Entrepreneurship Panel and Cleantech Networking at the Powerhouse
January 2026 | Back to Powerhouse Post
In late January, the Energy Institute, Lab to Life Venture Studio, STRATA, and the Institute for Entrepreneurship hosted an Entrepreneurship Panel and Cleantech Networking event at the Powerhouse Energy Campus – bringing founders, innovators, and students together.
The evening kicked off with a full audience and panel of local startup leaders who have built, scaled and learned the hard way, including:
- Shay Har-Noy, Managing Partner of Techstars Boulder
- Blake Teipel, 3X Founder, Abode Labs Founder
- Zach Bennet, Director, Beck Venture Center, Colorado School of Mines
- Moderated by Scott Shrake, Associate VP Economic Development & Strategic Partnerships – Office of the President
Panelists shared candid insights on what it really takes to launch a startup, from early failures and pivots to fundraising, timing, and building the right team. The discussion offered practical advice and real-world perspective for students, researchers, and community members looking to turn ideas into impact.
Following the panel, the energy carried into the Powerhouse lobby as attendees connected over refreshments, swapped ideas, and sparked new collaborations.
Entrepreneurship and collaboration are core to CSU and the Energy Institute’s DNA, helping move science to solutions and drive real-world impact at scale. This event is one of many ways the Institute and its partners across CSU and Colorado supports startups, founders, and innovators working at the intersection of energy, climate, and technology. Learn more about at our Impact Report.
