Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship

Want to know how innovators and researchers take their entrepreneurial journeys to the next level? Find out March 19 at University of Colorado Law School during a special Entrepreneurs Unplugged session featuring Bryn Rees: https://lnkd.in/gKtePbHt. As a leader of innovations, Bryn (CU Boulder Associate Vice Chancellor of Innovation & Partnerships and Managing Director of Venture Partners at CU Boulder) has been instrumental in launching some of the university's most successful startups. Over the past decade, he has spearheaded key programs like the Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), NSF’s I-Corps? Hub West and Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator, helping innovators turn breakthrough ideas into market-ready ventures. The impact? CU Boulder ranked #2 nationwide for startup production in 2024. From 2018 to 2022, its innovation ecosystem contributed $8 billion to the national economy and supported 39,000 jobs—a testament to the power of university-driven entrepreneurship. On March 19, in conversation with host Brad Bernthal, Bryn will share insider knowledge on how cutting-edge research can turn into real-world success. Bryn, Michael T. Nelson (Venture Capital/Emerging Company Partner?at Cooley LLP), early-stage startup founder Maithreyi Gopalakrishnan (PrecisionTerra, LiquidiFi), and other speakers (to be announced) will also participate in a panel discussion. Join them as they explore high-growth sectors shaping the Front Range startup community, including batteries, space, and quantum technologies. Whether you're a student, faculty innovator, or community entrepreneur, this session will provide insights, connections, and inspiration to fuel your next big idea. Join the thriving Silicon Flatirons/CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative network and get ready to ignite your own venture. ??Wednesday, March 19 5:00 p.m.–5:45 p.m.: networking & dinner reception 5:45 p.m.–7:15 p.m.: fireside chat, panel discussion, and audience Q&A ??University of Colorado Law School ???Register: https://lnkd.in/gKtePbHt

From groundbreaking ethical debates to AI-driven legal challenges and exciting developments in innovation and entrepreneurship, the March edition of our newsletter is packed with insights: ?? Student Success – CU Boulder students tackle real-world AI ethics challenges at the Interdisciplinary Ethics Tech Competition, and we’re seeking internship opportunities for the next generation of tech leaders. ?? AI & Policy – Join expert discussions on AI governance, privacy, and ethics at upcoming events. ?? Entrepreneurship – We’re fostering the next wave of innovators thanks to our Entrepreneurs Unplugged, Startup Variety Show, and Startup Summer Programs.

Delve into AI’s legal and ethical complexities, including accountability in autonomous systems, at the Silicon Flatirons AI Initiative Conference at University of Colorado Law School on Friday, March 7th. Panel discussions will address Developments in AI Autonomous Software Agents; Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Issues in Emerging AI Autonomous Software Agent Technology; and Autonomous Vehicles and Policy/Legal Issues. This is a CLE opportunity with 4.0 general and 3.5 ethics credits available. Details and registration at https://lnkd.in/ggZpJ8DF. Why Attend? ??Gain insights from top experts at the intersection of AI, law, and policy. ??Engage in discussions that will shape the future of AI governance. ??Earn continuing legal education (CLE) credit. ??Socialize and network with the Silicon Flatirons community. Confirmed speakers include Harry Surden (Colorado Law | Silicon Flatirons) Brian Argrow (Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder); Margot Kaminski (Colorado Law | Silicon Flatirons); Keith Gremban (CU Boulder | Silicon Flatirons); Marc Canellas (Office of the Public Defender Maryland); Chuck Thorpe (Clarkson University); Dave Levine (Elon University School of Law); Nathan Schneider (University of Colorado Boulder); Calli Schroeder (Electronic Privacy Information Center); Lucas Thelosen (Gravity Foundation); Elana Zeide (University of Nebraska College of Law); and Paul Lin (Returned.com).

Explore ethical dilemmas in healthcare innovations related to the rapidly increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) during a luncheon and panel at University of Colorado Law School on Thursday, March 6th. Colorado Law Professor and Silicon Flatirons AI Initiative Director Harry Surden will moderate a discussion with Doug Chapnick, CEO and Founder of BioLoomics; Calli Schroeder, Senior Counsel and AI/Human Rights Program Lead with Electronic Privacy Information Center; and Kathleen Sutton, Health Care Attorney and Shareholder?at Polsinelli. https://lnkd.in/gCB85a7q Join these experts as they consider and discuss current trends, developments, and thinking around critical issues such as data privacy and security, bias and fairness, patient autonomy, reliability, quality control, safety, and job security, implicating fundamental ethical principles such as accountability, trust, and transparency. Co-presented by the Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative Collegiate Program at Colorado Law, this is the newest session of the Silicon Flatirons x Ethics Series that explores ethical issues—legal and in general—associated with technology and business.

Our recent Startup Variety Show was a scorcher! Check out Jeremy Klammer's excellent recap below. Additional props to Michael Sexton and his startup venture team BackOut (Joe Powers, Baxter Romero, Aryan Singh, and Paul Tracy) for his one-minute pitch to kick off the event. If you want to engage with entrepreneurs like our featured speakers, Jeremy, and the rest of the Silicon Flatirons community from across the Front Range, you've got to come visit us monthly at University of Colorado Law School. Programming of interest continues through the spring. Details @ https://lnkd.in/gfnt9M-c.

The Variety Show is back at the Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship! ?? ?? ?? ?? Free food & drinks start this Thursday, February 20 at 5:00 p.m. ?? Presentations kick off at 5:45 p.m. The Feb. 20 lineup features founders and researchers tackling everything from sustainable adhesives and digital wallets to Nobel Prize-winning quantum technology that detects diseases in breath. And yes—there’s even a startup focused on separating Lego bricks faster than ever before. ? Featured Presenters: ?? Patty Ferreira (Silvis Materials) – Developing a better, more sustainable industrial glue. ?? Charles Msilanga (Lipr Inc.) – Enhancing digital wallets for immigrants and migrants. ?? Curtis Purrington, Ph.D. (Austere Environmental) – Revolutionizing soil decontamination. “We clean dirt.” ?? Jake Riel (Brick Popper) – Reinventing the way we separate Lego bricks (and doing very well in the process). ?? Eva Y. (Flari Tech Inc.) – Bringing quantum frequency comb tech to disease detection. ?? Bonus: CU students Joe Powers & Michael Sexton will preview their startup, born out of David Brown’s Startup Course. Join us this Thursday, February 20, at the University of Colorado Boulder and University of Colorado Law School for an evening of groundbreaking innovation, entrepreneurial energy, and cutting-edge technology. We are here for it. We hope you will be, too. Whether you're a founder, investor, researcher, student, attorney, technologist, or just curious about the future of tech, this is a community event you won’t want to miss. ?? Location: University of Colorado Law School ?? Date: Thursday, February 20 ?? Register here: https://lnkd.in/gPRJZxAW #noonegoesitalone #coloradostartups #innovation #entrepreneurship

Join us March–April at University of Colorado Law School for high caliber programming surfacing burning issues and questions due to the expanded use and rapid growth of Artificial Intelligence. Silicon Flatirons faculty Harry Surden, Melanie Kay, and Keith Gremban have designed a number of upcoming offerings addressing the pressing societal, ethical, policy, legal, and regulatory challenges that AI poses, including: ?? March 6: Examining the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Applications https://lnkd.in/gCB85a7q. CLE application pending. ?? March 7: Artificial Intelligence, Autonomous Systems, and Law Conference https://lnkd.in/ggZpJ8DF. 4.0 general and 3.5 ethics CLE credits available. ?? April 1: The Ethics of AI and Privacy https://lnkd.in/gg5BgfZN. Application pending for general and ethics CLE credit. Confirmed speakers include Brian Argrow (Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado Boulder); Margot Kaminski (Colorado Law); Marc Canellas (Office of the Public Defender Maryland); Andrea Till (Microsoft); Chuck Thorpe (Clarkson University); Dave Levine (Elon University School of Law); Nathan Schneider (University of Colorado Boulder); Stevie DeGroff (Colorado Attorney General's Office); Kathleen McInerney, CIPM (Vail Resorts); Calli Schroeder (Electronic Privacy Information Center); Cobun Zweifel-Keegan, J.D., CIPP/US, CIPM (IAPP); Doug Chapnick (BioLoomics); Nathan Schneider (University of Colorado Boulder); Lucas Thelosen (Gravity Foundation); Elana Zeide (University of Nebraska College of Law); Paul Lin (Returned.com). Additional speakers to be announced soon. See full details and register: https://lnkd.in/gfnt9M-c

The?Lifetime Achievement Award?is one of?Silicon Flatirons' highest honors, and this year’s recipient is truly special. At the culmination of the?2025 Community Celebration and Awards Ceremony, we had the privilege of recognizing?Ken Fellman, a cherished long-time community member, for his?tireless contributions and dedication. Ken’s impact was met with a?rousing standing ovation, along with heartfelt remarks from?Brad Bernthal and Gabrielle Daley. Ken's Lasting Legacy Throughout his?decades-long career representing local governments, Ken has generously contributed to the?Silicon Flatirons community?in countless ways: ??Teaching at CU Law?and shaping future legal minds ??Coaching CU Law’s telecommunications moot court team ??Mentoring (and hiring!) interns and associates?as they launch their careers ??Setting the standard for ethical advocacy and public service Colleagues praised Ken’s thoughtful guidance, kindness, and excellence as an attorney. His work on behalf of communities and municipalities stands out. Past colleagues emphasized that?they are the lawyers they are today because of his generous feedback and unwavering support. Ken,?congratulations?and thank you for making this profession a more joyful, ethical, and inspiring place to practice! ???Check out the Flickr album here:?https://lnkd.in/g2YkfCzX

We are delighted to celebrate?the 2025 Silicon Flatirons Community Award Winners!???Please join us in congratulating this year’s award recipients: ???Connor Hagan –?Golden Shovel Award ???Henry L. Wright?–?Community Member of the Year ???Nicole Ela?–?Phil Weiser Multitasker Award ???Christopher Lewis–?Excellence in Public Service Award ???Sydney Weigert?–?Student Leadership Award ?? Julie Simmons?–?Entrepreneurial Supporter of the Year ???Josiah Gordon?–?Student Innovator Award ???Ken Fellman?–?Lifetime Achievement Award After an exciting first day of the?Flagship Conference, at the Community Celebration, we had the honor of recognizing individuals who make a lasting impact on?Silicon Flatirons and beyond. It was a special night emceed by?Executive Director Brad Bernthal. The evening brought together students, supporters, conference speakers, alumni, faculty, and staff to celebrate the people and values that drive our mission. ???Congratulations to all the 2025 awardees for their outstanding contributions! ???Check out the Flickr album here:?https://lnkd.in/g2YkfCzX

"Space is big. Really big. You just won’t believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is." — Douglas Adams, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Yes, indeed, space is big. But, as discussed at the conclusion of the Flagship Conference, it is also a resource with a rising number of conflicts. Space is starting to feel crowded. Flagship Conference attendees grabbed box lunches and gathered for an optional Space Policy Luncheon panel session moderated by Silicon Flatirons Spectrum Policy Initiative Co-director and CU Boulder Research Professor, Dr. Keith Gremban. This engaging discussion highlighted challenges and opportunities of space as a resource. Panelists: ?? Dr. Angel Abbud-Madrid – Director, Space Resources Program, Colorado School of Mines ?? Sophie Galleher – National Security Associate, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati ?? Dr. Al Gasiewski – Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder ?? Dr. Siamak Hesar – CEO, Kayhan Space Key Takeaways: ?? The regulatory environment in space is like the 19th Century west insofar as legal systems conflict, are absent, or fail to function. International agreements are urgently needed to ensure fair and sustainable use. ?? Space laws must address scientific mission protection, radio frequency management, and orbital debris mitigation. ?? Establishing a global regulatory framework is complex but essential—requiring international collaboration. ?? The loss of access to space would have severe consequences for science, industry, and daily life. The panel closed with a call to action: Science and industry must do a better job of communicating why space matters—and why regulation is critical for its sustainable future. ?? Watch the full discussion here: https://lnkd.in/g8cjRzes