SCAPE - SW Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs

05/28/2026

Exciting news! SCAPE company, KnowtifyED, has been awarded the Advanced Industries Grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade! This Pagosa Springs based company is one of twenty one companies awarded with majority located on the front range -- a win for rural!! ,

KnowtifyED is developing a secure SaaS platform that automates trauma-informed notifications from first responders to schools to support students affected by adverse childhood experiences. We worked with the company on their pitch application and are happy to selection committee wanted to support this incredible female rural founder!

Our Global Business Development Division announced that 21 Colorado companies and 15 researchers have been awarded Proof of Concept and Early-Stage Capital and Retention grants through OEDIT’s Advanced Industries Accelerator Program. Learn how these grants promote the growth and sustainability of advanced industries in Colorado 👇
https://oedit.colorado.gov/press-release/colorados-advanced-industries-accelerator-program-supports-36-recipients-developing?utm_campaign=OEDIT+Website&utm_content=1779480012&utm_medium=Colorado+Office+of+Economic+Development+and+International+Trade&utm_source=facebook

05/26/2026

Business grants are tricky - they're hard to find and get...AND are totally possible. We've worked with a lot of companies to achieve this source of funding, like GeekPack.

They're a Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade Advanced Industry Grant Awardee, TORY BURCH Foundation Entrepreneur Fellow, and Cartier Women's Initiative North American Winner. Julia Taylor is proof that Durango founders can attain not only grant funding, but national recognization!

05/20/2026

Hurrah to BOPA- Precision Agriculture for the ANT-26! Great to see new features (and jobs) coming from this awesome ag tech company

The ANT 2026- April

05/15/2026

Our newest guest blog from Kelsey Parks, Co-Founder of Psyche Digital, breaks down AI Marketing Dos & Don’ts...aka how to use AI without giving your audience full-on "machine breath".

Because yes, AI can save time AND you should still bring a human element to your brand. Your customers can smell the difference! Kelsey shares the lessons they learned and helpful tips you should know. Read >>

By Kelsey Parks, COO & Co-Founder, Psyche Digital

05/13/2026

Still time to jump in on this conversation today!

Most growth-stage companies have one marketing constraint that's quietly slowing everything down.

It usually shows up in one of three places:

✨ Visibility — The right people aren't finding you. Your content, LinkedIn presence, and website aren't pulling them in yet.

✨ Credibility — They're finding you, but your messaging isn't building enough trust to make them move.

✨ Authority — They trust you, but you're not consistently showing up as the obvious leader in your space.

Each one is a different problem with a different fix.

Next week we're walking through how to find yours — and what to prioritize to close the gap.

Free session for Mountain West founders. One hour. Tactics you can apply the same week.

🗓 The Mountain West Advantage 📅 Wednesday, May 13 · 11:30 AM MST 🔗 Register here: https://psychedigital.com/webinar/the-mountain-west-advantage/

05/08/2026

We've said it before and we'll say it again, mentors are the backbone of our organization. Like this dream team right here! Heather and fellow SCAPE mentors Sandy Lane and Garrett Brucker sharing their talents and learning at the Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference.

Sandy was the keynote speaker at lunch, highlighting her journey as an entrepreneur in a healthcare startup. We are so grateful for their support of SCAPE!

05/06/2026

Our friends at the Colorado Circular Economy Development Center invite you to explore how circular economy strategies are driving innovation, strengthening local supply chains, and creating new pathways for business growth across Colorado. Join Business Incubator Center virtually May 8th!

Register now to explore new opportunities for business growth through circular strategy. Grand Junction Session Date: Friday, May 8 Time: 12:00-1:00pm Location: Business Incubator Center + Online 2591 Legacy Way, Grand Junction Cost: FREE The Business Incubator Center and the Colorado Circular Commu...

04/29/2026

Heather will be sitting on the panel, "Finding the Optimal Funding for Your Business" for the morning breakout session! Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado Annual Conference is a staple every year to connect and get involved with the local business community.

🎤 Keynote Speakers Announced: 14th Annual Small Business Conference

We’re excited to welcome two dynamic and inspiring keynote speakers to the 2026 Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference!

Zachary Ray, CEO of Desert Sun Coffee Roasters, brings decades of experience in fair-trade coffee, sustainability, and small business leadership. Based in Durango, his work focuses on building ethical supply chains and strengthening rural businesses through innovation and community impact.

Sandy A. Lane, founder of Sandy A Lane Consulting, is an acclaimed speaker, coach, and former C-suite executive who now empowers individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. Her work centers on leadership, personal value, and navigating successful transitions in business and life.

Together, they’ll bring powerful insights, real-world experience, and energizing perspectives to help you grow your business and leadership capacity.

Join us for a full day of learning, connection, and inspiration featuring 20 breakout sessions, networking opportunities, and consulting.

Event: Southwest Colorado Small Business Conference
Date: May 6, 2026
Location: Sky Ute Event Center
Hosted by: Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado & Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation

Register here: https://socgov38.my.site.com/ColoradoSBDC/s/event-function?c__recordId=a0HHn00000TNdlJ

04/27/2026

First SCAPE Day in Farmington - success! Big thanks to Martin Brady, Director of Business Incubation and Acceleration Initiatives at San Juan College Enterprise Center for partnering with SCAPE to bring food entrepreneurs together.

We dove into real life challenges, and successes through stories from founders Lou Barton (Farm to Summit) and Jared Scott (EsoTerra Ciderworks) followed by Q & A with the audience.

Erin Jolley demonstrated how The Good Food Collective created a roadmap for people starting a food business. Her message was, "it takes longer than you think" so getting to know your community's resources is a must."

The day concluded with a tour of The Harvest Food Hub's new facility.

Photos (left to right):
Carlos Rocha, co-owner salt 360 float studio, Erin Jolley, Lou Barton, Heather Otter, Kate Ishay of Psyche Digital, & Jared Scott.

Marianna Kleiner Childers, Kitchen & Training Coordinator and Jacqueline Montoya kitchen manager for the Harvest Food Hub.

Jasper Welch SCAPE Mentor + Durangospace & Ana Greif, Ed.D., Vice President for Workforce and Economic Development, San Juan College

04/24/2026

Spaces are filling fast - only a handful left - to connect with this startup ecosystem leader!
https://www.goscape.org/events/ericreisbook

As companies grow, staying true to their mission can become one of the hardest challenges founders face. Join us in this conversation with EEric Ries author of The Lean Startup and his new book Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad… and How Great Companies Stay Great. Eric will explore how great organizations scale without losing the values that made them successful in the first place.

The event is brought to you by SCAPE, Howdy Partners, Alpine Bank, local startup champions, and Maria's Bookshop. Can’t make it? Pre-order your book copy at link too.