Listen: Town Hall—How Love of Community Led to an Adventure in Entrepreneurship
When Robin Hall’s employer Smartwool announced that she—along with all other employees—would need to relocate from Steamboat Springs to Denver, she was faced with a big decision. Leave the company she thought she’d retire at… or stay in Steamboat Springs and wayfind a new future for herself. With true entrepreneurial spirit, Robin and her co-founders Jay Lambert […]
How WSSW Has Evolved to Serve More Rural Entrepreneurs
By Khara Wolf West Slope Startup Week (WSSW) is on the move! This free week-long event for entrepreneurs and small business owners is relocating from Grand Junction to the rural startup hub of Durango, Colorado this August 21st-25th. The startup week’s relocation to Durango is part of a broader, strategic plan set in place by the […]
Meet Mike Davlantes of ChronoCards – Founder Coopetition Winner
Mike Davlantes is the founder of ChronoCards in Grand Junction and a winner of the Startup Colorado Founder Coopetition.
Meet Thayer Hirsh of Knome – Founder Coopetition Winner
Thayer Hirsh, founder of Knome in Frisco, is one of three startups awarded a $5K grant from Startup Colorado’s Founder Coopetition. A few months ago, Startup Colorado relaunched the Founder Coopetition, a 4-week accelerator program that helped 12 founders and co-founders advance their businesses. Upon completion of the program, three participating companies were awarded a $5,000 grant based […]
These Rural Entrepreneurs Are Redefining Local Journalism
By Elise Ertl Local news—especially in rural communities—has been decimated. These entrepreneurs are fixing it in their hometowns. “Everybody knows that journalism is in crisis. It’s particularly felt with rural journalism,” said Adam Giorgi, Director of Planning and Program Development at the Center of Rural Strategies, which produces The Daily Yonder. “That’s where a lot of […]
Yes, you can launch a climate tech startup in rural Colorado
By Veda Gerasimek Founder Olivia Pedersen builds climate tech startup Sustaio in Telluride Olivia Pedersen, founder of the climate tech app Sustaio, calls Telluride a place worth living, and a place to make a living. “I’ve put a lot of emphasis on being proactive and conscious about choosing where I live first and then figuring out how […]
Listen: How One Carniceria Is Building for Family & Community
In Rocky Ford, Colorado, a meat market isn’t “just” a meat market. Maya’s Carniceria is helping address the unique needs of a small, rural town, as well as creating an opportunity for young people to stay local. Hear how Maya and her family launched Rocky Ford’s first carniceria. “It’s the first meat market in Rocky […]
West Slope Startup Week Comes to Durango
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Listen: From Baker to Business Owner – How Jessica Larriva Launched Tumbleweed Bread
Jessica Larriva never set out to become a business owner. She’s a baker. But when her mother fell ill, Jessica returned home to Colorado’s San Luis Valley and soon discovered that starting a business was a necessity. Here’s how Jessica launched Tumbleweed Bread—an artisan sourdough baking company that serves the San Luis Valley—and a nonprofit that […]
Listen: Good Vibes in Craig, Colorado’s Economic Transition
Seven years ago, Josh Veenstra was working as an insulator at one of Craig, Colorado’s energy companies. Today, he and his wife Meagan are the founders of Good Vibes River Gear, a handmade mesh rafting accessory manufacturer that’s become an influential voice in the town’s transition from the energy economy to outdoor recreation. Here’s how […]
Listen: Julia Taylor and the Rise of GeekPack
Julia Taylor didn’t set out to create an e-learning business for women; she was just trying to find a job that she could perform regardless of where the military stationed her husband. In 2014, she stumbled across website building and began teaching herself to code. The journey wasn’t easy. There was no curriculum, no benchmarks, […]
Listen: How Chereen Leong Schwarz Turned a Hobby Into a Business
Chereen Leong Schwarz started knitting as a way to decompress after long, stressful days as a head chef. Today she’s the owner of Smeeny Beanie Knits, a handmade knitwear company in Steamboat Springs. We spoke with Chereen about how she turned a hobby into a side-hustle and eventually into a successful, quit-your-day-job business. “if I […]
Listen: Tech Founder Eva Helén on Starting Up
With more than two decades in tech, Eva Helén has co-founded, built, and exited two software companies – most recently Sanbolic, acquired by Citrix in 2015. Since 2017, she has influenced a broad range of technology companies to build more diverse workforces and inclusive cultures. Her book Women In Tech: A Book for Guys is based on her research and interviews […]
Listen: Does Art Matter in Rural?
Can a recording studio and events management business create an arts and culture scene in Rocky Ford? When Dominque Robbins arrived in the rural town of Rocky Ford, Colorado, the culture shock was real. Where was the Starbucks? And latenight burrito joints? A lifelong musician, Dominque also quickly discovered another Big City ammenity was missing: […]
Listen: This Entrepreneur Is “Flipping” Towns
As Craig, Colorado transitions away from its roots as a coal town, local entrepreneurs like Kirstie McPherson are laying the groundwork for its next phase of life. When TriState Generation and Transmission and Xcel Energy announced that both the coal mines and power plant would be shutdown by 2030, local residents of Craig, Colorado were left wondering, […]
Why Everyone’s Talking About Ecosystem Building
By Elise Ertl Chaffee County in Colorado is the sort of place where you can walk into a restaurant and find yourself seated next to the CEO of a company down the road. Like many mountain communities, Chaffee County prides itself on a diverse range of industries from agriculture to outdoor recreation. Here, investors, mentors, […]
Listen: How Entrepreneurs Can Tap Into Podcasting
Is podcasting the new blogging? Have we reached “peak pod?” If so, who cares? The podcast industry is booming and shows zero signs of slowing down. Here’s how rural entrepreneurs can tap into podcasting – as a business, a marketing channel for your business, or an advertising opportunity. Meet Laura Krantz of the Wild Thing […]
Listen: Colorado’s Emergent Communities
With the help of outdoor recreation, arts and culture, and tech, two communities in southern Colorado are on the cusp of booming. In this episode of the Startup Colorado Podcast, we explore the opportunities and potential pitfalls inherent in emergent communities. Join us as we head to Trinidad for a moonlight gravel bike ride and […]