Will you join us for the live event in Sterling on April 23rd? Learn about the inspiring founders that are stepping on stage and RSVP here: www.startupcolorado.org/sterling-pitch-competition-finalists
#pitchcompetition #ruralbusiness #startupcolorado
Meet the Finalists! 🎤 We're excited to announce the incredible founders selected to compete at the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling on April 23rd.
Learn more about these founders and RSVP to the big event: www.startupcolorado.org/sterling-pitch-competition-finalists
Entrepreneurship is about more than just financial sustainability. It empowers individuals, builds resilience, and sparks community-driven solutions that create meaningful livelihoods & strengthen local economies. We're expanding our support programs to ensure rural entrepreneurs continue to thrive!
The Roadtrip is heading to Trinidad! Join us on Wed, 4/16 for an evening dedicated to funding education, founder-to-funder connections, and community networking—all designed to support rural entrepreneurs and small business owners at every stage.
Details: community.startupcolorado.org/events/119938
Is your business feeling the effects of funding freezes, new regulations, or policy changes? Take our survey to share how national economic shifts are impacting your work. Your insights will help us drive real solutions for rural CO.
startupcolorado.org/crisis-response-resources-colorado-startups
These farmers aren’t just growing food—they’re reshaping the future of agriculture. Roy Pfaltzgraff and Emily Kamala of PFZ Farms are pioneering a regenerative approach for CO's farming communities.
startupcolorado.org/these-colorado-farmers-want-to-change-the-food-industry/
In 2024, Startup Colorado launched the Rural Creative Collective— a new initiative created by and for rural creatives.
Explore this snapshot of the community we’ve built, the challenges we’ve tackled, and the opportunities ahead: www.startupcolorado.org/one-year-of-the-rural-creative-collective/
Creative entrepreneurs face unique challenges when it comes to funding their businesses. In the latest issue of The Rural Startup, we dive into how Dani Reyes-Acosta of Afuera Productions built a diversified funding model.
ruralstartup.substack.com/p/funding-your-creative-business
#ruralfunding
Startup Colorado and Homegrown Pathways have teamed up to launch Spark Lab, a new pre-accelerator designed to equip young innovators with the skills, confidence, and funding to thrive in Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
homegrownpathways.org/spark-lab
#sparklab #youthentrepreneurship
Ready to pitch your business with confidence? Join Jolene Collins for a virtual Pitch Readiness Session, where you'll get expert guidance on crafting a compelling business pitch. Refine your message and prepare for the SUCO Pitch Comp in Sterling on 4/23!
community.startupcolorado.org/events/118837
Fremont County is proving that rural communities can be tech hubs, too. Over the past decade, a committed group of leaders, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem builders have turned it into one of CO’s fastest-growing rural innovation centers.
Read more— www.startupcolorado.org/fremont-county-case-study/
What makes an event truly impactful? We sat down with our Community Director, Vanessa McCrann, to get her expert insights on designing events that deliver real value. Get her tips on how to do it the "Startup Colorado Way."
startupcolorado.org/how-to-organize-an-event-the-startup-colorado-way
When Ram Mikulas couldn’t find the perfect outdoor jacket, he made it himself—launching SkyGOAT in Dillon, CO. From bootstrapped beginnings to a custom fabric breakthrough, his journey is all about grit & creativity. Read his startup story! 👇
startupcolorado.org/starting-up-with-skygoat/
The SUCO Roadtrip Hits Alamosa!
Join us for an interactive funding session at the SLV Regional Resource Fair with Downtown Colorado Inc. Discover practical strategies, funder insights, and business applications to help secure the capital you need.
🔗 community.startupcolorado.org/events/115144
Startup Colorado is hitting the road in 2025! 🚗💨 The Startup Colorado Roadtrip is bringing business resources, funding education, and expert connections straight to rural entrepreneurs across the state.
www.startupcolorado.org/roadtrip
Connect with women entrepreneurs across Colorado in this casual, virtual networking hour! This month’s co-host is Nora Gilbertson, founder of Stay Loci. Nora will share how she built a platform to address mid-term housing gaps in mountain communities.
community.startupcolorado.org/events/110697
Meet the inspiring entrepreneurs who won December's Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory! 🎉 A big congratulations to:
Erica Hines of MindReels
Mike Milakovic of Mighty Mike's Foods
Sam Sickles of Stock the Fridge
Read their stories: startupcolorado.org/decembers-idea-factory-winners/
Countless founders across Colorado have leveled up their businesses with the Founder Coopetition. Expert advice, peer support, and grant funding opportunities await. Ready to join them?
Head to our website to learn more and apply: startupcolorado.org/founder-coopetition
Startup Colorado and CSU have teamed up to define what it means to be a Rural Tech Hub, and empower communities with tools and strategies to drive tech innovation and attract key investments.
startupcolorado.org/startup-colorado-partners-with-colorado-state-university/
The Startup Colorado podcast is coming back, and we’d love your input! What topics ignite your curiosity? What stories inspire you?
Your feedback will guide us as we craft episodes that resonate with our rural Colorado community.
Take the survey here: airtable.com/appBA0iD3uOm...
2024 was a year of growth and impact for rural entrepreneurship in Colorado! Check out the strides we’ve made together in the Startup Colorado 2024 Impact Report. We look forward to building even more momentum in 2025 💪✨
#2024AnnualReport #StartupColorado
Dive into the Startup Colorado 2024 Impact Report report to discover the milestones we’ve achieved together and see how we’re building momentum to make Colorado the #1 destination for rural entrepreneurship.
www.startupcolorado.org/2024-impact-report
Trinidad State College has been awarded $5M+ through the Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant. This will support workforce training in critical industries, creating opportunities for equitable education and career pathways in rural areas.
More www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20241230
2024 was a transformative year for Startup Colorado! From empowering entrepreneurs through expanded programs to celebrating record-breaking successes (like $2M raised by pitch comp participants!), this year was full of growth, impact and community.
startupcolorado.org/2024-end-of-year-reflections
Kick off 2025 with Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition programs, built to fuel your business growth and connect you with peer support, expert mentorship, and valuable resources to help you succeed.
Applications are open now—grow with us: startupcolorado.org/founder-coopetition
If you have a few minutes to spare, take a look at Matt Martensen on the Local NEWS Network! This story, called "Internet Browser Gives Power to the People", highlights Matt's unique startup, User Cooperative.
www.durangolocal.news/newsstories/internet-browser-gives-power-to-the-people
Are you a tech founder with a revenue-earning business that's ready to scale? Applications are OPEN for the Founder Coopetition // Growth Challenge, a six-week accelerator in Grand Junction starting in January.
Take the next step for your startup. Apply now: startupcolorado.org/growth-challenge
Ready to learn something new in 2025? Skill Distillery is offering Colorado residents the chance to gain in-demand tech skills through their Java Full Stack Coding Program—and thanks to the Opportunity Now grant, tuition could be fully covered.
Learn more and apply today! www.skilldistillery.com
Founders flourish through community. Our community brings entrepreneurs and business owners together through our thriving online network. Join today (it's free!) to access industry and regional groups, events, and endless info about business development.
startupcolorado.org/join-the-community/
Securing venture capital can be a challenge, especially for rural entrepreneurs navigating systems geared toward urban markets. At this year’s Pitch Competition, 3 founders broke those barriers, securing game-changing investments.
startupcolorado.org/how-these-rural-founders-secured-vc-funding/
