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Wendy Lea connects builders across regions to harness the spirit of innovation, driving…
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWendy Lea reposted thisThank you to Senator Hickenlooper for visiting Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP). This visit signals the strong support of federal investment in scientific research, which plays a vital role in maintaining U.S. global leadership in science and technology—strengthening our economy and training the next-generation science workforce. Discover more about LASP ↓ https://bit.ly/4dYUkTt
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWendy Lea reposted thisYes! Techstars Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder have partnered to support a new generation of entrepreneurs. I’m so delighted to be working more closely with the fantastic team at Techstars Boulder! Over the years, there have been many organic connections between CU Boulder and Techstars – Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, the New Venture Challenge, Venture Partners at CU Boulder companies - and now we are elevating to a new level. If you are a founder or student in CU Boulder community, this means closer ties to the Techstars Boulder team, accelerator, mentors, and companies. If you are an investor or mentor with Techstars, this means deeper deal flow and plugging into the university’s spinout engine. Personally, I am so excited to work with Shay ('shy') Har-Noy, who’s steering the Techstars Boulder program. I also feel grateful to Techstars founders and builders for their patience and encouragement getting us to this point: Brad Feld, David Cohen, David Brown, Nicole Glaros, and Natty Zola. Same goes for the builders on the CU Boulder side, like Brad Bernthal, Phil Weiser, and so many more. We’re part of the same community and startup family. We’ve collaborated on deals, had our kids in school together, and now we’re more formally combining our strengths! https://lnkd.in/gqJTu36C CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWhat is left out of this announcement is all the people involved in making it real and impactful. So psyched to be working with the team at CU to drive impact for our community! Go buffs! Go Techstars!Wendy Lea reposted this🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the University of Colorado Boulder and Techstars, the global startup accelerator and investor, have entered a strategic partnership to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy. “This partnership reflects CU Boulder’s commitment to empowering people across our campus to turn ideas into impact,” said Massimo Ruzzene, senior vice chancellor for research and innovation and dean of the institutes. “Our students, faculty and researchers are developing technologies, launching companies and exploring solutions to real challenges. Working with Techstars connects that talent with a global community of entrepreneurs and investors who can help move those ideas from campus into the world.” 📣 Bryn Rees, David Cohen, Shay ('shy') Har-Noy ➡️ Read More at https://lnkd.in/gptYnepw
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWendy Lea reposted thisWhen we launched Magnify Ventures with a focus on Care Economy technology investing, we spent a lot of time framing the still underappreciated but massive financial opportunity, and highlighting pioneering entrepreneurs in the space. Five years later, the data is backing up what we saw to be a durable and rapidly growing investment landscape. We are excited to share the latest Investin.care report from The Holding Co. and Pivotal, based on 10 years of PitchBook data. Highlights include a 45% increase in investment over the past five years and $26 billion in VC capital directed towards Care over the last decade. We look forward to connecting with the next generation of inspired AI Care Founders! Andrew Parker Alexandra Mysoor Mahima Chawla Lynn Perkins Bismarck Lepe Wendy Johansson Elisabeth Tarullo Robert Miller Stephanie Tilenius Jeb Balise Patrick Coughlin Daphne Li Alan Charming Chan Taylor Burton Tim Estes Jennifer Stybel Erin Harkless Moore, CFA Brittney Riley Gavini Humaira Faiz Patrice Martin Julie Wroblewski Pam Kostka Marie Drez Paige Hendrix Buckner
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Wendy Lea shared thisFor those invested in the American Dream, Jamie Dimon and his team have announced a new initiative to enhance support for small businesses across the US. This initiative will launch programs to support small businesses, fostering growth and opportunity nationwide—$80B in small-business lending! 💫Exclusive: Jamie Dimon's plan to rescue the American DreamExclusive: Jamie Dimon's plan to rescue the American Dream
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWendy Lea reposted thisApplications are now OPEN for the 2026 Energy Fellows Institute cohort! If you're an emerging leader working across Colorado’s energy ecosystem, this is your opportunity to level up. The Energy Fellows Institute brings together professionals from industry, government, nonprofits, and research institutions for an immersive experience focused on leadership development, deeper energy systems knowledge, and meaningful connection across the sector. 📅 2026 Program Dates: • June 18–19 • July 9–10 • August 13–14 Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and space is limited. The application deadline is Friday, May 8. If you—or someone on your team—are ready to grow as a leader in this space, now’s the time to apply. 🔗 Learn More & Apply: https://lnkd.in/geGNgVBT #EnergyLeadership #EnergyTransition #ClimateLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #ColoradoCleantech #EnergyFellowsInstitute
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Wendy Lea shared thisI've recently joined the Sundance Institute as a #Colorado Ambassador. I’m supporting the Institute and the Festival by building community and growing audiences. My work has always centered on activating places where people and ideas thrive. Economic vitality isn't just about capital and infrastructure; it's about culture, creativity, and the connective tissue that makes a community a great place to live. Boulder has always understood that. And the arrival of the #Sundance Film Festival in January 2027 is, to me, one of the most significant place-making moments in our state. Most people know the #Sundance Film Festival as an annual event. What few know is that the Festival is the culminating celebration of a year-round nonprofit that has shaped American culture for over 40 years. The Sundance Institute is where many talented and underrepresented filmmakers got their start through labs, grants, and mentorship. And because of this support and the subsequent support that followed, independent filmmakers have created stories that have changed us. We aren't just welcoming an event to #Colorado. We are building a permanent home for independent storytelling in the Rockies, and with it, the creative economy, the civic energy, and the global attention that follows. I've also spent most of my career at the intersection of innovation and community. This is my chance to do the same at the intersection of community and art, and I’m thrilled to serve as an ambassador. I’m working with Dana Bacardi, other community leaders, and early donors to build the Colorado Ambassador community ahead of the Festival’s debut here. We’re gathering a passionate group of people who care about independent storytelling and its role in shaping culture and community. There are a few ways to get involved: - Learn more about membership and year-round engagement - Join or host a small Salon gathering - Get connected with other Ambassadors (in Colorado or beyond) - Explore volunteer opportunities Dana and I would be glad to connect if you’d like to learn more.
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Wendy Lea reposted thisWendy Lea reposted thisA founder emailed me: she committed to Cursor, went heads down for 4 months, and shipped a healthcare platform with 400 users and 50 paying customers. 100% built with AI. Seasoned engineers keep telling her it's not possible. Investors are reluctant to fund it. I've watched this exact movie four times - the Internet was a toy, web software didn't work, the cloud wasn't safe, and mobile would never replace a computer. Steve Ballmer literally laughed at the iPhone on camera. Every time, both camps were wrong. The new thing doesn't replace the old thing. The old thing doesn't survive unchanged. New categories emerge that neither camp could describe. https://lnkd.in/gN_MD-rX
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Wendy Lea reposted thisColorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Wendy Lea reposted thisThe CHIPS Zone Program was created to maximize incentives available to eligible semiconductor companies in Colorado. OEDIT has established six CHIPS Zones to support Colorado companies in the semiconductor industry in accessing funding to grow and expand: Boulder, Broomfield, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Louisville. These zones support Colorado communities interested in growing their local semiconductor and advanced industries, while expanding Colorado’s strength as a top state for chip design, research, development, and manufacturing on this 150th anniversary of statehood and beyond! Interested in learning more about the CHIPS Zones Program? Visit 👇 https://lnkd.in/gYdBRXvv
Wendy Lea commented on a post
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#Bettertogether! As our #Boulder ecosystem expands, all entrepreneurs, mentors, and funders will benefit! Let's go #Boulder
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Thanks for coming! And fun to have a few minutes with you, Tim Wolters! Let's reconnect after you get back from holiday.
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Wendy Lea liked thisWendy Lea liked thisIt was fantastic to see this NY Times article highlighting research conducted by our extraordinary University of Colorado Boulder faculty. This work on Niwot Ridge, just 25 miles from Boulder, is just one example of how the infrastructure and legacy of the Niwot Ridge Long-Term Ecological Research Program supports research that is possible in only a handful of sites worldwide. https://lnkd.in/gQR2dGFcHow Do You Measure Snow From Space? First, Climb a Mountain.How Do You Measure Snow From Space? First, Climb a Mountain.
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Wendy Lea reacted on thisWendy Lea reacted on thisLast week, Colorado Global Business Development reinforced a critical global partnership by hosting Dr K. Srikar Reddy, Consul General of the Consulate General of India in San Francisco, for a strategic roundtable focused on bilateral trade and investment opportunities. The economic data underscores the strength of this relationship: 🔹 Trade Volume: Colorado's trade with India has experienced a substantial 108% growth over the last five years. 🔹 Key Investment: We are observing increasing bidirectional investment activity, notably within the advanced aerospace sector. This commercial strength is supported by deep human and academic ties, including approximately 24,000 Indian-born Colorado residents and several partnership agreements between Colorado universities and institutions in India. A thoughtful roundtable discussion with our key partners was essential to driving this collaboration forward. Special thanks to Colorado Department of Higher Education, World Trade Center Denver, WorldDenver, and Denver Economic Development & Opportunity for their participation. Let's continue to build these vital global economic corridors. #InternationalTrade #InvestInColorado #EconomicDevelopment #GlobalBusiness #Aerospace #ColoradoBusiness #AdvancedIndustries #InnovationEcosystem #ChooseColorado
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Wendy Lea reacted on thisWendy Lea reacted on thisWe’re excited to share a new chapter in Colorado’s innovation ecosystem. University of Colorado Boulder has announced a strategic partnership with Techstars—a collaboration designed to expand opportunities for founders and accelerate the path from discovery to impact. What makes this partnership especially meaningful is the alignment of strengths. Our students, faculty and researchers are generating breakthrough ideas and launching companies at a record pace, while Techstars brings a global network of mentors, investors and operators who know how to help those ideas scale. Together, we’re creating more direct pathways for innovators to build enduring companies—and strengthening Colorado’s role as a leader in translating research into real-world solutions. Thank you to everyone across both organizations who helped bring this partnership to life, including Massimo Ruzzene, David Cohen and Bryn Rees. The momentum is real—and we’re just getting started. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjdq7WHx
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Wendy Lea reacted on thisWendy Lea reacted on thisReflecting on an amazing Colorado Climate Week. Congratulations and thank you to Colorado Cleantech for a rich and rewarding week! Colorado State University Spur events on Monday and Tuesday filled my cup, and then I was 🤯 by the #Boulder community that came out to our University of Colorado Boulder co-hosted event at the Limelight on Wednesday. Next year we will need a bigger room! #Thankyou to our community and our leaders who gave us their time, energy, vision, passion. Justin Schwartz, Andrew Mayock, Seth Levine, Wendy Lea, John Goldman, John Tayer, Megha Agrawal Sood, Kathryn Wendell, Trent Yang, Kristan Uhlenbrock, Phil Weiser, Michael Bennet. And were you surprised by our secret guests Congressman Joe Neguse and Governor Jared Polis? FAVOR: send me a DM. What was the value of the day to you? Connections made? Solutions begun? Knowledge captured? Friends met? How can we continue this conversation and build on the energy? 🖤 💛
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Wendy Lea reacted on thisWendy Lea reacted on thisI am thrilled to share that Techstars has partnered with University of Colorado Boulder to expand opportunities for founders and strengthen Colorado’s innovation economy. Techstars has operated continuously in Colorado for two decades. The re-launch of our Techstars Boulder accelerator here reflects our renewed commitment to Colorado and reinforces Boulder’s role as an important hub in our system. CU Boulder is a powerful source of new ideas and new companies. By building a deeper relationship with the university, we can help more founders turn breakthroughs into companies that scale. Read more at https://lnkd.in/d44jiERRCU Boulder and Techstars Announce Partnership to Accelerate Colorado’s Entrepreneurial EcosystemCU Boulder and Techstars Announce Partnership to Accelerate Colorado’s Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
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Wendy Lea liked thisWendy Lea liked thisColorado Climate Week has been a powerful several days of inspiring and actionable information and so many connections made between scientists, civic leaders, investors and entrepreneurs, even Colorado gubanatorial candidates Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser, U.S. Representative Joe Neguse, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Events at CSU Spur, the Limelight hotel in Boulder, the Alliance Center and several other places - see info: https://lnkd.in/gYVXfqDp Topics ranging from #wildfire resiliency to the evolution of #capitalism, #datacenter impacts, #carbon storage, agriculture, fusion energy, transit concepts, and dozens more, thank you Laura Hickernell, PMP, Mary Austin and the Colorado Cleantech team and volunteers making this happen! Also the teams of Veera Mitzner and CSU Climate Hub at Spur, Kirsten Schuchman, Lori Call and University of Colorado Boulder, Kristan Uhlenbrock, Jo Ann Hair, John Tayer, Bill Ritter, Wendy Lea, and dozens of speakers and presenters. And more to come.
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Wendy Lea liked thisWendy Lea liked thisIt was an honor to receive the Marinus Smith Award at CU Boulder tonight. "The Marinus Smith Award recognizes faculty and staff members who have had a particularly positive impact on our students. Honorees are nominated by those they teach, mentor, support and serve. The faculty and staff receiving this award embody the true meaning of Be Boulder as they inspire, educate and motivate our community through innovation and passion. The award winners leave a long lasting impact on our community." I have been in education for more than 30 years. Every single day, I try to inspire, educate, and motivate through innovation and passion. I am grateful to Massimo Ruzzene and Bryn Rees for allowing me to be in a position to have an impact on people’s lives here at CU Boulder. But in reality, this award is because of the people who who have engaged with and have supported the CU Boulder Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative. People like: Henry L. Wright, Maddie Freeman, Chris Gustavson, Camden Dempsey, Leah Jean Shafer, Zack Bennett, Khushang Hirpara, Chris Westfall, John Cook, Tommy Knoll, Ashish Kothari, John F. Maggio, Huck Sorock, Michelle Nadeau, Lyndsay Rhodes, Matt Brady and so, so many more (too many to list)! The I&E Initiative would be nothing without this community.
Experience & Education
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Colorado School of Mines
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Projects
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Social Shake Up Advisory Panel
- Present
Member of the advisory panel for the Social Shake Up, hosted by Social Media Today. For two days in Atlanta, the Social Shake Up brings together the best thinkers in social media to start conversations about new ways to connect with people--customers, employees, managers, and leaders--while keeping it human in the digital age.
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Honors & Awards
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Outstanding Women in Business Award
Denver Business Journal
Recognized for her work across industries, Wendy received an Outstanding Women in Business Award in 2023 by Denver Business Journal for advancing innovative businesses in Colorado.
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Women Who Light The Community Award
Boulder Chamber of Commerce
Each honoree was nominated by people within the community who admire their skill and dedication to change, and who have witnessed their hard work and passionate leadership.
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Community Achievement Award
University of Cincinnati’s Carl Lindner College of Business
Recognized for mentoring student entrepreneurs with new business ideas.
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Female Founder Grant
Main Street Ventures
Each year, $25K will be awarded to a Cincinnati local female entrepreneur. This grant is inspired by Wendy Lea’s leadership of StartupCincy and Cintrifuse.
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Signal Excellence Award
Procter & Gamble
Honored for her work with the innovation strategy team.
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Woman of Influence
Silicon Valley and San Francisco
Named for her work with high profile technology startups across the Bay Area in both 2012 and 2013.
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