Governor Polis Celebrates Colorado StartUp Week, Encourages Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis joined entrepreneurs, investors, and creatives at Colorado StartUp Week to launch the 15th annual statewide event and highlight Colorado's unique entrepreneurial spirit.

"Coloradans are building some of the most successful companies in the world out of garages, basements, and coworking spaces right here in our state. Long before I was Governor, I was one of them, a founder chasing an idea with no guarantee it would work. That's the spirit of Colorado StartUp Week, and it's that spirit which helps drive innovation and growth in Colorado's economy," said Governor Polis.

The Venture Capital Authority (VCA), supported by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, contributed over $8 million in 2025 to assist local entrepreneurs and startups access the funding they need to grow. The funding directly supported 365 jobs and acted as a catalyst for the companies to leverage $53 million in funding. The VCA strengthens Colorado's innovative economy by investing in small businesses and emerging industries. Since 2005, the VCA has invested $81.9 million in VCA funds to support 111 Colorado companies. These investments have supported the creation or retention of 1,903 jobs across the state.

In 2025, Colorado saw $7.4 billion in invested capital with 401 deals recorded. Investment continued to grow in Colorado despite a recorded national slowdown in venture capital (VC) activity. Colorado's strength in tech-supported sectors such as cleantech, climatetech, aerospace and bioscience have ranked Colorado in the top 10 in the nation for total VC investment across these sectors. Additionally, Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins consistently rank in the top 5 for startup density, highlighting Colorado's emergence as a top national innovation hub.

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