Why Rural Founders Should Develop Climate Resilience Strategies… Now
Disruptions from wildfires, extreme heat, and supply chain breakdowns aren’t hypothetical—they’re already affecting rural businesses across industries. On The Rural Startup, we dig into how founders can get ahead of […]
To Rebrand… or To Refresh? That Is the Question
Is your brand helping—or holding you back? As your business grows, your brand needs to grow with it. But how do you know if it’s time for a full rebrand… […]
Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling
Last week, Startup Colorado hit the road to Sterling for the kickoff of our 2025 Pitch Series. Hosted in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation, this event marked […]
Sneak Peek: Hiring Resources for Rural Founders
Hiring is one of the most important (and intimidating) decisions you’ll make as a founder. For rural businesses, every new hire is a high-stakes investment—of time, money, and trust. But […]
Startup Colorado Teams Up with Naturally Colorado and CSU to Offer Food & Ag Idea Factory
By Margaret Hedderman Startup Colorado recently joined forces with Naturally Colorado and Colorado State University (CSU) to deliver a specialized edition of its Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory—this time with […]
Introducing the Founders Driving Momentum in the March Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory
By Margaret Hedderman March was a busy month at Startup Colorado! In addition to launching a Food & Ag focused Founder Coopetition cohort, we also hosted a virtual Idea Factory […]
Building “Rural” Into Your Brand Identity
This week on The Rural Startup, brand strategist Natalie Horner joins us to unpack when and how to build your rural identity into your brand story. From the nuances of […]
Meet the Finalists of the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition in Sterling
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 […]
These Colorado Farmers Want to Change the Food Industry
This story was produced in partnership with the Logan County Economic Development Corporation in Sterling, Colorado. For most entrepreneurs, reverse goal-setting is second nature: start with a bold, long-term vision […]
Pitch Prep: Quick Tips for Presenting Your Business
Pitching your business—whether to investors, mentors, or a room full of strangers—can be intimidating. That’s why we teamed up with Jolene Collins, founder of Jojo’s Sriracha and experienced pitch coach, […]
Funding Your Creative Business
Creative businesses face unique funding challenges—especially in rural communities. In this week’s edition of The Rural Startup, we explore what it takes to build a diversified funding strategy that supports […]
Meet the Winners: Fremont County Idea Factory
By Margaret Hedderman The Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory hosted in partnership with Emergent Campus in Fremont County has officially wrapped, marking a successful collaboration between Startup Colorado and local […]
WSSW25: Pitch Your Session
This article is republished from West Slope Startup Week, an event sponsored and organized by Startup Colorado. See the original post from West Slope Startup Week. And we’re back!—West Slope […]
Startup Colorado and Homegrown Pathways Partner to Empower Colorado’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs with the Idea Factory™: Spark Lab
By Margaret Hedderman RIDGWAY – Startup Colorado and Homegrown Pathways are excited to announce a “homegrown” partnership that seeks to transform youth entrepreneurship in Colorado. Through this collaboration, Homegrown Pathways […]
Fremont County: The Emergence and Development of a Rural Tech Hub
By Margaret Hedderman, Mark Madic, & Brook Sutton The center of Fremont County sits about 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs. It’s a stunningly beautiful area, with red rock cliffs, […]
How to Organize an Event the “Startup Colorado Way”
By Vanessa McCrann & Margaret Hedderman Events are a big part of Startup Colorado’s work, from our monthly Lean Coffee networking series to in-person extravaganzas like West Slope Startup Week. […]
Starting Up: How Ram Mikulas Launched a Niche Outdoor Apparel Brand
By Margaret Hedderman Ram Mikulas wasn’t trying to start a business. He just wanted a functional, outdoor jacket that ticked all the boxes—a garment for the mountain tops and the […]
Announcing the Startup Colorado Pitch Series: First Stop – Sterling
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 […]