PITCH COMPETITION
ARE YOU IN IT TO WIN IT?
NEWS FLASH: The Startup Colorado Pitch Competition has partnered with 14 Founders and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund to offer at least $280K in investments to two or more rural founders. This tremendous new partnership allows us to expand the eligibility criteria for the competition, supporting a greater variety of businesses. The application deadline has been extended to July 7th.
The Startup Colorado Pitch Competition is for rural founders dedicated to solving rural challenges and fostering innovation within their communities. Designed for startups with growth potential, the competition is open to all founders headquartered in Rural Colorado.
To prepare for the final event, all participants will receive private pitch coaching, ensuring they can effectively showcase their solutions to rural problems in front of a live audience at West Slope Startup Week.
Participating companies will pitch to a panel of business experts and investors at West Slope Startup Week in Durango on August 21st.
MEET OUR FUNDING PARTNERS
Startup Colorado has partnered with 14 Founders by the Kickstart Fund and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund to offer two investment packages of at least $140K each. This partnership marks a turning point in the rural finance landscape. We’ve always believed that Rural Colorado has good deal flow, and now the proof is in the pudding.
14 Founders is a venture program investing in student-run startups in the state of Colorado. The program is managed by local Colorado students and is sponsored by Kickstart Fund.
The Greater Colorado Venture Fund is a venture capital fund investing in early-stage startups headquartered across the state of Colorado, outside of the Front Range. They are working to inspire innovation in places formerly overlooked by venture funds.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Rural Colorado is home to some of the most innovative business opportunities in the state. From 2020-2023, the Greater Colorado Pitch Series served as a spotlight for rural founders seeking to scale innovative companies. We are continuing that mission with the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition, debuting at West Slope Startup Week.
Here’s what you need to know to get started:
TIMELINE
- Apply by July 7. Plan to upload a business pitch presentation, state EIN number, and intellectual property information (domain name, trademark, physical products, etc…) While the competition is industry agnostic, your business model must include plans to scale beyond your immediate region. Companies playing an active role in their local communities will be prioritized.
- Applicants can expect outreach from our selection committee to further discuss their application if questions arise.
- July 21 – Finalists will be selected and notified.
- In the run-up to West Slope Startup Week, participants will work with a pitch coach from The Ewing School to hone their public speaking and persuasion skills in advance of the presentation.
- In advance of the final pitch competition at West Slope Startup Week, all participants will produce a video pitch presentation to be shared with judges in advance.
- August 21st, the big day! All finalists will join us onstage at West Slope Startup Week to compete for at least $280K in investments.