Last night’s Ascent Launch Event, presented by the Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation, was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when bold ideas, strong community, and meaningful support come together.
From the moment the room filled, the energy was unmistakable. Entrepreneurs, partners, funders, and community champions gathered not just to celebrate a new chapter, but to affirm the work being built right here in Chaffee County. The connections were genuine, the conversations inspiring, and the sense of shared purpose was palpable.
We were honored to hear compelling stories from our innovation and building sector panelists through a thoughtful and engaging conversation led by Frannie Matthews of PBS 12, with the evening seamlessly guided by our incredible emcee, Deborah Cameron, Executive Director of the Chaffee County EDC. The panel featured Eric Schaefer of Fading West, Jake Rishavy of VeroTouch, Greg Kenny of True North 3DP, and our newest addition, Brent Wall of Peaks Precast.
Key takeaways included learning about Fading West’s rapid-response housing support following the Lahaina fires, True North 3DP breaking ground on Cleora, Colorado’s first 3D-printed residential development, and VeroTouch – an Ascent alumni company – reaching record-setting printing capacity while now employing 30 people. We were also thrilled to celebrate Peaks Precast, who poured their very first foundation this week. An exciting full-circle moment: Peaks Precast wasn’t just a panelist – they are also a proud member of the 2026 Ascent Cohort.
A particularly meaningful moment came from our funding panel, whose support makes this work possible. Hearing their admiration for the founders in the room – and for the impact of the Ascent Accelerator – was deeply affirming. Again and again, we were reminded that what Ascent is doing in Chaffee County is truly unparalleled: building real-world support systems for entrepreneurs who are willing to take risks, grow thoughtfully, and swing for the fences.
Watching these founders step forward with courage, creativity, and conviction is exactly why we do this work. We are endlessly grateful to be part of a community that believes in investing locally, supporting innovation, and cheering each other on.
And as if the night couldn’t get any sweeter, we wrapped up the celebration with birthday cake for our emcee, Deborah Cameron, who generously chose to spend her birthday with the Ascent community. It was a joyful, fitting end to an evening filled with connection, gratitude, and shared celebration – and a reminder that at the heart of this work are people who truly care about this place and each other.
We’re also incredibly thankful to Amanda Podesta, who captured the spirit of the evening so beautifully. These images reflect the joy, momentum, and collective pride that filled the room – scroll to the end of this article to meet the 2026 Ascent Cohort and the entrepreneurs stepping into this next chapter.
Welcome to the Ascent Accelerator 2026 Cohort!
We’re thrilled to officially announce the 2026 Ascent Accelerator Cohort – an inspiring group of entrepreneurs who are building, creating, and leading across a wide range of industries:
DogGurt
Elemental 5
My Moon Kit
Salida Sunshine Botanicals
Cherokee Bloom
Ark Valley Sign Co
Hearth Healing
Omni-Board
Peaks Precast
Sky View Tents
DivideGraph
We can’t wait to support this cohort as they grow, connect, and shape what’s next for Chaffee County and beyond. Welcome to Ascent — we’re so glad you’re here.