April 8, 2024
by
Agata Bogucka

PHOTOS: Mines celebrates entrepreneurship with opening of Beck Venture Center

31,000-square-foot facility is a key part of the new Mines Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem
Crowd gathered outside Beck Venture Center for grand opening

Mines President Paul C. Johnson addresses the crowd gathered outside the Beck Venture Center on April 4 for the grand opening of the new entrepreneurship-focused facility. Hundreds of people attended the ribbon cutting and Third Annual Mines Entrepreneurship Showcase. (Photos by Agata Bogucka/Colorado School of Mines)

Rep. Brittany Pettersen speaks at Beck Venture Center grand opening
U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen speaks during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Pettersen represents Colorado's Seventh Congressional District, which includes Golden and the Colorado School of Mines campus.

 

President Johnson and Mike Beck cut ribbon on Beck Venture Center
Mines President Paul C. Johnson and Mike Beck cut the ribbon on the Beck Venture Center. Looking on, from left, are Mines Board of Trustees member Michael Coors, Board of Trustees President Jesus Salazar, Charlie McNeil '71, Howard Janzen ‘76 ‘77, Kelly Beck, Mines Foundation CEO Brian Winkelbauer, and U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen. 

 

Zack Bennett leads a tour during opening of Beck
Zack Bennett, founding director of the Beck Venture Center, leads a tour of the facility during the grand opening celebration. The facility offers 31,000 square feet of coworking, networking, event and classroom space for Mines-connected entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, companies and students to learn, collaborate and launch. 

 

Daniel Johnson discusses his startup at Mines Entrepreneurship Showcase
Daniel Johnson, CEO and cofounder of Austere Environmental and a PhD candidate in Space Resources, talks about his startup during the Third Annual Mines Entrepreneurship Showcase hosted by Mines' Entrepreneur & Innovation Alumni Interest Group. (Photos by Mimi Clot de Broissia/Colorado School of Mines)

 

Mike Beck talks at Entrepreneurship Showcase
Mike Beck addresses the audience in the building's Janzen Family Pitch Deck during the Mines Entrepreneurship Showcase. Beck and his wife, Kelly, are the parents of two Mines alums and provided the lead gift for the construction of the Beck Venture Center. 

 

Beck Venture Center at night
The Beck Venture Center is home to the Mines Venture Program and Mines Venture Fund, which provide the support that Mines-affiliated startups need to launch. Highlights include organizing and coordinating a world-class network of mentors and advisors, “look books” and demo days to showcase startups to the investor community, support from a highly curated network of service providers, and regular educational and networking programs. 

 

Read more about the Beck Venture Center grand opening on Mines Newsroom >>

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Agata Bogucka

Multimedia Manager
303-384-2657
abogucka@mines.edu
About Mines
Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society – all to create a more prosperous future.