Boulder Startup Week 2025

Transparent and vulnerable conversation about mental health, neurodivergence, and how that plays out in the crazy startup journey. Hear from founders, support systems, professionals, ally’s, mental health enthusiasts and the mental health curious welcome.

Calling all Founders or solo Product leaders who want to learn how to 'put on a PM' hat and prioritize customer-centric feedback while building out a product roadmap. You will walk away with ways to think high-level about what to build next and how you can inch closer to Product Market fit for your startup or company.

As AI agents rapidly transform from science fiction into business reality, a critical question emerges: are we sacrificing security for innovation? While companies race to deploy autonomous AI systems that can operate independently across digital environments, the security implications remain dangerously unexplored.

In this timely and provocative panel discussion, our cybersecurity experts will pull back the curtain on the hidden vulnerabilities of the agent revolution. Drawing from frontline experience, they'll examine real-world security risks posed by AI agents operating with unprecedented levels of autonomy and system access.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into:

-The unique attack surfaces created by agentic AI systems
-How malicious actors are already exploiting weaknesses in agent architectures
-Practical strategies for implementing security-by-design in agent development
-Governance frameworks that balance innovation with robust security protocols
-The evolving regulatory landscape and its implications for startups building agent-based solutions

Whether you're building proprietary AI agents or integrating third-party systems, this session will equip you with the knowledge to protect your organization while still harnessing the transformative power of agentic AI.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation that goes beyond the hype to address the security challenges that everyone in the AI revolution needs to confront—before it's too late.

Cyber Expert Panel Members:
Andrius Useckas
Bryan Becker
Dan Ward

Moderator:
Aaron Walls

For many life sciences startups, breakthroughs originate in university research labs. But securing the right to commercialize these innovations requires navigating complex licensing agreements with university tech transfer offices—an unfamiliar process for many entrepreneurs.

This session will demystify the university IP licensing process, equipping startup founders and executives with the knowledge they need to negotiate fair and strategic agreements. Our expert panel—including a seasoned life sciences attorney and a university tech transfer representative—will walk through the key components of a typical licensing deal, including:

• Financial Terms: Upfront license fees, development and sales milestones, and royalty structures
• Equity Stakes: When and how universities take an ownership position in startups, including dilution protections
• Sublicensing Rights: How startups can retain flexibility in commercialization strategies
• Key Negotiation Points: Common challenges and how to approach them

Whether you’re currently in discussions with a university or planning to license technology in the future, this session will provide actionable insights to help you secure the best terms for your company’s long-term success.

AI is already reshaping healthcare—enhancing diagnostics, optimizing workflows, and personalizing treatments—but we’re just getting started. Join our expert panel as we explore AI’s most impactful applications, lessons learned, and what’s next on the horizon.

Quantum computing is all around us and many don’t realize how close we are to seeing it in everyday life. The panelists are building atomic clocks, quantum sensors and quantum internet that will be part of the fabric of our daily lives. The Colorado ecosystem is the epicenter of this technology and with the recent Federal funding with Elevate Quantum and ground breaking of a new facility to support the industry, the region is poised continued growth within the industry.

Join us for a lively discussion with health tech founders and executives who’ve navigated the winding road from innovative startups to acquisition. They’ll share the highs, lows, and unexpected plot twists of their acquisition experiences—from making the decision to sell, to negotiating the deal, and everything in between. Whether you're considering an exit or simply curious about what it’s really like on the other side, this panel will give you an insider’s look into the world of health tech acquisitions. Get ready for a conversation full of wisdom, humor, and maybe a few lessons you can apply to your own startup journey.

As psychedelics move from underground subcultures to the forefront of psychiatric research, the entrepreneurial landscape around them is rapidly evolving, and Boulder is poised to become a key hub for innovation and access. Colorado is the second state to establish a regulated framework for psychedelic use, including healing centers where individuals can experience guided psilocybin journeys from licensed facilitators.
This panel brings together founders, investors, legal experts, and researchers who are actively shaping the future of psychedelics—from mental health treatments to clinics, retreats, and digital platforms. Together, we’ll explore what it takes to responsibly participate in this high-risk, high-reward space where science, ethics, accessibility, and business intersect.
Beyond the business opportunity, we’ll also examine why a growing number of entrepreneurs - from both inside and outside of the psychedelic sector—are turning to psychedelics for personal insight, creativity, and resilience. In a leadership landscape marked by uncertainty and burnout, psychedelics are emerging as powerful catalysts for deeper self-awareness and values-driven decision-making.
Whether you’re an investor, founder, or simply curious, this conversation will offer a grounded look at the risks, rewards, and transformative potential of psychedelics… for the industry, the people leading it, and for you.

Join Boulder Health Tech and Boulder Startup Week for an engaging panel discussion with health tech founders and investors who are shaping the future of healthcare. Panelists will share insights on how they navigated product/market fit, scaled revenue, and secured funding while driving real impact in the industry. Whether you're launching a startup, scaling a company, or just curious about the evolving health tech landscape, this conversation will offer real-world advice and lessons learned.