Colorado Startup Week Panel Summary: From Federal Labs to Founder Fuel
- Dan Powers
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
September 18, 2025: CO-LABS' Colorado Startup Week panel showcased how entrepreneurs are leveraging Colorado's unique concentration of federal research facilities to build breakthrough companies. The discussion featured four leaders who demonstrated the untapped potential within our state's innovation ecosystem.
Poolad Imany (Icarus Quantum) shared how his company spun out from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) while licensing joint IP with University of Colorado Boulder, emphasizing that quantum computing applications are just 3-5 years away rather than perpetually "10 years out." Marta Zgagacz (Venture Partners at CU Boulder) highlighted how CU beat MIT in startup creation last year with 35 spinouts, largely due to their Embark program that matches external entrepreneurs with university technology and doesn't require academic affiliation. Cynthia Ritmiller (U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) demonstrated how federal data serves as free infrastructure for diverse industries from aviation safety to wildfire management to roadways and infrastructure, with USGS actively seeking partnerships. Joseph E Hovancak (Boulder Chamber, now with Caruso Ventures) emphasized the global competition for Colorado's talent ecosystem, with international companies relocating here specifically to access federal lab resources and the AI/quantum convergence driving companies like Quantinuum ($600M funding) and Infleqtion (recent IPO).
Dan Powers described that Colorado hosts 35+ federal labs with licenseable IP, funding opportunities, publications, staffing, equipment, and datasets that most entrepreneurs don't know exist. Joe highllighted that CO-LABS serves as the "GPS system" for navigating these resources, providing access to assets across facilities like NIST, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL, NSF, NCAR, and JILA.
AND: CO-LABS' new AI-powered tool allows entrepreneurs to search federal lab capabilities using natural language, connecting them with the specific research, equipment, and expertise they need.
For technology professionals looking to commercialize deep tech innovations or access world-class research facilities, CO-LABS membership provides the key to unlocking Colorado's federal laboratory ecosystem. Apply for CO-LABS membership today!
Key Themes and Insights:
1. Federal Labs as Innovation Catalysts
The panel emphasized how Colorado's federal laboratory ecosystem serves as a unique advantage for startups and entrepreneurs. The state hosts numerous federal research facilities including NIST, NREL, USGS, and joint institutes like JILA at CU Boulder, creating an unprecedented concentration of research resources.
Joe Hovancak (Boulder Chamber/Caruso Ventures) highlighted this as a global competitive advantage, noting that international companies from Canada, India, and Germany are actively considering relocating to Colorado specifically to access this talent pool and ecosystem. He emphasized that rebuilding these capabilities would take years if lost, making them irreplaceable assets for the region's innovation economy.
2. Quantum and AI: The Convergence Opportunity
Multiple panelists identified the intersection of quantum computing and artificial intelligence as Colorado's most rapidly accelerating industry sector.
Poolad Imany (Icarus Quantum) provided clarity on quantum technologies, explaining they encompass three areas: computing, sensing, and communications. He addressed the common misconception that quantum computing is purely science fiction, stating that practical applications are "three to five years away" rather than perpetually "10 years away." He emphasized that the quantum advantage is a question of "when, not if."
Joe Hovancak reinforced this momentum, citing recent success stories:
Quantinuum receiving $600 million in funding
Inflection (formerly ColdQuanta) going public
Invadabioscience securing a $150 million grant for AI/quantum applications in plant disease treatment
Basic Quantum raising $5 million in Series A funding
3. University-Industry Partnership Models
Marta Zgagacz (CU Boulder Venture Partners) showcased how academic institutions can effectively bridge research and commercialization. CU Boulder achieved a record 35 startup spinouts in the previous year, even surpassing MIT in startup creation.
Key programs enabling this success include:
The Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator program, which matches external entrepreneurs with university technology
Access to jointly-owned IP between CU Boulder and federal labs like NIST
Comprehensive support from founder education through proof-of-concept funding to VC connections
She highlighted that entrepreneurs don't need university affiliation to access these resources, making the ecosystem more inclusive and accessible.
4. Data as Infrastructure for Innovation
Cynthia Ritmiller (USGS) demonstrated how federal data resources serve as free, high-quality infrastructure for startups across diverse industries. USGS lidar and elevation data supports applications in:
Aviation safety and infrastructure planning
Wildfire management and forestry
Flood mapping and emergency response
Transportation and urban planning
Archaeological surveys
She emphasized that USGS actively seeks partnerships and can match funding up to 50% for projects aligned with agency missions, making collaboration accessible even for unfunded startups.
5. Ecosystem Building and Collaboration
The panel consistently emphasized that Colorado's advantage lies not in individual institutions but in their interconnectedness. Joe Hovancak described the evolution from a Boulder-centric focus to a regional Colorado approach, recognizing that cross-collaboration between Denver, Boulder, and other areas strengthens the entire ecosystem.
Successful ecosystem-building initiatives mentioned include:
The Boulder Founders Summit with 200+ attendees
Cross-pollination between startups, where founders help each other with connections and resources
The Chamber's New Venture Challenge providing practical support for early-stage founders
CO-LABS serving as a "GPS" system to navigate federal lab resources
6. Practical Access Points for Entrepreneurs
The panelists provided concrete guidance for entrepreneurs seeking to engage with these resources:
Federal Labs: Contact CO-LABS for navigation and connections across the 35+ labs in Colorado
CU Boulder: The Embark program and licensing opportunities are open to external entrepreneurs
USGS: Direct outreach to National Map Liaisons for data partnerships and collaboration
Ecosystem Support: Boulder Chamber, SBDC, and various networking events provide entry points
7. Funding and Commercialization Strategies
Poolad Imany shared insights about the funding journey for deep tech startups, particularly those emerging from federal labs. He emphasized that non-dilutive funding (grants) can be crucial for early-stage deep tech companies, allowing time for product-market fit development while entrepreneurs learn business fundamentals. However, he acknowledged that grant processes are significantly slower than venture capital, requiring strategic planning.
The panel also noted that VCs often direct companies back to grants if the technology isn't sufficiently de-risked or if product-market fit isn't established, making grants a valuable stepping stone rather than just an alternative funding source.
Conclusion:
The panel painted a picture of Colorado as uniquely positioned at the intersection of federal research capabilities, university innovation, and entrepreneurial ecosystem support. The combination of world-class research facilities, accessible technology transfer programs, comprehensive data resources, and collaborative community infrastructure creates conditions for breakthrough companies in quantum computing, AI, and other deep tech sectors.
The overarching message was that these resources are more accessible than many entrepreneurs realize, with multiple pathways for engagement regardless of current institutional affiliations. The key is understanding how to navigate the ecosystem and building relationships across the various stakeholders who are actively working to support startup success.
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