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2023 Rapid_Pitch Recap

2023-07-24T18:45:21+00:00

The remarkable natural environment and world class outdoor recreation we enjoy in the Central Mountain regions has drawn talented people to our community for generations. Today, the Chaffee County EDC is leveraging uniquely Chaffee County activities, like backcountry cat skiing at Monarch Mountain and high-water river trips down The Numbers and Browns Canyon with River Runners, to attract business growth experts from around Colorado to share their time and insights with local entrepreneurs. In the spring, we tested this approach by hosting Powder_Pitch @ Monarch Mountain. To say it was a hit is something of an understatement: The event drew 45 [...]

2023 Rapid_Pitch Recap2023-07-24T18:45:21+00:00

Salida-based Oveja Negra Awarded $99,350 Through Outdoor Recreation Industry Grant

2023-06-01T23:36:53+00:00

On May 11 the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 24 recipients of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF). These competitive grants are intended to help outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits hire and retain over 100 full-time and part-time positions, especially for those businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oveja Negra, a sports accessories manufacturer based in Salida, was among the recipients and was awarded a substantial grant of $99,350 to aid in the recruitment and retention of local employees. This Chaffee County business, founded by Lane Willson, is [...]

Salida-based Oveja Negra Awarded $99,350 Through Outdoor Recreation Industry Grant2023-06-01T23:36:53+00:00

Salida-based DRAM Wins BIG at the 2023 Good Food Awards with Three New Honors

2023-06-01T23:36:58+00:00

As an advocate for entrepreneurship in the Central Mountains, the Chaffee County EDC team loves to highlight the success of great local companies and founders. Today, we're shining a little light on one of Salida's low-key but far-reaching product brands, DRAM. And while we're at it, let's note the leadership of founder Brady Becker, who serves as a key mentor for the Chaffee County EDC’s Central Mountain Ascent business accelerator and is a member of the local Ark_Angels investor group! Read the full press release below. ------- SALIDA, Colorado (April 21, 2023) – Salida, Colorado-based DRAM (www.DramApothecary.com) received the prestigious Good [...]

Salida-based DRAM Wins BIG at the 2023 Good Food Awards with Three New Honors2023-06-01T23:36:58+00:00

2023 Ascent Startup Summit Recap

2023-04-24T00:36:12+00:00

It will be quite some time before we can put into actual words what unfolded at our 2nd Annual Ascent Startup Summit. To say we are inspired and impressed with this entrepreneurial movement happening in Chaffee County would be the understatement of the year. Our 2023 Ascent Startup Summit took place last Thursday, April 20th at the stunning Surf Hotel in Buena Vista, Colorado and celebrated entrepreneurs, dreamers, and doers in our mountain community. We connected and listened to inspiring stories from the masterminds behind Weston Backcountry, Topo Designs, and Icelantic Skis. They each shared the highs and lows of their [...]

2023 Ascent Startup Summit Recap2023-04-24T00:36:12+00:00

2023 Ascent Powder_Pitch Recap

2023-03-15T19:21:49+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 Recap2023-03-15T19:21:49+00:00

2023 Ascent Lauch Recap

2023-02-15T14:32:24+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 Recap2023-02-15T14:32:24+00:00

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

2022-11-22T18:56:28+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 Funding2022-11-22T18:56:28+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Katabatic Gear

2022-10-13T17:33:34+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 Gear2022-10-13T17:33:34+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Elevation Beer Company

2022-10-05T00:28:00+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 Company2022-10-05T00:28:00+00:00

Ascent Spotlights: Meet Over It. Raft Covers

2022-09-26T22:47:50+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 Covers2022-09-26T22:47:50+00:00

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