By Margaret Hedderman
We’re launching our first cohort of the Founder Coopetition // Growth Challenge, a new program designed to support rural entrepreneurs in scaling their market-validated businesses. The Growth Challenge is a custom-built initiative tailored specifically for rural founders, providing them with the tools and resources needed to transform their existing operations into scalable enterprises.
The Growth Challenge addresses several key elements essential to scaling a business, such as validating product and customer fit, optimizing growth strategies, and preparing a compelling board presentation for a SUCO Advisory Session. In partnership with Skill Distillery, the Growth Challenge is launching its first cohort with a focus on tech entrepreneurship.
Meet our first cohort:
Finn Bailis, Global Media Assets, in Telluride – Global Media Assets is an automated ad agency that leverages freelance talent and AI to create video ads for any brand. Finn participated in our July 2024 Idea Factory.
Mike Blecha, AnywhereCam LLC, in Fort Morgan – A company developing remote security camera solutions designed for remote locations without WiFi or electricity. Mike participated in our October 2023 Idea Factory and the recent Startup Colorado Pitch Competition.
Benjamin Graybeal, Valkyrie Recovery Systems Inc, in Grand Junction. – Valkyrie specializes in aerospace parachute technology and is a leader in the aerospace and space parachute industry. The company focuses on expediting development and manufacturing processes to keep pace with the rapidly evolving commercial space market.
Katie Kelly, Grow Nutrition App, in Pagosa Springs – A winner of our Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory, Grow Nutrition App is designed to directly support the health of both expectant mothers and their growing children by providing personalized, trustworthy nutrition education and guidance.
Matt Martensen, User Cooperative, in Durango – User Cooperative is a pre-product web browser startup that is uniquely structured as a consumer cooperative—a 100% member-owned and -governed company—to make “equity for clicks” possible for consumers on a free, members-only web browser. Matt was a participant in our October 2023 Idea Factory.
Jessica Noll, The Mindful Toolbox – The Mindful Toolbox offers a range of classes, camps, and parties for local children, blending movement, meditation, breathwork, art, and play to create an engaging and transformative learning environment. Jessica was a winner of our July 2024 Idea Factory cohort.
John Ramo, Boulder Learning Inc., in Carbondale – John was a participant in the September 2023 Idea Factory cohort. Boulder Learning Inc. is an educational technology research and development company specializing in AI-native systems and products for enhancing learning and teaching.
Laurie Sigillito and Nathan Morris, Local NEWS Network