West Slope Startup Week, hosted by Startup Colorado, will return to Durango for a third year in early October.
The locally led event, called “radically inclusive” by organizers, provides an opportunity for those in the business scene ‒ including local retailers, agriculture producers, entrepreneurs and founders running solo to high growth startups ‒ to meet between Oct. 6 and 10 for free educational business programming.
Startup Colorado, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, works to connect rural entrepreneurs with resources, expertise and capital needed to power their business endeavors, according to the startup’s website.
The majority of West Slope Startup Week events will take place in downtown Durango and at the Powerhouse, with event check-in and registration occurring at the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation in the Main Mall at 835 Main Ave.
The event website describes the five-day event to include “hands-on workshops, inspiring talks and meaningful connection across 10 dynamic tracks.”
The “tracks” – essentially programming categories – will include Climate, People, Fun! Communications, Money, Toolbox, Makers, Tech, Flagship, Youth and Latine – a bilingual track supporting Spanish and English programming.
Program leaders include some familiar names, including Founder of Animas Creative Group Richard Sherman and Founder of EsoTerra Ciderworks Elizabeth Philbrick, among others.
Startup Colorado’s signature Pitch Competition is on the schedule, where rural entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to pitch their business ventures live in the hope of receiving funding, mentorship and resources. The competition will take place at the Durango Arts Center.
A showcase from Startup Colorado’s Artist in Residence, Dundee & Lee, as well as a community Night Market hosted by the Rural Creative Collective, are also on the docket.
A taste of the presentations offered include “AI Pirate Code-Off: Which AI Assistant Should Captain your Startup?” listed under the Fun! track, “Good Food, Big Impact: Plug into Colorado’s Food, Beverage & Ag Ecosystem,” on the Makers category, and Sustainability as Strategy,” categorized under both the Latine and Climate tracks.
State Treasurer Dave Young and Attorney General Phil Weiser are also scheduled to speak during the event, according to a news release by organizers.
Full schedule
To view the full schedule of events and venue locations, visit: bit.ly/3IsWpd2
According to Margaret Hedderman, director of content and brand strategy with Startup Colorado, last year’s event brought in over 500 registrants, marking the largest turnout in the history of the event. Attendees came from 77 cities, with 68 of those being located across Colorado, and about 20% coming from cities along the Front Range, Hedderman said.
West Slope Startup Week 2024 had a notable monetary impact, Hedderman said. The event generated over $540,000 in direct local economic impact, with local restaurants receiving $276,188, and the city’s accommodation industry an additional $207,350.
Hedderman said attendance this year is expected to meet or exceed last year’s numbers.
“The word ‘startup’ is a verb – meaning this event is for anyone launching a new venture, scaling an existing business, or even just noodling on an idea,” Hedderman said. “West Slope Startup Week is open to founders and professionals across all industries and experience levels, and it’s a great opportunity to connect with a growing community of innovators, leaders and rural changemakers.”
epond@durangoherald.com
