Our Summit Entrepreneurs: Highlights from Demo Day
Ellie Frost of Backcountry Beauties pitches to the audience.
On December 6th, the High Country Tech Growth Challenge wrapped up with our Demo Day, and I’m still grinning with pride and excitement. When I joined the Summit Economic Partnership last December, I dreamed of creating a regional pitch competition. It felt ambitious—maybe even a little far-fetched—but I couldn’t shake the idea. A year later, that “BHAG” (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) became a reality.
This was the first-ever collaboration between the Summit Economic Partnership and the Routt County Economic Development Partnership, with programming support from Startup Colorado. The Demo Day, held at the lively, yet intimate, Steamboat Social Club, brought together over 100 people—business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and community members—to celebrate innovation in our mountain towns. The energy in the room was incredible. I kept catching myself grinning at the thought: We really did this.
Why Tech, and Why Now?
If you’ve heard me talk about rural entrepreneurship before, you know how passionate I am about it. But during Demo Day, our keynote speakers put this mission into a powerful context. Summit County Commissioner Nina Waters and Margie Joy from Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) painted a vivid picture of why this work matters so much right now.
Summit County Commissioner Nina Water provides opening remarks on the need for entrepreneurs in our mountain communities.
Nina spoke with fire and conviction about how critical it is to invest in our local entrepreneurs—those who will grow their businesses here, creating jobs and keeping wealth circulating in our community instead of letting it flow elsewhere. It reminded me of a staggering fact: high-impact jobs like those created by our founders have a 2.5x multiplier effect on the local economy. That means every new job helps create two and a half more, lifting up the whole community.
The room was captivated, nodding along as Nina’s energy and urgency hit home. I could feel it too—this work is exactly what our region needs right now.
Spotlight on Our Entrepreneurs
But the stars of the evening weren’t the speakers or even the organizers. It was our incredible founders who spent months refining their strategies, soaking up advice from mentors, and perfecting their three-minute pitches. The best part? Each one of these founder is using technology to solve a problem that
Let me introduce you to them:
Franklin Joyce with Public House, an affordable housing application software platform used by housing agencies both locally and nationwide.
Nora Gilbertson with StayLoci, a platform connects renters and home-owners with 30+ day home rentals.
Ellie Frost with Backcountry Beauties, an app that connects women with outdoor adventures, empowering Women in the outdoors.
Erwin Germain with TreadShare, an app that makes carpooling in the mountains easy and sustainable.
Franklin Joyce with Public House
Each founder had three minutes to pitch their idea, followed by five minutes of audience Q&A. Investors, business executives, and even students jumped in with tough questions. Thanks to pitch coaching from ForeFront Coaching, the founders were ready for anything. Watching them stand tall, answer with confidence, and stay grounded in their mountain-town roots was nothing short of inspiring.
Our Community
Demo Day wasn’t just about pitches—it was about connection and community. The cozy, welcoming atmosphere of the Steamboat Social Club encouraged real conversations. People weren’t just there to network; they were there to build relationships and share ideas. Everywhere I looked, I saw people leaning in, laughing, exchanging business cards, and brainstorming ways to collaborate. By the end of the night, it was clear that we’d ignited something much bigger than companies pitching themselves
As I reflect on this incredible evening, my heart is full. These entrepreneurs aren’t just building businesses; they’re solving real challenges we face in the rural mountains of Colorado. They’re tackling issues like sustainability, housing, and community connection—and they’re doing it with the grit and creativity that make Summit County so special.
To everyone who showed up, cheered us on, and believed in the power of rural innovation: thank you from the bottom of my heart. A special shoutout goes to Aaron Walls, Tim Martinez and Josef Scarntino —your dedication and hard work were the backbone of this event. While there are too many people to name individually, please know how deeply I appreciate each and every one of you who helped make this vision a reality. This wouldn’t have been possible without you.
Nora Gilbertson with StayLoci