I think Colorado is a great place to start a business.

The Smart Futures Lab offers a unique opportunity for growth in the tech space through its free accelerator and incubator program. Open to the New Majority of tech founders, professionals, and students; this initiative focuses on developing and advancing smart city innovation solutions. 

As a federally funded initiative, the Smart Futures Lab strategically empowers companies dedicated to using technology to address urban challenges. The lab supports Smart City ventures by providing resources and guidance to create solutions across critical sectors such as infrastructure, transportation, accessibility, climate and air quality, energy, and more. 

This year, local and national startups participating in CU Denver’s Smart Futures Lab are exploring innovations like using AI to detect sewer leaks for faster repairs and combining AI with sensors to deliver precise, timely intelligence to protect people from wildfires and environmental hazards. 

The Smart Futures Lab program was established in partnership with Colorado Smart Cities Alliance and Innosphere Ventures, made possible by a $2 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). The funds support startups and entrepreneurs in the civic innovation space led by the New Majority, which includes Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Women, and People with Disabilities. 

The six-month Smart Futures Lab program helps tech companies grow at no cost. Participants gain access to coworking and prototyping space, a tailored education curriculum, and extensive partnership networks. Each company is paired with a mentor from the lab’s network of over 30 industry experts in product development and business operations. Participants also receive personalized support through weekly meetings with a program manager and a dedicated marketing manager. 

“Through the Smart Futures Lab, we can accelerate the commercialization and implementation of ideas aimed at creating more livable and inclusive communities,” said Dan Griner, director of the Smart Futures Lab. 

“This real-world application drives our faculty’s research and provides pathways for our students to achieve their career goals. We’re proud to support a diverse range of companies and look forward to their future successes.