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We believe in the power of rural Colorado

At Startup Colorado, we believe that everyone should have the ability to start and scale a business in the place they call home. We’re here to help both entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders access the human, social, and financial capital they need to build thriving businesses. We do this via our online community, partnership development, storytelling, and curated business resources.

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STARTUP: IT’S A VERB

What does startup mean to us? Doing this type of work in rural Colorado demands a deep level of inclusivity, and an awareness that starting something up is just that: it’s an action, a journey, and a life-cycle that exists outside of a specific industry or business model.

Startup could mean you’re building a scalable tech enterprise or a Main Street retail shop. It could also mean launching a new coworking space or a meetup event in your community. That’s why we serve both founders and the local startup ecosystem builders who support them. See how we can help you.

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Ecosystem Builders

A RURAL community

The Startup Colorado Community is the only online networking platform built for rural entrepreneurship. Expand your business network beyond regional boundaries by connecting with other founders, mentors, service providers, funders, and business support organizations across the state. The Startup Colorado Community also provides a ton of free, on-demand resources to get started with no muss, no fuss.
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Upcoming Events

25

Lean 101: Full-Day Training in Grand Junction

Date: September 25, 2023 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM MDT

Location: 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, CO 81503, USA

26

Western Slope Government Contracting Opportunities & Connections

Date: September 26, 2023 8:45 AM - 12:30 PM MDT

Location: 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction, CO 81503, USA

26

Outgrow Your Garage Co-Working & Office Hours

Date: September 26, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM MDT

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Ecosystem Builders

Founder Olivia Pedersen builds climate tech startup Sustaio in Telluride Olivia 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. Read More
Veda GerasimekSustaio
Veda Gerasimek
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. Read More
Jessica LarrivaTumbleweed Bread
Jessica Larriva
Chaffee County in Colorado is the sort of place where you can walk into a restaurant and find yourself seated next to the CEO of a company down the road. Like many mountain communities, Chaffee County prides itself on a diverse range of industries from agriculture to outdoor recreation. Read More
Elise ErtlEcosystem building
Elise Ertl
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. Read More
Julia TaylorGeekpack
Julia Taylor
Rosanna Dufour’s story is Hollywood-worthy. A story that now includes launching a startup in Pagosa Springs: handmade bamboo fly-fishing rods. Rosanna Dufour (née Slingerland) owned and worked at Rosie’s Pizzeria in Pagosa Springs, where she met Paul “PJ” Dufour in 2011. Read More
Keller NorthcuttPJ blog
Keller Northcutt

Recent News

21 September, 2023

Meet the Founders: September COOPETITION COHORT

Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition is back with 15 rural startups participating in its September cohort. This 4-week program offers a unique blend of cooperation and competition designed to fuel the growth of early-stage businesses in rural areas. Startup Colorado will be running an additional two cohorts and is accepting applications on a rolling basis.   Now, […]

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19 August, 2023

Listen: Town Hall—How Love of Community Led to an Adventure in Entrepreneurship

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 […]

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08 August, 2023

Call For Applications + Meet Our New Founder Coopetition Program Director

COLORADO –  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 […]

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