Fort Collins Startup Week, slated for May 20-25th, is bringing in the heavy hitters and cash resources to match, to make significant, positive economic change for one of the nations leading yet lesser known innovation hubs, Fort Collins, Colorado.

The event co-chaired and produced by Launch Haus, a local venture catalyst firm, kicks off the week with the well-known futurist and five-time author, Gerd Leonhard.

“Colorado has a reputation as a hub for innovation because of its world-class universities, thriving entrepreneurial community, and pioneering spirit. It comes as no surprise that the Colorado State University, Blue Ocean Challenge and Fort Collins Startup Week are able to coordinate a series of ‘firsts’ for Fort Collins and Front Range entrepreneurs,” stated U.S. Senator Michael Bennet “It’s this type of leadership and competitiveness that define in the 21st century economy for Coloradans.”

The event, on the heels of Boulder Startup Week, is in the right place at the right time according to the 2013 study by the Kauffman Foundation which named Fort Collins number 2 of its Top 10 Metro Metro Areas for High-Tech Startup Density.

“Fort Collins Startup Week is the ideal event leading up to our inaugural CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge that has a $250,000 grand prize for the first place winner,” said Charisse Bowen, co-director of the CSU Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge. “FCSW is rolling out the most perfect welcome party for our finalists coming from across the country who exemplify the entrepreneurial passions and game-changing ideas that are driving our growing economy.”

“Fort Collins Startup Week is grateful for the amazing outpouring of support from our Front Range community and sponsors” said Chris J Snook, Organizing Chair and Co-Founder of Launch Haus. “We’re grateful to stay in lockstep with the City of Fort Collins, The State of Colorado, CSU and of course the Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge for their significant contribution.”

The “LaunchPad” will be the hub of complimentary mentor sessions, registration, and serendipitous collisions. The event will explore and celebrate success from local leading companies, provide inspiring speakers, uncover real innovation and share game-changing ideas happening at the City, State and National level.

Presenting Sponsors Include: 
Launch Haus, Stevaker, Henley Development, Anchor Point Fund, Community Funded, and Social Global Mobile, LLC.

Community Sponsor Level: 
The City of Fort Collins, Zayo, BausTech, Rocky Mountain Innosphere, Startup Colorado, Art Incubator of the Rockies-A.I.R. Dorsey & Whitney, CSU Powerhouse Energy Institute, Everyday Joes and Luscious Nectar which will be the home of FCSW’s “Launch Pad”.

Brad Feld’s Startup Community Catalysts: 
VGH, NetGenerative, LLC, P2BInvestor, SendGrid, Jobzology, CommunityFunded, Mugs Coffee Lounge, Semporal, StickerGiant, Entrepreneurial Foundation of Colorado, and The Armstrong Hotel, the Official Hotel for FCSW14.

Key Content / Tracks:

The State of Capital Access in CO Panel Moderated by Cooley LLP
A Federal Perspective: Monisha Merchant Sr Business Advisor to Senator Bennet

Find a Job that Doesn’t Suck: Get connected to NoCo Tech Jobs and funded startup hiring managers throughout the week using the complimentary jobzology VIP assessment tool

Mentor Sessions brought to you by EFCO and Launch Haus where domain experts from I.P, Legal, Lean Startup, Growth Management, Product Lifecycle, Design Thinking, HR/Talent acquisition and more offer complimentary 20 minute sessions throughout the week each morning at the “Launch Pad”

Lean In to Funding? #WTFF Where’re The Female Founders? Moderated by Cheryl Goodman, Founder of SoGloMo.

How FoCo solves Big Problems Tour: V.I.P. R & D and Incubation tour of key local assets such as The National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, CSU Research Innovation Center (BioScience Incubator) Rocky Mountain Innosphere (Capital Access Incubator) and Colorado Water Innovation Cluster, the CSU Idea2Product Lab, and the world-leading CSU Flint Animal Cancer Center.

The Future of Life: Internet of Things and Agriculture conference on Friday a.m. presented by The Van Heyst Group (VHG): Internet of Things and Agriculture is an mmersive three hour workshop on the opportunities where IoT and the food supply collide.

And, of course, it wouldn’t be Fort Collins without a “Startup Crawl” brought to you by Built In Colorado.

Interested Sponsors for Fort Collins Start Up Week should contact Chris J. Snook at c(at)ftcStartupweek(dot)co

ABOUT THE BLUE OCEAN ENTERPRISES CHALLENGE

The Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge is the richest business pitch competition in Colorado, with a grand prize of $250,000 plus a year’s worth of business mentoring. Presented by the Colorado State University College of Business and Blue Ocean Enterprises, the competition is a celebration of innovation, leadership development, and job creation. The Blue Ocean Enterprises Challenge is open to collegiate entrepreneurs throughout Colorado – who compete for a top prize of $20,000 — as well as startups and existing companies anywhere in the world seeking funding and business mentoring.

ABOUT LAUNCH HAUS

Launch Haus, LLC catalyzes entrepreneurship and channels innovation through their global network of leaders and mentors and venture catalysts. Launch Haus is the developer of Launch Haus Manor-the Innovators BNB, and operator of Launch Haus Labs whose programmatic community offerings include the LaunchNoCo Meetups and Fort Collins Startup Week.