Startup Colorado

At Startup Colorado, COMMUNITY is at the heart of everything we do. That's why we're proud to support and organize West Slope Startup Week. Our team had an amazing time in Durango, connecting with hundreds of inspiring and friendly entrepreneurs from across the state. The energy was ~electric~ and we’re excited to see the conversations and collaborations that continue long after this event. BIG thank you to Olivia Reed Photo for capturing the WSSW excitement! 📸

Summit County tech founders! 📣 Applications for the Summit Economic Partnership Growth Challenge accelerator are due this Friday. This 6-week program will begin on September 16th and invites mid to late-stage tech companies ready to scale up through strategy refinement and funding access. Details and application at: https://lnkd.in/diFSwJE7

A huge shout-out to the incredible Vanessa McCrann! 🎉 Vanessa led the charge for the 6th annual West Slope Startup Week in Durango this August. Thanks to her dedication, hundreds of Colorado entrepreneurs enjoyed five days of education, networking, and fun. The Startup Colorado team also had the pleasure of experiencing WSSW together. As a remote team spread across Colorado, it was a joy to come together in person. We’re more inspired than ever! Photo: Olivia Reed Photo

The 2024 Oil & Gas Cleantech Challenge is accepting applictions through September 4th. This event is focused on identifying and supporting innovative cleantech solutions that address key challenges in the oil and natural gas industry. Technologies that improve methane mitigation, resource optimization, water quality, and operational safety are of particular interest. They are looking for 10 to 13 companies with breakthrough innovations to participate in a competitive selection process. This is an opportunity to present your solutions to industry leaders committed to advancing cleaner and more efficient practices. 📅 Application Deadline: September 4, 2024, by 5:00 PM (MT) Open to companies worldwide. Apply here: https://shorturl.at/XeTWV

Thrilling news from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)! In June, the GOCO board awarded $8,146,774 in grants for land conservation, outdoor recreation, and stewardship projects. This funding includes over $6M to protect 1,800+ acres of land, upgrade six parks and rec facilities, support long-term planning, and hire new staff. Colorado Parks and Wildlife received $150K from the Director’s Innovation Fund for unique projects such as recovering endangered black-footed ferrets, exploring drone use for wildlife counting, and building a new dark-sky viewing amphitheater. Additionally, Keep It Colorado will re-grant $840K to support 15 projects that will permanently protect 13,000 acres of working ranches, wetlands, water rights, and wildlife corridors. Congratulations to all the partners for being supported in their efforts to protect Colorado's natural spaces!

Great opportunity to work for an OG rural startup: Osprey Packs, Inc. is hiring a Project Manager to join their marketing team.

Outdoor adventurers are invited to spend a weekend in Cañon City at the Outdoor Industry Summit this September ⛰. This 3-day event features workshops, keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and more. Elevate your business while celebrating your passion for the outdoors. Check out details and register today: https://lnkd.in/g-Rn4iPc

More than $350K was invested in rural founders at last week's Startup Colorado Pitch Competition. Meet our winners and see what's next for pitch competitions in Rural Colorado. https://ow.ly/biXz50T8Ygt Photo courtesy of Olivia Reed Photo.

Congratulations to Dara Erck, founder of SAM+LEO, for being selected as a participant in the 2024 Whole Foods Local and Emerging Accelerator Program! Ten innovative brands were chosen out of 1,600 applications. At the end of this 12-week program, the brands will be considered for inclusion on the shelf of Whole Foods in their regions. Dara Erck has been an active member of the Startup Colorado Community for years and was one of the winners of the October 2023 Founder Coopetition. Her brand, SAM+LEO, offers a line of natural body care products for teens. https://ow.ly/bLup50T7Mxa

The Founder Coopetition has transformed into two dynamic accelerator programs. The Idea Factory is designed for early-stage entrepreneurs ready to launch their innovative ideas, while the Growth Challenge is tailored for established businesses looking to scale up. This fall, multiple Idea Factory and Growth Challenge accelerators will be kicking off across Rural Colorado. Visit our website to learn more about upcoming in-person and virtual opportunities. https://lnkd.in/eG6x7f4y