Startup CO
RCEDP - YVEC - White
Untitled design (1)

High Country Accelerator

Startups | Entrepreneurship | Innovation

Kickstart your business today! Launch your new business venture here in the Yampa Valley and connect with our network of entrepreneurs, startups, and mentors ready to support you on this journey.

High Country Accelerator

Fast-Track Building Your Business

The High Country Accelerator will help you refine your business idea and quickly grow your new startup. We offer mentorship, resources, funding, and networking. This includes interactive workshops and one-on-one mentoring, allowing you to focus in and move fast. It's free for anyone planning to start or who has recently started a business in Routt County.

High County Accelerator:

  • Duration: May - July 2025
  • Cohort Size: 8 to 12 startups
  • Stage: Idea to growth
  • Business Type: All types of startups are welcome! Startups looking to serve markets beyond the Yampa Valley are strongly encouraged.
  • Accelerator Location: All activities and workshops will take place in person in Steamboat Springs.
Untitled design (2)-1

Overview of the HCA along with a Q&A

Webinar

High Country Accelerator

Entrepreneurship in the Yampa Valley

The High Country Accelerator includes:

  • Seed Scale Partners:
    • Weekly in-person workshops led by seasoned founders
    • Weekly founder-led Friday coffee socials
    • One-on-one office hours with your program facilitator Josef Scarantino (4x founder, former Techstars and HubSpot Ventures)
    • Access to valuable founder perks, discounts, and resources
    • Private discussion forum to share your work and ask questions
  • RCEDP Yampa Valley Entrepreneurship Center:
    • Ongoing ad hoc personalized support
    • Access to RCEDP's mentor network each with unique industry expertise for one-on-one support throughout the program
    • Access to RCEDP's investor network looking to support new startups
  • Kickoff party in Steamboat Springs
  • Demo Day with business pitch presentations in Steamboat Springs
Untitled design (5)-1

Let's Build Your Company Together

Local Cohort
Our idea and growth stage companies will do all their work in Steamboat Springs.
Customer Discovery
Idea stage companies will receive help with the critical work of understanding who their customer is, how to reach them, and how to sell to them.
Finance
Understand the pathways to raising money that apply to your unique venture. This personalized approach ensures you will have success raising capital for your company.
Growth
Growth stage companies will take the next step in achieving product market fit and work with mentors to scale your company profitably.
Pitch
The culmination of the program will be a demo day where all the companies will pitch on stage in front of investors and the community.

Startups Are Hard

Don't Build It Alone

Starting a company can be incredibly challenging, especially for new founders. Without the support and guidance of experienced mentors, it's easy to make mistakes along the way. If you're ready to move forward with building your company, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Copy of Copy of DONATE TODAY (1)

  • I don't live in Steamboat Springs. Can I still apply?

    Absolutely! This initiative is designed with the Yampa Valley community at heart. However, we warmly welcome those from afar who wish to be part of our exciting journey. Participation requires a commitment to a 3-month on-site engagement, ensuring you reap the full benefits through direct involvement in our workshops. Moreover, to be eligible, either your current venture or your new startup must be officially registered in Routt County. Should the future growth of your business necessitate a move beyond our borders, while we'd love for you to stay, we fully comprehend and support your decision to expand.

  • What sort of companies can apply?

    We welcome applications from companies at any stage of the ideation process. Whether you're just starting to nurture a spark of an idea or you're already developing a functional prototype and planning your launch, we're interested in hearing from you. For those who have already entered the market and are seeing revenue, we encourage a conversation to explore how you might benefit from this initiative or other customized support we offer.

  • How long is the program?

    The program will run from May to July 2025.

  • Who are the mentors?

    Our mentors are trailblazers who have launched and successfully exited from some of today's most impactful companies. They come from diverse industry backgrounds and have collectively funneled billions into their ventures. A number of them call the Yampa Valley home, while others are spread across vibrant startup hubs throughout Colorado and beyond. This presents a unique chance for you to connect with mentors who align with your business vision, ensuring you're paired with individuals most capable of guiding you towards your objectives.

  • Is there a cost to the program?

    Absolutely not! This initiative is a community-focused effort aimed at supporting entrepreneurs throughout the Yampa Valley. As a nonprofit economic development organization, our core objective is to enhance the economic prosperity of the Yampa Valley.