FAQ for Founders

FAQ GUIDE FOR FOUNDERS​

Startup Colorado helps rural entrepreneurs, founders, and small business owners build and grow. This guide answers the questions we hear most — about who we serve, what we offer, and how to get started. Don’t see your question here? Reach out to us via the contact form below; we’re happy to direct you to the best program or resource for your needs.

GENERAL

Who does Startup Colorado serve?

Startup Colorado serves rural entrepreneurs, founders and small business owners throughout the state. For reference, we often use these terms interchangeably as our mission broadly encompasses anyone “starting up.” We work with folks launching and scaling tech startups as well as those putting the final touch on a brick-and-mortar business on main street. To see if you’re in our service area, check out DOLA’s rural county designation here.

We believe that “startup” is an action, a journey, and a life-cycle that exists outside of a specific industry or business model. It could mean you’re opening a new food truck business or launching a SaaS enterprise. The entrepreneurial spirit and tolerance for risk is a trait we share. That’s why we serve anyone “starting up,” regardless of their industry or business type.

We work with founders on a variety of fronts, from direct programming like our accelerators and online and in-person events to connecting mentors and preparing founders for investment. If you’re unsure where to start, you’re invited to our quarterly Open Door gatherings to learn more about Startup Colorado’s direct-to-founder offerings and ask your burning questions. Sign up for our next call. 

You can also stay up-to-date on Startup Colorado opportunities and storytelling with our weekly newsletter. And don’t forget to check out our bi-monthly expert advice column The Rural Startup.

Startup Colorado supports founders across business stages, from idea to growth. We offer direct programming via our online and in-person accelerators, and our Capital Bootcamp for founders seeking funding. Our team also organizes regular in-person and online events, including a regular pitch practice and demo day series.

While we do not offer grants, scholarships, or other forms of direct funding, our team works to expand capital access in rural communities via the Rural Angel Investment Network. Investment-ready founders can learn more here. We also host a robust Funding Database with more than a hundred resources and opportunities. 

Because Startup Colorado is a statewide organization, we do not operate community or regional offices. If you’re looking for direct, in-person support specific to your area, we encourage you to visit your local SBDC or economic development organization.

Open Door is a live quarterly call with SUCO staff. You’ll get an overview of our programs, a tour of the website, and real-time Q&A. The self-direct forms are a quick way to get personalized next steps sent straight to your inbox, based on where you’re at and what you’re looking for. Founders can do both: use the forms to get pointed in the right direction, then join the next Inner Circle to ask questions and put a face to the team.

No! Startup Colorado provides free programming to rural entrepreneurs and small business owners.

MYTHS TO DISPEL

Do I need a registered business or formal business plan before reaching out?

Nope. We work with founders with just an idea and the spark of ambition to those actively growing and seeking investment. Certain programs—such as the Growth Challenge and pitch events—do require your business to be registered and you may need to upload key information about your business.

At Startup Colorado, we say “startup” is a verb. That’s because anyone can startup a business, from tech to outdoor rec. We work with main street businesses and high-growth startups alike. And don’t forget creatives! Startup Colorado offers programs, including the Rural Creative Collective and Night Market at West Slope Startup Week, to support the artists and makers among us.

We serve founders in rural Colorado, outside the urban Front Range which we define as the I-25 corridor from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. To verify you fall under our service area, please check the rural county designation provided by DOLA.

Nope. We recognize the business lifecycle encompasses many stages, and while raising capital is important, it is not our sole focus. We help founders:

  • transform their idea into a viable business
  • access educational resources on marketing, accounting, and sustainability and resilience, among other subjects
  • grow their launch-ready business into a scalable enterprise
  • and determine when and what type of funding is best for their business.

CAPITAL

I need funding — where do I start?

Startup Colorado connects founders to a range of capital resources, from early-stage grants in our funding database to angel investment through RAIN.

RAIN is a disciplined, chapter-based angel investment network serving rural Colorado. Each chapter is led by experienced local operators who curate opportunities and manage the investment process with institutional rigor. RAIN addresses the early-stage capital gap in rural communities that can hamper business development and growth. 

RAIN is for rural founders with proven growth potential and demonstrated capital readiness. While your business can serve a global customer base, it needs to be registered in a designated rural county in Colorado. To learn more about eligibility requirements and to determine if your business is ready, please fill out our capital inquiry form.

PROGRAMS

What programs does SUCO offer?

SUCO offers online and in-person accelerators (Idea Factory and Growth Challenge) as well as our Capital Bootcamp. The Idea Factory is a four week program for founders who are looking to refine their business idea. The Growth Challenge prepares them for business growth and potential investment via a 12-week program. Our Capital Bootcamp is designed to support founders who are planning to apply for a business loan. 

We also offer quarterly pitch practice workshops to help founders refine their story based on the audience, improve their public speaking skills, and prepare for the diverse opportunities to pitch their business. Founders can also apply to participate in our virtual demo day event series, which provides the opportunity to pitch in front of a live panel of business leaders and investors. 

Answer a few quick questions about your stage and goals, and we’ll point you toward the right fit. → “Which program is right for me?”

You bet! You may know us from in-person events like West Slope Startup Week, the largest gathering for rural entrepreneurs in Colorado. Or perhaps Rural Startup Days. Or our Roadtrip funding event series. We believe sustained and intentional events programming is an essential ingredient for a healthy startup ecosystem, especially in rural communities where resources and networking opportunities are scarce. 

Startup Colorado also offers regular virtual events to bring resources and networking opportunities directly to founders outside city limits. In addition to our Rural Women in Entrepreneurship Lean Coffee and Rural Creative Collective calls, you’ll find regular online events on our calendar. 

In addition to our own events, we also operate a rural startup events calendar featuring partner opportunities around the state. Learn more here.

The Idea Factory is for early stage founders who need help developing their business idea. Maybe you’re feeling stuck or have too many ideas or need feedback on next steps. If this sounds like you, read more about the Idea Factory here.

The Growth Challenge is for in-revenue businesses, ideally those who have participated in the Idea Factory. We’re looking for founders whose business is repeatable, market-validated, and ready to scale beyond their immediate region. Learn more here.

STORYTELLING

What type of stories does SUCO share?

At Startup Colorado, we believe that stories build a culture of belief in rural entrepreneurship. That’s why we share stories of founders building compelling businesses outside city limits. On our blog, you’ll find narrative articles and op-eds about rural entrepreneurship. We also leverage founder stories in our educational content, such as the expert advice newsletter The Rural Startup. 

While we cannot guarantee editorial coverage for all founders, we will do our best to share your wins on our social channels. Let us know your big news here. 

We are currently in-between podcast seasons, but you can catch up on past episodes here.

If you are a rural founder in Colorado, we would love to learn more about your business. Please complete our inquiry form here. Please note, we are currently in-between seasons and are not currently conducting interviews. Your information will be stored for future reference.

The Rural Startup is an expert advice newsletter tailored to the unique needs of founders outside city limits. We cover a variety of topics from funding to marketing to climate resilience. If your experience is relevant to a rural audience (Colorado and beyond) we’d love to connect. Please reach out here.

Startup Colorado offers a statewide rural events calendar for startups. You can upload your event here. If your event takes place in an urban area, please note that we may not be able to include it in the calendar unless the value for rural founders is clearly stated.