Startup Colorado
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startupcolorado.org
Startup Colorado
@startupcolorado.org
Startup Colorado is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that directly serves entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders across 53 Rural Colorado counties.

www.startupcolorado.org
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
April 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
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
Meet the Finalists of the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling - Startup Colorado
We're excited to introduce the Sterling Pitch Competition finalists that will take the stage on April 23rd. Come and cheer them on!
www.startupcolorado.org
April 3, 2025 at 6:49 PM
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!
April 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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
Startup Colorado Roadtrip in Trinidad
Startup Colorado Roadtrip Comes to Trinidad! Share this event: https://community.startupcolorado.org/events/119938   Startup Colorado Roadtrip is taking over Tech Night Out in Trinidad this April! Joi...
community.startupcolorado.org
March 31, 2025 at 3:05 PM
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
March 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
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/
These Colorado Farmers Want to Change the Food Industry - Startup Colorado
Pfaltzgraff Farms, Haxtun Heritage Mills & Seeding Circles— these farmers want to change the food industry. Learn about their movement!
startupcolorado.org
March 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
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/
Celebrating One Year of the Rural Creative Collective: Read the 2024 Annual Report - Startup Colorado
We're celebrating one year of the Rural Creative Collective! Read the 2024 Annual Report and see what's next for this awesome network.
www.startupcolorado.org
March 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
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
Funding Your Creative Business
Smarter Strategies for Long-Term Success
ruralstartup.substack.com
March 7, 2025 at 10:44 PM
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
Spark Lab — Homegrown Pathways
www.homegrownpathways.org
March 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
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
Pitch Readiness Session with Jolene Collins
Pitch Readiness Session with Jolene Collins  Share this event:  https://community.startupcolorado.org/events/118837 Date: March 7, 2025Time: 12-1pm MT Location: Virtual (Zoom) Are you ready to pitch...
community.startupcolorado.org
March 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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/
Fremont County: The Emergence and Development of a Rural Tech Hub - Startup Colorado
Our in-depth exploration of Fremont County highlights its emergence and development as a rural tech hub in Colorado.
www.startupcolorado.org
February 25, 2025 at 6:02 PM
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
How to Organize an Event the “Startup Colorado Way” - Startup Colorado
Events are powerful tools for building strong communities. Learn how to organize an event the "Startup Colorado Way"!
www.startupcolorado.org
February 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
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/
Starting Up: How Ram Mikulas Launched a Niche Outdoor Apparel Brand - Startup Colorado
Our latest in the Starting Up series covers how Ram Mikulas launched a niche outdoor apparel brand called SkyGOAT.
startupcolorado.org
February 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
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 Roadtrip in Alamosa
Startup Colorado Roadtrip Comes to Alamosa! Share this event: https://community.startupcolorado.org/events/115144   Join us for an interactive session in Alamosa focused on funding education, founder-...
community.startupcolorado.org
February 4, 2025 at 4:48 PM
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
Roadtrip - Startup Colorado
The Startup Colorado Roadtrip is bridging access gaps by bringing funding resources to communities across Rural Colorado.
www.startupcolorado.org
January 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
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
Rural Women in Entrepreneurship
All Colorado Women in Business and Business Support are Welcome! Share this event: https://community.startupcolorado.org/events/110697   Each month, the Rural Women in Entrepreneurship group inside th...
community.startupcolorado.org
January 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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/
Announcing December’s Idea Factory Winners - Startup Colorado
We're thrilled to announce December's Idea Factory Winners— Erica Hines, Mike Milakovic and Sam Sickles. Read about these inspiring founders.
startupcolorado.org
January 16, 2025 at 4:58 PM
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
January 15, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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/
Startup Colorado Partners with Colorado State University to Define and Activate Rural Tech Hubs - Startup Colorado
Startup Colorado partners with Colorado State University Extension to catalyze widespread tech innovation in rural Colorado.
www.startupcolorado.org
January 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
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...
January 13, 2025 at 9:15 PM
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
January 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
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
Startup Colorado’s 2024 Impact Report is Here! - Startup Colorado
Explore our annual report to see the growth of rural entrepreneurship, new programs, and the launch of a statewide pitch competition series.
www.startupcolorado.org
January 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
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
US Department of Labor awards $65M to help community colleges increase access to affordable, high-quality training, improve equitable outcomes
www.dol.gov
January 6, 2025 at 4:33 PM
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
2024 End of Year Reflections - Startup Colorado
As we prepare for the turn of the year, read the 2024 end of year reflections from our Executive Director, Brittany Romano.
startupcolorado.org
January 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
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
January 2, 2025 at 10:46 PM