Colorado State University (CSU) has announced that it will invest $1.4m into eight new projects linked to the university through its CSU System Venture Capital Fund.
In total, the University received 73 applications for the fund totalling a requested $19m since offering up $1.5m for investment in May.
CSU announced the successful applicants as:
- Enterprise Student Partnership Program, a new venture from CSU in Fort Collins for $496,465
- Colorado Policy Analytics and Learning Scale, a new venture from CSU-Global Campus for $330,000
- CSU Local Government Collaborative, a new venture from CSU in Fort Collins for $250,000
- Cultivating Colorado, a new venture from CSU in Fort Collins for $157,000
- Integrated Planning and Advising Services, a joint new venture from CSU and CSU-Pueblo for $83,368
- 4-H STEM Kits for Educators, an instructional project from CSU in Fort Collins for $36,200
- Object Modelling System Curriculum, a research and instructional project from CSU in Fort Collins for $30,000
- Emergent Ag Innovation Clusters, a new venture from CSU in Fort Collins for $19,897
Moving forward, CSU’s venture fund will typically look to make investments in projects affiliated with CSU of up to $500k.
Mike Martin, CSU Chancellor, said: “The CSU System is funding an exceptional set of projects that embody an entrepreneurial spirit that we must continue to grow and foster for the future success of our university system.”
Martin added: “The CSU System recognizes that there is risk, that it’s possible not all of these ideas will work, but we understand that we must become more entrepreneurial in order to maintain quality and promote economic sustainability. The inaugural year of the CSU System Venture Capital Fund demonstrates the tremendous talent and creativity within the students, faculty and staff at each of our campuses. I look forward to seeing what impact this first round of projects has on our system and the state.”
