Teaming Up for Demo Day
I’m excited to share that on December 6th, we’ll be hosting the Demo Day for the Fall High Country Tech Growth Challenge. It’s been an amazing journey working alongside Yampa Valley Entrepreneurship Center and StartupColorado to bring this opportunity to life for 12 innovative companies that are working hard to shape the future of tech in our mountain communities. This Demo Day is not just a celebration of their hard work but also a moment to reflect on the power of collaboration between Summit and Routt counties.
Why We’re Doing This Together
Summit and Routt counties have so much in common—beautiful mountain landscapes, vibrant communities, and a shared vision for economic growth. But we also know that being in more rural parts of Colorado can make it tough for local startups to access the resources, networks, and visibility they need to scale. That’s why we decided to team up for this challenge. By working together, we can bring more opportunities to our region and give entrepreneurs the support they need to thrive. Our collaboration has been about creating something bigger than what either of us could have done alone, and Demo Day will be a shining example of that effort.
The Journey to Demo Day
We didn’t just throw these 12 companies into the deep end. Over the past few months, they’ve been working with ForeFront Coaching, an awesome group that specializes in helping startups nail their pitches. Each company will spend countless hours refining their story, honing their message, and preparing to deliver a punchy, 3-minute pitch that gets straight to the heart of their business.
The format is simple but powerful—each company will get three minutes to present their pitch. Afterward, a panel of industry experts will dive deeper by asking questions. What’s unique here is that we’re not declaring any “winners.” Instead, we’re focusing on learning, feedback, and connections. It’s all about creating a space where innovation and collaboration can thrive.
Who Will Be There?
Demo Day will be packed with investors, state and local leaders, and fellow entrepreneurs—all people who are passionate about seeing tech innovation grow in our mountain region. Whether it’s an investor looking for their next great opportunity or a state leader curious about how to support local entrepreneurs, this event will be full of networking and collaboration.
For the companies pitching, it’s a golden opportunity to get their ideas in front of the people who can help make their visions a reality. And while there’s no “winner” per se, the real victory is the connections, the feedback, and the potential for growth that each company will walk away with.
Why This Matters
At the end of the day, what we’re doing here is more than just a pitch event. It’s about building the future of our local economy. Summit and Routt counties have long been hubs for outdoor recreation and tourism, but we’re also becoming a place where tech and innovation can thrive. And the companies pitching on Demo Day are proof of that.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done so far, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us. Demo Day will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase what’s possible when two mountain communities come together with a shared vision. I hope you’ll join us at Steamboat Social Club and be a part of it. Spots are limited to the first 100 people - so click here to reserve yours.