The Advanced Industries Accelerator (AIA) Program announced today that five Colorado accelerator programs were approved to receive a Business Accelerator Grant for a total of $1,078,454 in funding (full awardee list below).
This one-time grant opportunity was opened to new and existing Colorado accelerator programs serving early-stage companies in the advanced industries. The funding is meant to accelerate the commercialization and innovation of advanced industries technologies and companies through education, resources, and mentorship
The AIA Program received 8 applications for this grant opportunity. Applications were reviewed by a multi-disciplinary committee of business, technical and financial experts in the seven advanced industries. Final recommendations were approved by the Economic Development Commission on February 17, 2022.
Awardees
LabStart Innovations, $250,000: LabStart Innovations is a new 501(c)(3) non-profit accelerator created alongside the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). LabStart will directly support NREL’s Lab Embedded Entrepreneur Program (LEEP) by providing commercialization support, mentoring, and education for program participants.
Rockies Venture Club (RVC), $250,000: RVC’s HyperAccelerator is an intensive, weeklong program designed to help entrepreneurs accelerate their funding preparation and process. The program provides vital education around fundraising and due diligence preparation that entrepreneurs need to effectively raise capital.
Rocky Mountain Innosphere, $244,000: Rocky Mountain Innosphere, in partnership with the Colorado BioScience Association and Colorado Bioscience Institute, is offering a one-year comprehensive biosciences incubation program. This program will focus on business support and strategic planning, early product development, team development, and executive mentorship.
Rocky Mountain World Trade Center Institute (RMWTCI), $240,000: RMWTCI’s Global Trade Activator program scales Colorado companies by activating new international markets, boosting sales and competitiveness, and achieving greater prosperity through international trade. This program provides access to mentors, education, technical assistance, resources, and potential funding to document customized global business strategies and an executable trade plan.
Startup Colorado, $94,464: Startup Colorado’s Founder CO-OPetitions program serves Colorado rural-based entrepreneurs in the idea or launch stage of their business. Founder CO-OPetitions are 4-week virtual programs focused on the evolution of the founder through a peer-to-peer support and feedback model. Participating entrepreneurs have the opportunity to win cash awards at the conclusion of the program.
About the Advanced Industries Accelerator Program
The AIA Program was created in 2013 to promote growth and sustainability in Colorado’s advanced industries by driving innovation, accelerating commercialization, encouraging public-private partnerships, increasing access to early stage capital and creating a strong infrastructure that increases the state’s capacity to be globally competitive. AIA encompasses five distinct grant programs: Proof of Concept, Early Stage Capital and Retention, Collaborative Infrastructure, Export Accelerator, and Global Consultant Network. Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.