�Ͼ�Ʒ�� the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� the Innovation & Entreprenurship Initiative

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative aims to align and optimize resources across the �Ͼ�Ʒ�� campus that support innovation and entrepreneurship—in an inclusive, multidisciplinary understanding—to reach across traditional silos, facilitate collaboration, fuel achievement and build the university reputation.��

Innovation and entrepreneurship are pivotal to �Ͼ�Ʒ��'s success and growth. As a leading academic institution, the university significantly emphasizes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among its students, faculty and staff. �Ͼ�Ʒ�� encourages the development of groundbreaking ideas and entrepreneurial ventures by cultivating creative thinking, risk-taking and problem-solving. This drives academic excellence and equips the university to tackle societal challenges and contribute to economic development.

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� actively promotes innovation through research, technology transfer and entrepreneurial initiatives, transforming visionary concepts into practical solutions with a positive impact locally and globally. Embracing innovation and entrepreneurship enhances the university's reputation, attracts top talent and fosters collaborations with industry partners, furthering its mission of advancing knowledge and making a meaningful difference in the world.

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Campus Hubs for Innovation and��Entrepreneurship

Explore all of �Ͼ�Ʒ��'s innovation and entrepreneurship programming in the��Programs and Resources Guide.

ASSETT Innovation Incubator

Part of the Center for Teaching & Learning

ATLAS Institute

Part of the Research & Innovation Office

Deming Center for Entrepreneurship

Part of the��School of Business

Entrepreneurship Center for Music

Part of the College of Music

Idea Forge

Part of the College of Engineering and Applied Science

Part of��the Law School

Venture Partners at �Ͼ�Ʒ��

Part of the Research & Innovation Office

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Initiative Awards

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative recognizes outstanding students, faculty, staff and entrepreneurial mentors through a variety of awards and honors. Awardees are nominated annually by staff in our �Ͼ�Ʒ�� innovation ecosystem.

2026 Recipient: David Cass

Frank Moyes Award

Recognizing an outstanding faculty or staff member who have demonstrated exceptional interest and accomplishments in innovation and entrepreneurship during their time at �Ͼ�Ʒ��.

Past Recipients

2025:��Jeffrey Nytch
2024: Chunmei Ban
2020: Brad Bernthal
2019: Kyle Judah
2018: Doug Smith
2017: Erick Mueller
2016: Rick Han
2015: Ashley Tillman
2014: Seth Murray
2013: Zach Nies

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� Frank Moyes

The award is named after , a former tech executive and Entrepreneurship Scholar-in-Residence with the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business.��

Frank created three��amazing chapters in his career. He first served as an executive and leader in multinational corporations from GE to Owens-Illinois. He then founded a successful company that sold to a Fortune 50 company. His last chapter was as an inspiring and influential entrepreneurship teacher where he taught students how to think and act like entrepreneurs. In this last chapter, he created significant impact throughout �Ͼ�Ʒ�� and the entrepreneurship community, creating new classes, founding new programs and being one of the founding members of the New Venture Challenge.

2026 Recipient:��Ben Scarbeary

Fletcher Richman Award

Recognizing an outstanding��student who has demonstrated exceptional interest and accomplishments in innovation and entrepreneurship during their time at �Ͼ�Ʒ��. ��

Past Recipients

2025:��Ben Partee��
2024: Harris Cunningham
2020: Rachael Sharpe
2019: Andrew Morton
2018: Danielle Dannenberg
2017: Kaly Trupp
2016: Jeff Hopfenbeck
2015: Jamie Finney
2014:��Fletcher Richman

�Ͼ�Ʒ�� Fletcher Richman

The award is named after , a �Ͼ�Ʒ�� alum (ElCompEngr'14) and current Sr. Manager, Product of Halp at Atlassian. He originally founded and served as CEO of Halp, was acquired by Atlassian in 2020.

As a student, Fletcher participated in several innovation and entrepreneurial-related programs while at �Ͼ�Ʒ��, such as��competing in New Venture Challenge (NVC);��landing a spot in the first-ever internship class; co-founding a student coworking space��called Spark Boulder (now closed); and co-founding and participating in the university's summer startup accelerator, Catalyze CU.

2026 Recipient:��Chase Prieve

Entrepreneurial Mentor Award

Recognizing an outstanding entrepreneurial mentor who demonstrates the ability to go above and beyond in mentoring��Ͼ�Ʒ�� entrepreneurial students, faculty, staff and startup teams.

Past Recipients

2025:��Mara Rose��
2024: Ivan Portilla
2020: Rich Kopcho
2019: Scott Fox
2018: Tim Hill
2017: Rich Piech
2016: Peter Kovari
2015: Keith Mountain
2014:��Rich Boyan
2013: Gary Moskoff

2026 Recipient:��Chris Westfall

Community Champion Award

Acknowledging a community member who has gone above and beyond to support the work of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative. ��

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Past Recipients

2025:��Kim Tatsch

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Champions Club

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The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Champions Club is a select community of leaders, connectors and visionaries driving �Ͼ�Ʒ��'s innovation ecosystem forward. Our Champions play a meaningful role in advancing entrepreneurial learning, empowering the next generation of innovators and shaping the future of entrepreneurship and education in Colorado.

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Initiative Fellows

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