidi Ganahl.
Monday, May 14
3–3:50 p.m.
Canyon Theater, Library
Listen to VCs from across the state share what activity they are seeing: What investment themes or strategies are unique to their geographies. What do investors from across the state have in common? What opportunities can be found across Colorado for investors and founders alike?
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: David Camerucci, managing director of Startup Colorado at Silicon Flatirons, Colorado Law, and executive director of Startup Summer
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Zayo HQ
Â鶹ӰԺÌýplays a significant role in the architecture, implementationÌýand operation of many of the world’s most sophisticated bandwidth networks;ÌýAmazon, Google, Major League Baseball, and Netflix each have teams in Â鶹ӰԺ that are responsible for their networks. Moreover, Â鶹ӰԺ is home to Zayo Group and Level 3 Communications,Ìýthe two main providers of infrastructure that supports these networks. JoinÌýexperts from these companies and discuss the vital role Â鶹ӰԺ plays in this exciting and mission-critical ecosystem.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Kevin Epperson, bachelor's in business andÌýmaster's in telecommunications from CU Â鶹ӰԺ and manager of global infrastructure planning and acquisition functions at Netflix
Tuesday, May 15
10:30–11:20 a.m.
Canopy
Launching a cannabis industry startup is not easy—despite what you might read online.ÌýLearn what curveballs might be coming your way, and learn from cannabis entrepreneurs on how to hit it out of park.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Ron Basak-Smith, MBA in sustainability, entrepreneurship and finance from CU Â鶹ӰԺ and co-founder and CEO of Sana Packaging
11–11:50 a.m.
Galvanize (Half-A)
Should you go global? Why and when should you do this? Strategies to be successful and pitfalls to avoid. Mini case studies, as wel as insights from product andÌýservice companies,Ìýwill be presented and discussed.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speakers: Sarabeth Berk, director ofÌýInnovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative; Erick Mueller, director of cross campus entrepreneurship, faculty director of entrepreneurial initiatives and adjunct professor; Cynthia Banks, instructor of strategy, entrepreneurship and operations
12–12:50 p.m.
Riverside (filling up)
Experienced investors and founders share their take on when startups are better off not raising a round from VCs and what some of the key advantages and disadvantages are to bootstrapping your company.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker:ÌýCynthia Banks, instructor of strategy, entrepreneurship and operations; Carl Cortright, student in computer science and applied math and director of HackCU
6:30–8:30 p.m.
BMoCA
Can interactive documentaries elicit empathy? Do they give viewers a greater sense of agency and control? Watch/play/interact with a variety of interactive short films on themes of social change as you explore these questions. Enjoy free drinks and conversation at this startup crawl event!Ìý
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Elizabeth Allen, master's student in media and public engagement
Wednesday, May 16
9–9:50 a.m.
Madelife
Please join this exceptional panel as they share experiences and provide insight into: what sustainability is; the many options for professional positions in sustainability; what it's like to make an impact on sustainability in a Â鶹ӰԺ startup; and what the CU Â鶹ӰԺ campus is doing.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Heidi VanGenderen, chief sustainability officer
Thursday, May 17
2:15–2:45 p.m.
Galvanize, Gather Cafe
Culture sets you apart. It is the difference between winning or losing and the new currency of success. Everyone has 100 percentÌýaccess to information to create ventures smartly, but, this talk will discuss fiveÌýsecrets to creating a covetable culture that all startups aspire to have.Ìý
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Erick Mueller, director of cross campus entrepreneurship, faculty director of entrepreneurial initiatives and adjunct professor
6–8:30 p.m.
CA Technologies Â鶹ӰԺ
Dolphin Tanks aren’t about sharks, piranhas, dragonsÌýor competing for the best idea—they’re about channeling the expertise of the people in the room. Join this event for a friendly, feedback-driven pitch session for women entrepreneurs in the food and beverage tech space.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speaker: Lauren Costantini, Leeds School of Business MBA candidate and owner and founder of Tantaloupe, LLC
Friday, May 18
10–10:50 a.m.
Madelife
How would you like to support or be a mentor in the CU Â鶹ӰԺ innovation ecosystem? Join in a discussion on how to create a robust way for the community to get involved in entrepreneurship on campus.
CU Â鶹ӰԺ speakers:ÌýSarabeth Berk, director ofÌýInnovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative; Ali LeBea Greenstein, program manager of Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative and director of New Venture Challenge
12–12:50 p.m.
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What happens afterÌýyou sell your business is almost always more challenging than most people expect. This panel will share stories from the post-exit phase and provide strategies on how to navigage it with grace and success.
CU speaker: Heidi Ganahl, CU regent and founder of Camp Bow Wow
