Fortifyd_lvc_2026

Fortifyd, a startup spun out of our lab’s helmet research, took first place in the physical sciences track of the 2026 CU Boulder Lab Venture Challenge, winning a $200,000 startup grant! Fortifyd is redesigning helmet protection around 3D-printed plate-lattice liners that outperform conventional foams, building on our work on impact-mitigating metamaterials, digital multiphase composites, and OpenVCAD. The team includes Rob (PI and technical advisor), Charles, and Daphne, alongside CEO Teri Ham and Elisse Lockhart. Read the Venture Partners announcement here.