By Margaret Hedderman
At Startup Colorado, we know that the next big idea can come from anywhere— even the smallest of towns. That’s why we’re launching the Startup Colorado Pitch Series, designed for rural founders to elevate their profile and connect with meaningful investment opportunities. We’re taking this series on the road, with events planned in Sterling, at West Slope Startup Week in Durango, and Emergent Campus in Florence—each showcasing the potential for investment opportunities outside city limits.
First up: Sterling. Mark your calendar for April 23, 2025, when we’ll gather in this emerging startup community to host the first pitch competition of the year. Partnering with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, this event will offer in-revenue businesses the opportunity to refine their pitch, gain visibility, and access new funding opportunities.
The History of the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition
From 2020-2023, the Greater Colorado Pitch Series—organized by the Greater Colorado Venture Fund (GCVF)—served as a spotlight for rural founders seeking to scale innovative companies. In 2024, Startup Colorado took the reins from the GCVF team and relaunched the pitch series at West Slope Startup Week in Durango.
The inaugural event saw more than $380,000 awarded to rural entrepreneurs. Since then, the participating founders have raised over $2m collectively, highlighting the potential and promise of rural startups. Building on that momentum, the 2025-2026 series aims to expand its reach, bringing funding opportunities and investment connections to even more communities across the state.
Why Sterling?
Startup Colorado has supported the Logan County EDC’s annual pitch competition for several years. The success of this regional event has proven that Sterling is a prime location for a statewide pitch competition. While the region has supported numerous “success stories”—many in the food and ag industries—we expect the event to attract entrepreneurs across all verticals.
Read how AnywhereCam’s journey to VC funding began at the Logan County EDC pitch competition here.
What to Expect at the Pitch Competition
The Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling will feature rural entrepreneurs from diverse industries who are ready to pitch their ideas and compete for funding and other business resources. Founders will have the opportunity to present their business models, growth strategies, and impact potential to a panel of experienced judges. The event will not only spotlight these talented entrepreneurs, but also provide attendees with valuable networking opportunities and insights into the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Rural Colorado.
