Businesses in rural areas of Colorado have until midnight June 10 to apply for investment funding that will be awarded through the latest Greater Colorado Pitch Series.

The third installment of the series will be conducted in conjunction with West Slope Startup Week in Grand Junction. The winners will be announced during an in-person and virtual finals event set for July 12.

“The Greater Colorado Pitch Series is the perfect way to kick off West Slope Startup Week because it highlights the spirit of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in rural Colorado that our event is nurturing,” said Kayleen Cohen, founder of Mtn. Dog Media and lead organizer of West Slope Startup Week.

“The mission of West Slope Startup Week is to provide educational and advancement opportunities for regional startup founders and entrepreneurs. Greater Colorado Pitch Series gives these founders the opportunity to share their business ideas for constructive feedback and game-changing capital investments. It’s thrilling  every year to hear what ideas are brewing on Colorado’s Western Slope,” Cohen said.

The Colorado Pitch Series will involve providers offering capital for companies in various stages of startup and development:

Pre-seed track of $10,000 to $50,000.

First Southwest Community Fund pre-seed track of $50,000 in low-interest debt.

Greater Colorado Venture Fund seed track of $250,000 to $500,000.

Greenline Ventures growth-stage debt of $250,000 up to $1 million.

In addition, a Female Founder Award will support two female entrepreneurs — a $1,000 cash award from First Southwest Community Fund as well as $1,250 in cash and $1,250 in in-kind legal support from Venture Best.

The event is open to Colorado companies located outside of the Front Range corridor from Fort Collins to Denver to Colorado Springs. There’s no charge for applications.

The 2022 Greater Colorado Pitch Series will include a platform that will enable those attending live at the Avalon Theater in Grand Junction and virtually to engage in the event. Audience members can use an app to provide feedback on pitches and connect with founders and each other. 

SkyPeak Technologies based in Fruita was among the winners in the 2021 pitch series. Cat Coughran, chief executive officer, said seed funding enabled the firm to move into the final phases of its on-device content delivery service. “Participating not only enabled us to take our business to the next level, but it also introduced us to an ecosystem of other co-founders, which has helped us continue to learn and grow.”

Jamie Finney, a partner at the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, said he’s excited to continue working on the Greater Colorado Pitch Series. “The more inclusive this event is, the more likely it is to surface the best companies in rural Colorado. It is a win for GVCF and our capital track partners when any founder anywhere can access our capital.”

West Slope Startup Week is set for July 11 to 15 with virtual events throughout rural Colorado as well as in-person events in Grand Junction. 

The free regional business conference follows the TechStars Startup Week format used in hundreds of communities around the world. Startup weeks offer participants professional business development and continued education as well as networking and opportunities to pitch for funding.

The events offer information to everyone from serial entrepreneurs looking to launch their next projects to those considering starting businesses. Business owners and managers — including those in retailing and restaurants — learn about finance, human resources, marketing and other topics.

West Slope Startup Week will feature lectures and workshops related to seven tracks: capital, communications, makers, people and technology. What are billed as toolbox sessions will address fundamental topics and skills building. A fun track will offer social events and outdoor activities.

For applications or more information about the Greater Colorado Pitch Series, visit www.greatercoloradopitchseries.com. For more information about West Slope Startup Week, visit https://westslopestartupweek.com.