Boulder Startup Week 2025

Boulder Startup Week 2025

10:00am MDT

Leadership Blindspots - Up-leveling Yourself and Your Team

Monday May 12, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Once you get product market fit, the CEO/Founder's leadership skills become essential to the company's ability to execute and grow. You also need to hold your executive team accountable and support them in leveling-up.

This workshop demystifies leadership by sharing proprietary research on the specific behaviors that define good leadership. It allows you to quickly assess yourself and your team members, and gives you the language to grow and to coach others to shift their behavior.

In this interactive workshop, you will identify your strengths and blindspots, draft a simple leadership plan for yourself, and learn how to assess and hold your executive team accountable. We will cover a lot of ground.

Jason Gore is the CEO and founder of Neuberg Gore--a respected executive coaching firm that equips startup CEOs and their leaders with the skills and mindsets needed to scale their companies and build winning teams. They have worked with over 1,200 startup CEOs and their executives who are creating next-generation technologies and consumer brands. Their non-profit offers free materials and courses on leadership and communication. https://www.neuberggore.com/jason-gore

Session Facilitators

Jason Gore

CEO & Executive Coach, Neuberg Gore

Robert MacNaughton

Senior Partner, Neuberg Gore

Robert MacNaughton is a Boulder based senior partner, executive coach, and facilitator with Neuberg Gore. Robert has over 25 years of experience and specializes in helping fast-growth founders and investors build key capabilities including personal effectiveness, team performance, and conflict skillfulness... Read More →

Monday May 12, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Workshop

11:00am MDT

Building Strategic Partnerships to Scale Your Software Startup - a special emphasis on the Salesforce ecosystem

Monday May 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

In today’s competitive landscape, strategic partnerships are essential for startups aiming to scale effectively and sustainably. This session explores the critical role partnerships play in driving growth, innovation, and market expansion for software startups. Attendees will learn how to identify potential partners, approach them strategically, and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.

Key topics covered include:

Types of Salesforce Ecosystem Partnerships: Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and Systems Integrators (SIs)
Benefits of Partnerships: Access to new markets, technologies, and customers while sharing risks and costs.
Choosing the Right Partners: Identifying complementary businesses, technology allies, and distribution channels.
Best Practices for Success: Building scalable partnerships through effective relationship management and alignment of values.

Whether you’re looking to expand your customer base or enhance the marketability of your solution, or both, this session provides actionable insights to help startups leverage partnerships for sustainable success.

Lance Foster & Corey Litwin each have 25+ years of relevant experience and success in the startup world and live in Boulder ready to help entrepreneurs be successful during Startup Week and beyond.

Session Lead

Lance Foster

Coalescence Cloud & Partner Edge Consulting

Results-driven executive leader with over 25+ years of award-winning experience in scaling global partnerships and sales for SaaS and SI/Consulting firms. Proven track record of consistently increasing revenues through partner strategy development and execution, specializing in SI... Read More →

Monday May 12, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Conversation-Dialogue

1:00pm MDT

The Hidden Co-Founder Code: How to Build (and Break) a Startup Team

Monday May 12, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Startups don’t fail because of the product — they fail because of people. In fact, over 65% of early-stage failures are tied to co-founder conflict, misalignment, and broken team dynamics. People and communication are the backbone of stable startups. This session is designed to share, identify and teach how to avoid the most co-founder issues before they happen.

Based on Google’s FoundersLab program and years of startup coaching, this workshop-style talk will give participants the tools to decode what makes (and breaks) co-founding relationships. Each co-founder relationship is different and unique in their own goals. This workshop provides tools and methods to discover what drives each founder. I cover psychological patterns that sabotage teams, and simple frameworks used by hundreds of startup founders globally — all designed to help you build trust, make tough decisions, and grow your startup without imploding your team.

In the talk I cover:
• A tested framework to understand your and your team’s motivations
• Ways to spot (and fix) the 25 most common co-founder bugs
• Tools to have the hard conversations early, before it’s too late

Whether you’re just meeting your co-founder, navigating a growing team, or already feeling friction, this session will give you practical ways to create alignment, resilience, and trust.

Session Lead

Ryan Shuken

Startup Accelerator Director, Early Stage Investing, Full Stack Developer, AI Engineer, Podcast Host and Producer, Startup Pitch Coach and Mentor

Monday May 12, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

9:00am MDT

Top 10 Traps for the Unwary: Perspectives from Legal & Accounting Advisors

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Startups move fast, and founders often prioritize growth over compliance—sometimes at their peril. Seemingly minor missteps in legal and financial planning can snowball into costly problems that jeopardize funding, ownership, and long-term success.

In this session, experienced legal and accounting professionals will break down 10 common pitfalls that catch entrepreneurs off guard, covering issues like:

• Structuring your business entity the wrong way (and how to fix it)
• Equity mistakes that can derail fundraising
• Tax traps that lead to unexpected liabilities
• Contract missteps that expose startups to unnecessary risks
• Intellectual property oversights that can cost you your brand
• Compliance gaps that could lead to regulatory trouble

This interactive discussion will offer practical, real-world guidance for founders, early-stage employees, and investors. Attendees will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to avoid common legal and financial headaches, ensuring their startup is set up for success from the start.
Whether you're launching your first venture or scaling your startup, this session will arm you with the knowledge to navigate common pitfalls before they become expensive problems.

Session Lead

George Singer

Tuesday May 13, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Conversation-Dialogue

10:00am MDT

Start-up Equity and Stock Options

Tuesday May 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

While I was Co-Founder and COO of Atomos Space, I juggled executing on the company's vision with meeting the obligations of all stakeholders. As founders, we charge ahead with what we think is best. When it comes to issuing shares in your company, however, the IRS, SEC, and the State of Colorado have much to say on what you can and cannot do. The Securities Act of 1933, the Uniformed Securities Act, IRC 409(a), IRC 83(b), SEC 701…The variety and complexity of equity compensation can be convoluted and time consuming.

In my new role as VP of Finance and Investments with The Millstone Evans Group, I want to help founders, start-ups, and employees learn from my experience (and mistakes) so that they can make better, faster decisions and get back to building. In this overview of equity compensation, I talk through the basics of corporate governance, the nuances of a Stock Incentive Plan, and the implications of the three most common types of grants given to employees.

Session Lead

William Kowalski

VP, Finance and Investments, The Millstone Evans Group

Tuesday May 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Lecture-style

9:00am MDT

Capital Raising Using Public Stock Offerings

Wednesday May 14, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Learn how to utilize the securities law exemptions under Regulation CF and Regulation A to facilitate public offerings of your start-ups stock, debt, tokens, or other investment securities to raise capital. Under these Obama era laws, you can utilize digital marketing, your customer lists, and a variety of other advertising means to solicit the general public and accept investments from unaccredited investors. Join the thousands of other startups that have successfully circumvented the VC firms to fund their business under these groundbreaking new regulations.

Session Lead

Craig Denlinger

Wednesday May 14, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

10:00am MDT

Staying True to Your Vision: Trials and Triumphs of Startup Founders

Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Every startup founder faces moments of doubt, tough decisions, and external pressures that challenge their original vision. How do you stay true to your mission while adapting to the realities of funding, scaling, and market demands?

In this session, we’ll hear from founders who have navigated these challenges and discuss practical strategies for maintaining authenticity, resilience, and focus.

Expect real stories, actionable insights, and an interactive Q&A where you can get advice on your startup journey.

Session Lead

Steve Borne

CEO, HearLabs

Steve Borne is a veteran sound designer and mixer with 35+ years of experience shaping audio for hit TV shows like Nurse Jackie and Saturday Night Live. With multiple industry awards and thousands of hours in the studio, he’s now channeling that expertise into HearLabs, a purpose-driven... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

11:00am MDT

How to Get Your Business Noticed: Strategies for Early Buyer Engagement

Wednesday May 14, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

97% of your ideal buyers aren’t ready to talk to sales—but they are forming opinions and making early decisions.

They’re learning about their problems, looking for fresh ideas, and identifying who seems credible and helpful. If your team isn’t visible during this early research, you miss the chance to shape their thinking and earn their trust before they narrow their options.

Being seen at this stage is not just about creating marketing noise. It’s about making sure the right voices are sharing the right messages with the right people.

Buyers want to hear from people who understand their world—and they’re more likely to trust peers who speak their language. That’s why aligning your team’s voices with the roles of your target buyers matters.

Imagine a finance expert from your team speaking directly to CFOs. Or an ops lead sharing firsthand lessons with operations teams. These role-to-role conversations earn trust before the shortlist is built.

It’s more than content. It’s connection. And it can be the difference between being considered and being ignored.

This session shows how to:

* Take conversations you’re already having and turn them into buyer-centric content
* Use AI to turn them into LinkedIn posts, blogs, and articles
* Find places to publish where your target audience already hangs out
* Publish content that builds trust across key buyer roles

This will be an interactive session where members of the audience will get a chance to share what’s working for you. So come ready to learn from your peers and bring your own success stories.

Leave with practical next steps you can start using right away.

Session Lead

Candyce Eleden

LinkedIn Social Selling Expert, PropelGrowth

Candyce Edelen is a seasoned entrepreneur with plenty of road rash earned by co-founding two fin-tech companies, one of which made the Deloitte Fast 50 list in 2004. In 2018, she and her partner decided to pivot to a new target market where they didn’t have an existing network.She... Read More →

Wednesday May 14, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Lecture-style

9:00am MDT

AI as a Game-Changer: Standing Out in Competitive Industries

Thursday May 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

My session will focus on how to infuse SaaS products with AI capabilities to stand out in a competitive market. I’ll share practical steps, lessons learned, and real-world examples from my own experience implementing AI – covering everything from small, incremental improvements to game-changing features like AI-based matching. My expertise lies in product strategy, AI integration, and helping SaaS teams discover ways to differentiate themselves through innovation and forward-thinking technology adoption.

Session Lead

Rodion Telpizov

CEO, SmartJobBoard

SmartJobBoard is a leading job board software solution designed to help associations, non-profits, and member-driven organizations efficiently manage and grow their career centers. Our platform offers intuitive tools that make job board management effortless, integrating advanced... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Lecture-style Demo

10:00am MDT

Using Video to Establish Your Brand And Raise Funds

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Video is a powerful tool to tell your brand's story, engage with customers, and also raise funds. In this panel, myself and several production company owners, producers, and directors will discuss how video production is a essential to grow a company, and not just merely a way to "create content" for social media. I (Rob) will lead a discussion with the panel, and we will open up for Q&A at the end of the session.

Session Lead

Rob Shearer

Producer/Director, Lion Knight Films

Thursday May 15, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

11:00am MDT

Exploring an alternative path

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

A discussion with entrepreneurs who have decided to take an alternative path to scaling their business. Learn from founders who have built and grown their business outside of the traditional venture playbook. We hope the conversation is far ranging… drawing from experiences across a variety of industry segments and company maturities.

Second Rodeo is a new take on an accelerator that helps early-stage founders scale their business in advance of taking on significant outside capital.

Session Facilitators

Bremner Morris

Thursday May 15, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

12:00pm MDT

The Fall of Social Media and the Rise of Community — Moving from Broadcasting to Belonging

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Predicting the downfall of social media has been a popular topic over the last few decades. Foreseeing that demise is a favored pastime of many prognosticators— and yes, the signs are there. The question is: What are you going to do to thrive in the current, post-platform exodus of audiences?

It’s time for companies, big and small, to reframe their approach to social media. During our session, we'll dig into why traditional tactics are failing, how platforms have changed, and why going viral is not a strategy. How a shift in focus from audiences to advocates, customers to communities, broadcasting to belonging can unlock a more impactful, more sustainable strategy to connect with audiences.

AND we’ll address the core issue that got lost along the way: Social platforms were never built for brands—they were built for people. We’ll address how we get back to the opportunities we lost in the rabid-pursuit of likes and followers instead of advocacy and belonging.

Change is coming… get ahead of it.

The future lies in connecting, not in chasing.

Finding and crafting common space where mutual benefits are valued, for brands and their advocates.

It’s about returning to the roots of community: authenticity, trust, and shared purpose.

Join us to learn how to reframe your approach—we’ll share real-world insights, examples, and steps to help you move from broadcasting to bonding.

Session Lead

Samantha Derosier

CEO, Sword and Spark

I’m Samantha Derosier, founder of Sword and Spark. I specialize in helping advanced technology startups and scientific enterprises translate complex ideas into brands that lead. With nearly a decade of experience building marketing strategies and connecting innovators with their... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Workshop

1:00pm MDT

Building a Thriving Team Culture By Embracing Difficult Conversations: Why Being Nice Creates a Shitty Team Culture

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Clear communication is a must in business; sometimes that requires a difficult conversation. Many leaders find it difficult to initiate and navigate these discussions effectively, uncertain of the right timing and approach. This often leads to either rushing into them or avoiding them entirely, hindering progress from the current state to the desired outcome. Through an insightful discussion followed by an interactive workshop, we’ll help you see how being “nice” plays into this dynamic and give you practical strategies and tools to confidently handle difficult conversations so they move you towards your goals.

After the interactive workshop you’ll walk away with...

- Knowing how to lean into a difficult conversation to move towards a goal; rather than coming out as the “bad guy” or getting stuck in the same old loop
- With tactics for using difficult conversations to strengthen your relationships and move you towards your goals
- With the opportunity to connect with other business leaders who are facing similar challenges

We'll be addressing challenging conversations, which is one part of our proven process desgined to develop a cohesive team culture where everyone is motivated, excited, and clear on the roadmap of the company. How to overcome the challenges of not having the right team in place, and how to get your team clear and connected to the mission of the company. This will increase revenue, customer acquisition, retention, and everything in between. We'll be addressing principles that can be applied to people hiring your first team member , or their 500th and making sure they are the right fit!

Session Facilitators

Taylor Thomas

Co-Founder, Impact Initiative

Passionate about helping entrepreneurs build amazing businesses and awesome teams!

Christine Hernandez

Founder- Changing the way people think about thier team!, Impact Initiaitve

Christine HernandezAs a business owner, consultant, and leadership coach her commitment to expanding people’s potential is unparalleled. Over the years, Christine has owned and built 3 multigenerational companies where she created strong, sustainable businesses, teams, and cultures... Read More →

Thursday May 15, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Workshop

9:00am MDT

How to understand your P&L and why it is important

Friday May 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

the session would include:
- The basics of a Profit & Loss Statement (P&L)
o From top line to bottom line, including Cost of Goods Sold, Expenses and why they are different.
o Cash vs. Accrual accounting
o Determine Profitability
- How to use financial statements to make business decisions
- The role of financial statements in securing funding

Session Lead

Maarten Warnaars

Management Consultant and Business Partnerr, BBSI

For over 20 years, I’ve been deeply immersed in the world of small business—as an owner, executive, and management consultant. I understand the complexities that come with running a business and have developed systems that help leaders navigate the challenges of growth, transition... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Workshop

10:00am MDT

Don't Get Fined - Understanding Colorado Business Regulations

Friday May 16, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Regulatory compliance is complicated and can be terrifying, especially as a first-time business owner. In this panel, we'll discuss some of the big topics in regulatory compliance including ACA Compliance, PFML, COBRA, Colorado State Laws (Healthy Family & Workplace Act), 5500 Reporting, ERISA, and more! Attendees will leave with a compliance checklist and are offered a free compliance audit upon request.

Session Facilitators

Ginnie Meyers

Co-founder, Foundation Health/FH Insurance/Cure Technologies

A Boulder native, Ginnie Meyers is currently Co-Founder of Foundation Health, a company turning health care on its head with a transparent, personalized health care experience, as well as FH Insurance, a tech-forward benefits agency and Cure Technologies, an automated benefits underwriting system.Prior to founding Foundation Health in 2013, she worked in b... Read More →

Friday May 16, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

11:00am MDT

Reimagining Capital: How Innovative Funding Models Strengthen Communities and Businesses

Friday May 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Traditional approaches to business financing often prioritize rapid growth and short-term returns for shareholders but what if capital could do more than just fuel expansion and wealth for only a few? What if it could build stronger, more resilient communities?

This panel explores alternative financing strategies that go beyond conventional investment models to create lasting local impact and stronger businesses. We’ll hear from innovators who are reshaping how businesses access and deploy capital. Tana Schultz from SOIL Boulder will discuss how community-funded, no-interest loans are empowering small farms and strengthening local food systems. Verity Noble from Nude Foods will share how raising funds through WeFunder has turned customers into investors, creating deeper engagement and long-term business sustainability. Cindy Willard, an expert in impact investing, will break down Direct Public Offerings (DPOs) and how mission-driven businesses can attract values-aligned capital. Matt Licina from the National Center of Employee Ownership will dive into the power of employee ownership and how selling a business to its workers not only secures a founder’s legacy but also fosters equitable wealth distribution.

Whether you're an entrepreneur seeking funding, an investor looking to make a difference, or simply curious about how capital can be a tool for community wealth-building, this discussion will provide actionable insights into how strategic approaches to capital can strengthen businesses and the economies they operate in.

Session Facilitators

Cindy Willard

Senior Director Capital Activation, Impact Charitable

Cindy believes the power of relationships and the intentionality of capital will create a more equitable world. She has deep experience as a Colorado thought leader in philanthropic strategy, grantmaking and program development.She began her career in journalism and community relations... Read More →

Matt Licina

Suzanne Prendergast

Verity Noble

Andrea Steffes-Tuttle

Owner, Think Better Marketing

Friday May 16, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

12:00pm MDT

From Zero to One: Cool Idea, now what?

Friday May 16, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

The hardest part of running a startup isn’t the big vision—it’s the behind-the-scenes operational and engineering decisions no one tells you about. From setting up the right business structure to managing cash flow, hiring early employees, building a scalable tech foundation, and keeping everything running smoothly, early-stage CEOs have to juggle it all. This session uncovers the practical, hard-to-Google details of startup operations and engineering, sharing firsthand insights from founders who’ve navigated the messy, behind-the-scenes work of taking a company from zero to one.

Session Lead

John Kozura

Friday May 16, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Panel

1:00pm MDT

Understanding Your Market: Leveraging Public Data for Better Business Decisions

Friday May 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

The presentation will introduce entrepreneurs to various public data tools that can help them better understand their market, enabling more informed, data-driven business decisions.Attendees will learn about various data sources, covering where to find the data, how it is collected, how to interpret the results, and how to efficiently navigate each tool to extract meaningful insights.For example, a tech startup founder might want to track the number of new tech companies in Boulder over time to assess market saturation. This presentation will demonstrate where to access that data.Similarly, a utilities startup could benefit from identifying which Front Range zip codes have the highest utility costs to refine their targeted advertising strategy. The session will showcase how to locate and leverage such insights effectively.By the end of the session, attendees will gain the knowledge and skills needed to effectively leverage public data sources, uncovering opportunities, minimizing risks, and enabling smarter business decisions.

Session Lead

Louis Rosner

Friday May 16, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Canyon Center 1881 9th St, Boulder, CO 80302, USA

Lecture-style