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.
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.
A RURAL community
Ecosystem Builders
Recent News
How TreadShare Is Changing Travel to Colorado’s Mountain Towns
Erwin Germain thought he was on the right track. After earning a master’s degree in business administration and management, he began his career in finance in Paris. But the work
How a Family Farm in Colorado Became a Global Ag-tech Innovator
This story was produced in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation in Sterling, Colorado. Agriculture is one of the world’s biggest industries. We’re all reliant on farming of
How Early-Stage Founders Can Build Stronger, More Resilient Businesses
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have. For rural startups, it’s a strategic advantage. In our first 2026 edition of The Rural Startup, we explore how early-stage founders can reduce risk,
Why We’re Launching in the Colorado River Valley
Startup Colorado is launching a new series of founder-centric programs across the Colorado River Valley—from Aspen to Parachute—in partnership with the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership and the Colorado
Free Opportunities and Resources for Rural Founders in Q1 2026
Happy New Year, Rural Founders! We hope you’re recharged and ready for a new year! Because 2026 is shaping up to be a big one. Across Colorado, entrepreneurs in all
Rural Entrepreneurship Resonates on the World Stage
Startup Colorado was recently recognized at the Startup Ecosystem Stars 2025 Awards in Paris. Our Director of Content & Brand Strategy, Margaret Hedderman, attended the event and came away inspired
Why We’re Launching in the Colorado River Valley
Startup Colorado is launching a new series of founder-centric programs across the Colorado River Valley—from Aspen to Parachute—in partnership with the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership and the Colorado […]
Free Opportunities and Resources for Rural Founders in Q1 2026
Happy New Year, Rural Founders! We hope you’re recharged and ready for a new year! Because 2026 is shaping up to be a big one. Across Colorado, entrepreneurs in all […]
Rural Entrepreneurship Resonates on the World Stage
Startup Colorado was recently recognized at the Startup Ecosystem Stars 2025 Awards in Paris. Our Director of Content & Brand Strategy, Margaret Hedderman, attended the event and came away inspired […]
The Sky’s the Limit for Buena Vista Tent Manufacturer
When we connected with Joe Bissonnette, founder of Sky View Tents and winner of the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition, he was calling from inside one of his own tents. He
Mighty Mike’s Second Act
Mike Milakovic hasn’t found success in spite of living in a rural community. Living in a rural community has been an essential driver of growth for his company, Mighty Mike’s
Small Town, Big Impact: How Rural Startups Can Leverage Experiential Marketing
Rural founders know better than anyone: connection is a powerful driver of business growth. But how do you create that connection in small towns or low-population markets? In this article,