Startup Colorado Partners with Colorado Office of Just Transition to Support Coal Transition Workers Through Entrepreneurship
Startup Colorado is proud to announce a new partnership with the Colorado Office of Just Transition (OJT), within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), to launch a series […]
Why Every Founder Should Pitch (Even If You’re Not Raising Capital)
Resilience is the common thread among successful founders, and nothing builds thick skin quite like public pitch practice. While the statistics for new ventures are steep, a founder who treats […]
Startup Colorado’s 2025 Annual Report is Here
At Startup Colorado, we’ve always believed that “startup” isn’t just a noun—it’s an verb. In 2025, rural Colorado founders proved this reality in every corner of the state, launching and […]
Rural Startup Days Launches in Southeast Colorado to Support Local Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
La Junta, CO | February 25-27, 2026 Entrepreneurs and small business owners across Southeast Colorado will soon have a new opportunity to access practical support, funding connections, and networking opportunities […]
How Rural Startups Can Win Earned Media
Third-party validation carries a weight that paid advertisements simply cannot match. When a credible media outlet features your business, it builds a level of trust and visibility that accelerates growth […]
How TreadShare Is Changing Travel to Colorado’s Mountain Towns
Erwin Germain thought he was on the right track. After earning a master’s degree in business administration and management, he began his career in finance in Paris. But the work […]
How a Family Farm in Colorado Became a Global Ag-tech Innovator
This story was produced in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation in Sterling, Colorado. Agriculture is one of the world’s biggest industries. We’re all reliant on farming of […]
How Early-Stage Founders Can Build Stronger, More Resilient Businesses
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have. For rural startups, it’s a strategic advantage. In our first 2026 edition of The Rural Startup, we explore how early-stage founders can reduce risk, […]
Why We’re Launching in the Colorado River Valley
Startup Colorado is launching a new series of founder-centric programs across the Colorado River Valley—from Aspen to Parachute—in partnership with the Colorado River Valley Economic Development Partnership and the Colorado […]
Rural Entrepreneurship Resonates on the World Stage
Startup Colorado was recently recognized at the Startup Ecosystem Stars 2025 Awards in Paris. Our Director of Content & Brand Strategy, Margaret Hedderman, attended the event and came away inspired […]
The Sky’s the Limit for Buena Vista Tent Manufacturer
When we connected with Joe Bissonnette, founder of Sky View Tents and winner of the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition, he was calling from inside one of his own tents. He […]
How entrepreneurship can foster belonging
Can entrepreneurs solve the biggest, hairiest problems of our time, like isolation, distrust, and rising division? We believe they can. In this issue of The Rural Startup, we explore how […]
Mighty Mike’s Second Act
Mike Milakovic hasn’t found success in spite of living in a rural community. Living in a rural community has been an essential driver of growth for his company, Mighty Mike’s […]
Small Town, Big Impact: How Rural Startups Can Leverage Experiential Marketing
Rural founders know better than anyone: connection is a powerful driver of business growth. But how do you create that connection in small towns or low-population markets? In this article, […]
West Slope Startup Week Extends Impact as Regional Event
This October, West Slope Startup Week (WSSW) returned to Durango for the third year in a row, attracting a record-breaking 533 registrants, the highest participation in the event’s history. Powered […]
Welcoming Olivia Reed: Startup Colorado’s New Community Engagement & Program Coordinator
Startup Colorado is thrilled to welcome Olivia Reed to our growing team as Community Engagement & Program Coordinator. In this role, Olivia will help strengthen connections across Colorado’s rural entrepreneurial […]
How Carver Brewing Achieved Carbon Neutrality (and You Can Too)
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to sustainability—and Carver Brewing in Durango is proof that progress starts with small, smart steps. In this issue of The Rural Startup, we sit down with […]
How This Family Made a Local Tradition Pop
What makes popcorn pop? Expansion. When a kernel warms up, the moisture inside builds pressure until it bursts open, transforming into something entirely new (and tasty). Apply that same principle […]
