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 industries are proving that launching and scaling a business isn’t just possible outside city limits — it’s profitable. At Startup Colorado, we believe anyone should be able to build a business in the place they call home, and you’re making that vision real.
That’s why we’ve loaded Q1 like a baked potato with free resources and events to help make this year a success.
We’re featuring a mix of recurring virtual programs, accelerators for early stage founders, and exciting in-person gatherings across the state. Together, these opportunities create multiple entry points for founders to build skills, strengthen networks, and move their businesses forward.
Introducing Our Quarterly Virtual Event Series
Lean Coffee: Founder-Led Funding Conversations
Lean Coffee continues in 2026 as a quarterly gathering designed to help founders build funding literacy while connecting with peers across the state. Each virtual session features a rotating expert from the Colorado ecosystem who opens with a short presentation, followed by live Q&A and founder-driven discussion. The format creates space for meaningful conversation, shared learning, and connection that reflects the real questions founders are navigating right now.
The first Lean Coffee of the year took place on January 7th and was co-hosted by Juan Carlos Rosales de la Garza of CEDS Finance. Watch the recording here. And, mark your calendars for our next Lean Coffee on April 1st—details to come.
Pitch Readiness Workshops (Coming up on February 11th)
Pitch Readiness Workshops are a quarterly offering that help founders clearly and confidently communicate their business story across pitches, investor meetings, and everyday conversations. These sessions focus on the core building blocks of an effective pitch, including how to introduce your company, define the problem you’re solving, explain your solution and business model, articulate your market opportunity, and clarify “The Ask.”
Our Q1 virtual Pitch Readiness Session is on February 11th at 12pm, led by expert coach Jolene Collins. RSVP here.
Demo Days — Applications open on January 15th
Our Demo Days are a quarterly virtual pitch opportunity for a small group of founders to present live to a panel of judges in a streamlined, one-hour Zoom setting. Founders will deliver a four-minute pitch followed by three minutes of questions and brief feedback from each judge, with companies scored on a simple one-to-five scale. Scores are tallied at the end of the session, and a top-performing pitch is announced. There is a cash award for the highest-scoring pitch, and founders may also receive in-kind support such as legal services, mentorship, and marketing packages.
This season, Demo Days will take place on March 11th, with applications opening January 15th.
Founder Coopetition: Idea Factory Cohorts (Apply by January 30th)
Colorado River Valley Idea Factory (In-Person)
Offered in partnership with the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership, this in-person Idea Factory cohort supports early-stage founders across the Colorado River Valley.
The CRV region’s economy is rooted in agriculture, skilled trades, and energy production, supported by founders who value independence, resilience, and strong local ties. Bringing this cohort together in person creates space for deeper relationships, shared learning, and lasting trust.
Food & Agriculture Idea Factory (Virtual, Statewide)
This virtual Idea Factory cohort is designed for rural founders working in food, agriculture, and consumer packaged goods. Hosted in partnership with Naturally Colorado and CSU Extension, the program offers industry-specific insights about the realities of producing, scaling, and distributing food-based businesses while maintaining the collaborative foundation of the accelerator.
Applications close January 30. Apply to the Idea Factory >>
As Startup Colorado continues evolving the Founder Coopetition in 2026, founders can expect more updates on the full accelerator stack (including future Idea Factory cohorts and the Growth Challenge) in upcoming publications.
In-Person Gatherings Across Colorado
Rural Startup Days — La Junta | February 25–27th
Rural Startup Days is a free, multi-day event dedicated to activating the entrepreneurial ecosystem in La Junta and across Southeast CO. Welcoming small business owners, aspiring founders, and local supporters, the event brings together education, connection, and celebration of regional talent. Attendees can expect practical business sessions, local showcases highlighting Southeast Colorado entrepreneurs, and opportunities to connect with fellow founders and community leaders.
Full schedules, speakers, and registration details will be released soon; for now, founders are encouraged to save the date and plan to join.
Startup Colorado Roadtrip — Weld County | March 3–5th
The Startup Colorado Roadtrip continues in March with a multi-day stop in Greeley, bringing founder-focused programming directly into the community. Over three days, the Roadtrip will feature a series of panels, keynotes, workshops, and networking events designed to support entrepreneurs at different stages of growth. This stop offers an opportunity to connect with peers, learn from experienced leaders, and engage with resources tailored to the region’s business landscape. RSVP here.
Additional Resources Available Now
- Community Events Calendar: Explore virtual and in-person events hosted by Startup Colorado and organizations across the state.
- The Rural Startup Substack: This newsletter delivers expert advice and actionable insights on funding, legal basics, marketing tips, and other topics that matter to entrepreneurs.
- The Startup Colorado blog: Through storytelling, we uplift rural Colorado by sharing timely news and founder stories that capture the creativity, resilience, and growth of communities statewide.
- Our Resource Center: Find the full list of tailored resources for founders and ecosystem builders, including our funding database, workforce development checklists, and grant assistance.
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?
