By Margaret Hedderman
STERLING – After reviewing a strong pool of applicants from across Rural Colorado, Startup Colorado is excited to announce the finalists for the first event in our 2025 Pitch Series, taking place April 23rd in Sterling. The response from founders showcases the strength of rural innovation—with applications spanning industries from agriculture and affordable housing to manufacturing and food and beverage.
The selected finalists reflect the depth and diversity of the rural startup ecosystem. With founders tackling real challenges with innovative solutions, these companies stood out thanks to their strong business models and clear strategies for growth. Representing sectors such as tech, the outdoor industry, and manufacturing, these founders are building businesses rooted in their communities with the potential to expand far beyond.
“These businesses rose to the top because they demonstrated more than just a good idea,” said Mark Madic, Startup Colorado’s Ecosystem Development & Partnerships Director. “They came prepared—with well-honed pitch decks, thoughtful growth strategies, and a clear path toward securing funding and creating jobs in their regions.”
Meet the Finalists
Sarah Berkeley—Symbiosis Gear in Leadville
Symbiosis Gear is a backpacking gear company founded by long-distance hiker Sarah Berkeley. They are the only brand dedicated to creating gear specifically designed for femme bodies, addressing the discomfort and injuries caused by backpacks built for men. By putting women’s needs first, they’re not just making better gear; they’re creating a sense of belonging and equity in the outdoor industry.
Paul Bierman — Power Tool Safe in Montrose
Power Tool Safe is a new platform harnessing the power of real-time information to secure valuable serialized products and enable over 700,000 law enforcement officers and 11,000 pawn shops to disrupt an ever-growing pandemic of theft.
Erwin Germain — TreadShare in Frisco
TreadShare aims to reduce traffic and carbon emissions. The mobile app links drivers and riders heading in the same direction so they can organize their carpools in just a few clicks, with key features such as a cost-sharing agreement.
James Mataczynski — Craft Crate LLC in Bailey
Craft Crate is a patented bag in box packaging system that allows craft breweries to package their beer easier and cheaper than traditional methods for distribution. To the consumers, it’s boxed beer!
The Value of Rural Pitch Competitions
All finalists at the Sterling competition will be eligible to launch an interest-free, crowdfunded loan campaign through Kiva and up to $5,000 from Startup Colorado to kickstart their fundraising. $15,000 additional, in-kind awards will be presented. This prize package will empower finalists with a powerful alternative to traditional investment avenues.
Kiva is a zero-interest, zero-fee loan program designed to help small businesses access the capital they need to grow. Unlike traditional loans, Kiva loans are crowdfunded by individual lenders who believe in supporting entrepreneurs.
While awarding prizes is part of the day, the broader goal is to strengthen and elevate the entire local startup ecosystem. Pitch competitions bring real value to rural communities like Sterling by creating a space where local founders can connect with peers who are further along in their entrepreneurial journey—but who come from similar rural roots.
“By seeing investment-ready businesses from comparable backgrounds take the stage, early-stage entrepreneurs gain insight into what’s possible and how to get there,” Madic said.
This exposure helps build what we call a culture of belief—a shared sense that success is achievable and worth pursuing, even from the smallest of towns. Beyond the pitches themselves, the event fosters meaningful connections among founders, investors, and mentors, laying the groundwork for collaboration, mentorship, and future growth.
How to Attend the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling
The Pitch Competition will take place in Sterling on April 23rd at Northeastern Junior College, from 2:00 – 7:00 pm. It will also feature a listening session with the Small Business Majority and a workshop on website ROI. The event corresponds with the Startup Colorado Roadtrip stop on April 24th, offering funding education, founder-to-founder connections, and additional technical assistance. Both events are free to attend.
The Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling is produced in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation and Prairie Rose Development.
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?
