WELD COUNTY | MARCH 4-5, 2026

The Weld County Roadtrip is a high energy, multi-day event designed specifically for the thinkers, doers, and builders of our local entrepreneurial ecosystem. This event will layout a map to success for everyone: students exploring a first idea, seasoned founders looking for capital, and community leaders dedicated to regional growth.

Presented by Startup Colorado, The Weld Trust, and CHFA, we are bringing together the best minds in the state to share their expertise and learn together.

Event Locations: UNC, Aims, LINC Library

REGISTER (IT'S FREE!)

EVENT LINEUP

The Weld County Roadtrip features two distinct themed days: “Building the Future Together” on Wednesday and “Creating Long-Term Value in Weld County” on Thursday. Within these days, you can customize your experience by following specific tracks—including Money, Toolbox, People, Youth, and Community—to ensure you gain the exact skills and connections your business needs.

Location addresses:

  • UNC: We’ll be in the Panorama Room in the University Center
    • 2101 10th Ave, Greeley, CO 80639
  • Aims: Welcome Center Skybox Room 257 on the 2nd floor of the Welcome Center & Welcome Center Ballroom C
    • 4901 W. 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80634
  • LINC Library
    • 501 8th Ave, Greeley, CO 80631

Wednesday, March 4th

Building the Future Together

8:30 – 9:30 AM Fun! Track
Location: Margie’s Java Joint
Check-in + Coffeehouse Kickoff
10:00 – 10:30 AM Community
Location: UNC Panorama Room
Welcome & Why We’re Here
Speakers: Startup Colorado, Jeff Carlson (Weld Trust)
10:30 – 11:15 AM Money Track
Location: UNC Panorama Room
Panel: Unlocking Capital, Unlocking Growth
Moderator: Kevin Kudra (RVC)
Panelists: Hunter Railey (SecureSavings), Sam Taylor (OEDIT), Sarah Croshwaite (Town of Johnstown)
11:30 – 12:30 PM Mix of Tracks
Location: UNC Panorama + Spruce Rooms
Community-Driven Lunch Labs
Structured seated lunches curated by topic. Join the conversation at one of the following tables:
Youth Track Youth Skills Table: Jennifer Boresen
Youth Track Business Idea Generation: Vincent Gonzales (YouthBiz)
Money Track Grants and Funding Research: Karen Wainscott
Toolbox Track Hiring and Interviewing Skills: Kylie Jackson
People Track How to Network: Ryan Roth
Community Track Leveraging Local Chambers: Leslie Turnage + Norma Perez
Money Track Angel Investing: Kevin Kudra
Toolbox Track Pitching 101: Mark Madic
Toolbox Track Master Compliance & Secure Identity: Mariah Jordan
1:00 – 1:30 PM Community
Location: UNC Panorama Room
Keynote: Treasurer Dave Young
Speaker: Dave Young
2:00 – 2:45 PM Express Talks
Location: UNC Panorama + Spruce Rooms
Choose Your Track
Money Track Tools to Protect Your Retirement: Anthony Baker (SecureSavings)
Money Track Employee Ownership Colorado: Doug Dell
Toolbox Track SBDC – Start with Your Exit in Mind: Jaydon Rice
Toolbox Track Secretary of State – From Idea to Incorporation: Mariah Jordan
3:00 – 4:00 PM Skill Sprints
Location: UNC Panorama + Spruce Rooms
60-Minute Working Labs
Sprint 1: Money Capital Paths w/ Kevin Kudra, Nick Kenny, & Ty Gavette
Sprint 2: AI Tech Enabling w/ Brian Kato (East SBDC)
Sprint 3: Rural Tech Exploratory Roundtable w/ Brittany Romano
Sprint 4: Lender Showcase Access to Capital Reverse Pitch.
Funders: OEDIT, RMMFI, Energize CO, B:Side, Upstate.
4:00 – 5:30 PM Fun! Track
Location: UNC Panorama Room
Happy Hour

Thursday, March 5th

Creating Long-Term Value in Weld County

9:00 – 10:00 AM Youth Track
Location: Aims (Ballroom C)
Panel: Youth Spark Lab
Audience: High school & college students, early-stage founders, educators
Speaker: Rebecca Albert Vollrath
9:00 – 10:00 AM Toolbox Track
Location: Aims Community College
Your Business Won't Grow Until You Do
Speaker: Allison Seabeck (Exec Director, Warehouse Innovation)
10:30 – 11:30 AM Community
Location: Aims (Ballroom C)
Panel: Trust as Infrastructure
Building the Bridges Colorado Needs to Compete
Moderator: Brittany Romano
Panelists: UNCo, EDCC, Mark Madic (SUCO), CEF, BEN, Upstate EDC
10:30 – 11:30 AM Toolbox Track
Location: Aims Skybox Room 257
Startup Law Simplified
Speaker: Keegan Drake
🍴 11:30 – 12:30 PM | Lunch Break
12:30 – 1:15 PM People Track
Location: LINC Library
Town Hall: Weld County’s Identity
Moderated by: Brian McBroom
1:30 – 2:00 PM Community
Location: LINC Library
Final Session: Calls to Action
Hosted by: Startup Colorado
REGISTER FOR THE ROADTRIP
The Startup Colorado Roadtrip is a statewide initiative that brings essential business tools, expert knowledge, and capital resources directly to rural communities. This program bridges the gap between rural founders and the technical expertise they need to scale, offering hands-on support and "no-fluff" skill sprints.
CELEBRATING OUR Rural Innovation Ecosystem