SCAPE - SW Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs

09/02/2026

We're back in the Center again! (Yes, that Aerosmith jingle was intentional.)

SCAPE has officially moved into the Fort Lewis College Center for Innovation, setting up shop alongside our friends at the Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado— bringing our programming and their small business resources together under one roof.

Why the move? Because we believe proximity fuels progress. That's what we're building at the Center: a space where founders, mentors, and investors bump into each other, swap ideas, and grow together.

One roof, one ecosystem and feeling the love already. When moving Saturday morning in the alley of the Main Mall with a truck load of stuff Kim, who works at the mall, noticed us and without skipping a beat asked if we needed help. She offered her cargo dolly and use of the cargo elevator. What an unexpected and much appreciated gesture!

08/31/2026

Building a business that lasts takes more than hustle - it takes the right connections, capital, and support system.

Join SCAPE at the The La Plata Economic Development Alliance Summit for a conversation with local entrepreneurs and support leaders on how we're moving from starting companies to helping them scale and grow right here at home.

We'll dig into:
✅ The power of a connection-rich entrepreneurial network
✅ Mapping the resources already in our backyard (investors, lenders, mentors & more)
✅ Overcoming rural gaps in capital and specialized support
✅ What's next: AI-augmented business models & the "10x founder" trend

Speakers:
Heather Otter — SCAPE, Executive Director
Tom Miaskiewicz — Fort Lewis College, Katz Endowed Professor
Ashley Nager — Startup Colorado, Platform Manager
Ray Karnes — auditRAMP, Founder
Nicholas Mashburn — Durango Village, Mentor & Investor
📅 Register now: https://bit.ly/4v1rkQ2

08/28/2026

A milestone worth celebrating! Agile Space Industries' headquarters near Durango La Plata Airport brings its facility count to four in Durango. What started as a five person startup is now a scale up company.

Roughly 125 employees call Durango and the surrounding area home. Agile's commitment to operating in Durango creates demand for employees skilled in everything from additive manufacturing and high precision machining to specialized tech roles.

They see opportunities to elevate workforce training by collaborating with local companies who have similar needs. SCAPE is proud to be part of the hometown team that believed in and supported this transformation. Kudos to Agile's leadership, employees and families for your dedication and drive.

08/27/2026

In this 5-week workshop series, Colorado business owners will receive technical assistance to complete their application for state funding programs.

In partnership with Startup Colorado, the bootcamp allows for drop-ins on a single session that you specifically need help on, or attend all 5-weeks and receive a “Capital Ready” certification along with all the tools needed to complete your application.

SCAPE and the Colorado SBDC serving Southwest Colorado will be hosting local watch parties to attend in person. See all events and register first link in comment!

08/20/2026

We couldn't agree more with this Psyche Digital roundup of our ecosystem and how lucky we are to serve in this region! New to the scene? Watch this for a great rundown of the many orgs supporting founders and the inspiring companies that paved the way.

08/12/2026

Fundamental Needs is hosting the Cortez Makerspace Innovation Challenge with really cool categories and a prize amount up to $5,000. Entries are open to our whole region from makers of any kind; robotics, wood, steel, cloth, paint, sculpture, sound, code, an invention, a thing nobody has a name for yet. Go check it out > link in first comment.

08/10/2026

Tomorrow we'll be sharing coffee and convos at the The La Plata Economic Development Alliance's Monthly Investor Member meeting. Hear in-person what's going on in our economy -- like SCAPE launching our 10th, yes 10th!!, investment fund.

08/06/2026

Remember when we introduced you to Stuart Buergler founder of Emergency Dermal Solution? Well here's his product in action! Watch to see how his innovative designs are leveling up the solution for burn care.

07/31/2026

The West Slope Startup Week schedule is officially live! Give it a browse and be sure to register...especially for our events ;)

Protecting Creative Work in the AI Era
October 08, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am
It Takes a Village!
October 08, 2026
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

The program is officially live! 🎉

Take a look through all nine tracks, from Climate and Capital to Makers, Communications, and People, and start building the week that makes sense for you.

With our choose-your-own-adventure format, you get to decide which sessions fit your business and your goals.

Explore the full lineup and start planning your week: https://westslopestartupweek.com/program/

07/27/2026

Looking forward to contributing to this important conversation at the The La Plata Economic Development Alliance Summit Sept. 10th. Stay tuned for our panel about the startup ecosystem in La Plata County, we have some new faces joining us!

What fuels a strong regional economy?

It starts with what's around us. The people, the land, the natural resources, the infrastructure, the institutions, and the places we call home. At the 2026 Alliance Summit, we'll explore how our region builds on our shared assets to create opportunity and a strong future for the Four Corners.

Speaker announcements are coming soon and we cannot wait to introduce you to this lineup. Stay close. 👀