Startup Colorado, a non-profit organization that supports rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in 53 counties across the state, announced Thursday that it has entered a partnership with 14 Founders and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund (GCVF), which will result in a substantial increase in investment opportunities.
Startup Colorado holds a pitch competition during West Slope Startup Week. Through this partnership, the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition will now offer at least $280,000 in investments to the two or more victors from the competition.
The pitch competition will take place during West Slope Startup Week from Aug. 19-23 in Durango. The competition is for rural founders dedicated to fostering innovation within their communities.
The competition is open to all founders located in rural Colorado. The application deadline is July 7, with eligibility criteria expanded to accommodate a greater variety of businesses.
“Startup Colorado believes that rural communities are home to noteworthy, scalable companies,” said Startup Colorado Executive Director Brittany Romano. “This investment will help generate further interest in businesses outside the urban Front Range.”
14 Founders, a venture program that invests in Colorado startups and is managed by local students and sponsored by Kickstart Fund, and the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, a capital fund investing in early-stage startups outside of the Front Range, will offer two investment packages of at least $140,000 each.
“14 Founders is all about supporting the pillars that are the backbone of Colorado’s startup ecosystem,”said Harris Cunningham, a 14 Founders associate and University of Colorado in Colorado Springs (UCCS) student. “Supporting rural founders is something we’re very excited about doing in partnering with Startup Colorado and GCVF.”
“This year, GCVF is looking to partner with an early stage growth company in rural Colorado,” added GCVF Fund Manager Cory Finney. “We are looking for an awesome team that is building a unique product in a large market.”
To enter the Startup Colorado Pitch Competition or for more information, visit startupcolorado.org/pitch-competition.
