Denver’s entrepreneurial landscape is thriving, offering a wealth of resources for startups and small businesses. Whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, the city provides numerous programs and organizations to support your journey.
Educational and Mentorship Programs
MSU Denver’s Center for Entrepreneurship
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Metropolitan State University of Denver offers a Bachelor of Arts in Entrepreneurship, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset among students. The center also provides programs like the Small Business Loan Program, offering loans ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible MSU Denver students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Additionally, the center plans to introduce a peer-to-peer mentoring program to support entrepreneurs through shared experiences and collective problem-solving.
TiE Denver
TiE Denver is part of a global network dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship through mentoring, networking, education, funding, and incubation. The organization offers various programs, including TiE Women, an initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs across sectors through mentorship, networking, and funding opportunities.
Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship
Located at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship provides resources and guidance to take startups beyond the ideation stage. Programs like the TechUp Incubator offer a nine-week hybrid summer program with workshops, mentorship, and financial support, while the FLASH Accelerator is a virtual summer program designed to equip new businesses with stipends, workspace, and networking opportunities.
Community and Networking Hubs
The Commons on Champa
Situated in downtown Denver, The Commons on Champa serves as a hub for entrepreneurs, offering resources and support to help move entrepreneurial ideas forward. The space brings together a community of innovators, providing opportunities for networking, mentorship, and collaboration.
Social Venture Partners Denver
Social Venture Partners Denver connects funders, businesses, and individuals with local nonprofits and social mission organizations to drive positive change. They offer expert guidance and support to boost impact through targeted consulting, skills-based projects, and networking events.
Specialized Programs
Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program
For entrepreneurs focused on environmental products and services, the Environmental Sustainability Entrepreneurship Program offers a 16-week program providing training, mentorship, and a powerful network to scale environmental ventures. The program is designed to empower impact-driven, underserved entrepreneurs in the Denver metro area.
University of Denver’s Tech Transfer Opportunities
The Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer at the University of Denver works with faculty to apply for programs that award funding for researchers to develop technology and chart a path toward commercialization. They connect innovators with programs designed to fund those tackling pressing challenges.
Denver’s robust entrepreneurial ecosystem provides a solid foundation for startups and small businesses to thrive. By leveraging these resources, entrepreneurs can access the education, mentorship, funding, and community support necessary to succeed in today’s competitive market.