If you are looking to start your business in Colorado, it is never a bad idea to join an accelerator or incubator.
These organizations are designed to help startups by providing them with office space, advice and access to potential partners, investors, and customers.
In this article, we have listed 28 Colorado startup accelerator for startups.
Incubator vs Accelerator: What’s the Difference?
Using the terms “incubator” and “accelerator” interchangeably is a common mistake. Whilst they are similar and sometimes can be found under the same roof (organisation), they are very different.
Startup incubators
As the name suggests, startup incubators are tailored more to startups still in their incubation period for their ideas. As such, incubators help startup founders turn their ideas into early working prototype versions of a product or service.
Joining an incubator comes with many perks for early stage businesses. For example, incubators will typically let you use office spaces for twelve months, and in some cases every several years.
Yet, not all incubators are equal. Some might be specialised on a specific industry, and others on a specific expertise: do you want to work on your Minimal Viable Product (MVP), or are you looking for help to kick-start your sales and marketing efforts?
Therefore, if you’re interested in joining an incubator program, you should first ask for feedback from founders who are currently in the program. You should find out how long they’ve been with the program and what growth they have achieved with its help.
Startup accelerators
In contrast, startup accelerators are ideal for startups that have already gathered some momentum. That’s why startup accelerators are best for startups with a complete cofounding team, a MVP, and that are looking to accelerate their growth (commercialise their product / service).
Accelerator programs usually take place between a few weeks to a couple of months. In that time, they’ll give you access to their network, connections, knowledge, and a relatively small amount of funding for your startup.
When looking for an accelerator program, it is crucial to do your research. Identify the program’s list of alumni. Who among their startups experienced success? How many failed? Who are in their list of mentors, and what accomplishments do these people have that you think would help you succeed in your business?
Taking the time to find the best-fit startup accelerator for your business is essential. After all, you’ll be trusting these people to help your business succeed.
How Do Colorado Startup Accelerator Work
Startup accelerator is a program designed to help startup businesses grow and succeed. Accelerators can provide startups with funding, mentorship, resources, and access to a network of investors and entrepreneurs.
Startup accelerators typically have a specific focus and provide a structured program that includes mentorship, networking, and educational opportunities. The goal of an accelerator is to take a startup from concept to launch in a short period of time.
The process of joining an accelerator typically begins with an application process. After selecting the best startups, accelerators then provide them with guidance and resources to help them move forward. This includes mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, access to capital, and connections with other successful startups. The amount of funding provided by an accelerator can range from a few thousand dollars up to millions of dollars.
In addition to providing funding, accelerators also provide education and mentorship opportunities for startups. Mentors are typically experienced entrepreneurs who can provide valuable advice about best practices for launching and growing a business. They can also provide feedback on business plans and help startups identify potential areas of improvement.
Accelerator programs usually last between three and six months, but can vary depending on the program and the needs of the startup. During this time, the startup should focus on developing its product or service, gaining customers, and building relationships with investors. At the end of the program, the startup will typically have a demo day where they will pitch their idea to potential investors.
Colorado Startup Accelerator (Top 28 Accelerators)
1) Techstars
Techstars is one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2006
- Founders: Brad Feld, David Brown, David Cohen, Jared Polis
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
- Number of investments: 3,421
- Number of exits: 338
You can find their website here.
2) Boomtown Accelerators
Boomtown creates, implements, and runs exclusive, customised, turnkey programs that are in line with the business strategy of your company.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2013
- Founders: Alex Bogusky, Jack Donenfeld, Jose Vieitez, Kyle Groth, Toby Krout
- Industries: Data, Media, Internet, Mobile, Software, IoT, Sports Tech, AdTech, Marketing, HealthTech
- Number of investments: 174
- Number of exits: 7
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 12
You can find their website here.
3) Techstars Boulder Accelerator
Techstars Boulder Accelerator helps founders in three main ways: through mentorship and networking, through raising money, and through building tools.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2007
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
- Number of investments: 173
- Number of exits: 46
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 12
You can find their website here.
4) CanopyBoulder
Canopy is an early-stage investment program for start-ups in the cannabis industry that is based on mentorship.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2014
- Founders: Mark A. Nottoli, Micah Tapman, Patrick Rea, Troy Dayton
- Industries: AgTech, Business Services, Cbd, Data, Hardware, Marketplaces, Media, Software, Supply Chain
- Number of investments: 80
- Number of exits: 3
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 15
You can find their website here.
5) Techstars Anywhere Accelerator
Techstars has a network of people all over the world who help entrepreneurs do well.
Details of the startup:
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
- Number of investments: 45
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 13
You can find their website here.
6) Exponential Impact
Exponential Impact is a startup accelerator that is led by mentors and focuses on AI, blockchain, and cybersecurity technology.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2017
- Founders: Vance F. Brown
- Industries: Cyber Security, AI, Blockchain
- Number of investments: 15
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 14
You can find their website here.
7) VoLo Earth Ventures
VoLo Earth faces our climate crisis head-on by providing comprehensive, first-in funding and hands-on leadership to grow, propagate, and capitalize on climate solutions.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2020
- Founders: Christopher Tullar, Eric Riesenberg, Joseph Goodman, Kareem Dabbagh, Robert Harding
- Industries: Energy Tech, Environment Tech, Climate Tech
- Number of investments: 15
You can find their website here.
8) Techstars Sustainability, in partnership with The Nature Conservancy
Techstars gives people access to money, mentors, talent, and the right tools to do their jobs.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2006
- Industries: Impact, Sustainability
- Number of investments: 12
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 13
You can find their website here.
9) Arc Capital Development
Arc Capital Development is a consulting and early-stage venture firm that helps businesses that are new and growing quickly.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2002
- Founders: Kevin Custer, Rita Ferrandino
- Industries: Information Technology, EdTech
- Number of investments: 07
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 52
You can find their website here.
10) Innosphere Ventures
Innosphere makes it easier for high-impact science and technology-based startups and companies that are growing to be successful.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 1998
- Industries: Bioscience, Medical Device, Cleantech, Energy, Advanced Materials, Hardware, Software, FinTech, AI
- Number of investments: 03
- Number of exits: 1
You can find their website here.
11) Garini Ventures
Garini Ventures puts money into tech startups in their early stages. They are great at making business and technology work together.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2018
- Founders: Jonathan Garini
- Industries: Technology
- Number of investments: 02
You can find their website here.
12) Global Accelerator Network
All GAN Accelerators have a founder-first and values-driven mindset. This makes sure that startups that work with them have a great time and get real results.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2010
- Founders: Brad Feld, David Cohen
- Industries: Photonics, Biotech, SaaS, High Tech, Life Sciences
- Number of investments: 01
You can find their website here.
13) Boomtown Health Tech Accelerator
Boomtown creates, implements, and runs exclusive, customised, turnkey programs that are in line with your business strategy and use the power of outside innovation to accelerate growth.
Details of the startup:
- Industries: HealthTech, Sportstech, Hardware
- Number of investments: 01
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 12
You can find their website here.
14) Colorado Springs Technology Incubator
The goal of the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation is to use an economic development cluster strategy that takes advantage of Colorado’s competitive edge in aerospace, defence, and homeland security.
Details of the startup:
- Industries: Aerospace, Defense
You can find their website here.
15) Denver Accelerator
Denver Accelerator offers a 3-month mastermind group and free marketing services.
Details of the startup:
- Industries: SaaS, Marketplaces
You can find their website here.
16) Fulcrum Venture Accelerator
Fulcrum Venture Accelerator is a fundraising accelerator for entrepreneurs with a mission and startups that are making a difference.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2019
- Founders: Will Sacks
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
You can find their website here.
17) The Business Incubator Center
The Business Incubator Center helps Mesa County businesses start up, grow, stabilise, and do well in the long run.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 1987
- Industries: Industry Agnostic
You can find their website here.
18) The Warehouse Business Accelerator
Warehouse mentors help you with practical problem solving, resource connections, and strategic knowledge.
Details of the startup:
- Started in: 2013
- Industries: Industrial Manufacturing, Technology
You can find their website here.
19) Boomtown Boulder Tech Accelerator
Boomtown makes sure that each of its tech accelerator programs has the right courses, mentors, and other tools to meet the needs of its founders.
Details of the startup:
- Industries: HealthTech, Hardware, Technology
- Accelerator Duration (in weeks): 12
You can find their website here.
See Also: Top 43 Colorado Small Business Grants & Funding This Year
Other Colorado Startup Accelerator
20. Catalyst Accelerator
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: Technology Industry
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: 3 Months
The Catalyst Accelerator hosted by the Catalyst Campus is a program that accelerates, collaborates, and innovates technology and innovation in Colorado Springs. This 3-month program provides entrepreneurs with offline space, investment, subject-matter experts, resources, and a collaborative environment essential for growing further in the industry. They also offer knowledge about dual-use technology to entrepreneurs and introduce them to potential customers.
Apply to Catalyst Accelerator, or learn more
21. Exponential Impact
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Exponential Impact is an accelerator program that provides participants with the best possible resources to grow in the industry. They provide entrepreneurs with tailored programs to fulfill the unique demands of each startup. This is a community where founders and leaders can thrive. They host four major programs to help startups of all stages; Springs Startup, XI Amplify, XI Ascend, and XI Accelerator. These programs offer mentorship, access to funding, holistic programming, workspace, and networking opportunities with investors and industry leaders.
Apply to Exponential Impact, or learn more
22. Score Colorado Springs
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Score Colorado Springs is a global accelerator program that helps small businesses in the region to succeed. They provide them with mentoring, resources, training, workshops, seminars, and educational programs. This program has a curated team of over 30 mentors with vast experience and knowledge. They help entrepreneurs grow and scale their businesses in the industry.
Apply to Score Colorado Springs, or learn more
23. Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners is a business accelerator program that offers a wide range of services to startups and helps them to run their business on a fast track. They provide participants of the program with funding opportunities, business planning, financial forecasting, knowledge about product development & marketing, strategic partnerships, executive mentoring, corporate governance, tools for business development, go-to-market strategies, education about intellectual property, and investor relations.
Apply to Rocky Mountain Innovation Partners, or learn more
24. Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC host small business and entrepreneurship programs in the region to provide startups with business support. This program focuses on taking business ideas to their peak by providing entrepreneurs with guidance from experienced mentors and education about various business insights. To date, they have helped more than 563,915 startups grow and scale in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Colorado.
Apply to Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, or learn more
25. Center for Entrepreneurship
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Centre for Entrepreneurship program hosted by the University of Colorado is dedicated to the region’s economic development and venture creation. This program achieves its objectives by providing entrepreneurs with extensive research opportunities, business insights, and service activities & resources. They also provide the students of UCCS with a tailored curriculum and empowers entrepreneurship in them.
Apply to Center for Entreprenurship, or learn more
26. EPIIC Venture Attractor
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: Sports, Outdoor, Health, and Human
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
EPIIC Venture Attractor is a leading program in Colorado Springs that serves startups and businesses in the niche of sports & outdoors, human performance, and health innovation. The mission of this program is to strengthen the startup ecosystem in the region. They attract startup ventures and innovative entrepreneurs by providing them resources, mentorship, and access to engaging activities.
Apply to EPIIC Venture Attractor, or learn more
27. Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: All Industries
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center is an initiate of Colorado SBDC. This program advances small businesses in the region and helps them grow and scale in the industry. They offer consultation services, training programs, and funding opportunities to entrepreneurs to maximize their economic potential. This program provides startups with various resources like developing business plans, strategizing marketing tactics, and improving business operations.
Apply to Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center, or learn more
28. Wavelength Ventures
- Location: Colorado Spings
- Industry: Technology Industry
- Investment Size: Not Disclosed
- Program: Not Disclosed
Wavelength Venture is a program that helps technology startups with funding in Colorado Springs. They help startups that focus on SaaS software, emerging technologies, data center systems, and data analytics. This program provides business ventures with mentorship, bootstrapping, and angel capital, essential to grow and excel in the industry.
Apply to Wavelength Ventures, or learn more
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