Startup accelerators and incubators are an excellent resource for entrepreneurs seeking the funding and guidance they need to successfully launch their business, and Colorado has a wide range of excellent accelerators and incubators to choose from.
From nationally-recognized programs that have made hundreds of investments and exits to smaller, local programs, let’s take a look at some of the best startup incubators and accelerators in the Centennial State.
Recommended: Learn how to launch your own company by reading our comprehensive guide on how to start a startup.
Startup Incubators and Accelerator Programs in Colorado
In no particular order, we’ve curated some of the top startup incubator and accelerator programs in Colorado.
We also recommend exploring our main list of the best startup accelerators.
1. Techstars Boulder
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
The Techstars Boulder accelerator program is a three-month program that provides mentorship, resources, and funding to early-stage startups. The program is designed to help entrepreneurs accelerate the growth of their businesses by providing access to a network of experienced mentors, industry experts, and investors.
With its focus on a diverse range of industries and its highly selective admissions process, Techstars Boulder is a great choice for entrepreneurs looking to take their startups to the next level.
2. Boomtown Accelerators
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
If your Colorado startup is seeking assistance developing innovative new products and services, the innovation platforms offered by Boomtown Accelerators are an excellent option to consider. Startups that are accepted to this program will receive a customized, professionally-managed innovation platform designed to expedite the development of game-changing products and services.
With more than a century of combined experience leading complex, global projects, the Boomtown Accelerators team offers the expertise that startup founders need to bring truly innovative products to market. Companies in its portfolio include DocQ, StrideTech Medical, and Proxii.
3. Innosphere Ventures
- Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Innosphere Ventures was founded in 1999 and has since helped hundreds of startups grow and succeed. The organization focuses on supporting startups in industries such as bioscience, cleantech, energy, advanced materials, hardware, software, and digital health.
In addition to its incubator and accelerator programs, Innosphere Ventures provides a range of other services to its members, including access to laboratory and prototyping facilities, mentorship and advisory services, marketing and branding support, and access to industry events and conferences.
4. Arc Capital Development
- Location: Denver, Colorado
Founded in 2004, Arc Capital Development has assisted more than 150 international and domestic startups. Education is the primary industry that the program focuses on, but workplace development is another industry of focus.
Arc Capital Development provides a variety of services to startups accepted into its program, including go-to-market planning, business coaching services, and revenue diagnostics. Some of the more well-known companies in their portfolio include ClassHero, Cubby, and ChalkTalk.
5. Fulcrum Venture Accelerator
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
Fulcrum Venture Accelerator is a startup accelerator program that is committed to helping founders navigate the complexities of fundraising. Since being founded in 2019, the program has helped startup founders raise over $35 million in funds.
Fulcrum Venture Accelerator’s flagship program, Fundraising Mastery, includes group calls, one-on-one strategy calls, and a comprehensive skill-building course. The Fundraising Mastery program also includes access to dozens of GetFunded audio lessons designed to supplement the program.
6. Exponential Impact
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Exponential Impact offers three accelerator programs based on the growth stage of your startup. This includes the XI Seed program, the XI Start program, and the XI Scale program. Depending on the program that you choose, you can expect to complete either a 10-week or 12-week curriculum that includes one-on-one mentoring, weekly wellness checks, and coworking space.
7. ICELab
- Location: Gunnison, Colorado
ICELab is an innovation/business resource center located in Gunnison, Colorado. Along with access to co-working space and private office space, ICELabs also offers a startup incubator program called ICELab Incubator.
This incubator program focuses on supporting startups located in Gunnison County. In addition to the ICELab Incubator, ICELab also offers a Moosejaw Outdoor Accelerator that is designed to boost outdoor industry startups in the area.
8. CanopyBoulder
- Location: Boulder, Colorado
As one of the first states to legalize medicinal and recreational cannabis, Colorado is still front and center in the cannabis industry. CanopyBoulder is a startup accelerator committed to advancing this industry in the state of Colorado by providing Colorado cannabis startups with mentorship and fundraising opportunities.
CanopyBoulder’s incubator and accelerator programs are designed to support growth-stage ancillary cannabis and hemp/CBD businesses with capital, strategic guidance, and access to networks.
9. Warehouse Business Accelerator
- Location: Loveland, Colorado
The Warehouse Business Accelerator is designed to help startup founders in Northern Colorado successfully scale their companies via support from expert mentors. This program is targeted at startups in the manufacturing and technology industries.
Along with a great accelerator program, the Warehouse Business Accelerator also provides founders with access to the Warehouse Innovation Hub. This facility features production floor spaces, comfortable meeting rooms, access to shared resources, plug-and-play industrial infrastructure, a loading dock, and more.
