The Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs recently named Elizabeth Marsh as director of the program.
A Fort Lewis College graduate, Marsh previously served as finance and operations director of the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado.
“Elizabeth was a great find,” Jim Mackay, co-founder of SCAPE, said in a news release. “She is super-organized and proactive, which is what the role requires. Her past experience is already proving to be invaluable in getting SCAPE prepared for our next program.”
Marsh, 33, took over Jan. 1. She grew up in Durango and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from FLC.
“I look forward to being a part of the collaboration between so many economic development organizations, local investors, mentors and financial institutions,” Marsh said in an email message.
The SCAPE program mentors entrepreneurs through a four-month program meant to solidify their footing and prepare them to pitch to investors. Its first graduates last year were Tristan Rubadeau’s ReBill and Ilan Paltrow’s CloseoutBikes.com.
ReBill automates payment reconciliation for small businesses.
CloseoutBikes.com seeks to help consumers find – and dealers unload – high-priced bicycles that otherwise would sit in showrooms. Dealers and manufacturers can use the website to show bikes to consumers, who then are directed to a nearby bike shop that has the bike in stock.
The SCAPE program unfolds in four one-month units: business model development, product and customer development, financial projections and financing plans, and preparing for the investor presentation.
A nonprofit organization, SCAPE works with various sponsors such as the Region 9 Economic Development District, local banks and other local investors. The program also received a state startup grant.
SCAPE aims to graduate at least eight companies a year. The latest class was announced Friday:
Bent River Leather, which makes custom leather products such as dog collars.
C.A.R.V., an online community for apparel brands to learn about sustainable products.
Chamber Musician, a distance-learning product for music.
Cerchlite, a peer-reviewed reference database for use in medical laboratories.
Each company receives $30,000 to get started along with free office space and discounted business services.
cslothower@durangoherald.com
