Quantum & Photonics

Infleqtion secures $1M grant to advance quantum software

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 19:00:02 +0000

Infleqtion secures $1M grant to advance quantum software Daniel Corbin … Wed, 09/25/2024 - 13:00

BizWest—Infleqtion, a quantum information company that began at CU Boulder as Coldquanta, recently received a $1.15 million Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR, grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop software for quantum computing.

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Polaris Electro-Optics demonstrates groundbreaking 102 Gbps PAM-4 silicon photonic modulator technology

Daniel Corbin Leonard — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 18:54:00 +0000

Polaris Electro-Optics demonstrates groundbreaking 102 Gbps PAM-4 silicon photonic modulator technology Daniel Corbin … Wed, 09/25/2024 - 12:54

Photonics Online—A new variant of liquid crystal is at the core of CU Boulder startup Polaris Electro-Opstics' technology. Designed as a seamless drop-in enhancer of silicon photonic chips, Polaris's modulator technology paves the way for the next generation of optical interconnects critical to the future of data center disaggregation.

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2024 cohort of CU Boulder’s Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator launches new startups

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 19:00:40 +0000

2024 cohort of CU Boulder’s Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator launches new startups Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 09/13/2024 - 13:00

Daniel Leonard

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with CU Boulder technologies to bring those breakthroughs to market in response to urgent societal needs. Embark has launched its second Entrepreneurs in Residence cohort and will provide Intellectual Property rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to launch startups with real-world impact.

Every year, dozens of breakthrough inventions emerge from CU Boulder’s research labs. While some are spun out by creators themselves, others are poised to partner with entrepreneurs beyond university walls looking to launch the latest and greatest technologies. Enter Embark, the newest program offered by Venture Partners at CU Boulder.

Ready to embark on a new entrepreneurial journey?

Embark is CU Boulder's deep tech startup creator for matching entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations. With myriad CU Boulder technologies ready to make a real-world impact, Embark seeks motivated entrepreneurs ready to launch new companies.

Visit Embark Webpage

Embark bridges this gap by recruiting and matching entrepreneurs with promising university innovations. “Just because the university inventors didn’t create a startup company doesn’t mean the technology is not a really exciting startup opportunity,” said Bryn Rees, associate vice chancellor for research and innovation and managing director of Venture Partners.

“The first cohort of entrepreneurs have been in high gear since they were selected by the Venture Partners team last year and have risen to each challenge,” said Marta Zgagacz, senior director at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “They do not rest; they take advantage of everything we suggest to them,” she said. “It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, how we support our startups,” added Zgagacz.

Last year’s Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR) cohort saw notable success with their new startups in their first year. For example, PrecisionTerra, founded by EIR Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan, is a software solution that improves the signal strength of GNSS receivers in urban environments. The company has raised over $130,000 and was accepted to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) NSIN Vector accelerator. Green Steel Environmental, founded by EIRs Jonathan Teaford and Jon Jonis, is developing sustainable additives to revolutionize the wastewater recovery industry. The company has raised over $350,000 and will exhibit at the Biogas Americas trade show in Savannah, GA, in October.

Now in its second year, over 114 entrepreneurs applied to Embark and explored a curated portfolio of more than 50 technologies from various scientific and engineering fields, including biotechnology, quantum science, advanced materials and aerospace. The Venture Partners team then worked closely with the entrepreneurs and inventors to find the right matches and the greatest opportunities for impact.

Selected applicants went through a rigorous 8-week program where they learned about the technologies for the first time, collaborated with the researchers, began customer discovery and pitched their business ideas in the final EIR selection process. “We were impressed with all of these entrepreneurs and how much progress they made to get to this point,” said Amy Dodenhoff, director of venture development at Venture Partners and co-leader of Embark. “We are excited to see what the new EIRs can do over the next six months with their new companies.”

The selected entrepreneurs—founding ten new startups on university-owned technologies—will launch their companies with an option agreement from the university and receive funding for technology development plus a six-month part-time salary to jumpstart their ventures.

With funding from CU Boulder, the program aims to increase diversity in the startup community by supporting individuals who may not have the financial means to pursue entrepreneurship without salary support.

Embark’s emphasis on matching entrepreneurs with groundbreaking innovations holds the potential to unleash the full impact of CU Boulder’s research into the world.

Information about the 2025 Embark Showcase for investors and the business community is expected in January 2025. Sign Up for Updates

2024 Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence

Aatxe Therapeutics

Embark Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIR): Makenna Morck (Alum: CU Boulder Biochemistry) and Alec Santiago
Principal Investigator (PI): Michael Stowell (CU Boulder Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology)

Aatxe Therapeutics is a cyclic peptide platform that maximizes structural adaptability to improve cell penetrance, accessing and targeting challenging proteins. With this unique value, Aatxe can target proteins previously thought undruggable, improving patient outcomes in complex diseases.

Industry Applications: Health and Wellness

Carbon-Storing Hempcrete

EIR: Nick Manuzak (Alum: CU Boulder Business)
PI: Wil Srubar (CU Boulder Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering College of Engineering and Applied Science)

Carbon-Storing Hempcrete is a carbon-negative biocomposite building material that sequesters carbon dioxide (CO2) at an increased and accelerated rate. It also offers insulative properties, resulting in energy savings and a reduced building carbon footprint.

Industry Applications: Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Construction, Advanced Materials

Colexible Technologies

EIR: C.J. Whelan
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Colexible Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing cutting-edge flexible electronics. Our components and devices offer unparalleled stretching, bending and durability in wearable devices, automotive components and industrial electronics.

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials

EcoValeric Innovations

EIR: Roberta Leão
PI: Adam Holewinski (CU Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering)

EcoValeric Innovations converts levulinic acid (LA) into 4-Hydroxyvaleric acid (HVA) and HVA-based derivatives, including biopolymers, bioplastics, green chemicals and biofuels, using a breakthrough electrochemical process. Our solutions have applications across diverse industries, delivering scalable, eco-friendly alternatives. Visit the EcoValeric Website

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Food and Agriculture, Fashion and Design, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics, Hardware and Instrumentation, Medical Devices, Advanced Materials

Endios Bio

EIR: Wendy Overton
PI: Alexandra Whiteley (CU Boulder Biochemistry)

Endios Bio is developing breakthrough therapeutics for rare neurodegenerative diseases by targeting the newly discovered impacts of the gene peg10, which was recently linked to ALS and Angelmans and has druggable potential.

Industry Applications: Biotech, Health & Wellness, Therapeutics, Diagnostics

IntraLumenus

EIR: Jesse M. Sheppard (Alum: CU Denver Business, CU Boulder Business)
PI: Mark Rentschler (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Endoculus' mission is to revolutionize how lower gastrointestinal endoscopies are performed by significantly improving access to the colon for gastroenterologists, eliminating mechanical constraints, reducing the number of procedures and reducing the time it takes to complete interventional endoscopies and screenings.

Industry Applications: Biotech, Health and Wellness, Robotics, Medical Devices, Hardware and Instrumentation

FOWTech

EIR: George Douaire
PI: Lucy Pao (CU Boulder Electrical, Computer & Energy Engineering)

FOWTech specializes in advanced control systems for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWTs), enhancing stability and power generation in deep-water environments. Our innovative technology manages seven degrees of freedom (DOFs) of floating platforms, improving power output and reducing maintenance costs.

Industry Applications: Manufacturing, Environment and Sustainability, Cleantech, Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Information Technology, Software, Civic Engagement and Government, Hardware and Instrumentatio

Longevity Escape Velocity Labs

EIR: Kylen McClintock
PI: Tom LaRocca (CU Boulder Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Laboratory)

LEVL targets the biology of aging to create novel therapeutics and personalized protocols that help people live longer and healthier. LEVL's first formulation is a fasting mimetic shown to restore older mice to youthful biomarkers by inducing levels of autophagy comparable to rapamycin. Visit the LEVL Website

Industry Applications: Biotech, Artificial Intelligence, Health and Wellness, Therapeutics

Serenity PSG

EIR: Bart Emery
PI: Jianliang Xiao (CU Boulder Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering)

Serenity PSG is reinventing the sleep diagnostic experience for patients and physicians using earbud flexible biosensors that move full sleep lab capabilities to the home. Serenity PSG is led by Bart Emery, a two-time CU alum and experienced venture capitalist passionate about improving healthcare for all.

Industry Applications: Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Health and Wellness, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning

The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator pairs seasoned entrepreneurs with university technologies to bring those breakthroughs to market in response to urgent societal needs. Embark has launched its second Entrepreneurs in Residence cohort and will provide Intellectual Property rights, salary support, grant funds and investor introductions to launch startups with real-world impact.

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If GPS goes dark, Mesa Quantum has a backup plan

Anonymous — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 18:35:32 +0000

If GPS goes dark, Mesa Quantum has a backup plan Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 09/05/2024 - 12:35

CNBC—CU Boulder startup Mesa Quantum has raised $3.7 million in seed funding on top of a $1.7 million Space Force grant to develop chip-scale quantum sensors.
The startup’s quantum sensors could bring navigation, timing and positioning data to electronic devices of every kind, alleviating their need to pick up distant GPS satellite signals. Many GPS satellites covering the U.S. have aged beyond their initially intended lifespan.

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CU Boulder, Elevate Quantum partners ready for $127M regional quantum boost

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 17:02:39 +0000

CU Boulder, Elevate Quantum partners ready for $127M regional quantum boost Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 07/02/2024 - 11:02

CU Boulder Today—Elevate Quantum, of which CU Boulder is a key partner, announced today that it has received a Tech Hub Phase 2 implementation award from the Department of Commerce, unlocking more than $127 million in new federal and state funding.

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Activate announces founders of CU Boulder spinouts in Cohort 2024

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 17:11:33 +0000

Activate announces founders of CU Boulder spinouts in Cohort 2024 Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/01/2024 - 11:11

This announcement was originally published at activate.org

Activate’s 62 new fellows drive meaningful change toward a sustainable and equitable society. With fellows from 50 companies, Cohort 2024 is their largest yet. Selected from over 1,000 applicants, this new class of fellows is pioneering some of today’s most promising innovations across critical sectors, including energy, transportation, manufacturing, agriculture and national security. During the fellowship, new fellows will turn their breakthroughs into businesses and transform into high-impact science entrepreneurs.

“People, not ideas alone, move the world forward. It is through the drive and determination of brilliant scientists and engineers that we are witnessing true progress,” says Cyrus Wadiam, CEO of Activate. “Our current Activate Fellows and alumni are already pioneering innovative solutions that make a measurable difference. We’re thrilled to support the next 62 visionaries who will lead the charge in addressing our most urgent issues through groundbreaking science and technology.”

CU Boulder Fellows in Activate Anywhere

Recognizing that talent exists in every part of the United States, Activate Anywhere is a virtual community of connected but not co-located fellows. Fellows work in their local innovation ecosystem and are plugged into Activate’s mentorship, education and community network. Three Cohort 2024 fellows join Activate from companies spun up at CU Boulder with Venture Partners at CU Boulder.

The 12 new fellows joining the Activate Anywhere Community are in ten U.S. cities, including Denver, CO; Raleigh, NC; Baltimore, MD; and Milwaukee, WI. These fellows are developing solutions in several fields: including water purification, quantum networks, fast diagnostics, quantum-inspired computing, “forever chemicals” degradation, toxins detection, 3D printing, methane elimination, vacuum-insulated glass windows that are as insulating as walls and “bearingless” electric motors that could improve their efficiency to over 90 percent.

Vitro3D

Activate Cohort 2024 Fellows

Camila Uzcategui is the co-founder and CEO of Vitro3D. She earned her PhD in materials science and engineering from CU Boulder, and has a BS in physics and a BA in anthropology from Florida International University. With over eight years of experience in light-based additive manufacturing, Uzcategui brings extensive expertise in applying advanced technologies to the industry. She advocates for technology entrepreneurship with a social lens to create sustainable solutions.

Johnny Hergert is the co-founder and CTO of Vitro3D. While obtaining his BS in chemistry from Oregon State, Hergert built his first 3D printer and has been studying and innovating in the additive industry for ten years. He started Vitro3D with his co-founder while finishing a PhD at CU Boulder.

More About Vitro3D

Vitro3D is reimagining the future of manufacturing with its advanced volumetric technology, enabling rapid, high-quality production of complex parts. This sustainable approach surpasses traditional methods, empowering industries to tackle existing challenges and unlock new opportunities that were previously impossible.

Existing technologies limit manufacturers across high-value industries in efficiently producing complex polymer parts. Methods like injection molding and 3D printing fall short of providing a cost-effective, high-quality solution for producing high-resolution parts at varying scales of production. Injection molding isn't economical for small batches and struggles with complex geometries, while 3D printing is often limited to lower-performance materials unsuitable for mass production. For example, the next generation of products faces critical manufacturing roadblocks in the electronic connectors and components industry due to these limitations in resolution, speed and material flexibility.

Vitro3D is introducing a new 3D fabrication technology that significantly speeds up production and enables the creation of complex shapes that are impossible with current manufacturing techniques. Vitro3D’s approach uses an optical toolhead to enable layerless, volumetric parts fabrication directly onto manufacturing lines. This streamlines production by eliminating support structures that other additive methods require, allowing hybrid components without assembly and offering an unlimited build area. This pioneering approach in polymer structuring accelerates part fabrication by a factor of 100 compared to 3D printing methods, and it can create complex geometries unachievable with injection molding.

Vitro3D's innovation will dramatically enhance society by enabling the on-site and on-demand production of critical parts in high-value industries using a wider range of sustainable materials when fully implemented. This disruptive manufacturing technology will foster innovation in various industries, including electronics, personalized medicine and regenerative tissue creation, reaching previously inaccessible locations with its low-cost, modular system. By improving the accessibility and quality of products for a broad spectrum of populations, Vitro3D aims to significantly enhance the quality of life globally, moving from solving complex industrial challenges to making a profound societal impact.

Icarus Quantum

Activate Cohort 2024 Fellow

Poolad Imany is an expert in quantum photonics and quantum networking with 11 years of experience. He received his PhD in electrical and computer engineering from Purdue University, researching chip-scale quantum optics. Since then, he has been a postdoctoral associate at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), building efficient and scalable quantum light sources. At NIST, he founded Icarus Quantum to commercialize NIST’s quantum dot technology and enable scalable quantum networking.

More About Icarus Quantum

As quantum computers become more powerful, they can penetrate all encryption methods currently used for communications. To protect communication channels against this threat, using quantum light to distribute encryption provides the only provably secure solution. These quantum networks also enable connecting quantum computers, unlocking their exponential processing power for drug discoveries and optimization algorithms. Icarus Quantum is developing the first efficient quantum light source to enable scalable quantum networking. Icarus' devices will plug into the existing optical fiber networks, bringing a quantum internet one step closer to the general public.

Icarus Quantum is not just about innovation but also about reliability. The company is developing the first commercial deterministic generator of entangled photons, the backbone of quantum networks. Unlike other sources that rely on probabilistic processes and can only achieve a maximum efficiency of one percent, our quantum dots can boost this process to over 70 percent. This significant leap in efficiency ensures the reliability needed for scaling quantum networks to longer ranges, instilling confidence in the future of quantum technologies.

Activate is a nonprofit organization that empowers scientists to transform their research into market-ready products and services through a two-year fellowship that provides funding, mentorship and access to a robust network of experts and resources. Three Cohort 2024 fellows join Activate from companies spun up at CU Boulder with Venture Partners at CU Boulder.

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Infleqtion fellowships inspire physics graduate students

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:03:15 +0000

Infleqtion fellowships inspire physics graduate students Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 06/25/2024 - 12:03

College of Arts and Sciences—The Infleqtion Graduate Fellowships, awarded to outstanding first-year physics graduate students at CU Boulder, support the development of future quantum scientists. These prestigious fellowships, established by the quantum tech company Infleqtion, a CU Boulder spinout, help attract top talent and provide significant financial aid, enabling students to focus on their research and career development in quantum technology.

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CU Boulder wins $20M to lead National Quantum Nanofab facility

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 22:48:02 +0000

CU Boulder wins $20M to lead National Quantum Nanofab facility Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/20/2024 - 16:48

CU Boulder Today—Researchers at CU Boulder will soon begin working on what they call the “quantum machine shop” of the 21st century. The U.S. National Science Foundation today announced a $20 million grant to CU Boulder to launch a facility known as the National Quantum Nanofab (NQN). In this facility, Colorado researchers and quantum specialists from around the country will be able to design and build incredibly small devices that tap into the world of atoms and photons—the tiny packets of energy that make up light.

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