Programs in Colorado

175 resources · 43 open statewide · in 9 of Colorado's 14 regions

Structured programs that help ventures grow: incubators, accelerators, fellowships and scale-up programs. Most run in cohorts with a set start date, a curriculum, mentors and a demo day or showcase. Some invest in exchange for equity; many are free. Compare who each program is for, how long it runs, what it costs or takes, and what past participants have gone on to do.

175 of 175 resources

Communities & Spaces
1000 Gretas
1000 Gretas’ Mission is to identify and help innovators pursue sustainability solutions with the goal of surfacing those likely to have the greatest impact.…
Denver County · 1000gretas.org
Incubators & Accelerators
2Gether-International
One billion people have a disability, making disabled people the largest minority in the world and the only one you can instantly become a part of. This…
National · 2gether-international.org
Incubators & Accelerators
500 Startups Flagship Accelerator
Back in 2010, 500 Global (formerly 500 Startups) pioneered an accelerator program and shaped how venture capital fostered early-stage startups. Today, 500…
National · 500.co
Incubators & Accelerators
Access Mode
Access Mode is a non-profit organization designed with underrepresented Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander tech Founders in mind. Our mission…
Denver County · accessmode.org
Fellowships
Activate Fellows
Activate's flagship fellowship program was the first fellowship for entrepreneurial scientists—providing the mindsets, skills, networks, and support needed to…
National · activate.org
Fellowships
Acumen Fellowship
A transformative, cohort-based leadership program for extraordinary individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to solving problems of poverty.
Statewide · acumenacademy.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Advanced Industries Accelerator Programs
Grants and investment tax credits make up the Advanced Industries Accelerator programs which are designed to promote growth and sustainability in these…
Statewide · choosecolorado.com
Programs
Adventure Scientists
We equip partners with data collected from the outdoors that are crucial to unlocking solutions to the world's environmental challenges.
National · adventurescientists.org
Programs
AdventureEXP
AdventureEXP believes in the power of meaningful travel. We offer destination work programs for our participants to work to offset the cost of traveling in a…
Denver County · adventureexp.com
Incubators & Accelerators
AI4ALL Ignite
AI4ALL is an award-winning national nonprofit that elevates promising undergraduate talent into impactful AI roles. Graduates of our Ignite Accelerator gain…
National · ai-4-all.org
Programs
Aims Nonprofit Leadership Academy (NLA)
The Aims Nonprofit Leadership Academy (NLA) supports the nonprofit sector with applied professional development leadership courses that can lead to a certificate in nonprofit leadership.
Northern Colorado Region · aims.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
AlchemistX
AlchemistX is the corporate innovation and government services division of Alchemist Accelerator. We partner with industry leaders and forward-thinking…
National · alchemistaccelerator.com
Fellowships
American Connection Corps
Lead For America is a place-based national service organization that equips Americans of all backgrounds to serve and lead in the communities they call home.…
National · americanconnectioncorps.org
Fellowships
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps…
National · americorps.gov
Incubators & Accelerators
Antler
Antler is one of the most active early-stage investors globally. The firm leads in ‘Day Zero’ investing, an approach to venture capital focused on partnering…
Boulder County · antler.co
Incubators & Accelerators
Ascent Deep Tech Accelerator
Deep tech startups, or new companies based on technological innovation in science or engineering, face unique challenges because of their disruptive nature…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
Berkeley SkyDeck
The SkyDeck Berkeley Acceleration Method is a 6-month acceleration process for promising startups in any vertical. Between 20 and 25 selected Cohort teams…
National · skydeck.berkeley.edu
Economic Development Organizations
Black Founders
Black Founders is creating an ecosystem that stimulates tech entrepreneurship and fosters economic growth. We develop global programs that equip entrepreneurs…
Statewide · blackfounders.com
Programs
Blueprint by The Engine
Blueprint by The Engine is designed to help graduate students, postdocs, researchers, and their teams explore the translational potential for their…
National · engine.xyz
Fellowships
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation strategically provides grants and fellowships to advance the arts and inspire creative leadership in Denver. Our foundation is…
Denver County · bonfils-stantonfoundation.org
Bootcamps
Breakthrough
Breakthrough Alliance of Colorado is a 501c3 non-profit organization that transforms the lives of people with criminal histories and the community’s perception…
Denver County · timetobreakthrough.org
Fellowships
Breakthrough Energy Fellows
Breakthrough Energy Fellows is part of Breakthrough Energy Discovery, our platform dedicated to advancing pre-venture, early-stage clean tech innovation. BE…
Statewide · befellows.smapply.org
Angel Networks
Bridge Entrepreneurs Network (BEN Colorado)
Bridge Entrepreneurs Network (BEN Colorado) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs across Colorado. Renowned for our robust network…
Denver County · bencolorado.org
Communities & Spaces
CableLabs
CableLabs invents new ways to keep people connected by making broadband faster and more responsive, reliable and secure, cementing the cable network as the…
Boulder County · cablelabs.com
Fellowships
Camelback Ventures
Camelback Ventures aims to diversify social innovation, by giving early-stage entrepreneurs from underinvested communities access to the tools they need to be…
National · camelbackventures.org
Fellowships
Cartier Women's Initiative
The Cartier Women's Initiative is an annual international entrepreneurship program that aims to drive change by empowering women impact entrepreneurs. Founded…
Statewide · cartierwomensinitiative.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Catalyst Accelerator
The Catalyst Accelerator empowers nontraditional technology companies to accelerate their involvement in the national security ecosystem by providing…
El Paso County · catalystaccelerator.space
Communities & Spaces
Catalyst Denver
Located in Denver, Colorado’s River North District (RiNo), Catalyst HTI is bringing together private enterprise (startups to Fortune 20), government, academic…
Denver County · catalysthealthtech.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Catalyze CU
Catalyze CU is a summer-long startup accelerator program designed for CU Boulder ventures created by students, faculty and staff.
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Communities & Spaces
Central Mountain Ascent
Central Mountain Entrepreneurs is a startup community committed to building equitable, sustainable economic development through collaboration and continuous…
Chaffee County · drivenbynature.co
Programs
Chain Reaction Innovations
Chain Reaction Innovations, now in its tenth year, understands that developing a great idea into a technology that impacts the market remains challenging.…
Statewide · chainreaction.anl.gov
Incubators & Accelerators
Cleantech Open (CTO)
Since 2005 Cleantech Open (CTO) has trained over 4,000 entrepreneurs from 2,100+ early-stage clean technology startups through its annual business accelerator.…
National · cleantechopen.org
Economic Development
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO)
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization a 501 (c) (3) not for profit charitable corporation, founded in 1983, supports more than 16,500 emerging collegiate…
National · c-e-o.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Colorado APEX Accelerator
Colorado APEX Accelerator is dedicated to showing your company how to find, bid and win government contracts. Our team of specialists help make the contracting…
El Paso County · coloradoapex.org
Programs
Colorado Attorney Mentoring Program
The Colorado Office of Attorney Professional Excellence (APEX) empowers legal professionals to build thriving, purpose-driven legal careers through mentoring…
Denver County · coloradoattorneyexcellence.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Colorado Challenge Accelerator Program
The Colorado Challenge Accelerator Program is a unique technical assistance program with a proven track record over eight years to transform community…
Statewide · downtowncoloradoinc.org
Programs
Colorado Connected
COConnected is building connections that surround families with supportive networks, so parents do not feel alone when faced with challenges.
Statewide · coconnected.org
Economic Development Organizations
Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC)
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) provides a central point of contact, advocacy, and resources at the state level for the diverse…
Denver County · oedit.colorado.gov
Incubators & Accelerators
Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI)
The Colorado Quantum Incubator (COQI): Accelerating the deployment of transformative quantum technologies by providing the specialized infrastructure, expert…
Boulder County · quantumincubator.org
Communities & Spaces
Colorado Springs Venture Attractor
The world's first Venture Attractor is an ecosystem focused on attracting people, resources, and startup ventures to Colorado Springs, CO. We support…
El Paso County · ventureattractor.org
Programs
Connected Colorado (C²) Challenge
The C² Challenge provides an open-ended innovation process for government procurement that removes the need to meet specific requirements and provides an open…
Denver County · coloradosmart.city
Fellowships
Creative Futures Fellowship
The new CU Boulder Creative Futures Fellowship is designed for researchers, inventors and creators in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Federal and…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
Creative Labs Center (CLC)
The Creative Labs Center (CLC) offers specialized workshops and studio space focused on advanced technologies for design visualization, production and…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
CrowdSolve
CrowdSolve is a community of innovators and mentors committed to nurturing and advancing bold ideas for the climate. We create connection to mentors and…
Denver County · crowdsolve.eco
Incubators & Accelerators
CTL Innovation Incubator
With a goal to infuse our educational efforts with technology to achieve an active, experiential, and research-based approach to learning, the CTL Innovation…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Pitch Competitions
Cultivate Small Business (CSB)
Santander’s award-winning Cultivate Small Business (CSB) helps early-stage entrepreneurs build and sustain businesses in the food industry, with a focus on…
Statewide · icic.org
Fellowships
Deming High Growth Venture Fellowship
This two-year program immerses a select group of MBA candidates in academic and experiential learning unique to growth-stage companies. This MBA honors…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Economic Development Organizations
Denver Global Landing Pad (GLP)
The Denver Global Landing Pad (GLP) is a business acceleration program that provides a comprehensive curriculum to help international founders grow and succeed…
Denver County · denvergov.org
Fellowships
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Fellows Program
The Leadership Fellows Program is an immersive journey of self-discovery and leadership transformation. This program challenges participants to look inward…
Denver County · denverchamber.org
Programs
Digital Capacity Access Program (DCAP)
Most nonprofits do not fail from lack of commitment. They fail from lack of infrastructure. You know the shape of it. Donor records in one spreadsheet, program…
Statewide · alleviatefoundation.org
Communities & Spaces
digitalundivided
Digitalundivided is breaking down the systemic barriers that keep talented founders (particularly women of color) from accessing the resources, capital, and…
Statewide · digitalundivided.com
Communities & Spaces
DivInc
On a mission to cultivate economic momentum through community. By staying laser-focused on building programs and infrastructure that remove barriers to…
National · divinc.org
Communities & Spaces
DOE American-Made Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) American-Made Program transforms innovative ideas into real energy solutions through prizes, collegiate competitions…
Jefferson County · americanmadeprogram.org
Programs
Downtown Denver Retail Activation Program
The program launched in early 2022 as Popup Denver, providing local retail entrepreneurs with the opportunity to receive a grant of $15,000 to build out a…
Denver County · whydowntowndenver.com
Pitch Competitions
DUEntrepreneur
Entrepreneurship@DU gives students the freedom and the space to explore their interests, passions and purpose. We encourage our students and provide the…
Denver County · daniels.du.edu
Communities & Spaces
Echoing Green
Echoing Green identifies tomorrow’s transformational leaders today. Through its Fellowships and other initiatives, Echoing Green spots emerging leaders and…
Statewide · echoinggreen.org
Incubators & Accelerators
EforAll Business Accelerator
EforAll is an innovative nonprofit that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow their businesses…
Boulder County · eforall.org
Programs
Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator
The CU Boulder Embark Deep Tech Startup Creator matches motivated entrepreneurs with breakthrough innovations developed at the University of Colorado Boulder.…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Communities & Spaces
Endeavor Colorado
We support high-impact entrepreneurs who are building high-growth companies from all industries through the support of our unrivaled global network of seasoned…
Boulder County · endeavorcolorado.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Energia Ventures
Energia Ventures is a three-month intensive accelerator for entrepreneurs with an innovative business in the energy, smart grid, artificial intelligence…
Statewide · energiaventures.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Exponential Impact (XI)
Exponential Impact is a mentor-driven startup accelerator, focused on cybersecurity, AI and blockchain technology. Participants in our program receive seed…
El Paso County · exponentialimpact.com
Foundations & Impact Funds
Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC)
Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) is the world's leading startup competition and ecosystem for showcasing the most innovative tech founders addressing the UN SDGs.…
National · extremetechchallenge.org
Communities & Spaces
Female Founders Alliance (FFA)
The Female Founders Alliance started in 2017 as a small group of female founders with a shared commitment to supporting one another. Today, more than five…
National · femalefounders.org
Programs
First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program
The First-Generation and Multicultural (FaM) Business Program is a comprehensive program designed to increase support and opportunities for first-generation…
Denver County · business.ucdenver.edu
Fellowships
Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development
Launched in 2005 and formerly known as the Draper Hills Summer Fellows Program, the Fisher Family Summer Fellows Program on Democracy and Development at…
National · cddrl.fsi.stanford.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
Formation Ventures
We accelerate emerging Black entrepreneurs as they explore, connect, launch, and grow their visions into wealth-building ventures.
National · formation.ventures
Incubators & Accelerators
Forum Ventures
Forum Ventures is the leading early-stage fund, accelerator and venture studio for B2B tech startups. Founded in 2014 and based in New York, San Francisco, and…
Statewide · forumvc.com
Bootcamps
Founder Institute (FI)
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our AI-native…
National · fi.co
Incubators & Accelerators
FourthWave
FourthWave, Inc. is a leading accelerator for female tech entrepreneurs. We are committed to changing the narrative around gender equity, and a core part of…
Statewide · fourthwave.io
Fellowships
FUSE Fellowship
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector…
National · fuse.org
Incubators & Accelerators
gBETA Greeley
gBETA runs multiple times every year in cities across the United States. Up to five companies from a range of verticals are selected from a competitive…
Weld County · gener8tor.com
Pitch Competitions
Get Seed Funding (GSF) at CU Boulder
Get Seed Funding (GSF) is a CU Boulder program, hosted by the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative, that provides micro-funding for undergraduate and…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
Girl Develop It (GDI)
Girl Develop It (GDI) creates welcoming, supportive opportunities for women and non-binary adults to learn software development skills. Through classes…
Statewide · girldevelopit.com
Programs
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
For over 15 years, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses has helped thousands of entrepreneurs grow their businesses and create jobs in the United States. We…
Statewide · goldmansachs.com
Programs
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women
We provide entrepreneurs around the world with business management education, mentoring, networking, and access to capital. We provide the education…
Statewide · goldmansachs.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Google for Startups Accelerators
Google for Startups Accelerators serve top growth-stage startups with tailored technical, product, and leadership training from Google experts. So whether…
National · startup.google.com
Communities & Spaces
Grand Junction Business Incubator Center
The Grand Junction Business Incubator Center supports the launch, growth, stabilization and long-term success of business enterprises in Mesa County and the…
Mesa County · gjincubator.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Hello Accelerator
Launched in 2024, the Hello Accelerator is a global platform where changeleaders from social entrepreneurs, businesses, policymakers, academia, and media come…
Statewide · helloworld.ashoka.org
Incubators & Accelerators
High Country Accelerator
The High Country Accelerator will help you refine your business idea and quickly grow your new startup. We offer mentorship, resources, funding, and…
Routt County · rcedp.org
Programs
High School New Venture Challenge (HSNVC)
HSNVC is specifically designed to bring entrepreneurial learning and innovative mindsets to high school students across Colorado, with a particular focus on…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
Hivers & Strivers Capital
Entrepreneurs with military experience possess highly developed leadership skills capable of building strong, successful companies. However, these skills are…
National · hiversandstrivers.com
Economic Development
Homegrown Pathways
Homegrown Pathways is a rural Colorado-based nonprofit that aims to drive economic mobility by connecting rural youth and young adults to quality career and…
Delta County · homegrownpathways.org
Programs
Impact Design Initiative at CU Boulder
The Impact Design Initiative is actively seeking community partners to engage with us and our interdisciplinary student projects. We typically work with…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Conference or Summit
Impact Finance Center (IFC)
Impact Finance Center is a multi-university nonprofit academic center that identifies, trains, and activates individuals and organizations to become impact…
Denver County · impactfinancecenter.org
Fellowships
Included VC
Included VC is a Fellowship for individuals from diverse communities which are often overlooked or excluded, providing access, opportunity and knowledge into…
Statewide · included.vc
Communities & Spaces
Innosphere Ventures
The premier incubation and commercialization programs empowering founders to launch groundbreaking ventures in life sciences, climate technology, and high-tech…
Larimer County · innosphereventures.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Innosphere Ventures Fund
Innosphere Ventures Fund is a venture capital fund leading early-stage investments for companies who are driving innovation in the B2B SaaS Software, Cleantech…
Larimer County · innospherefund.com
Fellowships
Innovation Crossroads
Innovation Crossroads is a two-year fellowship program that focuses on energy and advanced manufacturing technologies. Through an annual national call and…
National · innovationcrossroads.ornl.gov
Communities & Spaces
Jake Jabs Center of Entrepreneurship
The Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship is an entrepreneurship-focused resource center at the CU Denver Business School. Emphasizing real-world experience…
Denver County · jakejabscenter.org
Programs
Kiva Fellows
Kiva Fellows bring our mission to life by working in the field with our international partners and in our regional offices. For 6-12 months, you'll build…
Statewide · careers.kiva.org
Communities & Spaces
Ladies Who Launch
From our grassroots beginnings in 2013 to an official in 501(c)3, the mission of Ladies Who Launch has always been the same: to provide tactical support…
National · ladieswholaunch.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Launchpad Youth Business Incubator
Launchpad is doing far more than teaching students how to write business plans. Students develop original business ideas, earn college credit, work alongside…
Alamosa County · fswcf.org
Programs
Leadership Fellows Boulder County
Leadership Fellows Boulder County is designed for mid-level professionals who live and/or work in Boulder County. The program fosters an inclusive, equitable, and engaging environment where Fellows commit to transforming themselves and their cohort as leaders.
Denver Region · commfound.org
Programs
Leadership Jeffco
For 41 years, Leadership Jeffco has been Jefferson County's premier force for developing impactful community leaders, boasting an influential alumni network of…
Jefferson County · leadershipjeffco.com
Programs
LeanMastery
In our hyper competitive world, launching a new business and finding success has never been harder for those who are not well connected nor well funded. We are…
Statewide · leanmastery.co
Incubators & Accelerators
madelife Creative Accelerator
The Creative Accelerator Program at madelife is a dynamic launchpad for creative careers. Join our exciting Gap Year Program and become part of an incredible…
Boulder County · madelife.com
Fellowships
Maurice R. Greenberg World Fellows Program
Our program occupies a unique place in international affairs. Students share an intellectual foundation focused on the acquisition of ideas, ways of thinking…
National · jackson.yale.edu
Programs
MENTOR Colorado
MENTOR Colorado is the unifying champion for expanding quality youth mentoring relationships in Colorado. Founded in 2014 by the passion and vision of a number…
Arapahoe County · comentoring.org
Fellowships
Miller Center for Global Impact
Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship at Santa Clara University envisions a world where all people are architects of their own future. Our mission is to…
National · millercenterglobal.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator
The Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator is a competitive business accelerator program aimed at boosting startup companies and increasing diversity in the outdoor…
Gunnison County · gunnisoncrestedbutte.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures
We provide early-stage innovators with access to capital and resources to help them develop and scale. Our mission is to catalyze innovation and impact by…
Statewide · morganstanley.com
Programs
Mozilla Fellows
For over a decade, Mozilla Fellows have been at the forefront of the most critical conversations about technology and society, from debunking AI myths to exposing disinformation campaigns. We've supported over 200 changemaking Fellows who share our belief that a better tech future is not only possible—it's ours to create. Whether embedded with civil society organizations or pursuing independent innovation, Fellows turn defiant optimism about technology’s future into action.
National · mozillafoundation.org
Events
National ACE
National ACE is dedicated to empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) and all small business owners and entrepreneurs by providing access to…
National · nationalace.org
Programs
National Equity Project
We work at the intersection of strategy, leadership development, and systems change to help education leaders navigate complexity, build adaptive capacity, and…
National · nationalequityproject.org
Communities & Spaces
Naturally Colorado
Naturally Colorado is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization with a mission of nurturing and enhancing the natural and organic products industry in Colorado. We…
Boulder County · naturallycolorado.org
Programs
New Venture Launch
New Venture Launch is an application-based class for cross-disciplinary teams, individual founders, and entrepreneurially-focused students who are driven to…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
NSF I-Corps Hub West
I-Corps programs are designed to help reduce the time and risk of taking promising ideas and technologies to the marketplace. This personalized program helps…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
NVIDIA Inception Program
Inception is a free program that guides AI startups through the NVIDIA platform and ecosystem. From prototype to production, Inception meets you where you are…
Statewide · nvidia.com
Programs
Outgrow Your Garage
Our mission is to support communities in building resilient small business ecosystems. Through a combination of workshops, online courses, and consulting…
Mesa County · outgrowyourgarage.com
Economic Development
Ownership Works
Ownership Works is a nonprofit organization that partners with companies and investors to provide all employees with the opportunity to build wealth at work.…
Statewide · ownershipworks.org
Programs
Pledge 1% Colorado
Pledge 1% Colorado is a program of Community Foundation Boulder County that supports founders, companies, investors, and funds in integrating generosity, civic…
Statewide · commfound.org
Incubators & Accelerators
Plug and Play
Plug and Play is a global innovation platform founded in Silicon Valley in 2006. We connect the people and organizations that drive technology forward, and…
Denver County · plugandplaytechcenter.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Plug In Ventures
Plug In Ventures is a tech-enabled ecosystem built to empower early-stage Founders, startup operators, and diverse entrepreneurs. We provide access to curated…
National · pluginventures.co
Communities & Spaces
Prime Health
Prime Health is a nationally leading ecosystem of healthcare administrators, providers, entrepreneurs, investors, technologists and academics dedicated to…
Denver County · primehealthco.com
Programs
Probable Futures
Probable Futures is a non-profit climate literacy initiative that makes practical tools, stories, and resources available online to everyone, everywhere. We…
Statewide · probablefutures.org
Incubators & Accelerators
REI Co-op's Path Ahead Ventures
REI Co-op's Path Ahead Ventures offers full-spectrum support to startups owned and led by Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x and Asian American and Pacific Islander…
Statewide · rei.com
Programs
Research-to-Market (R2M) Customer Discovery Program
This four-week program helps teams through customer discovery and finding a market for their innovation. Derived from the National Science Foundation's I-Corps…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI)
Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute creates the space for communities and people of all backgrounds to realize their unique potential through the power of…
Statewide · rmmfi.org
Angel Networks
RVC HyperAccelerator
The Rockies Venture Institute’s HyperAccelerator is an innovative immersion program to develop emerging startup companies for investment and fast growth.…
Denver County · rockiesventureclub.org
Angel Networks
SCAPE
SCAPE’s mission is to scale high growth, job-creating companies in Southwest Colorado by providing resources, mentoring, and access to funding.
La Plata County · goscape.org
Incubators & Accelerators
SEA Change
SEA Change cares about the well being of our communities. We help social entrepreneurs reach more people in a meaningful way. We support entrepreneurs in…
Statewide · seachng.org
Communities & Spaces
Seedstars
Seedstars is a global organisation with a mission to impact people's lives in emerging & frontier markets through technology and entrepreneurship. We are a…
Statewide · seedstars.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Shell GameChanger Accelerator (GCxN)
The Shell GameChanger Accelerator Powered by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (GCxN) is focused on discovering and advancing emerging and innovative…
Jefferson County · gcxnlr.com
Communities & Spaces
Sistahbiz Global Network
Sistahbiz Global Network is nonprofit, tax exempt, business accelerator for Black women entrepreneurs. We provide training and coaching, technical assistance…
Denver County · sistah.biz
Economic Development
Skill Distillery
Skill Distillery’s training program is a 16-week, immersive, hands-on, coding school where you will learn the most critical programming skills to build a…
Arapahoe County · skilldistillery.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Smart Futures Lab
Smart Futures Lab’s Incubator and Accelerator programs are currently on pause as the Lab transitions following the conclusion of its EDA funding. As we explore…
Denver County · smartfutureslab.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Social and Advisory Group for Entrepreneurs (SAGE) Program
Social and Advisory Group for Entrepreneurs (SAGE) program provides early stage startups with advisory and mentoring assistance as they prepare themselves to…
Larimer County · innosphere.org
Foundations & Impact Funds
Social Venture Partners Boulder County
SVP Boulder County is where community and collaboration meet to strengthen local nonprofits. As the only organization in Boulder County dedicated to supporting…
Boulder County · svpbouldercounty.org
Foundations & Impact Funds
Social Venture Partners Denver
Social Venture Partners Denver (SVP Denver) amplifies the impact of local nonprofits and social mission organizations addressing economic and health inequities…
Denver County · svpdenver.org
Incubators & Accelerators
SPARK Centennial
SPARK Centennial is the City of Centennial's six-month business accelerator program that provides local Centennial small businesses a platform to share their…
Arapahoe County · centennialco.gov
Communities & Spaces
Spark CU
Spark CU is a new initiative designed for entrepreneurial students at the University of Colorado Boulder. Hosted by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Programs
SparqU
SparqU is committed to becoming the leading resource hub for local businesses and community organizations that serve the underrepresented and underserved. Our…
Adams County · sparqu.com
Economic Development
Start.Coop
We're here to jump start the next generation of cooperative businesses: we grow the entrepreneur pipeline and strengthen the cooperative ecosystem, we equip…
National · start.coop
Programs
Starting Blocks Customer Discovery Workshop
Offered as part of the National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps Hub West, this workshop is for anyone from a research or community institution motivated to…
Boulder County · colorado.edu
Incubators & Accelerators
StartOut
At StartOut, our mission is to increase opportunity and success for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs. Our core programs are focused on LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and allies…
National · startout.org
Communities & Spaces
Startup Colorado
Startup Colorado is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports rural entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in 53 rural counties across Colorado. We believe…
La Plata County · startupcolorado.org
Communities & Spaces
Startup Grind
Startup Grind is the leading global startup community dedicated to fostering the growth of early-stage companies. From bootstrapped beginnings through Series A…
National · about.startupgrind.com
Programs
Startup Summer
Startup Summer provides an energetic, high caliber boost to emerging company internships. This annual program surfaces students who are ready to enter the…
Boulder County · siliconflatirons.org
Communities & Spaces
Startup Support Center (SSC)
At Startup Support Center, we’re dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and fostering local economic growth. Founded by Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)…
El Paso County · startsupported.com
Communities & Spaces
Steamboat Creates
Steamboat Creates (the evolution of the Steamboat Springs Arts Council) has been supporting arts and culture in our community, operating out of the 1908…
Routt County · steamboatcreates.org
Economic Development
TalentFOUND
The TalentFOUND gateway connects individuals and businesses with the most relevant tools and resources of the Colorado talent development network, helping…
Statewide · talentfound.org
Communities & Spaces
TechConnect
We represent the nation’s largest innovation ecosystem, coupled with the nation’s largest innovation funder. TechConnect supports technology commercialization…
National · techconnectworld.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Techstars
Founded in 2006, Techstars is on a mission to invest in startups to enable more capital to flow to more entrepreneurs around the world in order to deliver…
Boulder County · techstars.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Techstars Boulder
Founded in 2007, Techstars Boulder is the original Techstars accelerator and the program that helped spark a global network of founders, mentors, and…
Boulder County · techstars.com
Incubators & Accelerators
TechUp Incubator
Welcome to the TechUp Incubator, a hybrid summer program for early-stage business ventures and nonprofits offered by CU Denver’s Jake Jabs Center for…
Denver County · jakejabscenter.org
Fellowships
The Artists' Fellowship
The Artists' Fellowship, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) private charitable foundation that financially assists professional visual artists and their families in times of…
Statewide · artistsfellowship.org
Communities & Spaces
The Business Cultivator
Located in Olathe (between Delta and Montrose), The Business Cultivator is a newly renovated building expressly for entrepreneurship and kitchen incubation.…
Montrose County · region10.net
Incubators & Accelerators
The Center for Space Entrepreneurship
The Center for Space Entrepreneurship is an unique collaboration of industry, government, and academia accelerating the formation of entrepreneurial space…
Boulder County · espacecenter.org
Incubators & Accelerators
The Dames
The Dames is the world's only business accelerator for the professional and personal growth of women running and leading 6, 7, and 8 figure businesses.
Arapahoe County · thedames.co
Fellowships
The Freed Fellowship
The Freed Fellowship helps small business owners get the feedback they need to build successful companies that make an impact.
Statewide · freedfellowship.com
Fellowships
The Global Good Fund Fellowship
The Global Good Fund Fellowship is a 12-month hybrid leadership program for social entrepreneurs around the world. We accelerate leaders who relentlessly…
Statewide · globalgoodfund.org
Incubators & Accelerators
The Inclusive Impact Catalyst Program
The Inclusive Impact Catalyst Program offers tailored support for tech-industry small businesses, specifically for underrepresented tech businesses who have…
Denver County · bencolorado.org
Programs
The Industrial Commons
The Industrial Commons founds and scales employee-owned social enterprises, industrial cooperatives, and supports frontline workers to build a new southern…
Statewide · theindustrialcommons.org
Programs
The Open System Institute
The mission of The Open System Institute is to build an emergent discipline of practice and principles for diverse leaders across diverse organizations to…
Denver County · theopensystem.org
Programs
The Outside Lab at CU Denver
Introducing The Outside Lab at CU Denver, a world-class innovation center for gear testing, business development, teaching, and content creation that builds on…
Denver County · outsidelab.outsideonline.com
Incubators & Accelerators
The Wheelhouse Incubator
The Wheelhouse Retail Business Incubator and Community Makerspace is a community economic development initiative led by Huerfano Economic Development Inc.…
Huerfano County · wheelhouseincubator.org
Communities & Spaces
TiE Women
The program is built on the Pillars of TiE: Learning, Mentoring, Access to Funding, Scalability, Safe Space, and Community Building. TiE Women aims to embrace…
National · tiewomen.org
Fellowships
Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program
The Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program connects extraordinary women entrepreneurs with the essential tools to scale, lead and shape the economy. Most…
Statewide · toryburchfoundation.org
Programs
Tugboat Institute
Tugboat Institute is a membership organization that brings together Evergreen CEOs across industry sectors to share best practices and unique insights, and to…
National · tugboatinstitute.com
Incubators & Accelerators
UBS Project Female Founder
Project Female Founder is our global accelerator program, unlocking opportunities for female entrepreneurs to scale their ventures across all sectors. It's…
Statewide · ubs.com
Fellowships
Unreasonable Group
We are an international company that supports a Fellowship for growth-stage entrepreneurs, channels exclusive deal-flow to investors, and partners with…
Boulder County · unreasonablegroup.com
Communities & Spaces
UpStart
UpStart partners with the Jewish community's boldest leaders to expand the picture of how Jews find meaning and how we come together. Whether someone is…
National · upstartlab.org
Government
USDA BioPreferred Program
The USDA BioPreferred Program is the federal government's official market accelerator for biobased products. Managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture…
National · biopreferred.gov
Incubators & Accelerators
Venture Validator Program
The Venture Validator (VV) is free, open to all, and designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs test new business ideas over five weekly sessions. Offered each…
Larimer County · biz.colostate.edu
Scale-up & Growth Programs
VF Venture Foundry
VF Venture Foundry is a venture studio backed by the power of VF. We work with fearlessly curious entrepreneurs and founders hungry to build the future of…
Denver County · info.venturefuel.net
Incubators & Accelerators
Warehouse Business Accelerator
Building prosperity for Northern Colorado by bringing together the community's best knowledge and resources to accelerate the success of innovative businesses…
Larimer County · warehouseinnovation.com
Incubators & Accelerators
Watson Institute
Watson Institute is a place where rising entrepreneurs and leaders can find their community, discover their calling, and accelerate their careers.
Boulder County · watson.is
Incubators & Accelerators
Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2)
The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) is a $55-million energy technology program funded by Wells Fargo & Company and coadministered by the U.S. Department…
Statewide · in2ecosystem.com
Fellowships
Western Union Global Fellowship
The Western Union Global Fellowship is a Fellowship designed for entrepreneurs impacting refugees, highly marginalized, and displaced individuals globally.…
Boulder County · watson.is
Economic Development
Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program
To help provide a level playing field for women business owners, the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the…
Statewide · sba.gov
Incubators & Accelerators
Women’s Startup Lab (WSLab)
Women’s Startup Lab (WSLab) is a premier Silicon Valley startup and leadership accelerator for women entrepreneurs around the world. By focusing on “people…
Statewide · womenstartuplab.com
Foundations & Impact Funds
Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge
The Workplace Innovation Now (WIN) Challenge will award $60M to transformative solutions that help women thrive and build a better workplace for all.
Statewide · winchallenge.org
Programs
WTC Denver Global Entrepreneur Program
The Global Entrepreneur Program at WTC Denver is designed to support first-generation immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in building and scaling their…
Denver County · wtcdenver.org
Incubators & Accelerators
XI Survive and Thrive
Survive & Thrive, powered by Exponential Impact, is a proven small-business lifeline built in Colorado Springs. Launched in the early days of the pandemic, the…
El Paso County · xisurviveandthrive.com
Funding
Y Combinator
Y Combinator is the leading startup accelerator for entrepreneurs. Since 2005, YC has invested in over 4,500 companies, including Airbnb, Dropbox, Stripe…
National · ycombinator.com

Common questions

How many Programs resources are there in Colorado?

Colorado Startup Resources lists 175 Programs resources, including 43 that serve the whole state. The most are in the Denver Region (69), Northern Colorado Region (7) and Pikes Peak Region (6).

Which Programs resources serve all of Colorado?

Seedstars, FourthWave, SEA Change, Included VC and LeanMastery, and 38 more. Filter the list above by "Statewide" to see them all.

What's the difference between an incubator and an accelerator?

Incubators usually support earlier ideas over a longer period, often with workspace. Accelerators run fixed-length cohorts, often 8 to 16 weeks, ending in a demo day, and some invest in exchange for equity.

Do startup programs cost money?

Many are free, especially those run by universities, nonprofits and economic development groups. Some charge fees, and some accelerators take equity instead. Check before you apply.