By Margaret Hedderman
The Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory hosted in partnership with Emergent Campus in Fremont County has officially wrapped, marking a successful collaboration between Startup Colorado and local ecosystem builders. Designed to support early-stage entrepreneurs, this cohort provided participants with actionable, launch ready strategies and network connections tailored to the unique challenges of building a business in southeast Colorado.
“The Fremont County Idea Factory demonstrates the power of collaborative programming in rural startup ecosystems,” said Tim Martinez, Director of Program Development & Innovation. “By working directly with a local partner—Emergent Campus—we were able to help our founders grow their businesses in a customized environment.”
Over the past four weeks, these founders worked through a structured process to refine their business ideas, troubleshoot sticking points, and develop next steps. The program combined virtual learning with in-person sessions, allowing for both flexibility and community-building. Now, as we conclude this round of the Idea Factory, we’re excited to announce the three winning entrepreneurs whose ideas stood out:
Barna Kasa is a serial entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning real estate, web development, contract manufacturing and fulfillment, architectural salvage, and a successful chain of vape stores. His current focus is Antique Hardware Company, with the goal of becoming the largest online retailer of antique and vintage hardware in the U.S.
Operating from Salvage Antiques Vintage Etc. in Florence, Colorado, the company specializes in antique door hardware, architectural salvage, and unique vintage pieces for historic restoration and design projects. With tens of thousands of curated items, they provide both in-store shopping and nationwide shipping, making it easier than ever to find authentic, high-quality antique hardware.
“Participating in Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition helped refine our business strategy by narrowing our focus, assessing our current resources, and identifying key priorities for growth. It provided a structured framework to evaluate where we stand, what immediate steps are needed to scale, and how to position ourselves for long-term success,” Kasa said. “The program encouraged us to think critically about efficiency, expansion, and potential pivots, helping us develop a clear roadmap for leveraging our strengths while adapting to industry shifts.”
Brock Predovich, BiteZen in Cañon City
BiteZen is a smart oral wellness tracker designed to help individuals and healthcare providers gain insights into nighttime jaw activity. Using a comfortable, non-invasive sensor, BiteZen monitors clenching and grinding patterns during sleep, empowering users to make informed lifestyle choices that support oral wellness, stress management, and better sleep habits. Positioned as a general wellness device, BiteZen is pioneering a new category in wearable health tracking.
“Participating in Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition helped me refine my pitch by focusing on the key elements that resonate most with investors, ensuring that I highlight the aspects of BiteZen with the greatest market potential,” Predovich said.
“The program provided valuable feedback on storytelling, positioning, and clarity, helping me craft a more compelling narrative that effectively communicates BiteZen’s value, market opportunity, and scalability. It also reinforced the importance of distilling complex ideas into a concise and impactful pitch, ultimately making my investor outreach more effective.”
Zachary Stormant, Stormant Designs in Trinidad
Design engineer Zachary Stormant launched Stormant Designs to provide engineering services to the steel industry, designing structures from small carports to large warehouses. Zachary is currently working to branch into design for residential construction and affordable housing efforts in the future.
Building Entrepreneurial Support Where It’s Needed
Through a suite of educational programming, events, and storytelling initiatives, Startup Colorado works to bring targeted entrepreneurial programming to rural regions. The Founder Coopetition affiliate program model helps local ecosystem builders provide expert resources and business connections to founders who may not otherwise have access to them.
Throughout 2025, we aim to develop more partnerships with local organizations—such as Emergent Campus—to bring curated Founder Coopetition programming to more rural communities.
“In a rural community like Fremont County, strategic partnerships and programs like the Founder Coopetition are especially beneficial because they help overcome challenges like limited access to funding, mentorship, and business networks,” Mackenzie Konty, Program Manager at Emergent Campus, said. “By fostering collaboration and resource-sharing, they create a stronger support system that empowers local entrepreneurs, drives innovation, and boosts economic growth in our region.”
If you’re interested in hosting a Founder Coopetition in your community, reach out to Tim Martinez at tim@startupcolorado.org.
Apply for the next Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory in July. Scaling businesses who are currently in-revenue are eligible for the six-week Growth Challenge, starting in May.
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?
