Ever wondered who’s driving innovation right here in Colorado’s backyard?
From tech startups to nonprofit organizations, from custom gear makers to engineering firms, our region is full of entrepreneurs turning bold ideas into thriving businesses.
We’re introducing the founders and teams behind some of the most exciting and cool startups in Colorado. You’ll learn how they got started and the impact they’re making—both locally and beyond.
These are stories of vision, grit, and community connection. They’re proof that world-class talent, innovative solutions, remote workforce, and meaningful impact aren’t limited to big cities—they’re growing right here, and they’re shaping the future of our local economy.
Tech Trailblazers: Innovating for Tomorrow
Our region’s tech sector is more than just a growing industry—it’s a driving force for economic diversification and opportunity. Fostering local startups in Colorado can create high-paying jobs while also attracting new talent and resources to our community.
From custom software to cybersecurity to streamlined business infrastructure, these tech pioneers are turning complex challenges into practical, scalable solutions. Supporting them means investing in a future where local talent stays local, and where homegrown ideas compete on a global stage.
Spacelite: Bridging Gaps in Tech Services
Across rural Colorado, many schools, churches, and community spaces are stuck with outdated, piecemeal AV systems—while high-end automation remains out of reach. TapTech, created by Yuriy Kuzma and his company Spacelite, changes that. Designed with small organizations in mind, TapTech is an affordable, touchscreen-based AV controller that replaces tangled remotes and complicated switches with a single, intuitive interface.
Built with off-the-shelf components and standard programming languages like Python and JavaScript, TapTech is easy to install, customizable, and scalable. From a single conference room to a full auditorium. It can control displays, audio systems, motorized screens, and even window shades, with future integrations planned for lighting, HVAC, and security.
By lowering costs, removing vendor lock-ins, and focusing on user-friendly design, TapTech gives smaller communities access to the kind of smart technology once reserved for large institutions. It’s a practical, flexible solution that puts control back in the hands of the people who use it every day.
We Build Staxx: Revolutionizing Business Infrastructure
We Build Staxx helps independent insurance agencies work smarter by streamlining processes with Zapier automation. Founded by Mandy Reed, the company specializes in eliminating redundant data entry, moving information seamlessly across multiple platforms, and improving efficiency so agencies can focus on serving their clients.
Their solutions range from electronic quoting and lead generation forms to CRM and AMS integrations, policy renewal automations, and call recording with transcription. Partnerships with platforms like Salesforce, Jotform, RingCentral, Vertafore, EZLynx, and HubSpot ensure We Build Staxx can connect the tools agencies already use.
As Certified Zapier Experts, the team also offers training, maintenance, and optional AI-powered enhancements. The result is faster workflows, better customer experiences, and more time for agencies to grow their business in today’s competitive market.
Innovation Across Industries
Innovation isn’t limited to tech labs or software startups. It’s happening in workshops, design studios, and creative spaces across our community.
From custom outdoor gear to local entrepreneurs and accelerated businesses are finding fresh ways to meet needs, solve problems, and bring new ideas to life.
These businesses prove that creativity and problem-solving can take root anywhere, in any industry.
Barn Owl: Modern Solutions for Traditional Needs
When it comes to managing valuable assets in remote or rural areas, distance and accessibility can be major challenges.
Sarah Hinkley’s company, Barn Owl Precision Agriculture (BOPA), tackles this problem head-on with innovative monitoring systems—powered by their Autonomous Notification Technology (ANT) robots. ANTs give users real-time visibility and control no matter how far away their equipment, property, or operations may be.
Sarah’s vision is simple but powerful: make advanced monitoring tools available to anyone who needs them, empowering communities to operate smarter and more efficiently. Overall, Barn Owl’s technology saves time, reduces costs, and improves response times for farmers
Func Shoes: Stepping into Fun and Function
For Ian Sturgeon, shoes aren’t just something you wear—they’re a way to express personality, spark conversation, and bring a little joy to everyday life.
Func Shoes look like classic sneakers, but they’re designed to let your feet move naturally while still providing protection from the terrain. They feature a zero-degree drop for proper posture and balance, 5–8mm thickness with a removable insole for customizable ground feel, and a wider-than-average fit to give your toes room to splay. Even the stretchy laces are intentional—helping you reclaim the countless hours people waste tying and retying their shoes.
Unlike many minimalist shoes that sacrifice aesthetics, Funcs have an attractive, versatile shape made from durable rubber soles and a Faux Leather & Rip-Stop Nylon upper. By marrying the health benefits of barefoot-style movement with thoughtful design and everyday wearability, Ian is proving that functional footwear can also be stylish, versatile, and fun.
Beyond Profit: Organizations Making a Difference
Not every business measures success in revenue alone. Some are built with a mission at their core—driving social, environmental, and community impact alongside economic growth.
These organizations remind us that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for positive change, whether it’s restoring local waterways, improving public safety, or building the infrastructure our communities depend on.
River Science: Safeguarding Our Waterways
Healthy rivers are the lifeblood of our ecosystems, economies, and communities. River Science is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and restoring these vital waterways through science-based monitoring, data collection, and community education.
Serving local governments, nonprofits, landowners, and watershed groups, River Science provides services such as water quality monitoring, aquatic habitat assessments, and GIS mapping. By turning complex environmental data into actionable insights, they empower communities to better manage and restore their waterways.
With a mission rooted in collaboration, River Science proves that when science meets community engagement, lasting environmental change is possible.
3 Rocks Engineering: Building Community, One Project at a Time
What began as a one-person operation has grown into a thriving civil engineering firm with 32 employees—and a reputation for delivering projects that blend technical precision with community impact. 3 Rocks Engineering takes on everything from infrastructure upgrades to large-scale development projects, always with a focus on building systems that serve people for generations.
Their growth story is as impressive as their portfolio. One highlight includes partnering with a local municipality to redesign a critical bridge, improving safety and traffic flow while preserving the surrounding environment. The success of the project not only strengthened the town’s infrastructure but also showcased 3 Rocks’ ability to balance innovation with practicality.
By investing in talent and maintaining strong client relationships, 3 Rocks has become a model of sustainable business growth in the engineering world.
Symbiosis Gear: Designing Adventure for the Modern Explorer
Symbiosis Gear is a women-owned, trail-tested company with a mission to empower adventurers with femme bodies. Founded in 2024 by experienced thru-hiker Sarah Berkeley, the company was born from a challenge many femme-bodied people face in the outdoors—finding backpacking gear that truly fits and performs.
After logging countless miles on the Pacific Crest Trail with uncomfortable, restrictive packs, Sarah set out to change the industry. The result is The Aspen, a frameless ultralight pack designed to eliminate common pain points like “boob squish” and restricted movement. Built specifically for the unique needs of femme-bodied hikers, it offers comfort, freedom, and performance on everything from weekend day hikes to 3,000-mile treks.
Symbiosis Gear isn’t just about equipment—it’s about making the outdoors more accessible, enjoyable, and inclusive. With plans to expand into a full line of backpacks and outdoor gear, the company is proving that great fit and great adventures go hand in hand.
Scaling Success: High-Impact Employers
Some businesses start small but quickly grow into engines of local opportunity. By creating high-skill jobs, attracting outside investment, and setting industry standards, these companies show how scaling up can strengthen an entire community.
Their success stories prove that with the right mix of vision, talent, and persistence, a homegrown venture can compete—and win—on a national stage.
Second-61: A Cybersecurity Powerhouse
Second-61 delivers technology and accounting services rooted in the resilience of rural America. They’re more than service providers—they’re community builders, blending integrity, innovation, and a hardworking spirit to help businesses adapt and thrive.
Their work spans from streamlining operations for small businesses to launching workforce development initiatives that connect local talent with employers. Through mentorship programs, they help individuals build skills and career paths, while revitalizing underused spaces into thriving business hubs.
By combining forward-thinking solutions with a commitment to local growth, Second-61 ensures success for their clients and lasting impact for their community. It’s a model of how rural grit and modern innovation can power opportunity for generations to come.
Lessons Learned and Shared Wisdom
While each of these businesses and organizations has taken a different path, their journeys share common themes—lessons that any aspiring entrepreneur or community leader can apply.
- Start with a clear vision, but stay flexible. Every founder began with a big idea, but they adapted to challenges and opportunities along the way.
- Invest in people. Whether through hiring local talent, providing training, or building strong teams, these leaders know that growth happens when people thrive.
- Solve real problems. The most successful ventures start by addressing a tangible need—be it for better tech support, sustainable gear, or reliable infrastructure.
- Think beyond profit. Many of these organizations balance financial success with community and environmental impact.
- Leverage local advantages. From rural resilience to industry-specific expertise, they’ve embraced what makes their location unique instead of trying to replicate big-city models.
These lessons prove that innovation and impact aren’t reserved for a select few—they’re possible for anyone willing to commit, adapt, and keep learning.
Community-Fueled Growth—Your Turn to Get Involved
The stories you’ve just read aren’t just about business—they’re about vision, resilience, and the power of a supportive community. From one-person startups to industry leaders employing dozens, each of these ventures has shaped our local economy, created opportunities, and inspired others to dream big.
But growth like this doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s fueled by customers who choose local, partners who collaborate, and neighbors who celebrate each other’s wins. By supporting these businesses—whether you’re buying their products, sharing their story, or connecting them with new opportunities—you’re investing in the future of our community.
One way to get started is by engaging with Emergent Campus—a hub where entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, and community members come together to share resources, spark ideas, and build what’s next.
Have a Colorado business startup idea? Get in touch below!
