Top Startup Accelerators in Colorado in 2025
Colorado has emerged as a leading hub for innovation in 2025, driven by thriving communities in Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs. The state's startup accelerators play a vital role in supporting founders across industries like SaaS, cleantech, healthtech, and outdoor innovation.
Colorado's startup ecosystem benefits from its quality of life attracting top talent, proximity to federal agencies and defense spending (especially in Colorado Springs), strong university research programs, and a collaborative founder community. The state ranks among the top 10 in venture capital per capita and continues growing as founders seek alternatives to Bay Area costs.
When applying to Colorado accelerators, professional presentation matters. Peony helps founders create branded data rooms showcasing their ventures professionally with AI-powered organization, engagement analytics, and secure document sharing—giving Colorado founders the polished materials accelerators expect.
Here are the top startup accelerators in Colorado in 2025.
1. Techstars Boulder
Location: Boulder, CO
Program: 13-week intensive
Investment: $120K for 6% equity
Focus: All sectors, with strong SaaS presence
Founded: 2007 (original Techstars program)
Founded in 2007, Techstars Boulder is one of the earliest and most prestigious Techstars programs. It provides $120K in seed funding, world-class mentorship, and access to the global Techstars network spanning 150+ countries. Many alumni have scaled into industry leaders including SendGrid, ClassPass, and Sphero.
What they look for:
- Strong founding teams with complementary skills
- Scalable business models (software preferred)
- Coachability and growth mindset
- Commitment to Boulder for program duration
- Traction or strong market validation
Notable alumni:
- SendGrid (acquired for $3B by Twilio)
- ClassPass (raised $545M+)
- Sphero (robotics, $50M+ raised)
- Particle (IoT platform, acquired)
Why it's valuable: Techstars Boulder provides unmatched network access—$120K investment, lifetime access to Techstars network, mentorship from successful founders and investors, and demo day exposure to hundreds of investors.
2. Techstars Sustainability (Denver)
Location: Denver, CO
Program: 13-week intensive
Investment: $120K for 6% equity
Focus: Sustainability, climate tech, circular economy, environmental solutions
A vertical program focusing on sustainability, climate tech, and environmental solutions. Launched to address the climate crisis, this program connects climate-focused startups with corporate partners like PepsiCo, Unilever, and others seeking sustainable innovations.
What they look for:
- Measurable environmental impact
- Scalable climate solutions
- Corporate partnership opportunities
- Technical validation or pilots
- Mission-driven founding teams
Notable focus areas:
- Renewable energy and clean power
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems
- Circular economy and waste reduction
- Carbon capture and climate adaptation
- Sustainable materials and manufacturing
Why it's valuable: Direct access to corporate sustainability leaders, climate-focused investor network, technical mentorship from environmental experts, and alignment with ESG investment trends.
3. Boomtown Accelerators (Boulder)
Location: Boulder, CO
Program: 4-6 month programs
Investment: $20K-$50K typical
Focus: Healthtech, connectivity, human performance
Boomtown offers programs in healthtech, connectivity, and human performance. Unlike traditional accelerators, Boomtown focuses on industry-specific verticals and provides deep domain expertise through its specialized programs.
Program verticals:
- Health tech and medical devices
- Sports and human performance technology
- Connectivity and telecommunications
- Enterprise software and productivity
What they look for:
- Product-market fit evidence
- Industry-specific expertise in teams
- Scalability within vertical markets
- Customer traction or pilots
- Colorado connections or willingness to relocate
Why it's valuable: Vertical-specific expertise provides targeted mentorship, industry connections facilitate customer and partner introductions, strong Colorado ecosystem integration, and follow-on investor relationships.
4. Innosphere Ventures (Fort Collins)
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Program: Rolling admissions, flexible timelines
Investment: $20K-$150K depending on stage
Focus: Science and technology startups—cleantech, medtech, enterprise software
Innosphere focuses on science- and technology-based startups, particularly in cleantech, medtech, and enterprise software. Its program includes incubation, mentorship, and connections to investors across the Mountain West region.
Unique model:
- Combines incubation and acceleration
- Flexible program timelines (not cohort-based)
- Lab and office space available
- Strong university connections (CSU, CU Boulder)
What they look for:
- Science and technology-based innovations
- Technical teams with research backgrounds
- Commercializable technology
- Northern Colorado connections preferred
- Capital efficiency and lean operations
Notable outcomes:
- 200+ companies supported since founding
- $1B+ in follow-on capital raised by alumni
- Strong clean energy and sustainability portfolio
- Medtech and life sciences success stories
Why it's valuable: Science and deep tech expertise, patient capital for long development cycles, Mountain West investor network, and university research connections.
5. Catalyst Accelerator (Colorado Springs)
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Program: 90-day program
Investment: Up to $150K non-dilutive
Focus: Defense, space, dual-use technologies
Specializing in defense and space startups, Catalyst partners with the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. It provides sector-specific mentorship and funding to help dual-use technologies scale into defense applications.
Unique advantages:
- Direct military customer access
- Air Force and Space Force partnerships
- Non-dilutive funding (SBIR/STTR friendly)
- Security clearance support
What they look for:
- Dual-use technologies (commercial + defense)
- Space and defense applications
- Technical maturity (working prototypes)
- Team with military or defense background helpful
- Willingness to navigate defense procurement
Focus areas:
- Space systems and satellite technology
- Cybersecurity and information security
- Autonomous systems and robotics
- AI and machine learning for defense
- Communications and sensing technologies
Why it's valuable: Unmatched defense customer access, proximity to military installations, understanding of defense procurement, and pipeline to government contracts and SBIR funding.
6. Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)
Location: Telluride, CO
Program: 4-month program
Investment: $25K-$50K typical
Focus: Outdoor recreation, natural products, sustainability
Located in Telluride, TVA supports early-stage companies in outdoor recreation, natural products, and sustainability. It offers funding, mentorship, and access to a network of investors passionate about mountain-town innovation and outdoor lifestyle businesses.
Focus areas:
- Outdoor recreation technology and gear
- Natural products and wellness
- Sustainable tourism and hospitality
- Environmental conservation technology
- Mountain lifestyle businesses
What they look for:
- Outdoor industry alignment
- Sustainability mission
- Founder passion for outdoor lifestyle
- Willingness to be in Telluride for program
- Community and environmental impact
Why it's valuable: Unique focus on outdoor industry, access to outdoor industry executives and investors, testing ground in outdoor mecca (Telluride), and passionate community of outdoor enthusiasts.
7. Global Accelerator Network (GAN)
Location: Denver, CO (headquarters)
Program: Not a traditional accelerator—network platform
Investment: N/A (connects to 100+ accelerators)
Focus: Global accelerator access and resources
Headquartered in Denver, GAN is not a traditional accelerator but a network connecting founders to 100+ accelerators worldwide, alongside resources, mentors, and investors. Colorado startups benefit from its global reach and connections to accelerators in every major startup hub.
What GAN provides:
- Access to 100+ member accelerators globally
- Mentor network of 12,000+ experts
- Investor introductions and demo days
- Educational resources and community
- Global expansion support
How it works:
- Founders apply through GAN member accelerators
- Alumni gain access to full GAN network
- Cross-program mentorship and support
- Global demo days and investor access
Why it's valuable: Global network access from Colorado base, connections to accelerators worldwide, international expansion support, and broad mentor and investor network.
8. Exponential Impact (Colorado Springs)
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Program: 12-week program
Investment: $25K for 5% equity
Focus: Fintech, cybersecurity, emerging technologies
Focused on fintech, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, Exponential Impact provides seed funding, mentorship, and coworking space to help startups scale. Strong focus on technologies with high growth potential and scalability.
Focus areas:
- Financial technology and payments
- Cybersecurity and information security
- Enterprise SaaS and B2B software
- Emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, IoT)
What they look for:
- Technology-first companies
- Scalable business models
- Technical founding teams
- Colorado Springs connections helpful
- B2B or enterprise focus
Why it's valuable: Colorado Springs ecosystem connections, fintech and cybersecurity expertise, coworking space and community, and follow-on funding relationships.
9. Naturally Boulder's Quick Pitch / Accelerator Programs
Location: Boulder, CO
Program: Various programs throughout year
Investment: Varies by program
Focus: Natural products, food, CPG
A community-driven accelerator supporting natural products and food startups. It connects founders to investors, industry veterans, and retail partners. Naturally Boulder is the hub of Colorado's natural products industry—one of the state's strongest sectors.
Focus areas:
- Natural and organic foods
- Supplements and wellness products
- Sustainable consumer packaged goods
- Healthy snacks and beverages
- Beauty and personal care (natural)
What they look for:
- Natural products and food companies
- Retail-ready or close to retail
- Strong brand and mission alignment
- Boulder natural products community connection
- Sustainability and health focus
Why it's valuable: Boulder is the natural products capital of the US, direct retail partner connections (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers), industry veteran mentorship, and investor network focused on CPG.
10. CanopyBoulder
Location: Boulder, CO
Program: 16-week program
Investment: $50K-$100K for 6-9% equity
Focus: Cannabis, hemp, and ancillary technology
A niche accelerator supporting cannabis, hemp, and ancillary tech startups. It provides seed capital, mentorship, and access to industry networks in a highly specialized vertical. First cannabis-focused accelerator in the world.
Focus areas:
- Cannabis cultivation technology
- Hemp and CBD products
- Ancillary services (software, testing, compliance)
- Cannabis retail and distribution technology
- Medical cannabis applications
What they look for:
- Cannabis or hemp industry focus
- Compliance and regulatory awareness
- Scalable business models
- Teams with cannabis industry experience
- Colorado licensing or licensing plans
Why it's valuable: First-mover advantage in cannabis accelerators, deep cannabis industry network, regulatory and compliance expertise, and investor network comfortable with cannabis sector.
Accelerator Snapshot
| Accelerator | Location | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Techstars Boulder | Boulder | SaaS, consumer tech, global network |
| Techstars Sustainability | Denver | Climate tech, sustainability, impact startups |
| Boomtown Accelerators | Boulder | Healthtech, connectivity, human performance |
| Innosphere Ventures | Fort Collins | Cleantech, medtech, enterprise software |
| Catalyst Accelerator | Colorado Springs | Defense, space, dual-use technologies |
| Telluride Venture Accelerator | Telluride | Outdoor rec, sustainability, natural products |
| Global Accelerator Network (GAN) | Denver | Global accelerator access + resources |
| Exponential Impact | Colorado Springs | Fintech, cybersecurity, emerging tech |
| Naturally Boulder | Boulder | Natural products, food innovation |
| CanopyBoulder | Boulder | Cannabis and hemp industry startups |
Why Colorado for Startups?
Quality of life attracts talent: Colorado consistently ranks in the top states for quality of life, outdoor recreation access, and work-life balance—making it easier to recruit top talent from coastal hubs.
Lower costs than Bay Area: Cost of living in Denver and Boulder is 30-40% lower than San Francisco, stretching seed capital further and enabling sustainable growth.
Collaborative founder community: Colorado's startup community is known for collaboration over competition. Founders actively help each other, creating a supportive ecosystem.
Strong university research: CU Boulder, Colorado State, Colorado School of Mines, and others produce cutting-edge research in aerospace, clean energy, and materials science—feeding technology transfer and spin-outs.
Federal and defense spending: Colorado Springs hosts major military installations including Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and U.S. Northern Command—creating massive opportunities for defense and space tech.
Outdoor industry hub: Colorado is home to major outdoor brands (Patagonia operations, VF Corporation, numerous outdoor startups) and the Outdoor Industry Association—making it the natural products and outdoor tech capital.
Choosing the Right Colorado Accelerator
By industry:
- Software/SaaS: Techstars Boulder
- Climate tech: Techstars Sustainability, Innosphere
- Defense/Space: Catalyst Accelerator
- Healthtech: Boomtown Accelerators
- Natural products/Food: Naturally Boulder
- Cannabis: CanopyBoulder
- Outdoor recreation: Telluride Venture Accelerator
- Fintech/Cybersecurity: Exponential Impact
By location:
- Boulder: Techstars Boulder, Boomtown, Naturally Boulder, CanopyBoulder (innovation hub, university presence)
- Denver: Techstars Sustainability, GAN (larger city, corporate connections)
- Fort Collins: Innosphere (university spin-outs, northern Colorado)
- Colorado Springs: Catalyst, Exponential Impact (military, defense tech)
- Telluride: TVA (outdoor industry, mountain lifestyle)
By stage:
- Idea/Pre-product: Limited options, most prefer MVP
- MVP/Prototype: Most accelerators (Techstars, Boomtown, Innosphere)
- Early traction: All programs, strongest candidates
- Growth stage: Consider direct VC instead
Application Strategy
Timing:
- Techstars programs: Apply 4-6 months before start
- Most other programs: Rolling or quarterly admissions
- Plan ahead: due diligence takes 6-8 weeks
Standing out:
- Colorado connections (local founders get preference)
- Domain expertise in target vertical
- Clear traction or validation
- Strong team with complementary skills
- Commitment to program location
Materials needed:
- Compelling pitch deck
- Product demo or prototype
- Financial projections
- Team bios highlighting relevant experience
- Customer validation or letters of intent
Peony helps Colorado founders create professional application materials with AI-powered organization, branded data rooms, and engagement analytics showing accelerators exactly how you're prepared and organized.
Post-Accelerator Fundraising
Colorado investor ecosystem:
- Strong seed and Series A presence
- Limited later-stage capital (often need to go to SF/NY for Series B+)
- Active angel investor community
- Corporate investors in key sectors (telecom, defense, energy)
Key Colorado VCs:
- Foundry Group (Boulder, early-stage software)
- Access Venture Partners (Boulder, enterprise software)
- Ridgeline Ventures (Colorado Springs, defense tech)
- Sky Ventures (Denver, consumer and software)
- Galvanize Capital (Denver, fintech and software)
Preparing for fundraising post-accelerator: After completing an accelerator program, many founders immediately begin fundraising. Colorado's investor community expects professional, organized materials demonstrating progress and traction.
Peony's data rooms help Colorado founders showcase their accelerator progress professionally with engagement analytics tracking which investors review materials, secure sharing protecting sensitive information, and AI organization ensuring professional presentation.