Steve VanNurden, MBA

Steve VanNurden is the Associate Vice-Chancellor of Biotechnology at the University of Colorado | Anschutz Medical Campus and also serves as President and CEO of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) in Aurora, Colorado. Mr. VanNurden works with University faculty and staff to develop a strategic vision to foster discovery and innovation in order to grow and diversify funding for the research enterprise. He started CU Innovations 7 years ago to reinvent the way technology transfer is conducted at a University. The FRA was formed in 1996 as a unique partnership between the University of Colorado and the City of Aurora Colorado to create a life science innovation community that links discovery and innovation with entrepreneurship. Currently home to 81 companies, the FRA is committed to building a vibrant life sciences community by providing companies with the resources and environment in which to thrive. In 2019, Mr. VanNurden became one of the founding members of the CU Healthcare Innovation Venture Fund and currently serves as one of the General Partners that invests in promising early-stage drug, device and digital health companies.

Prior to coming to the Colorado, Mr. VanNurden was Chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the commercialization arm of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. During Mr. VanNurden’s tenure, Mayo Clinic Ventures commercialized nearly 2,000 Mayo Clinic discoveries, inventions and other Intellectual Property through conventional licensing agreements, collaborations and directly investing in start-up companies. The direct investment into Mayo Clinic related start-up companies was started in 1998, which allowed Mayo to evaluate internal technologies for possible formation and direct investment into start-up companies. Under Mr. VanNurden’s direction, the program resulted in the formation of over 50 companies with a positive return on investment back to Mayo Clinic.

Prior to becoming Chair of Mayo Clinic Ventures, Mr. VanNurden held a variety of positions in the other operating divisions during his 22 years at Mayo Clinic, including being the first Director of Electronic Publishing in the Health Information Division. During Mr. VanNurden’s tenure, several award-winning CD ROMs and websites were created, including the vision, business strategies, product development and successful launch of Mayo Clinic Health Oasis and Mayo Clinic HealthQuest Online in 1995 (now known as mayoclinic.com) websites. He also served as an industry liaison to the U.S. Health and Human Services Committee on the Emergence of Interactive Health Communication.

Previously, Mr. VanNurden held management positions at Cargill, Inc., US Bank and was vice-president of Aerodrome Airline Services, Inc., a small aviation company. Mr. VanNurden holds degrees in Accounting and Finance and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.