<p>The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) is leveraging its EPIIC award to drive workforce development and entrepreneurial growth in Colorado’s Front Range, particularly among underserved and agricultural communities. Led by the Monfort College of Business, the largest NSF grant it has ever received, UNC is providing technical support to local startups, expanding advanced agriculture tech and biotech initiatives, and increasing training for both students and regional workers. As part of the EMERGE Cohort, UNC is helping create scalable, inclusive models of innovation that strengthen regional economies and empower historically marginalized populations.</p>