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
Announcing the Inaugural Belonging @ Startup Colorado Cohort
Startup Colorado and Belonging Colorado are pleased to announce the cohort of our new business accelerator program for belonging. We received more than 100 applications from founders across the country,
Rural Startup Days Debuts with High Engagement and Early Momentum
“Rural doesn’t mean unimaginative or undeserving when it comes to innovation and access to resources.” Those were the words of one attendee at Rural Startup Days in La Junta, Colorado
Two Rural Startups Just Closed New Funding Rounds. Here’s Why It Matters for Their Communities
This story was produced in partnership with the Howdy Partners, a fund that focuses on investing in innovative companies outside Colorado’s urban centers. Venture capital accounts for less than 1%
Startup Colorado’s Demo Day Kickoff Showcases Rural Founders and New Business Growth
Last week, Startup Colorado kicked off its virtual Demo Day series, bringing together rural founders, community members, and business leaders for an event that highlighted innovation across Colorado’s rural economy.
The Sweet and Spicy Sides of Rural Entrepreneurialism: High Plains Spice Company in Eastern Colorado
This story was produced in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation in Sterling, Colorado. This one’s for anyone out there who: a) sees a startup as a road
Your Startup Community Won’t Build Itself
Your choice of where to build your business matters, but how you show up in that community matters more. In rural areas, where networks are smaller and support can be
Announcing the Inaugural Belonging @ Startup Colorado Cohort
Startup Colorado and Belonging Colorado are pleased to announce the cohort of our new business accelerator program for belonging. We received more than 100 applications from founders across the country, […]
Rural Startup Days Debuts with High Engagement and Early Momentum
“Rural doesn’t mean unimaginative or undeserving when it comes to innovation and access to resources.” Those were the words of one attendee at Rural Startup Days in La Junta, Colorado […]
Startup Colorado’s Demo Day Kickoff Showcases Rural Founders and New Business Growth
Last week, Startup Colorado kicked off its virtual Demo Day series, bringing together rural founders, community members, and business leaders for an event that highlighted innovation across Colorado’s rural economy. […]
Startup Colorado Partners with Colorado Office of Just Transition to Support Coal Transition Workers Through Entrepreneurship
Startup Colorado is proud to announce a new partnership with the Colorado Office of Just Transition (OJT), within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), to launch a series
Why Every Founder Should Pitch (Even If You’re Not Raising Capital)
Resilience is the common thread among successful founders, and nothing builds thick skin quite like public pitch practice. While the statistics for new ventures are steep, a founder who treats
Startup Colorado’s 2025 Annual Report is Here
At Startup Colorado, we’ve always believed that “startup” isn’t just a noun—it’s an verb. In 2025, rural Colorado founders proved this reality in every corner of the state, launching and