Innovate CSU Day will showcase and celebrate innovation through two flagship events: CSU Demo Day, hosted by CSU STRATA, and the Venture RAMS Business Showcase, hosted by the CSU College of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship (I4E).
Embracing CSU’s Green & Gold Days initiative, this collaborative event fosters the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the campus community and beyond.
Innovate CSU Day will be held on Wednesday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Lory Student Center Grand Ballroom. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the groundbreaking projects, startups and ventures representing various industries, contributing to the local and global innovation landscape.
CSU STRATA and I4E are joining forces to cultivate synergies between innovation, research and entrepreneurship. CSU STRATA, known for its focus on advancing technological discoveries through commercialization, collaborates with I4E, which is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial skills and supporting ventures. This event leverages the strengths of both entities, offering a comprehensive platform that spans the entire innovation journey from academia to industry.
“Innovate CSU Day celebrates the vibrant blend of innovation, research and entrepreneurship at our university, bringing together diverse talents and ventures within our community,” said Rachel Roberts, I4E assistant director. “Events like this not only enrich our academic environment but also profoundly impact our students’ experiences, fostering creativity, collaboration and real-world engagement.”
Celebrating innovation at Demo Day
CSU Demo Day will kick off Innovate CSU Day by showcasing the breadth of ideas throughout CSU Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo with student posters and CSU-affiliated startup companies presenting their innovative solutions, inspiring attendees with progress in various fields. Additionally, the CSU STRATA Lab to Life program will exhibit its current startup companies, highlighting the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Industry partners, including CSU STRATA’s partnered law firms and representatives from the USPTO, will be present to provide insight into how intellectual property derived from research can be protected.
Student presenters will have the chance to represent their college and win cash prizes based on their poster presentations, which will be judged by community partners, industry professionals and CSU STRATA staff. Specialty awards include the People’s Choice Award presented by Meunier Carlin and Curfman, LLC, the Innovative Excellence Award presented by CSU STRATA, and the Excellence in Biotechnology Award presented by Platinum sponsor Berg Hill Greenleaf Ruscitti, LLP.
For the first time since 2019, an Innovator of the Year will be recognized. With this award, CSU STRATA seeks to recognize research excellence that is leading to impact outside of the University through the commercial translation of discovery into innovative new products and solutions benefiting the lives of people around the world.
To close out CSU Demo Day, keynote speakers from Aquanta Vision Technologies Inc., a newly launched CSU startup, will provide a compelling real-world example of the impact of technology transfer.
A CSU success story
Babur Ozden and Marcus Martinez will be the Innovate CSU Day keynote speakers beginning at 3 p.m. The dynamic team will share the story of how Martinez’s CSU graduate project became the basis for a highly competitive venture in the inaugural Chevron Studio Program cohort. Martinez, Aquanta Vision Product Systems Engineer and technology inventor, and Ozden, serial entrepreneur and Aquanta Vision CEO, have created a team that is working towards a successful commercial release of a software app, NetxteN. The software will make detecting methane leaks in billions of industrial components around the world easy and feasible.
“Our keynote speakers exemplify how our innovative ecosystem at CSU drives success. Aquanta Vision is taking an idea that was developed at CSU and turning it into an impactful solution to improve the environment,” said Richard Magid, CSU STRATA’s vice president of technology transfer.
Celebrating entrepreneurship at the Venture RAMS Business Showcase
The Venture RAMS Business Showcase is slated for the latter part of the day, offering a platform for six student venture finalists to pitch their businesses and connect with industry leaders, potential investors, business partners and customers. More than just a competition, it enables students from diverse majors to showcase their entrepreneurial endeavors for a chance to win startup funding.
The coaching and programming offered in preparation for the event enhances students’ understanding of the entrepreneurial process, preparing them for the challenges and opportunities in the competitive business landscape.
Finalists will get five minutes to pitch their ideas in front of a panel of esteemed entrepreneurial judges and industry professionals, while also facilitating a five-minute Q&A session. The event culminates with the announcement of winners, who will receive cash prizes totaling over $12,000. Awards will be given to the top three placements, along with special recognitions such as the Temple Grandin Impact Award, Michael Best Business for a Better World Award and Himes People’s Choice Award.
As entrepreneurship is celebrated at Innovate CSU Day, the Venture RAMS Business Showcase reaffirms CSU’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators, both within the university and beyond.
How to get involved
All are welcome to attend Demo Day and the Venture RAMS Business Showcase, and the events are free of charge. RSVPs can be submitted to secure a spot. Additionally, guests are encouraged to connect during the official Networking Happy Hour beginning at 3:30 p.m. presented by Michael Best Law.
To get connected with CSU Demo Day, contact Charlotte Davis, Marketing Coordinator for CSU STRATA Technology Transfer, at charlotte.davis@colostate.edu.
For more information about the Venture RAMS Business Showcase, contact Aubrey Kruse, Marketing & Events Coordinator for the CSU College of Business Institute for Entrepreneurship, at aubrey.kruse@colostate.edu.
