Introducing: the 15 founders in July’s Founder Coopetition // Idea Factory! We are thrilled to work with this group of driven entrepreneurs from around the state. The Idea Factory is a pre-accelerator program that encourages collaboration between participants and advisors, and culminates with the opportunity to pitch to Startup Colorado’s expert advisors.
Let’s meet the July founders:
After using Starlink to work in the middle of the Pike National Forest, Jon Wright was called to create spaces for likeminded professionals to clock-in from the backcountry. WildWork invites adventurous individuals to blend work and play in beautiful places. With his flagship location open in Bailey, Jon has plans to grow his WildWork Network app that will connect landowners with professionals looking immerse in nature while maintaining their professional responsibilities.
Entrepreneur, technologist, maker, mom, and wife, oh my! Becca Williams is a woman with many talents. However, when she entered the perimenopause stage, she felt uninformed about what was to come. Becca launched Menopausey to encourage taboo-free education and insight for others approaching or experiencing perimenopause. Offering evidence-based content and individual insights, Menopausey will combat the anxiety surrounding this normal life stage through an accessible and inclusive online community.
After years in cut-throat tech sectors like Silicon Valley, Laurie Sigillito settled in Durango to raise her two kids and launch her own business. Her transition from the urban tech scene into rural Colorado opened her eyes to the unique challenges faced by rural businesses. Laurie harnessed her systems management expertise and founded the Local NEWS Network, a media company focused on rebuilding the information economy in rural America with free and frictionless content. The Local NEWS Network currently broadcasts to Durango, Cortez, Telluride, and Farmington, NM.
Mettje Swift is a lifelong Southwest Coloradan with a love of art and expression. Mettje transformed a historic building in Del Norte into the Banner Art Studio in 1986. Here, she and her team create handcrafted banner art that adds a colorful pop to anything from streetlights to atriums. Now, Mettje is expanding the Banner Art Studio to include a non-profit initiative inviting others to explore banner art through workshops and retreats. These classes will create the opportunity to learn about cultural symbols, the power of colors, and fundamental design principles in an affordable and inclusive setting.
For years, design has been at the forefront of Julie Tierney’s mind. She graduated from fashion school and successfully scored a spot on the Project Runway reality show! Julie now lives in Leadville where her passion for fashion continues to flourish. Her brand, Mitt Elberts, fuses her unique design aesthetic with her interest in sustainability by revamping recycled Coleman sleeping bags into mittens. Through Mitt Elberts, Julie plans to encourage others to buy and produce upcycled goods.
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