Turning Environmental Data into Real-World Impact Across Colorado and Wyoming
The ASCEND Engine’s strategy (2026–2029) for accelerating discovery, innovation, and workforce development across the Colorado-Wyoming I-25 Innovation Corridor.
Building an Integrated Innovation Ecosystem
The ASCEND Engine is building an ecosystem that connects researchers, entrepreneurs, communities, and policymakers capable of sustained innovation and impact across the region.
Over the next three years (2026–2029), the ASCEND Engine will transition from establishing foundational partnerships, research programs, and infrastructure to delivering integrated, scalable solutions for environmental resilience along the Colorado–Wyoming I-25 Innovation Corridor.
We will focus on:
- Launching large-scale, cross-disciplinary programs that integrate sensing, analytics, and decision tools
- Strengthening pathways from discovery to deployment to achieve real-world impact.
- Developing the next generation of innovation talent through education, training, and entrepreneurship programs anchored in the Colorado–Wyoming I-25 Innovation Corridor
ARID: Asset Resilience through Intelligent Digital Twins
ARID addresses the growing threat of wildfire on power and water utilities. The program integrates high-resolution risk characterization, physics-informed ignition prediction, near real-time fire weather modeling, early fire detection through quantum-enhanced thermal imaging, and post-wildfire water quality monitoring into an integrated digital-twin platform.
SHIELD: Soil Health Innovation, Evaluation and Demonstration
SHIELD will establish a unique network of real-world field-level soil health test sites across dry and irrigated cropland and grassland in the CO-WY region. The program accelerates scalable measurement technologies, unprecedented soil health characterization, and adaptive management capabilities powered by ecological-scale digital twins.
Launching in 2027: Extreme Weather Prediction
Our third program will focus on the cross-cutting area of high-resolution weather prediction applied to critical economic challenges such as hail and wildfire smoke forecasting.
This intentional phasing allows the Engine to mature promising early investments before scaling.
MOONSHOT PRIZE
In 2027, we will launch a large-scale moonshot prize focusing on the soil health measurement scalability challenge. The prize will be a competitive, global competition and will be run in partnership with XPRIZE.
The ASCEND Engine’s Technical Focus
Unlike traditional research programs, the NSF ASCEND Engine’s strategy is intentionally integrated. Each Technical Area is designed to reinforce the others — sensing feeds analytics, analytics informs decisions, and decisions reveal new questions for sensing — enabling outcomes no single area could achieve alone.
TA1: Advanced Sensing and Data Generation
Capturing the world as it is
We will invest in next‑generation sensing technologies—from soil‑level measurements to satellite observations to quantum sensing technologies—that generate high‑resolution, real‑time environmental data.
Focus areas include:
- Air, water, and soil monitoring
- Distributed and low‑cost sensor networks
- New sensors that unlock previously inaccessible signals
TA2: Computational Analytics
Turning data into understanding
We will advance computational methods that integrate physics-based models, scientific AI, and machine learning to extract insight, predict risk, and explore future scenarios at scales relevant to real-world decisions.
Focus areas include:
- Predictive modeling and simulation
- Digital twins and integrated system models
- Trustworthy AI for high‑consequence decisions
TA3: Decision Support
Putting science to work
Our ultimate goal is impact. This Technical Area closes the loop —transforming research outputs into decision-support tools, commercial products, and public-agency services that communities and industries can trust and act on.
Focus areas include:
- Operational decision‑support tools
- Technology commercialization
- Co‑creation with end users to ensure relevance and adoption
From Discovery to Deployment
Every ASCEND R&D program is built with translation as a design requirement. Each program drives commercialization through two pathways: industry consortium models that transition breakthroughs directly into partner operations, and dedicated accelerator cohorts that test and refine commercial products within the program's research infrastructure. The Engine provides startups with dedicated advisory support, non-dilutive funding, pilot customer introductions, and investor connections.
Commercialization Support:
R&D Program Specific Accelerators - Paired with each flagship R&D program, ARID and SHIELD, accelerator participants gain direct access to the R&D program's enabling infrastructure, research teams, and pilot environments
CEO-Matching - A technology-to-CEO matching program that pairs promising R&D projects with experienced executives to form new startup companies
Open Innovation - The ASCEND Engine will engage its corporate partners' open innovation functions to identify areas of strategic focus and intersection with ASCEND technologies and Engine use cases.
Venture Capital - Innosphere will launch an ASCEND-aligned venture fund to address the capital gap in the region. Innosphere Fund III targeted at $75M-$100M is a regional fund targeting advanced industries in ASCEND technologies and other key US technologies.
Scaleup Program - A new stage-specific scaleup program to serve companies that have graduated beyond the accelerator stage and require targeted support for later-stage commercialization.
Workforce Development
The ASCEND Engine’s workforce development strategy is designed to solve the shortage of skilled talent needed to support next‑generation environmental sensing, data, and decision‑making technologies across Colorado and Wyoming. By aligning education, training, and employer demand, the ASCEND Engine is strengthening regional community resilience while expanding economic opportunities.
K–12 STEM engagement
Impacting 6000+ students annually
Early investments through mobile learning labs, robotics and drone programs introduce thousands of students annually to real‑world environmental technologies. These experiences build early awareness, spark career interest, and lay the foundation for long‑term participation in high‑demand fields.
Non-degreed Pathwaysnal Analytics
Upskilling partnerships serving 100+ non-degreed workers per year
Using the gener8tor Skills Accelerator, adults and emerging professionals have access to upskilling. Programs are co‑designed with employers and workforce agencies to ensure training leads directly to jobs, wage gains, and long‑term retention—creating immediate value for both workers and regional industries.
Post-Secondary Level
Community College and University internships and skills competitions
Addresses critical talent gaps by offering subsidized internships in ASCEND-focused and systems engineering fields. Also supports learning-intensive competitions building in-demand skills in cybersecurity and augmented reality, preparing students to fill essential roles in advanced computation and AI.
Get Involved
The ASCEND Engine’s strategy is grounded in active partnerships with leading research institutions, federal laboratories, technology companies, and public-sector agencies across our region.
Contact us
Corporate Partners & Sponsors
Be the first to gain access to cutting-edge technology by co-investing in ARID, SHIELD, or future R&D programs through industry consortium models. Join our Corporate Partners Program. Serve as an Industry Champion advising on strategy and connecting the ASCEND Engine to your networks. Sponsor workforce internships, apprenticeships, and hackathons. Engage@innosphere.org
Investors and Venture Capital
Early-stage investment opportunities through ASCEND-aligned venture funds targeting $75M to $100M. Access a curated pipeline of deep-tech startups with a target of $166M in follow-on venture capital by 2028. Participate in biannual Investor Forums and accelerator demo days. [Link]
Government, Foundations & Civic Organizations
Build more resilient communities. Partner on transformative federal and foundation grant applications. Collaborate on water utility resilience assessments. Provide philanthropic support for STEM scholarships, workforce training, and community innovation pilots. [Link]
Startups and Researchers
Turn your ideas into impact by participating in an ASCEND Engine Accelerator aligned with our flagship R&D programs [Link to R&D page once we have it], access non-dilutive funding and mentorship, compete for the XPRIZE Moonshot Prize, and participate in hackathons and innovation events.
Whether you represent a corporation, government agency, foundation, investor, startup, or research institution, there is a meaningful role for you in the ASCEND ecosystem.