By Margaret Hedderman
We’re excited to share the results of our final Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory cohort of 2024! The Idea Factory is a business accelerator program designed for idea to early-stage entrepreneurs in Rural Colorado, providing them with the tools, peer support, and guidance needed to develop clear, ready-to-launch businesses. Through collaboration/competition, expert guidance, and a community of like-minded founders, participants refine their ideas while gaining the confidence and connections to bring them to life.
This group stood out for its strong emphasis on health, wellness, and community impact, with founders tackling challenges from youth entrepreneurship to accessible wellness spaces. Each participant brought a unique perspective and deep commitment to improving their communities, making the competition both inspiring and highly competitive.
What truly set this cohort apart was the collaborative spirit and mutual support among the participants. From brainstorming solutions to providing feedback, the group created an atmosphere of encouragement and engagement that elevated everyone’s ideas.
While all participants demonstrated impressive growth over the four-week period, the winners stood out for their clarity of vision, strategic plans, and potential for long-term impact.
MindReels transforms the way we consume media by turning it into a powerful tool for personal growth and mental well-being. Founded by Erica Hines, a wellness innovator with decades of leadership experience in health promotion and data-driven solutions, the platform leverages neuroplasticity and AI to create personalized, immersive videos tailored to each user’s unique aspirations. MindReels empowers individuals to intentionally shape their mindset in just five minutes a day, reimagining the future of mental well-being.
“Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition provided a valuable opportunity to refine our messaging and connect with a community of like-minded founders committed to making a difference,” Erica said. “The collaborative environment offered constructive feedback and shared experiences that inspired us to think more critically about our approach.”
Mike Milakovic, a health and wellness expert, was inspired to create flavorful, nutritious snacks after noticing a lack of exciting options in the health food market. The mission of Mighty Mike’s Foods is to elevate healthy snacks by combining all-natural spices and ingredients, making them enjoyable without the guilt. His flagship product, Crunchy Kale, is designed to be a tasty and wholesome snack for everyone—especially kids— with a focus on flavor and healthy integrity.
“The Idea Factory was an incredible experience. The entrepreneurial journey can often feel difficult and isolating, but the environment provided a valuable space for us to express frustrations about our businesses and feel heard. Additionally, we gained valuable insights from both the leadership team and fellow entrepreneurs in the group.
By the end, we walked away with new, actionable strategies, confidence in the direction of our solid product, a clear understanding that the market is ripe for our offerings, and an expanded network to help accelerate our company’s growth in the years ahead.”
Sam Sickles, co-founder of Stock the Fridge, is transforming the way visitors experience their Summit County vacations. Alongside her best friend of over 10+ years, she launched a delivery service that stocks, delivers, and organizes groceries and party essentials before guests even arrive—making vacations truly stress-free. What truly sets Stock the Fridge apart is its dedication to community impact: any unused items are donated to local food pantries, such as their partner organization, Smart Bellies. This ensures that every delivery not only elevates the guest experience but also supports local families and reduces waste.
“I gained access to invaluable resources that helped me grow my business strategically. The insights from the speakers were incredibly impactful, but what truly stood out was the opportunity to learn from others in the group. Many of us faced similar challenges, and hearing how others approached different situations was both insightful and motivating. The one-on-one sessions were especially valuable, enabling me to refine our ideas and develop a clear vision for scaling over time. We are looking into a franchise model with minimal investment and exploring how we can lean into a concierge service as an add-on.”
→ Learn more about the other founders who participated in our December 2024 cohort here.
Expanding Opportunities for Rural Entrepreneurs
In addition to the Idea Factory, Startup Colorado also offers the Founder Coopetition // Growth Challenge for entrepreneurs ready to scale in-revenue businesses. This six-week accelerator program is about growth AND building a foundation for long-term success.
“The Idea Factory empowers rural entrepreneurs with expert advice, resources, and the skills needed to build competitive businesses that thrive locally and on a global scale,” said Tim Martinez, Startup Colorado’s Director of Program Development & Innovation. “By connecting founders with a network of experienced advisors, speakers, and funders, we’re helping them turn bold ideas into impactful ventures with far-reaching potential.”
In 2025, Startup Colorado will offer a spring and fall Idea Factory program, servicing eight individual cohorts and roughly 120 rural companies across the state. We will also offer two Growth Challenge cohorts, serving 40 rural companies, alongside a number of affiliate Coopetitions in Colorado and around the country. Learn more about the Founder Coopetition and how you can get involved here.
Join us in empowering rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders to achieve even more in 2025. Contributions of any amount directly power our mission to build a sustainable statewide network of resources supporting rural entrepreneurs, so that people and places can thrive and chart their own futures! Will you help us?
