Phil Castle, The Business Times

Mara Hardy hopes an upcoming event in Grand Junction will foster collaboration that in turn promotes entrepreneurial endeavors in Western Colorado.

If nothing else, Hardy hopes the inaugural Techstars Startup Week West Slope makes clear the value of what’s billed as a sort of meeting of entrepreneurial minds — “that people understand the importance of getting together like this.”

As business development manager for the Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Hardy is among the organizers of Techstars Startup Week West Slope.

The week is scheduled to begin June 5 with events in cities and towns across Western Colorado. The week will continue June 6 to 8 in Grand Junction with a total of more than 40 workshops, panel discussions and other presentations covering a variety of topics related to starting and growing businesses. Social events and outdoor activities are planned as well.

Thanks to the support of U.S. Bank, the title sponsor, and nearly 20 other sponsors, the event is free, Hardy said. Registration is encouraged, though, because of limited space at some venues. Additional information and registration is available at https://westslopestartupweek.com.

While Techstars Startup Week West Slope will include information for tech firms and startups, it’s not just about tech or startups, Hardy said. The event will offer something for everyone from the proprietors of mom and pop shops to the executives of larger companies. “This really is a much broader gathering.”

Techstar events have grown increasingly popular. Hardy said she’s attended the event in Denver, one of the largest in North America. “It’s so energetic. You really find there’s a genuine excitement.”

The prospect of a West Slope event has been heralded with equal enthusiasm, Hardy said. “People are really excited. People are hungry for this type of event.”

Hardy said Techstars Startup Week West Slope will offer four program tracks with presentations related to marketing and communication; growing business operations and markets; financing and funding; and building, growing and manufacturing goods.

Over the course of the event, 80 speakers will cover everything from social media marketing strategies to building teams based on care values to venture capital funding to the best locations for manufacturing.

Participants are free to register for presentations related to a program track that interests them or pick and choose presentations from different tracks to create a customized agenda, Hardy said.

In addition to the other presentations, what are billed as “toolbox” sessions will offer smaller interactive workshops that address fundamental topics and skills building, she said.

A fun track will offer social events and outdoor activities, including a parking lot party, happy hour gathering, yoga class, mountain biking and water sports.

Hardy said the social events are as important as the presentations at Techstars Startup Weeks because of the connections that are made and relationships developed.

The Factory coworking space in downtown Grand Junction will serve as a kind of base camp, Hardy said, in providing participants free access to the high-speed internet and room there to work.

Techstars Startup Week West Slope offers an opportunity for entrepreneurs from across the region and various industry sectors to collaborate, Hardy said. She hopes the results of that collaboration include networking, mentorships and more coordinated efforts to take on challenges.

There’s also an opportunity, she said, for participants to learn about companies in Western Colorado, the resources they offer and the way businesses can work together to expand markets.