2020-2021
Impact Report
The Commons on Champa
Charging Ahead
Through Entrepreneurship
At the Downtown Denver Partnership, we’ve been proud and honored to invest in our city’s future through programs and resources at The Commons on Champa. We are deeply rooted in our commitment to building an economically healthy, vibrant, and inclusive downtown, and over the past year we have transitioned our programming to ensure that our incredible community of entrepreneurs have been able to access our network of resources and support.
The Commons is crucial in our mission to create a culture of ongoing innovation and entrepreneurship that drives economic opportunity for all. Thanks to creative public-private partnerships, an adaptable team and group of supporters and stakeholders, and top-notch programming, The Commons continues to serve as a national model -- and these initiatives have also positioned Denver as one of the top metro areas in the nation for small businesses.
This year, we assisted 1,764 small businesses and served 17,500 individuals through programming that helped them start, grow and scale their companies. Of those entrepreneurs served, over 70% represent low-to-moderate income from vulnerable populations. Even through difficult times for business owners, these leaders came together to continue building a resilient city by launching businesses, creating jobs, maximizing opportunities for funding, and finding new ways to connect and show support for one another.
We know entrepreneurs help to create a stronger economic future for our city, and add to the vibrant and bustling lifestyle that makes Denver unique. At The Commons, the future belongs to everyone. Whether for inspiration, insight, education, inspiration, leadership or guidance, our community can only thrive together, and will continue to grow together.
Building a city for everyone requires joint vision, passion, and drive from partners like you. As our city reopens, we know that the Commons will play a large role in ensuring we set up our businesses for continued recovery and success. On behalf of the Downtown Denver Partnership and the entire Commons community, we want to thank you - thank you for sticking with us through the past year, and thank you for giving us hope and fuel as we move into the future. We look forward to rising through recovery in the year ahead.
-Tami Door, President & CEO
Downtown Denver Partnership
THE COMMONS ORIGIN STORY
Inclusive entrepreneurship is key to a healthy, vibrant and growing economy. The Commons on Champa was founded in 2015 by the Downtown Denver Partnership in partnership with the City and County of Denver, Colorado Technology Association, and nearly 20 community partners. The Commons is a nonprofit community center in Downtown Denver where entrepreneurs can find the resources, programs and community they need to start and grow a business. This unique, public-private investment welcomed an innovative model to embrace capital and resources deployed by the regions’ changemakers and economic leaders to create a first-of-its-kind community asset to drive economic growth in our city.
The Commons brings a diverse community of business leaders and stakeholders together to create a culture and community of innovation and entrepreneurship to foster social, environmental and economic vitality. The highly accessible spaces, resources and programs at The Commons ease the business startup process to advance equitable economic opportunity through entrepreneurship. The Commons has boosted the rewards of entrepreneurship for thousands of individuals, consequently advancing economic prosperity in Denver.
PROGRAMS
The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins Here
I couldn't be more fortunate and grateful to have been part of my CO.Starters experience with The Commons! I am launching my new business as we speak thanks to my awesome CO.Starters Core 10-week kickstarter program and my Cohort #13.
R. Tony Smith,
Denver's Cupid, Cohort #13
"The Commons has helped connect me to a network of supportive entrepreneurs and experts, given me skills and knowledge to help me continue to push forward with my business, and is just a stimulating and supportive environment."
Katie Wall
TheCultureBiz
It’s not your ordinary business program. The Commons entrepreneurial journey equips motivated entrepreneurs with the skills, tools, relationships and community to start and scale new businesses — all within The Commons community where anyone can thrive, regardless of where you’re from or who you know.
Through The Commons Entrepreneurial Journey, support is tailored to each individual entrepreneur’s journey- we meet every entrepreneur where they are at in their stage of business.
To ensure we've been able to support the most vulnerable small businesses through this time, all of The Commons’ programs transitioned to a virtual format as a result of COVID-19. This included mentor sessions, the CO.Starters 10-week Entrepreneurial Accelerator, Advisory Hours, and all business support programming.
Expanding
Startup SPace
Expansion of our Startup Space platform enabled us to provide our programming outside the walls of The Commons.
Over 300 entrepreneurs have been using The Common’s Startup Space every month since we took all of our programming virtual—that’s thousands of people we may not have reached otherwise.
transition to Virtual Programing
To ensure we've been able to support the most vulnerable small businesses through this time, all of The Commons’ programs are virtual as a result of COVID-19.
This includes mentor sessions, the CO.Starters 10-week Entrepreneurial Accelerator, Advisory Hours, and all business support programming.
BUILDING
Virtual NETWORKs
In response to the pandemic, we hosted weekly webinars with the City of Denver and other local organizations that provide expert coverage of topics such as the CARES Act, small business funding, and more.
Due to the Commons' strong online presence, especially through our partnership with the robust entrepreneurial connection tool, Startup Space, these webinars have reached people across the nation, as well as throughout the Denver metro area.
SHaring COVID-19 RESOURCES
The Commons maintained a full COVID-19 Resources Listing for Denver Startups and Small Businesses in our virtual Knowledge Center in Startup Space.
Throughout the past year, the Commons also hosted daily entrepreneur support zoom-based calls to connect small business owners with local and federal support.
Each week, we send newsletters to 10,000 small business owners with additional COVID-related resources.
Uplifting Businesses
Programming and COVID-19 resources are imperative to small business owners, many of whom are just beginning their entrepreneurial journey and don’t have the capital and other resources necessary to navigate these turbulent times. Through The Commons’ assistance and connections to like-minded small business owners, we anticipate the negative effects of this pandemic will be minimized among those utilizing our resources.
BUSINESSES SUPPORTED IN 2020-2021
262 Businesses Accessed Commons Resources in 2021
Business Type
Business Stage
Industry
Community Member Type
BY THE NUMBERS
The Commons is an integrated resource hub for entrepreneurs and a profound catalyst for economic growth and equity in Denver. Entrepreneurship is a powerful force for economic development, especially now as a driver for post-pandemic economic recovery.
Denver is a city of opportunity. A city that develops and attracts many of our nations most talented. And ultimately, talented people build business and business builds cities. We are at a challenging and powerful point in the business cycle of growth and rebirth. We know that during crisis and recession, seeds of ideas are formed, and some ideas will turn into the high growth companies of tomorrow.
State
In Colorado
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#1 in Promoting Innovation and Women Entrepreneurs
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#1 Highest Increase in Personal Income in 2019
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#3 Best State Overall for Business, Entrepreneurs and Startups
City
In Denver
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#1 Most-Searched Location for Out-of-State Movers
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Acknowledged by Forbes as 1 of 10 cities best-positioned to recover from coronavirus
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3rd Hottest Job Market
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4th Most Popular City Among Millennial Homebuyers
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5th Fastest Growing City in the U.S.
Local
Startup Scene
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959 Total Startups
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6,069 Startup Employees
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9.4% of Denver Businesses are Startups
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6.3 Employees per Startup on Average
ReadY for Recovery
Entrepreneur Highlights
False Ego, Jevon Taylor
During the pandemic, we are all looking for ways to positively impact our communities and support businesses with a bigger meaning behind them. Meet False Ego, a Denver-made street wear company that stands for so much more than fashion. The man who founded the company, Jevon Taylor, was a college basketball player, then graphic designer, and has now rolled his passion and creativity into the community-based clothing line called False Ego. “I think our ‘false ego’ is something that makes it hard for us to connect with anything outside of ourselves," Taylor said. “And, this is what the work is all about. It's about really connecting with the world around us, and people around us, the environment.” Read the full article here.
LivaLittle + Pendulum Productions, JD Gonzales
After working out of my tiny downtown apartment producing videos for 6 months, I happened to step into the Commons out of curiosity of who my neighbors were. Little did I know they would become a community of great friends and the new home for my business Pendulum Productions (a high end video production company). Using the resources at the Commons, I was able to grow my business with trust and certainty that the people I surrounded myself with would support my endeavor in any way possible without any malicious intent. I've chosen to give back to the Commons community by facilitating a cohort in the Co-Starters program, providing a studio space and video production services for Denver Startup Week, filming with other companies in the space, and by regularly introducing new people into the community.
SoulNia, Kamiya Willoughby and Tess Hurlburt
Kamiya Willoughby and Tess Hurlburt seemingly never stop moving. Willoughby attends school and works part-time, while Hurlburt works full-time in the field of physical therapy—on top of jointly owning and running SoulNia, their vegetarian soul food catering company that challenges stereotypes while celebrating that historic cuisine. Even with such wildly busy schedules, married partners Willoughby, 25, and Hurlburt, 28, always make time to give back to their community. On June 22, they’re happy to do so via a pop-up dinner at the Bindery in support of Colorado’s black and LGBTQA communities. Proceeds from the event, which are being matched by the Bindery’s owner and chef Linda Hampsten Fox, will be donated to Black Lives Matter 5280 and the Center on Colfax. Read full article here.
A SPOTLIGHT ON CO.STARTERS
The Commons CO.Starters program is a 10-week, resource-rich mentorship program designed to accelerate your business. Through this program, entrepreneurs are able to refine business pitches and share your ideas with a community of entrepreneurs, receive pro bono legal assistance from the attorneys at Husch Blackwell, have professional headshots taken, lean on a network of 150+ incredible business owners, and more. This program went virtual in 2020, and served 40 entrepreneurs and their businesses through the many phases of re-opening and closing.
Bradley Kuhn | Finding Nectar Nursery
Nikkie Burnett | TasteLifeNutrition.com
Courtney Lanctot | The Unpopular Black
Brenda Greer | PEEKaMeet
Brie Zoller | Brie Z Operations
R. Tony Smith | Denver's Cupid
Adam Salzman | AdventureEXP
Chad Hadersbeck | MicTrainer
SUPPORTERS & PARTNERS
Led by the Downtown Denver Partnership, The Commons serves as the hub of Denver’s entrepreneurship community but we don't stand alone. The collaboration of diverse stakeholders sustains the spirit of innovation that has always defined our city.
We continue to mobilize a diverse ecosystem and work to amplify the impact of like-minded community builders to better support Denver’s entrepreneurial community.
The Commons’ Resource Compass, a consortium of 110 mission-aligned organizations, provides support, funding and advocacy for entrepreneurs. The Resource Compass supports The Commons’ goals to deliver effective programs at scale while amplifying the impact of other network programs, and by facilitating collaborations that benefit underserved entrepreneurs. The Commons is working to expand the Resource Compass to create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem with accessible resources, with a goal of engaging 250 network partners and ensuring those resources are visible.
In 2020, over 300 partner organizations fostered innovation and entrepreneurship by offering business education, assistance and training, inspiration, empowerment and community to The Commons, offering free, mission-aligned programming an average of 37 times every month.
The Commons growing list of diverse Denver’s community builders
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5-Minute Classes
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Asian Chamber of Commerce
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Built In Colorado
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C-TRAC (Center for Technology, Research and Commercialization)
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Catalyst Health-Tech Innovation
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City and County of Denver Surplus
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City/County of Denver/Office of Economic Development - Strategic Investments
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Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
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Colorado Creative Industries
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Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF)
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Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
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Colorado Women's Chamber of Commerce
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Community Economic Development (CED) Clinic
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Converge Denver
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Creative Density Coworking
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Deep Space Workplace & Event Center
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Denver Excise and Licenses
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Denver Founders
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Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce
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Denver Metro SBDC
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Denver Office Of Economic Development (OED)
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Denver Public Library
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Denver South Economic Development Partnership
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Denver Startup Week
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Downtown Denver Partnership
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ELEVATE coSPACE
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Enterprise Coworking
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Epicentral Coworking
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FANUM
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Galvanize
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Global Accelerator Network
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Go Code Colorado
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Green Spaces
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INDUSTRY Denver
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Joining Vision and Action
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Manufacturer's Edge
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Mi Casa Resource Center
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Mile High Young Professionals
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Modworks
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Patriot Boot Camp
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Posner Center for International Development
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Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce (RMICC)
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Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Urban Cooperative Development Program
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Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI)
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Rocky Mountain U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
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SCORE Denver
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Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
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Small Business Majority
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Startup Colorado
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Steno | Where You Work
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Techstars
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The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado
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Thrive Workplace
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TiE Rockies
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U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado District Office
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Uncharted
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University of Colorado - Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
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Women Who Startup
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Women's Bean Project
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World Trade Center
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Commons on Champa
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Kalen Jesse Photography
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TechStars
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The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado
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Thrive Workplace
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TiE Rockies
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U.S. Small Business Administration, Colorado District Office
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Uncharted
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University of Colorado - Entrepreneurial Law Clinic
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Women Who Startup
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Women's Bean Project
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World Trade Center
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Commons on Champa
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Kalen Jesse Photography
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TechStars
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Green Hat Web Solutions
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Bobo's Oat Bars
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Futurebound
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10.10.10
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Denver Community Credit Union
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Dream Spring
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Colorado Lending Source
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Meyer Law
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WeWork Labs
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The Riveter
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Wellness Tech Plus
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Confluence Denver
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Founder Institute
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MergeLane
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Rockies Venture Club
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Axiur Accounting
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CO.STARTERS at the Commons
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CreativeMornings/Denver
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Fitzsimons Innovation Community
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StartOut
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TechrIoT Powered by Innovation Pavilion
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Wakeen Design Co.
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1 Million Cups Denver
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General Assembly Denver
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LegalPilot
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Almace Networks
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Massive Pockets
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Inukshuk Online
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CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
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PSP Compass Solutions
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The Riveter
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To-Go Denver
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Colorado Artist Relief Fund
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So Jazzy & Co.
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Good Startups
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Zebulon Solutions
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Uncharted
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She's Independent LLC
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Creality Inc
DENVER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & OPPORTUNITY SUPPORT
Resources
Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) offers free one-on-one business advisory appointments and workshops to the Commons community to support entrepreneurs and small businesses in meeting business goals and overcoming challenges. The advisory team features experts from government and community organizations including representatives from; DEDO, the US Patent & Trademark Office, U.S. Small Business Administration, Denver Community Credit Union, and the Colorado Enterprise Fund.
Initiatives
DEDO’s monthly ‘Connect to the City’ workshops are designed to connect entrepreneurs to a diverse array of city programs and services to help them succeed. This year’s topics ranged from 5 Steps to Doing Business with Denver to Creating an Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Business, and many others.
In response to the pandemic, DEDO partnered with Green Hat Web Solutions to launch an ongoing series of Marketing & E-Commerce webinars to address the diverse needs of entrepreneurs looking to start up and/or pivot to an online model.
Success Stories
These clients were helped by DEDO services through The Commons: Spin-ups (Chad Lorenson), Brayniacs LLC (Cyndi Bray), Denver’s Cupid (R. Tony Smith), 4 My Child LLC (Fanta Dansoko).
Growing Businesses.
These growing businesses have taken part in The Commons Entrepreneurial Journey programs and are in varying phases of starting and growing their businesses with support from The Commons and Commons Community.
110 West Group LLC
52Eighty Entertainment
6onethree
Accucode 3D /The 3D Printing Store
Acuity IP, LLC
Adventurable
Ahead Wind
Ahlborg Acquisitions, LLC
Akasha Be Well Skincare
applied Medical Device Institute
Arapahoe Libraries
Arcturem
Ascension Energetics
Astral Organica
Atomos Space
Avaya
AZA Consulting
Balanced Blends
Ball Aerospace
Becoming Boutique
Between the Words
Bigshowmechanical
BioCoTech Americas
Black Opal Inc
BLOCK21 Fitness
Braaps
Brand Secrets and Strategies
BRAVE Life Venture
Breathe Real Estate
Buenas Causes Studio
Burnett Consulting
Canna 100 Capital
Capital Studio
Catch Happiness and Sustainable Three
Center for Entrepreneurship Education & Development
Center on Rural Innovation
Centerspike Business Services
CFO Business Advisors LLC
CFOshare
Chrysalis Partners
Cika media Inc
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)
Clean Water, Inc.
ClearPivot
Cloudbeds
Colonial Benefit Group
Colorado Technology Association
Colson Quinn
Connect
Connect My Cause
Cray Burroughs
Creality
CU-Boulder
Cultivated Synergy
Dakota Resources
Defudger
Del Barco Associates
Denver Metro Small Business Development Center
Denver South
Denver’s Cupid
Devon Victoria Communications, Inc.
Dog Training Elite Denver
Dogwood Consulting
Dr Auto Spa Custom Detail & Ceramic
Coatings
Dynacloud
Eden-Harris Group
Elebase
ElleRate
Em & El Organics
Equity Labs, University of Denver
EquityZen, Sliced Investing, J.P. Morgan (Former)
Established
Exploryst
ExpressSense
Fashion Design Center Denver
Finding Nectar Nursery LLC
Firm Awesome, LLC
FIXY Makeup
Flexible Fitness
FSB Nutrition and Training, LLC
Fuckup Nights Denver
GeoWize, LLC
Global Entrepreneurship Network
Good Turn Digital
Gord CompressionGreen Hat Web Solutions
GreenRoom Inc
GRID Impact
Guest House
Healthcare Price Tool
Helping Habit
Hero Foods
Hi-C Battery LLC
Hive Network (flywithhive.com)
HomeAdvisor
Ideas By Nature
ideasize, LLC
iDenver.net
Illinois JeepHers
Innovative Lighting Consultants (ILC)
Institute for Entrepreneurship, College of Business, CSU
Intentional Marketing and Communications
Inukshuk Online
Invest Success
James J. Hill Center
JeanGinzburg.com
Just Experiment
Just Plain Smart Ideas, LLC
KaizenRhino Solutions International Consultancy
Kanitha Studio LLC
Karissa Rund LLC
KDJ Communication
Kiewit Building Group Inc.
KP Strategies
Ladies of Justice, Business Solutions
Lansr Marketing
Laporte Immunotherapeutics, Inc.
Lashing Out Loud
Launch Lab
Launch Legal
Leadership Kiosk, LLC
Life Balance Company
Life From The Summit, Mindfulness & Coaching
Loadup Pup
Magnify Consulting LLC
Maine SBDC
Mainspring Innovation, LLC
Manos Soap Co.
Masheenist
Metro State University & University of Colorado
Meyer Law Ltd.
mFactor Consulting
Mic Trainer
MindBeWell LLC
Mosaic Colorado LLC
Mosaiceye LLC
Mothershed Design Company
Movenet
Moye White LLP
Mozilla Corporation
MPW Strategies
MyHomeFix, LLC
Navigant
Nevada Small Business Development Center
Nimbus Secure LLC
Noble One
Nymbl Science
One Grand Video
OneKindCup, LLC.
Orbital Micro Systems, AcroOptics
OTG Consulting
Otisa Eads LLC
Ouro Mobility
Oxlo
Paired
Parker-Anderson Enrichment
Patents Integrated
PEEKaMEET
Phillinnova
Pioneer Venture Group
Podcast Allies
Polly Languages
Posner Center for International Development
Power of Dreams, Llc
Prismetric
Project X-ITE at the University of Denver
Push FORWARD Development Ltd.
Qualcomm
Quizlet
RedoxRehabilitative Rhythms
Rep Fitness
ResultsLab
RMI Insights
Robin.io
Rockies Venture Club
Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute
Rocky Mountain Regional USPTO
Root Chemistry
RoxBox Containers
Rubicon Law
Sage Law Group
SAMII
SCKART
Shapiro Advisors
She's Independent
Shiner Studios LLC
Silicon Legal Strategy, APC
Simple Innovations & Solutions
Simple Switch
Skookum
SmartCapital
Smedley Events
Social Enterprise MSP
Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation
Spark
Spectrabotics
Spin Ups
sporforya.com
SpringTime Ventures
Stratton Ventures
Stuff
Summit Accessibility
SWFT
Swim and Tennis Creative Consulting
Sydor Instruments
SyNAPS
Teacher Tech Advisory
TEAM EEI
Tellusbox, Inc
The CORE
The Digital Edge, LLC
The Goat & Pig
The GreenSmith
The Hollines Group
The House of Stewart
The Lobbie
The Purpose Collective
The SeedCore Foundation
The Tuggerson Group
The Unpopular Black
The Village Institute
The Working Well
TheCultureBiz
Therapeasy
Third Sight Strategies
TisM4
Toolaloo
Transformative Coaching
TrueSpace
tumble HAUS, LLC
TurningScience
Undestructable
University of Denver
Uplight
Utah Valley Business Resource Center
UX Magnet
Vegas Chamber
Ventcenters, Inc.
Venture Partners at CU Boulder
Verve Integrative
Veteran Ventures Capital
Waggit
Warkentin LLC
Wearrative
Weber State University
Wellness Tech Plus, Inc.
WEtech Alliance
William Lee PC
WithLovebyECO
Women of Denver
WorldDenver
You’re Golden
Zayo Group
Zebulon Solutions
Zoptic
ZYPWORK