Business Incubator Center

10/21/2026

Stay curious. Take the risk. Share the idea.

What an incredible message from Jon Carmichael, Friday October 16th at EN/EX26.

Jon took us nearly 40,000 feet above the Earth through the story behind his iconic eclipse photograph 108 but what resonated most was the story behind the photograph: curiosity, perspective, opportunity, preparation and the courage to pursue something that might initially seem impossible.

His message felt made for a room full of entrepreneurs:

You don’t need to have every answer.
Stay curious.
Keep looking from a different perspective.
And don’t be afraid to tell people what you’re trying to build because people want to help.

Jon, thank you for inspiring our inaugural Entrepreneur Exchange and giving us a message we’ll carry long after EN/EX26.

10/20/2026

We are proud to introduce the Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards winners for 2026,
Recognizing Western Colorado business leaders whose innovation, leadership and community impact strengthen our region.

Congratulations to our inaugural recipients:

Innovation Award — Mel Frandsen, TOBIQ

Community Impact Award — Phil & Dorene McCreanor, White Star Electric LLC

Visionary Leadership Award — Jerome Gonzales, JGMS

Three very different entrepreneurial journeys. Three extraordinary examples of what can happen when someone is willing to see possibility, take a risk and build something meaningful.

Congratulations to our 2026 Outstanding Entrepreneurs!

10/20/2026

Last Friday, we filled a room with entrepreneurs and BIC Believers.

We heard stories spanning 40 years, from some of the first entrepreneurs BIC supported to the business owners building what comes next today. And keynote speaker Jon Carmichael reminded us about the power of curiosity and perspective.

Our hope is that everyone left with one message:

Western Colorado believes in entrepreneurship. And the Business Incubator Center is here every day to help entrepreneurs, small businesses and dreamers turn possibility into something real.

The inaugural Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/EX26 was more than a celebration of BIC's 40 years. It was a celebration of the spark that makes this community such a remarkable place to live, work and build. We were proud to introduce the Outstanding Entrepreneur Awards and recognize three extraordinary examples:

Innovation Award — Mel Frandsen, TOBIQ
Community Impact Award — Phil & Dorene McCreanor, White Star Electric LLC
Visionary Leadership Award — Jerome Gonzales, JGMS

Each represents a different entrepreneurial journey, but each reminds us that the impact of a business can extend far beyond the business itself.

And then this community did something even more powerful.

You didn't just SAY you believe in entrepreneurs. You backed one.

Through our first-ever Builder Boost, attendees gave directly to support an entrepreneur in the room. At the end of the day, Jamie Wood's Famer's Market Store business was drawn as our inaugural recipient and received $6,477 donated by attendees and one generous matching donor to help move her business forward.

That moment the community stepped up and captured exactly what we hoped Entrepreneur Exchange could become: entrepreneurs, business leaders and community champions coming together not only to celebrate entrepreneurship, but to strengthen it.

To Jon Carmichael, thank you for a message that resonated so deeply.

To our award recipients and every entrepreneur who shared part of their story, thank you for reminding us why this work matters.

To our sponsors, thank you for investing in the people who create jobs, solve problems, build businesses and shape the future of Western Colorado.

To our Board of Directors, BIC team, volunteers, partners, mentors, event team, table hosts and everyone behind the scenes, thank you.

And most of all, thank you, small businesses and entrepreneurs of Western Colorado.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for filling the room.
Thank you for believing in your dreams.

For 40 years, BIC has had the privilege of helping ideas take root. Rooted in entrepreneurship. Built for what's next.

EN/EX26 was just the beginning. Save the date for EN/EX27: October 13th, 2027

10/15/2026

As we prepare for Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/EX26 tomorrow, we want to thank the sponsors helping make this milestone event possible during the Business Incubator Center’s 40th anniversary year.

Your support helps create a platform where entrepreneurs are celebrated, business leadership is elevated, and Western Colorado’s builders come together for inspiration, recognition, and connection.

Thank you for investing in the people building what comes next for our region.

Thank you to our EN/EX26 sponsors:

Visionary Sponsors: CoorsTek, Community Hospital, Innovative Textiles, GJ Tech Center

Legacy Sponsors: Alpine Bank, River City Consultants, Riverview Technology Corporation, White Star Electric, LLC

Community Partners / Table Sponsors:
City of Grand Junction
EC Electric
GJ Chamber
Grand Junction Economic Partnership
Kathy Hall
Munro Supply
Purposeful Colorado
SG Aerospace
Timberline Bank
Venture Group

We are grateful to have you in the room.

10/15/2026

Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 will bring together entrepreneurs, business owners, civic leaders, economic partners, sponsors, alumni, and community champions from across Western Colorado.

Come ready to meet someone new.

Come ready to hear something encouraging.

Come ready to celebrate the people doing the work.

We’ll see you October 16th at 11 a.m. at the Grand Junction Convention Center.

10/14/2026

We welcome Jon Carmichael at our first-ever Entrepreneur Exchange (EN/EX26) this friday!

A few tickets have been opened up this week. Hurry to reserve yours.

Come and connect with other entrepreneurs and business leaders, hear Jon Carmichael share his entrepreneurial journey, and celebrate 40 years of building businesses, jobs, and economic vitality in this community with us!

Visit ENEX.GJINCUBATOR.ORG or call (970)243-5242 for tickets.

https://youtu.be/nIuEutOkh9s?si=jUcaEmuVlk-Wu8lq

Jon Carmichael is a world-renowned astrophotographer celebrated for...

10/14/2026

Entrepreneur Exchange marks the beginning of a new annual tradition for the Business Incubator Center.

A tradition centered on entrepreneurship.

On innovation.

On recognition.

On the people building the future of Western Colorado.

We are honored to launch it during BIC’s 40th anniversary year and grateful for everyone who will be in the room.

10/13/2026

EN/EX26 is more than a luncheon.

Along with our keynote speaker, entrepreneur awards, and a room full of Western Colorado’s business builders, we have a few special moments planned.

There will be inspiration.

There will be recognition.

There will be connection.

And there will be a special announcement.

We can’t wait to share it with you on October 16.

10/12/2026

If you're the one...
Starting something.
Growing something.
Solving problems.
Taking risks.
Hiring people.
Serving customers.
Leading through uncertainty.
Keeping our local economy moving.

Then Entrepreneur Exchange 2026 | EN/EX26 was created for you.
Because when local businesses thrive, the whole community feels it.

EN/EX26 is almost here. Come be inspired. Come be recognized. Come be part of the premier local gathering for entrepreneurship and business leadership.

We are counting down the days.

10/09/2026

Would your business survive its worst day?

Insurance is easy to put offuntil something happens that puts your income, reputation, or ability to keep operating at risk.

Do You Need Business Insurance?

Monday, October 12 | 12:00–1:00 PM

Business Incubator Center | 2591 Legacy Way

Ashley Sisneros, Owner and Agent, Sisneros Agency, LLC with Shelter Insurance

Ashley will help small business owners cut through the noise and better understand what business insurance is really designed to protect. She’ll cover questions entrepreneurs should be asking about coverage, why insurance is about more than simply having a policy, and how life insurance can fit into a broader business strategy.

Her approach is practical and education-first, with the goal of helping business owners make more confident decisions about protecting what they’ve built.

If you’re not completely sure what your business needs or what gaps you may have this is a good place to start.

Learn more and register on our website.