Stories

When Robin Hall's employer Smartwool announced that she—along with all other employees—would need to relocate from Steamboat Springs to Denver, she was faced with a big decision. Leave the company she thought she'd retire at... or stay in Steamboat Springs and wayfind a new future for herself. With true entrepreneurial spirit, Robin and her co-founders Jay Lambert and Joe Solomon decided to launch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECOLORADO -  Startup Colorado is thrilled to announce the appointment of a new program director for its innovative Founder Coopetition program, a unique blend of cooperation and competition designed to fuel the growth of early-stage businesses in rural areas. Tim Martinez will join the Startup Colorado team in their efforts to support rural entrepreneurs and small business owne

By Khara WolfWest Slope Startup Week (WSSW) is on the move! This free week-long event for entrepreneurs and small business owners is relocating from Grand Junction to the rural startup hub of Durango, Colorado this August 21st-25th. The startup week’s relocation to Durango is part of a broader, strategic plan set in place by the event founders in 2019. This revolving hometown location will help sh

Mike Davlantes, founder of ChronoCards in Grand Junction, is one of three startups to win a $5K grant from our Founder Coopetition. This spring, Startup Colorado relaunched its Founder Coopetition, a 4-week program that helped 12 founders and co-founders advance their businesses. The Founder Coopetition awarded three participating companies with a $5,000 grant based on their progress, deliverables

By Elise ErtlLocal news—especially in rural communities—has been decimated. These entrepreneurs are fixing it in their hometowns. “Everybody knows that journalism is in crisis. It’s particularly felt with rural journalism,” said Adam Giorgi, Director of Planning and Program Development at the Center of Rural Strategies, which produces The Daily Yonder. “That's where a lot of the backsliding and th

Thayer Hirsh, founder of Knome in Frisco, is one of three startups awarded a $5K grant from Startup Colorado's Founder Coopetition.  A few months ago, Startup Colorado relaunched the Founder Coopetition, a 4-week accelerator program that helped 12 founders and co-founders advance their businesses. Upon completion of the program, three participating companies were awarded a $5,000 grant based on th

Sara Jennings, co-founder of Orion Labs in Nunn, is one of three startups to win a $5K grant from our Founder Coopetition. This spring, Startup Colorado relaunched its Founder Coopetition, a 4-week program that helped 12 founders and co-founders advance their businesses. The Founder Coopetition awarded three participating companies with a $5,000 grant based on their progress, deliverables, and fin

By Veda GerasimekFounder Olivia Pedersen builds climate tech startup Sustaio in TellurideOlivia Pedersen, founder of the climate tech app Sustaio, calls Telluride a place worth living, and a place to make a living.“I’ve put a lot of emphasis on being proactive and conscious about choosing where I live first and then figuring out how to make a living second,” Pedersen said. Sustaio is an app that r

And that’s a wrap! The first cohort of Startup Colorado’s 2023 Founder Coopetition has concluded. Supporting only rural-based startups, the 4-week program helped 12 founders and co-founders advance their businesses and prepare them for funding opportunities. The Founder Coopetition concluded with a pitch competition; which awarded three $5,000 grants to participating companies.  “The quality and d

In Rocky Ford, Colorado, a meat market isn't "just" a meat market. Maya's Carniceria is helping address the unique needs of a small, rural town, as well as creating an opportunity for young people to stay local. Hear how Maya and her family launched Rocky Ford's first carniceria. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify. Discover more Colorado startups, connect with mentors and funders, a

Jessica Larriva never set out to become a business owner. She’s a baker. But when her mother fell ill, Jessica returned home to Colorado’s San Luis Valley and soon discovered that starting a business was a necessity. Here’s how Jessica launched Tumbleweed Bread—an artisan sourdough baking company that serves the San Luis Valley—and a nonprofit that addresses food insecurity in the region. Listen o

Startup Colorado is thrilled to announce the return of West Slope Startup Week, taking place in Durango on August 21-25. We will continue to serve as the fiscal agent behind this community-driven event and support the development educational and inspiration programming for entrepreneurs. Check out the official press release below and learn how you can get involved.  Durango, Colorado – The West Sl

Seven years ago, Josh Veenstra was working as an insulator at one of Craig, Colorado's energy companies. Today, he and his wife Meagan are the founders of Good Vibes River Gear, a handmade mesh rafting accessory manufacturer that's become an influential voice in the town's transition from the energy economy to outdoor recreation. Here's how Josh and Meagan started a business powered by the waves o

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2023COLORADO - Startup Colorado, a nonprofit that fosters the development of rural entrepreneurship in the state, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Mark Madic as its new Director of Ecosystem Development & Partnerships. In this role, Madic will be responsible for leading Startup Colorado’s efforts in establishing and sustaining local and regional startup ecosy

Meet the founders participating in Startup Colorado's Founder Coopetition, an accelerator program for rural businesses. By Margaret HeddermanLast week, Startup Colorado relaunched its Founder Coopetition, an accelerator program for early-stage startups in our state's rural communities. This 4-week program will support founders starting a business in Colorado via a cooperative learning environment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 20, 2023COLORADO - The Founder Coopetition, a business accelerator program for early-stage startups in rural Colorado, is returning April 24th. The four-week program will expose participating companies to robust educational programming that will prepare them for funding eligibility, including venture capital, small business loans, and state grants. Powered by Startup Col

Julia Taylor didn't set out to create an e-learning business for women; she was just trying to find a job that she could perform regardless of where the military stationed her husband. In 2014, she stumbled across website building and began teaching herself to code. The journey wasn't easy. There was no curriculum, no benchmarks, and no community. Sometimes when she'd ask a question, the responses

Chereen Leong Schwarz started knitting as a way to decompress after long, stressful days as a head chef. Today she's the owner of Smeeny Beanie Knits, a handmade knitwear company in Steamboat Springs. We spoke with Chereen about how she turned a hobby into a side-hustle and eventually into a successful, quit-your-day-job business. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google.  Startup Colorado sup

With more than two decades in tech, Eva Helén has co-founded, built, and exited two software companies - most recently Sanbolic, acquired by Citrix in 2015. Since 2017, she has influenced a broad range of technology companies to build more diverse workforces and inclusive cultures. Her book Women In Tech: A Book for Guys is based on her research and interviews with men in the tech industry. We spo

By Joyce LiewJoyce Liew is a business research and data analysis intern at Startup Colorado. To support her understanding of entreprenurial ecosystem building, Joyce recently read The Startup Community Way by Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway. Since joining the SUCO team 9 months ago, Joyce has learned a lot about the startup world and we wanted to know how this book informed her education.Startup Colora