Edition 13: May 2024 Startup Events and News In Colorado
Community fueled resource for Colorado's startup ecosystem.
Due to the success this newsletter over the past year, we decided to share the fun and launched a Minnesota Startup Events and News Substack! Click to subscribe if you have any ties to the North like we do at Matchstick.
Fill out the linked forms if you have an event or news you’d like included in the next edition of this substack and also posted to the Colorado Startups calendar.
MAY EVENTS
Seed Crust: State of the Seed Market - There are countless startups grinding it out from Pre-Seed, to Seed, to Seed 2, to Seed 3, to every possible take on "bridge" and "inside" rounds. Why are so many startups circling around, unable to break through to Series A? We call this the Seed Crust. What are the market forces driving this? What are the paths forward for founders? Are there rays of hope breaking through the crust?
When: May 2nd, 11am
Where: Virtual
Who should attend: All founders in the Seed phase.
Contributed by Rich at Springtime Ventures
Building While on a Visa—Tips for Immigrant Founders - Join us for an insightful session with Alexis Maciel, an investor at Unshackled Ventures, as she shares valuable tips and best practices for immigrant founders. Alexis will discuss how Unshackled Ventures supports and empowers immigrant founders in their portfolio and open community. She'll delve into the unique obstacles faced by international students and visa holders and provide practical strategies for overcoming them. This event is hosted by Venture Partners at CU Boulder.
When: May 2nd, 4pm
Where: Virtual
Who should attend: Immigrant entrepreneurs and international students and faculty
Contributed by Daniel at Colorado University
Boulder Startup Week - Boulder Startup Week 2024 is May 13-17. Featuring talks, workshops, and more covering topics such as fundraising, robotics, AI, space, quantum, operations, climate, personal growth and so much more. Over 130 events and growing. Come out this spring to meet up with old friends and make new connections. Boulder Startup Week is back in 2024!
When: May 13-17
Where: Boulder
Who should attend: The entire startup ecosystem
Contributed by Tim at Drive Capital
Fundraising For Your Climate Startup - Join us for a panel that's packed with all the good stuff: knowledge, strategies, and tools to help you navigate the fundraising maze. We're lining up the experts to share their practical insights that you can actually use, and the tools you need to come out on top.
When: May 13th, 1pm
Where: Galvanize - Boulder
Who should attend: Climate founders, climate investors, anyone craving a climate connection!
Contributed by Lindsey at Massive VC
Startup Variety Show - Please join us on Tuesday, May 14 at Colorado Law for a special edition of the Startup Variety Show for Boulder Startup Week. The Variety Show ranks among the best ways to engage with Colorado’s Front Range entrepreneurial community. Now in its second year, Variety Show stitches together the startup scene, CU Boulder, innovators from the Federal Labs, as well as technologists from incumbent technology companies.
When: May 14th, 5pm
Where: Wolf Law, CU Boulder Campus
Who should attend: Startups, investors, students, anyone from the entrepreneurial community!
Contributed by Christine at Colorado University
The State of Colorado Tech Accelerators - We have some incredible tech accelerator programs in our amazing state. But how do you decide which might be right for your startup?! Come meet those leading Colorado's top tech accelerator programs and to make a connection with them!
When: May 14th, 9am
Where: Kiln, 2101 Pearl St, Boulder
Who should attend: Founders
Contributed by Adam at Rockies Venture Club
Founder Discussion with Shadi Bakour - Join Shadi Bakour, the founder of Pathwater, as he shares his origin story and insights from his fundraising journey in the climate startup space. From navigating the challenges of securing investments to the pivotal moments that led to Altos Ventures backing Pathwater, Shadi will provide candid anecdotes and valuable lessons learned. Gain insider perspectives on entrepreneurship, fundraising, and sustainability innovation from one of the industry's trailblazers.
When: May 15th, 10am
Where: WeWork Boulder
Who should attend: climate founders, cpg founders, climate investors, cpg investors, anyone craving a startup connection and a good inspirational story
Contributed by Lindsey at Massive VC
Bad A** CEO Talk - The Badass CEO Talk: Emotional Triggers of a CEO. Raw and real experiences of CEOs as they share stories, challenges, and strategies for navigating the emotional landscape of leadership.
When: May 15th, 3pm
Where: WeWork Boulder
Who should attend: founders, CEOs, operators, investors
Contributed by Lindsey at Massive VC
Boulder AI Builders Meetup - Boulder Startup Week is May 13-17! This event is on the official schedule and will be entirely startup-focused. We'll have snacks & drinks for everyone, plenty of time to socialize, and see demos from 5-7 local companies. All the demos will be from funded startups building AI products.
When: May 15th, 5pm
Where: Boulder, CO
Who should attend: Anyone involved in or interested in the AI builder space
Contributed by Natty at Matchstick Ventures
Welcome to Boulder - Once a month, we welcome anyone new to the Boulder tech and startup scene, in person. We'll answer your questions, direct you to the right resources, and help make introductions where appropriate. Plus you'll meet other community members and individuals new to Boulder, yay new friends!Please RSVP so we know who to expect - and feel free to come every month as you get more integrated, you can help the next new person feel welcome.
When: May 17th, 4pm
Where: T/aco Boulder
Who should attend: Anyone new to the tech scene in Boulder and Denver
Contributed by Nicole Glaros
Startup Hike - BSW Edition - Do you like being outside? How about on a Friday morning when the trails aren’t packed? Startup Hikes is a series designed to help you meet and get to know other local startup founders, operators, investors, and community members. Whether you’ve been in Colorado forever or just moved here, see some familiar faces and meet new ones.
When: May 17th, 9am
Where: Meet at Galvanize Boulder
Who should attend: Anyone in the Startup Community or the Startup curious!
Contributed by Micah at Colorado Startups
Apply to the RVC HyperAccelerator! - As the June 2024 RVC Equal Access HyperAccelerator approaches, we are accepting applications for the upcoming cohort. The deadline for the application period is Sunday, May 19th, 2024 @11:59 PM MST. Please apply by this date as RVC plans to select the June 2024 cohort by no later than the final week of May 2024.
When: Applications due May 19th
Where: RVC Headquarters (Thrive Ballpark, 1415 Park Ave W, Devner, CO)
Who should attend: Founders
Contributed by Adam at Rockies Venture Club
Colorado Startups Happy Hour in Denver - Celebrate your hard work and the end of the month at the Startup Happy Hour with the Colorado Startups community. Join other ambitious entrepreneurs, investors, and community members in our state's thriving startup ecosystem for a lively and fun event.
When: May 31st, 4pm
Where: Whiskey Row, 1946 Market Street, Denver, CO
Who should attend: All Startup Community folks welcome - operators, CEOs/Founders, investors, service providers, students, etc.!
Contributed by Micah at Colorado Startups
SNEAK PEEK AT JUNE EVENTS
Conscious Entrepreneur Summit - The only in-person event that is 100% dedicated to the well-being of ambitious entrepreneurs. Keynote speakers include best selling author of Daily Stoic Ryan Holiday and Host of the Ted Tech Talk Podcast, Sherrell Dorsey. 300 executives, leaders and entrepreneurs and the CU Glen Miller Ballroom who care about ‘scaling business without sacrificing themselves' aka deep, authentic discussions around mental health, wellbeing, raising money from values aligned investors, building resilient teams, finding your purpose, building profitable and happy teams, and so much more
Use code "MATCHSTICK" for 100.00 offWhen: June 4th, 8am
Where: Boulder, Co
Who should attend: Ambitious Entrepreneurs
Contributed by Dave at Technical Integrity
Techstars Boulder 2024 Demo Day at the Boulder Theater - Get ready for the Techstars Boulder grand finale - our 20th Demo Day hosted at the iconic Boulder Theater (yes, we're bringing it back!). Join us for this community celebration featuring the 12 exceptional companies in our spring '24 cohort. We look forward to commemorating this massive milestone with all the amazing Techstars alumni, mentors, program partners, and community supporters that make this ecosystem one of the best in the world. Doors open @ 5pm. Opening remarks begin @ 6pm
Event will include company pitches, a community celebration, networking, and a couple surprises along the way.When: June 6th, 5pm
Where: Boulder Theater
Who should attend: All are welcome!
Contributed by Kallie at Techstars
Angel Investing 501 - Engage in the RVC Angel Accelerator program to acquire the necessary skills for successful angel investing. Without such training, new investors might spend years and over $250,000 to learn effective investment strategies on their own. The program offers significant benefits including a promising return on investment, potential tax advantages, insights into cutting-edge innovation, and opportunities to connect with fascinating individuals. Visit https://www.rockiesventureclub.org/angel-investing-501 to learn more.
When: June 7th, 10am
Where: RVC Headquarters (Thrive Ballpark, 1415 Park Ave W, Denver, CO)
Who should attend: Angel Investors & Aspiring Investors
Contributed by Adam at Rockies Venture Club
NEWS & RESOURCES
2024 Destination Startup connects investors, entrepreneurs and groundbreaking innovations - The Intermountain West innovation ecosystem came together at the sixth annual Destination Startup Investor Showcase hosted by Venture Partners at CU Boulder. In a highly competitive field, twenty-three select ventures from the region’s research institutions presented at the showcase.
Contributed by Daniel at Colorado University
Groundbreaking innovations win big at the 17th New Venture Challenge Finals - The 2024 New Venture Challenge (NVC) culminated in a final showcase on April 17 in front of a live audience cheering on the University of Colorado Boulder’s next big innovations. At an event filled with great ideas and even greater entrepreneurial spirit, five teams competed for $165,000 in prize money.
Contributed by Daniel at Colorado University
Stay up to date on startup events and connect + collaborate with the Colorado startup community online! - We're excited to partner with Colorado Startups to promote community events and resources - see substack submitted events and more on the Colorado Startups Events calendar: coloradostartups.org/event-calendar and join the community conversation via their online groups (LinkedIn, Slack, and Facebook): https://coloradostartups.org/overview!