Destination Startup

A showcase of the top research-based ventures in the Intermountain West

Destination Startup

A collaboration among leading research universities and federal laboratories across the Intermountain West听to听showcase听the best companies听from our听innovation ecosystem.

Read about the 2024 Destination Startup

The Intermountain West innovation ecosystem came together at the sixth annual Destination Startup Investor Showcase hosted by Venture Partners at SM调教所 Boulder. In a highly competitive field, twenty-three select ventures from the region鈥檚 research institutions presented at the showcase. Read More

Destination Startup^庐brings groundbreaking researchers together with听hundreds of investors from throughout North America to catalyze real-world impact. This showcase demonstrates a powerful way to advance innovative research and translate it into impactful business ventures.

Some results from Destination Startup听2018-2023:

900+ investors, business leaders and innovators from across the continent have attended.
97+ new startup companies have been launched.
$700+ million has been collectively raised (to date) by startups in venture, angel, strategic and grant funding.

Participating institutions include Arizona State University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Montana State University, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), University of Arizona, University of Colorado (Boulder, Anschutz, Denver and Colorado Springs), University of Denver, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-UMC, University of New Mexico, University of Utah and University of Wyoming.听Explore the Presenting Ventures

Investor Showcase

Check back soon for information about the 2025 Investor Showcase.听Sign Up for Updates

Apply to present your startup at Destination Startup

The application听for the 2024 Destination Startup听is now closed. You can still听review the information below听about eligibility, details and deadlines. Interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparation as soon as possible.听Sign Up for Updates

Destination Startup听Eligibility, Details and Deadlines

Oct. 1, 2023: 础辫辫濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍听诲别补诲濒颈苍别鈥�
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Nov. 7, 2023:听Investor registration opens for showcase
鈥�Oct. 31, 2023:听Teams are selected by a panel of more than 50 investors and serial entrepreneurs from throughout the globe
Nov. 27-Dec. 1:听Pitch Practices听and advising for teams participating in the showcase (virtual)

Jan. 8, 2024:听Draft video due
Feb. 12, 2024:听Final video due

March 21-22, 2024:听Final showcase听(Denver, CO)

Applying to Destination Startup庐 helps innovative researchers and faculty prepare for fundraising and the commercialization of their technology.听All applicants will have the opportunity to have their pitch reviewed by multiple investors, with detailed feedback. Those selected to present at the showcase will participate in one or more 鈥減itch practices,鈥� getting expert coaching from serial entrepreneurs and investors who are there to help you perfect your value proposition.

The Destination Startup庐 showcase will have hundreds of investors, entrepreneurs and fellow innovators in attendance, giving you the听opportunity to showcase your unique innovation to the world.听

view to hear from past winners about their LVC experience:

Any startup that is commercializing an innovation from, or in formal partnership with, one of the participating university research institutions or federal laboratories is eligible to apply:

Arizona State University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Montana State University
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
University of Arizona
University of Colorado (Boulder, Anschutz, Denver and Colorado Springs)
University of Denver
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nebraska-UMC
University of New Mexico
University of Utah
University of Wyoming

A competitive, independent selection process will determine which applicants will be invited to showcase at the February showcase.

The Basics

Name of Company or Team
One-sentence summary of what you do (e.g. 鈥渨e created a new rocket propulsion system鈥�; 鈥渨e discovered a plant-based cure for [x]鈥�)
Affiliated Institution: What lab/university are you based in, spun out of, licensed from, etc.?
Have you formed a company yet?
Money: What grants have you received for this venture? Capital invested, revenue generated, etc.?听

The Details听

Please keep in mind听that your responses to these questions will be used to populate your profile for the showcase. See examples below under Past Participating Ventures.

Please describe your company and the problem you are trying to solve. (250 words)
What is/was your go-to-market strategy? What partnerships are you seeking/developing? (250 words)
How will/do you generate revenue? (250 words)
What is your 鈥渁sk鈥� to investors, and how will you use the funding (or resources)? (250 words)
Who are the members of your team, and why is this the right team to get the job done? (150 words)
Please provide a three-minute video describing your innovation

Produce a brief 1-3 page summary of your innovation/technology and team, which will听be featured on the Destination Startup^庐 website and distributed to investors prior to the final showcase.
Participation in one or more pitch practices听in front of live investors and coaches to fine-tune your presentation.
Submission of a video presentation that will be showcased to investors online over the 2-day event.
Attendance (optional) at an exclusive VIP Investor/Founder Happy Hour听the week of Destination Startup庐 .

Please contact Stephen S. Miller, director of venture development

Past Destination Startup听Participating Ventures

2023 Presenting Teams

Afference Inc.鈥擜fference powers the feeling of touch in the digital world. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Aqualung Therapeutics Corp.鈥擜qualung Therapeutics Corp. is an immunotherapy company focused on developing therapeutics for diseases of unchecked inflammation and fibrosis. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Aspero Medical Inc.鈥擜spero Medical is enabling intraluminal endoscopic surgery through novel devices that improve access, stability, traction, and precision instrument manipulation as part of the shift toward less invasive procedures, from laparoscopic to intraluminal surgery. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Beryl Therapeutics Inc.鈥擝eryl is an early-stage drug development company poised to revolutionize the bone market with an anticipated safety profile that will disrupt the osteoporosis market and unlock the pediatric bone market. Affiliation: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Blaze Energy Technologies LLC鈥擝laze Energy is developing catalytic reforming technology for the efficient production of H2/NH3 fuels, which serve as carbon-free, drop-in replacements for hydrocarbons in combustion applications. Affiliation: Colorado School of Mines.

CarbeniumTec LLC鈥擟arbeniumTec LLC is developing a metal-free, all-organic battery for long-duration energy storage, providing a solution to the growing need for electricity storage without the environmental impacts of conventional batteries. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Cardiost鈥擟ardiost鈥檚 mission is to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) by developing a fully implantable heart assist pump for late-stage HFpEF. Affiliation: University of Denver.

Cascade Biocatalysts鈥擟ascade Biocatalysts makes enzymes rugged and reliable for widespread adoption in chemical manufacturing, reducing the cost and environmental impact of diverse manufacturing processes. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Chiima Therapeutics鈥擟hiima Therapeutics is a preclinical biotech company investigating a non-hormonal treatment for moderate to severe endometriosis-related pain in adult women. Affiliation: University of New Mexico.

Codelucida Inc.鈥擟odelucida provides disruptive error-correction solutions supporting the next generation of NAND flash memory chips, improving error correction and scalability while reducing power usage. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Curable Composites鈥擟urable Composites produces revolutionary materials, including 3D printing carbon fiber in mid-air and breakthroughs in foam manufacturing, leveraging over a decade of research. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

GelSana Therapeutics Inc.鈥擥elSana is a hydrogel wound dressing company offering products that improve wound healing by reducing inflammation and providing sustained drug delivery. Affiliation: Colorado School of Mines.

LumenAstra鈥擫umenAstra is commercializing a wearable, non-invasive sensor that measures core body temperature several centimeters below the skin, with applications in cardiac surgery, stroke recovery, chemotherapy, and consumer thermometers. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Prometheus Materials Inc.鈥擯rometheus Materials develops, manufactures, and licenses the use of microalgae to reduce and eliminate CO2 from concrete building materials. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Radanta Corporation鈥擱adanta Corporation is developing innovative energy harvesting technology. Affiliation: SM调教所.

RaeSedo, Inc.鈥擱aeSedo, a spin-out from the University of Arizona, is developing novel therapeutics for asthma based on an understanding of lung pathology. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Reglagene Inc.鈥擱eglagene is a preclinical-stage therapeutics company developing breakthrough therapy for the treatment of brain cancers. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Sentinel Fertigation鈥擲entinel Fertigation provides image-based crop monitoring and nitrogen management solutions that improve farm profitability and preserve the environment by aligning nitrogen applications with crop needs. Affiliation: University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

TissueForm鈥擳issueForm harnesses the natural, restorative power of tissue extracellular matrix to fill volumetric defects, integrating with host tissue and promoting healing. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Tynt Technologies Inc.鈥擳ynt Technologies is commercializing the next generation of dynamic windows to improve the comfort and energy efficiency of homes. Affiliation: SM调教所.

uPetsia Inc.鈥攗Petsia solves bad dog breath with a canine oral bacteria modified to produce mint aromas for hours, used as a feed ingredient. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

2022 Presenting Teams

Aspero Medical, Inc.鈥擣ocuses on improving gastrointestinal endoscopy with enhanced device performance to improve patient outcomes, all while saving time and money. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Aurora Oncology, Inc.鈥擠evelops novel therapies for bladder cancer. Affiliation: SM调教所 Anschutz.

Beyond Copper鈥擬akes safe copper surfaces and powders for coatings and filters that are nearly instantly antimicrobial, unlike traditional copper. Affiliation: Colorado School of Mines.

Blue Cubed, LLC鈥擝uilds optical and radio frequency communication terminals for the growing small satellite market. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Botanisol Analytics鈥擠eveloping the world鈥檚 first autonomous disease detector for national security efforts. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Ensign Pharmaceutical, Inc.鈥擠evelops and markets novel pharmaceutical products to free patients with musculoskeletal disorders and inflammatory diseases from pain and disability without harmful side effects. Affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center.

EvoEndo, Inc.鈥擠eveloped a single-use system for diagnostic upper endoscopies to be performed without the use of general anesthesia or sedation. Affiliation: SM调教所 Anschutz.

Global Laparoscopy Solutions鈥擟reated a portfolio of low-cost, portable laparoscopy devices for minimally invasive surgeries. Affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center.

HiveTech Solutions鈥擟ommercializing its proprietary climate-smart technology to improve honeybee survival. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

LumenAstra鈥擟ommercializing a wearable, non-invasive core body temperature sensor for clinical, consumer, military, and athletic applications. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Mallinda, Inc.鈥擲olving the problem of structural composite waste by enabling end-of-life circularity of composite parts. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Mars Materials鈥擠eveloping a new pathway for carbon fiber and acrylamide production using CO鈧� and bio-based inputs as raw materials. Affiliation: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Modendo Inc.鈥擜dapts and optimizes systems to create a robust, flexible, and compact prototype of an ultrathin endoscope for use in neuroscience labs. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Nano Magnetic Solutions鈥擠eveloped a brain simulation toolbox for in vitro research for neurological disease treatments. Affiliation: Montana State University.

New Day Hydrogen, LLC鈥擝uilds, markets, and develops projects around green hydrogen, focusing on fleet fueling and longer-lead opportunities in communities and utilities. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

OMC Hydrogen鈥擟reates renewable hydrogen to decarbonize fuels and chemicals using a thermochemical process with significant cost advantages over electrolysis. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

OTORO Energy鈥擬anufactures megawatt-scale energy storage systems to support the electric grid and infrastructure with safe, patented battery materials. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Polaris Electro-Optics, Inc.鈥擯rovides ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals and device reference designs for CMOS foundries to enhance electro-optic modulators. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Reglagene鈥擯ioneers safe and effective precision chemotherapy medicines that selectively kill cancer cells without the toxic side effects of existing agents. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

RespirAI Medical鈥擠eveloped wearable technology that tracks the progression of COPD and can predict incoming disease exacerbations. Affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Respirogen, Inc.鈥擳echnology delivers oxygen to the bloodstream independent of the lungs to reduce systemic hypoxia for lung disease patients. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

SaiOx, Inc.鈥擟reated Hespiro, a patented respiratory assistance device that utilizes the proven benefits of heliox in a closed-loop system for people suffering from COPD. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

SARUS Lifting鈥擜 software tool to help crane and construction companies reduce time spent developing lift plans while improving their quality for better job site safety. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Scintillation Nanotechnologies鈥擠eveloped novel nanoparticles to detect continuous radioisotopes in non-toxic, aqueous environments, including inside living cells and tissues. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

TheraCea Pharma鈥擠eveloping new diagnostic agents to assess early responses in immunotherapy through PET imaging. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

Think Bioscience鈥擜 new platform combining applied microbiology, enzymology, and data science to develop small-molecule therapeutics guided by living systems for better medicines. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Tynt Technologies鈥擮ffers dynamic windows based on reversible metal deposition technology to control light and heat flow with 100% blackout/privacy. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Vitro3D鈥擱eimagining drug discovery research through mechanically enhanced and geometrically accurate 3D printed tissue for preclinical testing. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Xoralgo, Inc.鈥擝uilt the next generation of patented computer storage technology that prevents data loss and dramatically reduces the cost of storing data. Affiliation: University of Arizona.

2021 Presenting Teams

Alpenglow Instruments鈥擜lpenglow Instruments designs, builds, and supports high-quality instrumentation used to study clouds, aerosols, and the Earth's atmosphere. Affiliation: University of Wyoming.

Arpeggio Bio鈥擜rpeggio Bio uses machine learning and RNA to make drugs against previously undruggable targets in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Affiliation: SM调教所.

Aspero Medical, Inc.鈥擜spero Medical focuses on improving gastrointestinal endoscopy for the patient and physician. Their technology enhances device performance, saving time and money, while improving patient outcomes. Affiliation: SM调教所.

BCell Solutions, Inc.鈥擝Cell Solutions is a pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company commercializing immunotherapies that harness immune cell-surface signaling to stop inflammation. Affiliation: University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

BromeCare Therapeutics, LLC鈥擝romeCare Therapeutics is rapidly developing a plant-derived therapeutic to disrupt SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and prevent COVID-19 infection. Affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center.

CellDrop Biosciences, Inc.鈥擟ellDrop is commercializing a stem cell therapy developed to quickly and permanently heal musculoskeletal injuries in racehorses. Affiliation: University of Wyoming.

Double Helix Optics鈥擠ouble Helix Optics designs and manufactures sensors and imaging modules for precision 3D imaging used in life and material sciences, industrial inspection, and machine vision. Affiliation: SM调教所.

EvoEndo, Inc.鈥擡voEndo builds innovative pediatric endoscopy systems that allow diagnostic upper endoscopies to be performed comfortably and quickly without the need for general anesthesia. Affiliation: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

GPER G-1 Development Group鈥擥PER G-1 Development Group is developing a novel therapeutic for the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Affiliation: University of New Mexico.

Inherent Biosciences, Inc.鈥擨nherent Biosciences is a molecular diagnostics company at the intersection of epigenetics and artificial intelligence, tackling clinical problems such as infertility, autoimmune diseases, and COVID-19 disease severity. Affiliation: University of Utah.

Laporte Immunotherapeutics鈥擫aporte Immunotherapeutics is developing transformative immune-based therapies for upper respiratory and eye infections using immune-stimulatory nanoparticles. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

2020 Presenting Teams

Big Blue Technologies鈥擬akes magnesium metal using a novel process technology that consumes 60 percent less energy than the dominant incumbent process, resulting in a 50 percent reduction in cost of goods sold compared to the monopolistic U.S. producer. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

BioLoomics, Inc.鈥擯rovides a B2B service to pharma R&D companies that predicts clinically relevant effects of drugs using a high-throughput platform drug screening technology. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Cetya Therapeutics鈥擠eveloping HDAC inhibitors, analogs of largazole, a natural product Class I-restricted HDAC inhibitor, focused on solid tumors in oncology and hemoglobinopathies like sickle cell disease. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

Earable, Inc.鈥擳he world鈥檚 first and most advanced in-ear health improvement platform for sleep and health monitoring applications, revolutionizing cognitive healthcare with smart earphones. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Emergy Foods鈥擜 whole muscle, plant-based meat alternative company that developed a sustainable, proprietary process to produce food ingredients and finished goods from fungal mycelium. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

Ezalife, LLC鈥擠esigns and develops medical devices that make life easier for individuals with complex medical needs. Its first product, the Button Huggie, is a precision-designed gastrostomy button securement device. Affiliation: SM调教所 Anschutz.

GenoFab, Inc.鈥擠eveloping a software tool-chain to write and read self-documenting DNA molecules. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

Lab79 Technologies, Inc.鈥擠eveloping a method to sequence DNA by monitoring changes in force as single-stranded DNA is pulled through an interface. Affiliation: N/A.

Microbial Pulse Diagnostics鈥擡nabling point-of-care, data-driven antibiotic prescriptions by providing physicians with a list of effective drugs in under two hours. Affiliation: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

New Iridium, LLC鈥擯roduces organic photo redox catalysts (PCs) for light-driven chemical reactions that accelerate pharma drug development and reduce drug manufacturing costs. Affiliation: Colorado State University, SM调教所 Boulder.

OptiEnz Sensors鈥擜n instrumentation system that incorporates biosensors for continuous monitoring of organic chemical concentrations in water and aqueous solutions. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

PhotonPharma鈥擜n immune oncology company developing a breakthrough technology to stimulate a patient鈥檚 immune system to seek out and destroy their cancer cells. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

SiVEC Biotechnologies鈥擜 delivery platform for nucleic acid drugs and gene-editing tools using non-pathogenic bacteria for stable and specific delivery to mucosal tissues without host genomic integration. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

Starfire Energy鈥擠evelops systems to produce carbon-free ammonia from air and water using clean electricity, leveraging a patent-pending catalyst and novel removal method. Affiliation: Colorado School of Mines.

Strivision鈥擠eveloping new condition-oriented pulmonary diagnostic tools aimed at early diagnosis of chronic respiratory conditions through infrared CO2 imaging and AI-driven analysis. Affiliation: SM调教所 Denver.

TissueForm鈥擜 microparticle tissue technology that targets scarring, wrinkles, and tissue loss due to aging or injury. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

VetMeasure鈥擯roduces MeasureON!, a canine harness that enables accurate detection of an animal鈥檚 health statistics to optimize care and treatment options. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

VitriVax鈥擜 platform technology enabling the preparation of thermostable, single-shot vaccines. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

2019 Presenting Teams

GenoFab, Inc.鈥擠eveloping a software tool-chain to write and read self-documenting DNA molecules. Affiliation: Colorado State University.

Lab79 Technologies, Inc.鈥擠eveloping a method to sequence DNA by monitoring changes in force as single-stranded DNA is pulled through an interface. Affiliation: N/A.

TissueForm鈥擜 microparticle tissue technology that targets scarring, wrinkles, and tissue loss due to aging or injury. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

VitriVax鈥擜 platform technology enabling the preparation of thermostable, single-shot vaccines. Affiliation: SM调教所 Boulder.

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Thank you to our Destination Startup听Partners for their generous donations:

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Participating Research Institutions:

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