Our Founder Coopetition is a 4-week accelerator program for rural startups, offering a unique blend of cooperation and competition. Our October cohort features 16 rural startups, across industries, from tech to sustainability. Startup Colorado will be running final cohort next spring and is accepting applications.
Let’s meet the founders:
DIVERSION DESIGNERS - AMBER BARBELLA, EAGLE, CO
Amber’s connection to the natural world was inspired by her hometown of Eagle, Colorado. While working with Fort Lewis College’s Zero Waste Initiative, Amber discovered the urgent need to address solid waste issues.
Today, she is the founder of Diversion Designers, a waste consulting firm that travels across Colorado, helping special events and municipalities design sustainable waste systems. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions at landfills and reallocate resources, which supports a circular economy model. Diversion Designers is a people-centric organization, dedicated to raising awareness about the vital contributions of waste workers to the broader public consciousness.
ANYWHERE CAM - MICHAEL BLECHA, FORT MORGAN, CO
Born and raised in Fort Morgan, Michael Blecha owned and operated a concert production business that enabled him to support concerts on four continents. During the pandemic, he developed AnywhereCam “to make ends meet.”
AnywhereCam is a completely wireless, turnkey security camera solution that uses solar power and cell signal that gives you access to HD surveillance cameras Anywhere you need it. AnywhereCam provides an out-of-the-box, ready-to-go product which includes a proprietary app to view and control your cameras and view video footage from any smartphone or tablet. No power, no Wi-Fi, no problem!
SAM + LEO - DARA ERCK, SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO
Before founding SAM + LEO, Dara worked in global health, primarily with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in vaccine development. She is a single mom with two kids, Sam and Leo.
SAM+LEO is the first ungendered, all-natural body care and vitamin brand for Gen Z. Their products are vegan and come in environmentally-friendly packaging, including compostable pouches and 100% recycled plastic containers. Their top products include the SAM + LEO Energy Gummy vitamins, a formulation of B complex vitamins.
SWAY HEADBANDS - TANYA FLEMSTER, YUMA, CO
Tanya grew up in Yuma, working on her family’s ranch. With degrees in public relations and photography, her journey took her across the country until bringing her back to Yuma so she could start her own business.
SWAY is a patented headband that incorporates six clips that locks it into place and can be styled in multiple ways. The brand currently has six designs with several more in development. SWAY is manufactured in Yuma, Colorado and employes women on flexible schedules of their choosing.
HOA GURU - MICHAEL DILILLO, BUENA VISTA, CO
Michael DiLillo is a software developer and business owner who has lived in Chaffee County since 1999 with his wife and son. He founded the software development firm Vivatech Software, LLC, and today is embarking on a new startup journey: HOA Guru.
HOA Guru is an affordable, cloud-based subscription software company that helps board members successfully manage their homeowner associations (HOAs) by increasing efficiency, giving personalized attention, and decreasing time to complete tasks.