Toolbox Microgrant applications are open!

Thanks to the Healthcare Innovation & Entrepreneurship (HIE Impact) Initiative and the Founding Shareholders!

The Toolbox Microgrant program is designed to remove roadblocks and unlock milestones for CU faculty developing next-generation healthcare technologies. Originally launched through the Gates Institute (formerly Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine), the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade recognized the success of the program in 2021 and provided additional funding to expand beyond regenerative medicine to all technologies being developed at CU Anschutz, powered by match funding contributed by CU Anschutz Innovations.

Contact the HIE Impact Initiative Team to learn more.

Microgrants to Bridge Gaps on the Path to Commercialization

Toolbox Microgrants supports CU researchers to develop new therapies, devices, and software. Developing a cutting edge therapeutic or novel healthcare technology is challenging and requires a different skillset from academic research. The Toolbox provides guidance, services, and resources to help you develop your discoveries and improve patients’ lives. Applications are short and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete.

A database of current preferred service providers is also provided via the Innovation Hub, and CU Anschutz Innovations staff are available to guide your search if you are unsure of where to start.

Services Offered

Available resources include marketing analysis, business and financial planning, product development, regulatory advice for products requiring FDA approval, reimbursement strategy, legal, and corporate guidance in company formation, along with SBIR/STTR grant support consulting. Services are offered at all stages of innovation development.

Toolbox Award Details

Toolbox Microgrant awards range from $10,000 to $25,000. You may bundle several services together to meet the $10,000 minimum if needed, such as $5,000 for regulatory consulting + $5,000 for prototyping. Applications are reviewed on a rolling bi-monthly basis until funds are exhausted. Feel free to reach out to the HIE Impact team with any questions about your application.

Click Here to Apply for Toolbox Funding!

Eligible applicants for grant funding must be employed by the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, UCHealth, Children's Hospital of Colorado, or one of our affiliates. Toolbox Microgrants funds will primarily be allocated for technologies where the IP would fall under CU Innovations protection. (Not sure? Disclose your invention before proceeding!). In general,Toolbox funds can only be distributed for IP that has already been licensed into a company if licensing occurred within the past two years.

General (non-regenerative) projects:

If you have any general questions regarding eligibility, please submit an intake form to speak with us.

For questions about Startup Toolbox eligibility, vendors, or our funding mechanism, please contact Lily Elizabeth Feldman.

Gates Institute (regenerative medicine) projects:

Gates Institute members researching and developing regenerative medicine related technologies are eligible for exclusive startup toolbox funding through the Gates Institute. Eligible technologies include therapeutics, diagnostics, manufacturing, and platforms. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis. To apply, complete this short form.

Non-Gates Institute members are highly encouraged to become members. See here for more information on how to become a Gates Institute member.

For questions about Gates Institute eligibility, please email the Gates Institute’s Venture Fellow Asia Ingram.

Request for Assessment & Guidance: Fill out this form and indicate that you want an intake assessment. We will schedule a conversation to determine what services you need to move forward. We will guide you through our database of service providers and help connect you with the expertise you need.

Apply for Funding: If you know your project needs and have a quote or invoice from a provider you would like to work with, complete this short form and indicate that you would like to apply for funding. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis.

I Need Help Selecting a Service Provider: Submit this form to ask for a recommendation.

Toolbox Microgrants have funded services including: regulatory consultant fees for assessing FDA approval pipelines, corporate law firm contracts for advisement on startup company formation strategies, and marketing agency costs to help with website design and promotional campaigns.

The Innovation Hub is a resource for service providers we recommend. We are also open to forming new partnerships if you have a different vendor you would like to work with.