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§ Venture Capital · Boulder, CO, USA
Venture capital firm investing in early-stage deep-tech startups, offering seed & Series A funding for CU Boulder ventures.
Key people at Buff Gold Ventures.
Founded in 2022 by Mark Lupa and Sally Hatcher, Buff Gold Ventures is a Boulder, Colorado-based venture capital firm investing in early-stage deep-tech startups affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder. The firm provides seed and Series A funding, alongside follow-on investments and hands-on board-level mentorship, to companies operating across biotechnology, climate tech, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. Operating primarily through its Buff Venture Fund I, the firm successfully closed its inaugural investment vehicle with $25 million in capital commitments in January 2022. Since its inception, the firm has evaluated over 200 university-connected startups and backed early cohorts that include recognizable portfolio companies such as LongPath Technologies and Vycarb. The leadership team also brings prior board and operational experience with prominent life sciences entities like Taligen Therapeutics and VetDC to help transform innovative ideas into scalable businesses.
# Buff Gold Ventures: Fueling the Next Generation of CU-Born Innovators
Buff Gold Ventures is a Boulder-based venture capital firm dedicated to investing in early-stage, deep-tech startups with a direct connection to the University of Colorado Boulder. The firm’s mission is to empower visionary founders—students, alumni, faculty, and staff—by transforming bold ideas into globally impactful companies. Buff Gold Ventures takes a hands-on approach, combining strategic capital with mentorship, board involvement, and access to a robust network of industry experts, legal advisors, and operational leaders. Their investment philosophy centers on supporting disruptive technologies that address large-scale challenges, with a focus on sectors such as biotechnology, climate tech, fintech, AI, health tech, and next-generation semiconductors. By fostering a collaborative ecosystem, Buff Gold Ventures plays a pivotal role in accelerating innovation and economic growth within Colorado’s startup landscape.
Founded in 2022, Buff Gold Ventures was co-founded by Mark Lupa and Sally Hatcher, both seasoned venture capitalists with deep roots in the Boulder entrepreneurial community. Mark previously served as Managing Director at High Country Venture and was a partner at Tango, a private investment firm. His experience spans more than 30 deals across technology, healthcare, and consumer sectors, with several notable exits. Sally brings complementary expertise in entrepreneurship and venture building. The firm emerged from a desire to bridge the gap between academic research and commercialization, leveraging CU Boulder’s rich pipeline of talent and intellectual property. Over the past three years, Buff Gold Ventures has evaluated more than 200 startups, many of which were founded by CU graduates who transitioned into entrepreneurship after gaining industry experience. The firm’s close partnership with CU Boulder’s Venture Partners program has further solidified its position as a key player in the university’s innovation ecosystem.
Buff Gold Ventures is riding the wave of increased university-driven innovation and the growing trend of deep-tech commercialization. As research institutions like CU Boulder continue to produce breakthrough technologies, venture firms that can effectively translate academic discoveries into scalable businesses are in high demand. The timing is particularly favorable, with rising interest in climate tech, biotech, and AI, all areas where CU Boulder excels. Buff Gold Ventures is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends, leveraging its proximity to a top-tier research university and its deep network within the Boulder startup ecosystem. By supporting CU-born startups, the firm not only drives local economic growth but also contributes to the broader national and global innovation landscape.
Buff Gold Ventures is poised for continued growth as it prepares to raise a second fund, expanding its ability to support more CU-affiliated startups and deepen its impact. The firm’s unique blend of university ties, deep-tech expertise, and hands-on support sets it apart in a crowded venture landscape. As the demand for science-driven innovation accelerates, Buff Gold Ventures is likely to play an increasingly influential role in shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Colorado and beyond. Their success will not only be measured by financial returns but also by the transformative companies they help launch and the lasting impact they have on the startup ecosystem. Buff Gold Ventures exemplifies how strategic, university-aligned venture capital can turn great ideas into global successes.
Key people at Buff Gold Ventures.
Buff Gold Ventures has 16 tracked investments across 7 companies. The latest tracked deal is $55.0M Series A in Think Bioscience in January 2026.
