CU’s New Venture Challenge awards $30K in special prizes

BOULDER — The University of Colorado got the ball rolling last month on its 13th annual New Ventures Challenge cross-campus entrepreneurial program and competition by awarding 15 firms a total of $30,000 in prizes. 

Winners of the Impact Prize, given to companies making a difference in society or the environment, were:

• RockyTech ($5,000) — The company is developing a new technology to solve the current plastic waste problem by converting waste into a new material (WeCANTM) that can be used to create high-value products such as auto parts.
• HUG Solutions ($3,000) — The company is developing an mRNA vaccine cold chain transportation for rural communities
• Social Dynamic ($1,000) — The company empowers startups and developing brands to accelerate faster than their competitors, by providing access to specialist teams with ready-made agile frameworks.
• Kegstand ($500) — The company is developing 40% lighter kegs with internet of things-connected tracking.
• PurBurn ($500) — The company is developing The VersaCook stove, an improved gasifying cookstove for the developing world that reduces indoor air pollution, increases efficiency, provides air flow adjustment, and thermo-electric power generation.

Winners of the NVC Newcomer Prize, which honors first-time participants, were:

SPONSORED CONTENT

Select your Republic Services residential cart now!

In preparation for Republic Services becoming the primary provider of residential recycling, yard trimmings, and trash, residents should now select the best cart size and service schedule for their household needs.

• Loopsketch ($5,000) — A remote, real-time collaborative platform for “sketching” musical ideas with friends using user-recorded loops, pre-existing loops, and AI created loops
• LGBT50 ($3,000) — An agency that manages LGBTQ+ influencers on TikTok and Instagram, leveraging networks to promote brands on those platforms.
• Chinlax ($1,000) — A smart violin chin rest that helps violinists practice form and develop healthy practice habits.
• Topic Insights ($500) — A publishing and media startup with the mission of inspiring the next generation of leaders to use the power of business as a force for good through insights, stories, and research.
• Whizard ($500) — The company creates personalized problem sets that allow students to connect mathematical concepts with their experiences, hobbies, and interests.

Winners of the Female Founder Award were:

• Chembotix ($5,000) — The company is developing a robotic automation platform to dramatically speed up chemistry research and development.
• Vitro3D ($3,000) — Provides pharmaceutical companies with 3D printed bioactive petri dishes that mimic breast cancer tissue for more accurate screening of drugs, drastically reducing the cost and time of research and development.
• ThinkingHuts ($1,000) — Builds 3D-printed schools in developing countries.
• Toobtek ($500) — The company is creating a fiberoptic intubation training device that will assist medical professionals across the United States in getting trained to execute intubation procedures.
• Scoutcruit ($500) — A social media platform and app catered that makes the recruiting process easier for both college coaches and high school athletes. 

The NVC championship round is set for April 13. 

© 2021 BizWest Media LLC