THE RIGHT TO START A BUSINESS IN YOUR HOMETOWN
OUR mission
“To build a sustainable statewide network of human, social, and financial capital resources supporting rural entrepreneurs, so that people and places can thrive and chart their own futures.”
Startup Colorado is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in 53 rural counties across Colorado. We believe that anyone 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.
Colorado’s rural communities are giving rise to some of the most exciting business opportunities in the state—from scalable tech to Main Street retail—but numerous challenges remain. The growing cost-of-living and housing crises, lack of childcare, and difficulties accessing a skilled workforce are among many of the issues rural entrepreneurs face. Our team lives in rural Colorado and understands many of these pain points firsthand. We also know that if you’ve seen one rural community, you’ve seen one rural community.
That’s why we’ve logged thousands of miles getting to know our rural neighbors in-person. We develop grassroots, community-led programming that matches the unique needs of each startup community. In everything we do, our North Star is building a culture of potential for rural entrepreneurs.
How we do it
Making human, social, and financial capital more accessible and visible to rural entrepreneurs via:
- The Startup Colorado Community
- In-Person and Online Events
- Founder Coopetition and other custom programming
Serving as the collaborative support partner for local ecosystem builders to strengthen startup communities around the state
- Ecosystem development including community-led partnerships and sponsorships
- Targeted startup ecosystem assessments with actionable next steps
- Startup Event Strategy and Support
Building a culture of belief in rural entrepreneurship
- Founder & Ecosystem Builder Stories
- Educational Business Resources
- A Narrative Podcast Series
Why we do it
Colorado’s rural entrepreneurs are building some of the most exciting business opportunities across the state, from geographically isolated small towns to growing rural hubs. Whether they live inside populations of 60 or 60,000, they are dedicated to diversifying economies, creating new jobs, and fostering local talent. Their goals are mighty and their challenges many. While some business resources are scarce, others are disconnected or hard to find, making it difficult for any entrepreneur to navigate.
Startup Colorado solves for this challenge with tactics that drive greater awareness and cohesion on the playing field for entrepreneurs and the business support organizations who serve them. Through strategic networking, partnership development, and collaboration, we eliminate barriers, mitigate support gaps, and dismantle silos.
check out our impact
Meet the team

executive director

communications & editorial director

ecosystem development & Partnerships Director

community manager
board of directors
Briana Boemer
Boulder, CO
CEO, Faraday Enterprises
Startup Colorado Board Vice Chair
Jeff Kraft
Boulder, CO
Deputy Director, Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
Hunter Railey
Denver, CO
Executive Director, Colorado Secure Savings Program at the Colorado Department of the Treasury
Chris Franz
Colorado Springs, CO
Managing Director, Pioneer Fund
Startup Colorado Board Chair
Azarel Madrigal
Alamosa, CO
Program Director, First Southwest Community Foundation
Leif Ullman
Colorado Springs, CO
President, Ullman Technologies
Startup Colorado Secretary
Delaney Keating
Gunnison, CO
Fractional Integrator/Coach
Mike O'Donnell
Kirk, CO
Founder, Prairie Rose Development
Startup Colorado Treasurer