DENVER - Today, the Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced that 22 Colorado companies and 13 researchers have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. These grants help promote the growth and sustainability of advanced industries in Colorado by driving innovation, commercialization, and public-private partnerships that move this vital aspect of Colorado’s economy forward in communities across the state.
“These pioneering companies and researchers are not only advancing technology, they are creating jobs, attracting investment, and positioning Colorado at the forefront of global competitiveness,” said Michelle Hadwiger, Global Business Development Director. “From advanced materials and aerospace to quantum computing and sustainable manufacturing, this cohort showcases the bold ideas that are shaping Colorado’s future economy.”
Today’s grants spotlight a range of transformative technologies across multiple sectors. GridVisibility, Duality Systems, and Pricing Service are enhancing operational efficiencies through artificial intelligence-powered software platforms. Icarus Quantum and Apex Atomics are advancing innovations in scalable quantum interconnects and atomic-scale measurements. Additionally, PHAXTEC, Sustainable Chemicals, and Farm to Summit are driving sustainability with innovations in biopolymer coatings, compostable packaging, and food recovery systems.
The Proof of Concept grant is intended to help Colorado research institutions speed up applied research in the advanced industries as well as commercialize products and services in partnership with the private sector. The Early-Stage Capital and Retention grant supports businesses commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies in the advanced industries that will be created or manufactured in Colorado.
The Advanced Industries Accelerator Program received 119 applications this grant cycle, which were reviewed in a multi-stage process by committees of business, technical and financial experts in the seven advanced industries. Final recommendations were approved by the Economic Development Commission on May 15, 2025, and the awards announced today represent a total of $7,324,500 in funding.
The next application cycle for Proof-of-Concept and Early Stage Capital and Retention Grants will open on July 1, 2025 and applications will be due August 28, 2025.
Proof-of-Concept Grants:
- Colorado School of Mines, PI Carl Frick - Golden, CO $150,000: Developing a firearm suppressor system for law enforcement and the military that reduces exposure to dangerous levels of sound pressure.
- Colorado School of Mines, PI Paulo Cesar Tabares Velasco - Golden, CO $75,000: Developing an affordable, localized thermal management solution for homes with no or inadequate air conditioning.
- Colorado School of Mines, PI Lori Tunstall - Golden, CO $150,000: Developing a biochar-enhanced concrete that achieves carbon neutrality while maintaining full compatibility with existing concrete production methods.
- Colorado State University, PI Raymond Goodrich - Fort Collins, CO $150,000: Developing a device for the treatment of blood products to prevent the transfusion of transmitted diseases.
- Colorado State University, PI Daniel Olsen - Fort Collins, CO $150,000: Developing a hydrogen and ammonia powered engine to enable the development of carbon-free operation of engines without major engine redesign.
- Colorado State University, PI Donald Radford - Fort Collins, CO $120,000: Developing automated placement and in-situ consolidation of continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites to enable the manufacturing of complex structural composite products.
- University of Colorado Boulder, PI Sanghamitra Neogi - Boulder, CO $150,000: Developing an atomic-scale thermal modeling software tool for nanoscale semiconductor devices.
- University of Colorado Denver, PI Farnoush Banaei-Kashani - Denver, CO $150,000: Developing an artificial intelligence-based software tool for optimized, preventative and cost-efficient bridge and culvert maintenance planning.
- University of Colorado Denver, PI Juliette Hawa - Denver, CO $102,000: Developing a non-invasive biofeedback technology that empowers children to actively participate in their pelvic floor therapy.
- University of Colorado Denver, PI Jay Hesselberth - Denver, CO $150,000: Developing an optimized single-molecule sequencing method for aminoacylated transfer RNA.
- University of Denver, PI Rui Fan - Denver, CO $150,000: Developing an adaptive protective relay to reliably safeguard electrical grids with high-penetrated power electronics.
- University of Denver, PI Daniel Paredes - Denver, CO $150,000: Developing an advanced, portable diagnostic kit for brain hemorrhage detection.
- University of Denver, PI Barry Zink - Denver, CO $150,000: Developing a novel amorphous thin-film material to address decoherence in solid-state quantum bits.
Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grants:
- Adapt Global Studios Inc. - Castle Rock, CO $180,000: Adapt Global Studios has developed a cloud-based localization platform that combines artificial intelligence automation with expert human linguists to translate premium video content faster and more affordably.
- Apex Atomics - Boulder, CO $497,500: Apex Atomics is developing scalable atomic sensors that use Rydberg atoms for precise measurements of magnetic fields, acceleration, and other physical parameters.
- Brightpave Markers Inc. - Littleton, CO $250,000: Brightpave Markers has developed a rugged, solar-powered LED roadway safety device designed to prevent nighttime lane departures and wrong-way driving incidents.
- Cosmic Aerospace, Inc. - Centennial, CO $250,000: Cosmic Aerospace has developed an ultra-efficient all-electric aircraft powered by innovative electric jet wing technology.
- dBMEDx Inc - Littleton, CO $250,000: dBMEDx has developed a revolutionary, cost effective and easy-to-use handheld, battery-powered bladder scanner.
- Duality Systems LLC - Monument, CO $250,000: Duality Systems has developed an artificial intelligence-powered workforce and resource optimization platform that automates and optimizes complex scheduling in real time.
- Entirely Well, LLC - Denver, CO $250,000: Entirely Well has developed a prebiotic personal lubricant that supports the vaginal microbiome and prevents bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
- Farm to Summit Inc - Durango, CO $250,000: Farm to Summit has developed a dehydration and packaging process that transforms surplus and cosmetically imperfect farm produce into lightweight, shelf-stable, and nutritionally rich meals for outdoor enthusiasts.
- GridVisibility, Inc. - Longmont, CO $250,000: GridVisibility has developed a broadband-integrated sensor platform that delivers continuous, high-resolution monitoring of the electric distribution grid.
- Icarus Quantum Inc. - Boulder, CO $250,000: Icarus Quantum has developed a groundbreaking photonic interconnect technology that will enable scalable and efficient connectivity between quantum processors.
- Kioga Inc. - Erie, CO $250,000: Kioga is developing novel postbiotic ingredients that reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation of the brain and body.
- Palanquin Power, Inc. - Golden, CO $250,000: Palanquin Power has developed a groundbreaking differential power processing architecture that transforms power delivery in data centers.
- PHAXTEC, Inc. - Fort Collins, CO $250,000: PHAXTEC is developing polyhydroxyalkanoate biopolymer barrier coatings for sustainable foodservice paper packaging.
- PrecisionTerra, Inc. - Superior, CO $100,000: PrecisionTerra has developed a software-based navigation signal processor that improves positioning accuracy in areas where satellite signals are typically weak or disrupted.
- Pricing Service, Inc. - Boulder, CO $250,000: Pricing Service has developed an artificial intelligence powered hotel pricing software that helps hotels optimize room rates.
- Prohibix, LLC - Boulder, CO $250,000: Prohibix is developing a hyaluronic acid-based injectable product designed to treat osteoarthritis in horses and dogs.
- SideBy Care, Inc. - Boulder, CO $250,000: SideBy Care has developed an artificial intelligence-powered virtual care service that addresses Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction.
- SteriO3, LLC - Littleton, CO $250,000: SteriO3 has developed a portable, low-temperature sterilization system for surgical instruments.
- Sustainable Chemicals, LLC - Golden, CO $250,000: Sustainable Chemicals has developed a plant-based, fully compostable biopolymer for manufacturing shrink-wrap films.
- Tereform, Inc. - Englewood, CO $250,000: Tereform has developed an advanced chemical recycling technology that transforms hard to recycle textiles into high quality recycled materials.
- TrAMPoline Pharma, Inc. - Aurora, CO $250,000: TrAMPoline Pharma is developing a universal T cell receptor-based immunotherapy designed to target acute myelogenous leukemia and solid tumors.
- TrelliSense, Inc. - Superior, CO $250,000: TrelliSense has developed affordable, continuous methane and greenhouse gas sensors that provide real-time quantification and leak detection.
About the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program
The Advanced Industries Accelerator Program was created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early stage capital and creating a strong infrastructure that increases the state’s capacity to be globally competitive. AIA encompasses five distinct grant programs: Proof of Concept, Early-Stage Capital and Retention, Collaborative Infrastructure, Export Accelerator, and Global Consultant Network.