Colorado BioScience Institute
Colorado BioScience Institute is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that cultivates Colorado's life sciences workforce across K-12, university, and professional segments through industry-validated training, mentoring, and career pathway programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersDenver, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Colorado BioScience Institute does
Colorado BioScience Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit workforce development organization founded in 2015 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado. It operates as the sister organization of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), sharing its President (Elyse Blazevich) and integrating with CBSA's industry network. The Institute's mission is to cultivate and diversify Colorado's life sciences workforce, which the source materials indicate generates $52.4 billion in annual economic impact and employs nearly 41,000 people at average salaries of $123,000. It serves K-12 students and teachers, university students, and working professionals from early career through executive leadership.
Its program portfolio spans three pillars: Classroom (K-12), including Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom delivered via Harvard's LabXchange platform, the Research Experience for Teachers (RET) externship program, the P-TECH college pathways partnership at Frederick High School, and the Future of Life Sciences Award; Campus, including a Mentor Program pairing students with industry professionals and a virtual Life Sciences Industry Showcase; and Career, including the QA/RA Certificate Program (NSF-funded), Life Sciences Manufacturing (LSM) 101, Foundations of Leadership for first-time managers, and an Executive Leadership Program. The Institute also convened the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative in 2025 to coordinate employer-led workforce strategies across 13+ life sciences companies using the Talent Pipeline Management framework.
The Institute's revenue model is grant- and donation-funded rather than transactional. Recent funding includes a nearly $1 million NSF ExLENT grant (2025) and a $435,200 Weld County Workforce Innovation Grant (2022), with additional support from the ZOMA Foundation, Amgen Foundation, Medtronic Foundation, Anschutz Foundation, Agilent, and other corporate sponsors. Most programs are offered at no cost to participants; the Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom course is $185 for 1.5 graduate credits through Adams State University, and RET participants receive a $3,500 stipend. The organization has 1-10 employees, reaches more than 3,100 students annually, and does not develop proprietary technology products.
Colorado BioScience Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colorado BioScience Institute
- Legal name
- Colorado BioScience Institute
- Website
- https://cobioinstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Colorado BioScience Institute is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that cultivates Colorado's life sciences workforce across K-12, university, and professional segments through industry-validated training, mentoring, and career pathway programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colorado BioScience Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Workforce Development Services
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep) (EDAMABAC), Biology & Life Science Enrichment (Biotech, Genetics, Anatomy) (EDAMABAF), Workforce & Career Transition Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAC)
Keywords
Where Colorado BioScience Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Denver
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Colorado BioScience Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Funded Programs: Primary revenue stream consists of grants from government agencies (National Science Foundation awarded nearly $1 million), community foundations (ZOMA Foundation), and corporate/industry donors (Agilent Technologies, Amgen Foundation, Medtronic Foundation, and others). Funding supports specific workforce development programs including QA/RA Certificate Program, P-TECH, RET, and classroom STEM initiatives.
- Donations and Fundraising: The organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible organization that relies on individual and company donations as well as grants from community foundations. Annual fundraising events include BioScience on Tap and Colorado Gives Day (statewide 24-hour giving event that has raised more than $500 million since 2010).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | One time/ perpetual license | Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom teacher training: $185 for 1.5 graduate credit hours |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | QA/RA Certificate Program: Free for eligible participants via NSF ExLENT PIVOTS funding (full tuition support plus $2,500 stipend) |
| Freemium | Annual | K-12 Classroom Programs: Free for students and teachers, funded by sponsors and donors |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Colorado BioScience Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Colorado BioScience Institute delivers workforce development programs for Colorado's life sciences ecosystem across three tiers: Classroom (K-12 STEM teacher training and student biotechnology experiences), Campus (mentor matching and industry showcases connecting university students with employers), and Career (QA/RA Certificate, Life Sciences Manufacturing 101, and leadership programs for working professionals). Programs are funded by grants, foundation sponsorships, and donations, and are delivered at no or low cost to participants through partnerships with schools, universities, and life sciences employers.
Product overview
Colorado BioScience Institute offers a portfolio of workforce development programs spanning three tiers: Classroom (K-12 STEM education through Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom and Research Experience for Teachers), Campus (Mentor Program and Life Sciences Industry Showcase connecting students with professionals), and Career (professional development including the QA/RA Certificate Program, Life Sciences Manufacturing LSM 101, and leadership programs). The organization operates as a programmatic ecosystem designed to cultivate and diversify Colorado's life sciences workforce from elementary school through executive education. Key programs include P-TECH (Pathways to Early College High Schools) for high school students, the Future of Life Sciences Award for science fair participants, and employer collaborative initiatives. Most programs are offered at no cost to participants, with funding from foundations, corporate sponsors, and the National Science Foundation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom Professional development program for middle and high school science teachers providing molecular biology curriculum training using Harvard University's LabXchange platform. Funded by Amgen Foundation; first 16 teachers to register can receive full scholarships.
- Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Program Intensive summer externship program where middle and high school science teachers spend approximately 130 hours at life sciences companies, earning a $3,500 stipend and 1.0 graduate credits upon completion. Hosted by companies including Medtronic, AlloSource, STAQ Pharma, and Edgewise Therapeutics.
- Pathways to Early College High Schools (P-TECH) Program Program enabling Frederick High School students to earn both a high school diploma and a no-cost Associate degree, with mentorship and internship opportunities from life sciences partners including Agilent Technologies, CordenPharma, KBI Biopharma, and Umoja Biopharma.
- Future of Life Sciences Award Annual award presented at the Colorado Science and Engineering Fair to recognize middle and high school students demonstrating exceptional creativity and innovation in life sciences projects.
- Mentor Program Program pairing junior and senior undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D.-level students with life sciences industry professionals for professional development, interactive learning experiences, and networking during the academic year.
- Life Sciences Industry Showcase Virtual event connecting Colorado life sciences companies to university talent from undergraduate to post-doc level, featuring company presentations and Q&A sessions.
- Quality Assurance (QA) and Regulatory Affairs (RA) Certificate Program Certificate program combining online coursework with hands-on learning and microcredentials that stack into a certificate applicable toward undergraduate or graduate degrees, with industry mentorship and a three-day in-person capstone hosted by life sciences companies. Eligible participants may receive full tuition support and a $2,500 stipend through NSF ExLENT PIVOTS funding.
- Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative Employer-led initiative building shared strategy among life sciences employers to map talent needs, co-design solutions, and align training programs to high-demand roles, using the nationally recognized Talent Pipeline Management framework.
- Life Sciences Manufacturing (LSM) 101 20-hour in-person foundational training preparing adult career switchers (21+) for entry-level roles in life sciences manufacturing, designed in collaboration with 13 employers anticipating 218+ projected job openings in 2026.
- Foundations of Leadership Program Hybrid workshop for first-time leaders and scientists new to management, designed to build leadership foundations through exploring characteristics of leaders, effective communication, and teamwork skills. Delivered in partnership with Phase Transition Leadership Cooperative.
- Executive Leadership Program Career-defining course for life sciences executives addressing strategic problem solving, change management, team design and motivation, and communication planning for growth, with peer networking and executive coaching.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 3,100 students reached each year through student and teacher programs
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Colorado BioScience Institute
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Colorado BioScience Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Colorado BioScience Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Innosphere VenturesminorInnosphere Ventures partnered with CBSA and the Institute to launch the Colorado Life Sciences Incubation Program, combining expertise to support founders developing technologies, products, devices, and life-saving breakthroughs. State funding from the Advanced Industries Business Accelerator Grant supports the program.
- Agilent TechnologiescoreAgilent Technologies is a P-TECH industry partner, providing mentorship, internship opportunities, and career pathways for Frederick High School students. Agilent employees (including retired Head of Development Dr. Joe Guiles) mentor P-TECH students. Agilent hosted field trips and hires P-TECH graduates directly.
- MedtroniccoreMedtronic serves as a RET program host company, providing teachers with real-world industry experience. Michael Mestek, Ph.D. (Senior Director, Global Marketing, Patient Monitoring) serves on the Institute's Board of Directors and mentors university students. Medtronic participated in Life Sciences Industry Showcase panels.
- AlloSourcecoreAlloSource is a RET program externship host, providing middle and high school science teachers with hands-on industry experience. Teacher Shanna Atzmiller completed her RET externship at AlloSource in Centennial.
- Edgewise TherapeuticsminorEdgewise Therapeutics is a RET program externship host and funding partner, providing teachers with real-world experience in the life sciences industry.
- STAQ PharmacoreSTAQ Pharma serves as a RET externship host. Teacher Lacee Sherman completed her RET experience at STAQ Pharma, bringing invaluable real-world science lessons into her middle school classroom.
- KBI BiopharmacoreKBI Biopharma is a P-TECH industry partner, providing mentorship and internship pathways for Frederick High School students. The company participated in Life Sciences Industry Showcase panels.
- CordenPharmacoreCordenPharma is a P-TECH industry partner, contributing mentorship and internship opportunities for students at Frederick High School. Company representative Dr. Patrick Barney contributed guest instruction in the Elevate Chemistry Education program.
- Umoja BiopharmacoreUmoja Biopharma is a P-TECH industry partner providing mentorship and career pathway opportunities for students in the Frederick High School Eagle Tech program.
- Colorado SucceedscoreColorado Succeeds partnered with the Institute to develop the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative, using the nationally recognized Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) framework to drive employer-led, data-informed workforce development.
- SyncUp ColoradocoreSyncUp Colorado provides facilitation support for the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative, helping to coordinate employer-driven job mapping and training program development across Colorado's life sciences ecosystem.
- Harvard University / LabXchangecoreHarvard University's LabXchange is a free online platform that the Institute uses for its Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom teacher training program. LabXchange provides content libraries, virtual simulations, and collaboration tools for educators and students. The Amgen Foundation funds the Institute's use of the platform for Colorado teachers.
- Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA)coreThe Institute was founded in 2015 by the Colorado BioScience Association and operates as its sister organization. CBSA President & CEO Elyse Blazevich also serves as President of the Institute. The organizations share staff, resources, and ecosystem relationships to advance Colorado's life sciences community.
- Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceminorThe Denver Museum of Nature & Science partners with the Institute on teacher professional development trainings and serves on the Board of Directors through Maria Mazin, Ph.D., Director of Experiences and Partnerships.
- St. Vrain Valley School DistrictcoreSt. Vrain Valley School District operates the P-TECH program at Frederick High School (Eagle Tech) in partnership with the Institute, Aims Community College, and life sciences employers. The district received a $435,200 Workforce Innovation Grant supporting the P-TECH biochemistry program.
- Aims Community CollegecoreAims Community College is the higher education partner in the P-TECH program at Frederick High School, enabling students to earn an associate degree alongside their high school diploma at no cost.
- University of Colorado Denver and CU AnschutzcoreThe University of Colorado Denver and CU Anschutz Medical Campus partner with the Institute on the QA/RA Certificate Program. The Institute provides industry mentorship and job-matching activities while the university delivers the academic curriculum. Chelsea Magin, Ph.D. serves as Board of Directors Chair and Associate Professor directing the QA/RA program.
- Phase Transition Leadership CooperativeminorPhase Transition Leadership Cooperative partners with the Institute to deliver the Foundations of Leadership Program, providing interactive, peer-to-peer workshops for first-time leaders and scientists new to management in the life sciences sector.
- TriSalus Life SciencesminorTriSalus Life Sciences served as a RET program externship host, providing teachers with hands-on industry experience in the life sciences.
- BiodesixminorBiodesix participated as a panel company in the Life Sciences Industry Showcase and contributes to the Institute's ecosystem by providing employees access to leadership programs (e.g., Abby Wright completed the Executive Leadership Program).
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Colorado BioScience Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MassBioEd: Massachusetts-focused life sciences education foundation that runs K-12 STEM, teacher training, and workforce programs — the closest pure-play education analog to the Institute's Classroom and Campus pillars.
- MichBio: Michigan life sciences industry association with workforce, education, and member-services programs aimed at building the state's biotech and medical device talent pipeline.
- Life Sciences Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania statewide life sciences trade association with workforce development, education, and member-services programs serving a comparable role for Pennsylvania's life sciences employers.
- BioNJ: New Jersey life sciences trade association that runs workforce development, education, and talent pipeline programs for the state's biotech and pharma employers — a tightly comparable state-level industry intermediary.
- NCBiotech (North Carolina Biotechnology Center): State-level nonprofit life sciences organization that operates workforce development, education, and training programs across North Carolina — the most direct functional analog to Colorado BioScience Institute's state-level life sciences workforce intermediary model.
- Life Science Tennessee: Tennessee statewide life sciences industry association with workforce development and education initiatives — a comparable state-level industry intermediary in the Southeast life sciences corridor.
- BioForward Wisconsin: Wisconsin life sciences industry association that runs workforce development, education, and talent pipeline programs — closely comparable in scope as a state-level life sciences workforce intermediary.
Broad incumbents
- MassBio: Massachusetts life sciences trade association with a larger employer and education footprint; runs workforce and education initiatives including the MassBioEd Foundation, providing a broader-incumbent analog with overlapping workforce pipeline programs.
- Biocom California: California life sciences association operating workforce development and STEM education programs across a much larger member base — comparable in mission (industry-led workforce pipeline) but at materially greater scale and broader geographic scope.
Emerging players
- BioBuilder: Nonprofit that delivers hands-on biotechnology curriculum and teacher training for K-12 and undergraduate students — a partially overlapping emerging player in life sciences STEM education with similar pedagogy to the Institute's Biotechnology Experiences in the Classroom program.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Colorado BioScience Institute social profiles
Digital presenceColorado BioScience Institute compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Colorado BioScience Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colorado BioScience Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Colorado BioScience Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colorado BioScience Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Colorado BioScience Institute
What does Colorado BioScience Institute do?
Colorado BioScience Institute delivers workforce development programs for Colorado's life sciences ecosystem across three tiers: Classroom (K-12 STEM teacher training and student biotechnology experiences), Campus (mentor matching and industry showcases connecting university students with employers), and Career (QA/RA Certificate, Life Sciences Manufacturing 101, and leadership programs for working professionals). Programs are funded by grants, foundation sponsorships, and donations, and are delivered at no or low cost to participants through partnerships with schools, universities, and life sciences employers.
Is Colorado BioScience Institute a public or private company?
Colorado BioScience Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Colorado BioScience Institute founded?
Colorado BioScience Institute was founded in 2015. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Colorado BioScience Institute based?
Colorado BioScience Institute is headquartered in Denver, United States, in the North America region.
How does Colorado BioScience Institute make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grants and Funded Programs are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising.
Who are Colorado BioScience Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MassBioEd, MichBio, Life Sciences Pennsylvania, BioNJ, NCBiotech (North Carolina Biotechnology Center), Life Science Tennessee and BioForward Wisconsin. Broad incumbents are MassBio and Biocom California. BioBuilder is listed as an emerging player.
Does Colorado BioScience Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colorado BioScience Institute.
What industry is Colorado BioScience Institute in?
Colorado BioScience Institute's product category is Workforce Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAMABAC, STEM Research & Inquiry Programs (Research Mentorship, Science Fair Prep). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.