GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — Startup Colorado, a nonprofit, was created to help rural entrepreneurs. Its online community is now 1,920 members strong.
Communications and Editorial Director for Startup Colorado Margaret Hedderman says the non-profit organization helps business owners from small towns and rural communities, those that don't have the abundant resources you might find in places like Denver and its suburbs connect with other entrepreneurs.
"We have this great geography in Colorado, but it also makes it very difficult to connect with one another sometimes, especially when you're in a small town."
Startup Colorado has served 53 rural Colorado counties so far and in 2024, supported 72 different companies.
"So, when you see somebody launching a tech startup in Silverton... who's to say you can't do it over in Paonia."
One of Startup Colorado's success stories is Farm to Summit, a company that turns fruit seconds and leftovers that may have gone to waste into nutrient-packed outdoor meals.
"Just this last year, they got a trial run at Sprouts Farmers Market," said Hedderman. "So they have their product made in Durango, Colorado at all of the Sprouts stores around the nation."
If you would like to learn more about Startup Colorado, click here.