While many believe the uptick in the Colorado economy has been exclusively due to the legalization of marijuana, entrepreneurs and startup founders in the area know that it always had the potential to make an impact. With a supportive ecosystem focused on work-life balance and promoting diversity, it’s no wonder the Mile-High City is thriving.
We talked to a number of startup founders and entrepreneurs in Denver to get a better idea of what the ecosystem is up to in 2017. Take a look at what they had to say below and make sure to keep an eye on the Wall Street of the West.
Mile-High Culture
Yes, work-life balance is important to tech companies around the country. However, there are few places on the planet that take this perk so seriously, as Denver provides more than enough opportunities to enjoy life outside of the office.
“The culture in the Boulder/Denver startup ecosystem features a strong work-life balance,” said Thierry Schellenbach, founder and CEO of Stream. “People work hard but also like to hit the slopes in the weekend or go for a good hike. The beautiful surrounding in Colorado probably plays a role in that.”
For Denver founders, it’s about more than just getting a little time off to hit the slopes. It’s about making sure their employees are happy and healthy, leading to improved productivity and a thriving ecosystem.
“Denver companies embrace work-life balance to the fullest,” said Molly Berger, head of client engagement at P2Binvestor. “We love our jobs and work hard for our companies but we still know when to shut our laptops and hit the mountains for a hike. Colorado companies understand the ROI on happy, healthy employees.”
Snowy and Supportive
With all that cold weather, it’s hard not to be supportive of other entrepreneurs trying to make it big. Denver exemplifies this supportive environment, showcasing startups and networking their butts off in an effort to put this mountain town in the tech hub discussion.
“The Denver startup environment is incredibly supportive – every executive and investor, former or current has never refused an ‘ask’ or been unwilling to share their experiences,” said Steven Grandchamp, CEO of Drud. “I…