Ascent News

2023 Ascent Powder_Pitch Recap
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2023 Ascent Powder_Pitch Recap

jakerishavy2023-03-15T19:21:49+00:00

Simply, wow. Earlier this month we had the incredible honor of hosting our inaugural Powder_Pitch @ Monarch Mountain. The testimonials have been rolling in and the prevailing feeling was that this was among the best business events that our attendees had participated in. Throughout two days, participants received nearly $20,000 in complimentary consulting from some of the leading business growth advisors and mentors in the state. And, the vibe was HIGH! Honestly how could it not be when you mix entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, live music, and fresh mountain snow with some epic backcountry cat-skiing to boot! We want to give a [...]

2023 Ascent Powder_Pitch Recapjakerishavy2023-03-15T19:21:49+00:00

2023 Ascent Lauch Recap
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2023 Ascent Lauch Recap

jakerishavy2023-02-15T14:32:24+00:00

It's been less than a month since we hosted our 2nd Annual Ascent Launch event and we're still reeling from this sold-out celebration. The community support, incredible start-up stories, and generous sponsors, truly made the night an unforgettable one. We couldn’t be more excited to introduce you to our 2023 Cohort! Get to know these remarkable companies, some of which are already making a really big impact in rural Colorado, and check out our full event recap below. Introducing 📣 The Ascent 2023 Cohort! B1: Sustainable, Renewable, and Regenerative Energy Buena Goods CarbonKicker, Inc DifferentKind HOA Guru Knome Little Red Hen [...]

2023 Ascent Lauch Recapjakerishavy2023-02-15T14:32:24+00:00

Local HealthTech Startup DifferentKind Wins State Grant, Secures Local Angel Funding
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Local HealthTech Startup DifferentKind Wins State Grant, Secures Local Angel Funding

robinvega2022-11-22T18:56:28+00:00

CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLO. – Buena Vista, Colo.-based DifferentKind, makers of an innovative technology solution to measure and improve patient outcomes in dental offices, announced today that it had been awarded a $250,000 grant funding from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s Advanced Industries Accelerator grant program. The Early-Stage Capital and Retention grant supports businesses commercializing innovative and disruptive technologies that will be created or manufactured in Colorado. Grants help promote the growth and sustainability of advanced industries across the state by driving innovation and commercialization that move this vital part of the Colorado economy forward. [...]

Local HealthTech Startup DifferentKind Wins State Grant, Secures Local Angel Fundingrobinvega2022-11-22T18:56:28+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Katabatic Gear
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Ascent Spotlights: Meet Katabatic Gear

jakerishavy2022-10-13T17:33:34+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Katabatic In our new blog series, Ascent Spotlights, we shine a light on the entrepreneurs and mentors in our Ascent accelerator. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Katabatic Gear which originated in 2009 out of founder Aaron Martray’s desire to create a warm, light, sleeping experience using quilt-style sleeping bags, known today as simply quilts. Katabatic’s intentional design approach began, and moves forward with, some key tenets in mind such as draft control, lightweight durable construction, and simplicity. Katabatic facilitates positive front and backcountry adventures by providing quilts and other backcountry gear that provide a peaceful and [...]

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Katabatic Gearjakerishavy2022-10-13T17:33:34+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elevation Beer Company
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Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elevation Beer Company

brandandbash2022-10-05T00:28:00+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elevation Beer Company In our new blog series, Ascent Spotlights, we shine a light on the entrepreneurs and mentors in our Ascent accelerator. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Elevation Beer Company, which participated in our 2022 Ascent Cohort. Established in 2012, Elevation is a craft brewery in the rural mountain town of Poncha Springs, Colorado, called the Crossroads of the Rockies. Founded on the principles of hard work, dedication, discipline—and of course playing hard—Elevation believes quality beer is the product of living a quality lifestyle. In this video, you'll discover how Elevation Beer Company founder Christian [...]

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elevation Beer Companybrandandbash2022-10-05T00:28:00+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Over It. Raft Covers
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Ascent Spotlights: Meet Over It. Raft Covers

jakerishavy2022-09-26T22:47:50+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Over It. Raft Covers In our new blog series Ascent Spotlights, we shine a light on the entrepreneurs and mentors in our accelerator. As we wind down our peak summer river season we thought today would be great timing to introduce you to Over It. Raft Covers, an affordable, simple, long-term solution to protect your raft investments in between river trips. Two Salida boaters turned entrepreneurs Kevin Kabler and Aaron Derwingson invented their proprietary covers after growing tired of trying so many cheap options in the market and not seeing the value in custom raft covers. They decided [...]

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Over It. Raft Coversjakerishavy2022-09-26T22:47:50+00:00

The EDC is seeking a Program Director
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The EDC is seeking a Program Director

jakerishavy2022-09-26T19:32:54+00:00

Summary Chaffee County EDC is seeking a Program Director to lead and support exciting new initiatives to promote the development of a thriving, resilient, year-round economy in Chaffee County. In support of the organization’s objectives to ensure economic recovery, resilience to future disruptions, and the creation of greater wage diversity and economic diversification; the Program Director will work in the following three strategic focus areas: startup support, public policy, and talent pipeline. Description About Chaffee County EDC (EDC): Since our formation more than a decade ago, the EDC has worked collaboratively across sectors and jurisdictional boundaries to ensure that Chaffee County remains welcoming [...]

The EDC is seeking a Program Directorjakerishavy2022-09-26T19:32:54+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elements Mountain Compost
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Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elements Mountain Compost

jakerishavy2022-09-19T15:13:18+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elements Mountain Compost Today we want to introduce you to a new blog series called Ascent Spotlights where we'll shine a light on the entrepreneurs and mentors in our accelerator. For our inaugural episode we're featuring Elements Mountain Compost, an incredible small business in Chaffee County doing big things that has an impact on both our community and the planet. Ascent Accelerator Elements Compost Video 2022 from Driven By Nature on Vimeo. ABOUT ELEMENTS MOUNTAIN COMPOST: Elements Mountain Compost is committed to closing the loop on organics waste in our region. We help businesses & residents reduce [...]

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elements Mountain Compostjakerishavy2022-09-19T15:13:18+00:00

Q3 Chaffee County Economic Data: Unemployment Rate, Job & Population Growth
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Q3 Chaffee County Economic Data: Unemployment Rate, Job & Population Growth

brandandbash2022-08-03T21:35:09+00:00

Chaffee County - and its economy - is ever changing. That reality is being driven locally by a confluence of significant population, workforce, and employment trends. To understand these trends, Chaffee County EDC - in partnership with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Workforce Center, and EMSI - commissioned a far-reaching new Economic Overview Report. This report highlights population growth trends, labor force participation, demographics, inbound and outbound migration, industry growth, and educational pipeline. In May of 2022, the unemployment rate in Chaffee County was 2.16 percent. In the five years preceding 2021, the region's population increased [...]

Q3 Chaffee County Economic Data: Unemployment Rate, Job & Population Growthbrandandbash2022-08-03T21:35:09+00:00

Ascent Startup Summit 2022 RECAP

jakerishavy2022-05-19T05:23:29+00:00

Peek behind the curtain of every successful event and you'll find an A-team of planners, partners, and volunteers who are dedicated and driven. Look deeper and you'll find supportive sponsors with an aligned audience championing and elevating the experience. Last month's Ascent Startup Summit was no exception. Today we're shining a little light on this sold-out inaugural event with a recap blog post. We wanted to share the highlights, the lessons learned, and what we now know to be true: That the Ascent Startup Summit is an essential event that will play a pivotal role in supporting startups, empowering entrepreneurs, and [...]

Ascent Startup Summit 2022 RECAPjakerishavy2022-05-19T05:23:29+00:00