Found In The Rockies

Found In The Rockies

By Les CraigBusiness
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Found In The Rockies episodes

  • Brian & Elyse from Access Venture Partners \\ Investing in fierce
    In today’s episode, I talk to Brian and Elyse from Access Venture Partners. We talk about the origin story of the fund and how it all started. We discuss the role of a Head of Platform in a venture fund. We talk about the history and evolution of the firm from the late 90’s to today. Elyse shares her experience as a woman in a venture in Colorado. We talk about what’s unique about the founders in their portfolio. Brain talks about the Code of the West. We discuss where and how Access finds deals. We talk about Colorado's role in their firm’s success. We discuss the post-COVID era and what has changed. We wrap up by discussing the future of the fund.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    The origin story of Access Venture Partners
    What is a Head of Platform in a Venture fund
    What is the evolution of Access from the late 90’s to today
    Elyse’s experience as a woman in venture in Colorado
    What’s unique about the founders on their portfolio
    The Code of the West
    Where and how does Access find deals?
    Looking back, what did they miss?
    What role has Colorado had in the firm’s success?
    Are any out of region companies trying to raise the competition?
    What has changed post-COVID in Colorado?
    Where do you see Access Venture Partners going in the future?
    Resources:
    Website: https://accessvp.com/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/accessvp
    Linkedin:
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/access-venture-partners/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwallace2/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysekent/
    1 hr
  • GAN Ventures \\ Creating opportunities for startups around the world

    In today’s episode, I talk to two of the visionaries behind the Global Accelerator Network and GAN ventures, Pat Riley and Reilly Flynn. We talk about the founders that they are funding, and the emerging venture ecosystem. We start by talking about what GAN is, and how it ended up in Colorado. We discuss how accelerators changed since 2005. We talk about the 4 traits they look for in founders they want to invest in. We discuss some interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in. We talk about the future of Venture in the Northern Rockies. We discuss some of the challenges that they face, as well as the founders they invest in. And we finally discuss GAN’s future and vision. 

    Here’s a closer look at the episode:

    • What is GAN?
    • How did it end up in Colorado?
    • How accelerators changed since 2005
    • The 4 traits they look for in founders
    • Interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in 
    • The future of Venture in the Northern Rockies
    • What are some of the challenges 
    • What is GAN vision for the future?

    Resources:
    Websites:
    https://www.gan.co/blog/
    https://www.gan.co/

    Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/ganconnect

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/GANConnect

    LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ganconnect/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/reillyflynn/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileypat/


    39 min
  • GAN Ventures \\ Creating opportunities for startups around the wo
    In today’s episode, I talk to two of the visionaries behind the Global Accelerator Network and GAN ventures, Pat Riley and Reilly Flynn. We talk about the founders that they are funding, and the emerging venture ecosystem. We start by talking about what GAN is, and how it ended up in Colorado. We discuss how accelerators changed since 2005. We talk about the 4 traits they look for in founders they want to invest in. We discuss some interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in. We talk about the future of Venture in the Northern Rockies. We discuss some of the challenges that they face, as well as the founders they invest in. And we finally discuss GAN’s future and vision.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    What is GAN?
    How did it end up in Colorado?
    How accelerators changed since 2005
    The 4 traits they look for in founders
    Interesting data on where to find ideas to invest in
    The future of Venture in the Northern Rockies
    What are some of the challenges
    What is GAN vision for the future?
    Resources:
    Websites:
    https://www.gan.co/blog/
    https://www.gan.co/
    Twitter:
    https://twitter.com/ganconnect
    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/GANConnect
    LinkedIn:
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/ganconnect/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/reillyflynn/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/rileypat/
    1 hr
  • Jenni Graff of Early Stage Montana \\ Accelerating the growth of Montana's tech ecosystem

    In today’s episode, I talk with Jenni Graff, the executive director of Early Stage Montana, an accelerator program, helping tech entrepreneurs grow faster, and creating jobs to diversify and grow Montana's economy. We dive into Jenni’s background and Montana’s community. We talk about what exactly an accelerator is, and what is unique about Early Stage Montana. We talk about the evolution of entrepreneurship in Montana over the past decade. We discuss how they find mentors for their programs. Jenni shares with us the vision of Early Stage Montana. 

    Here’s a closer look at the episode:

    • Jenni’s background 
    • What is bringing people to and keeping them in Montana?
    • How did Montana evolve for entrepreneurs in the past decade?
    • What is an accelerator program? 
    •  What’s unique about Montana’s accelerator program? 
    • How is this NOT like SharkTank?
    • How do you find and match-make mentors and the entrepreneurs?
    • Where is Early Stage Montana?
    • ESMT regional showcases 
    • Statewide Showcase on October 20th (tickets)
    • The SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Prize 
    • The future of Early Stage Montana
    • The future for tech startups in Montana

    Resources:

    Website:
    https://www.earlystagemt.org/

    Linkedin:
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-stage-montana/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennigraff/

    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/EarlyStageMT

    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/earlystagemt/

    39 min
  • Jenni Graff of Early Stage Montana \\ Accelerating the growth of
    In today’s episode, I talk with Jenni Graff, the executive director of Early Stage Montana, an accelerator program, helping tech entrepreneurs grow faster, and creating jobs to diversify and grow Montana's economy. We dive into Jenni’s background and Montana’s community. We talk about what exactly an accelerator is, and what is unique about Early Stage Montana. We talk about the evolution of entrepreneurship in Montana over the past decade. We discuss how they find mentors for their programs. Jenni shares with us the vision of Early Stage Montana.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    Jenni’s background
    What is bringing people to and keeping them in Montana?
    How did Montana evolve for entrepreneurs in the past decade?
    What is an accelerator program?
    What’s unique about Montana’s accelerator program?
    How is this NOT like SharkTank?
    How do you find and match-make mentors and the entrepreneurs?
    Where is Early Stage Montana?
    ESMT regional showcases
    Statewide Showcase on October 20th (tickets)
    The SBA's Growth Accelerator Fund Prize
    The future of Early Stage Montana
    The future for tech startups in Montana
    Resources:
    Website:
    https://www.earlystagemt.org/
    Linkedin:
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/early-stage-montana/
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennigraff/
    Facebook:
    https://www.facebook.com/EarlyStageMT
    Instagram:
    https://www.instagram.com/earlystagemt/
    1 hr
  • Michelle Huie (VIM & VIGR) \\ From a side hustle to the main hustle.

    In today’s episode, I talk with Michelle Huie. Michelle is the founder of VIM & VIGR. She also has another exciting new project in the works that we discuss. We talk about her startup journey, what got her started and where things are headed. We discuss her background and what led her to start her company. We talk about her transition from a side hustle to the main hustle. Michelle shares her takeaways from her journey. We discuss what’s next for VIM & VIGR and Michelle’s vision. We also discuss her second company ShopDot, and how she is taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space. We talk about bootstrapping vs fundraising for ShopDot. 

    Here’s a closer look at the episode:

    • Background 
    • How the company started 
    • From a side hustle to the main hustle 
    • Takeaways from Michelle’s journey
    • What’s next for VIM & VIGR
    • What’s ShopDot 
    • Taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space 
    • Bootstrapping VS fundraising for ShopDot 

    Resources:

    Websites:
    ShopDot:     https://shopdotapp.com/
    VIM & VIGR:     https://vimvigr.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-huie/

    31 min
  • Michelle Huie (VIM & VIGR) \\ From a side hustle to the main hust
    In today’s episode, I talk with Michelle Huie. Michelle is the founder of VIM & VIGR. She also has another exciting new project in the works that we discuss. We talk about her startup journey, what got her started and where things are headed. We discuss her background and what led her to start her company. We talk about her transition from a side hustle to the main hustle. Michelle shares her takeaways from her journey. We discuss what’s next for VIM & VIGR and Michelle’s vision. We also discuss her second company ShopDot, and how she is taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space. We talk about bootstrapping vs fundraising for ShopDot.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    Background
    How the company started
    From a side hustle to the main hustle
    Takeaways from Michelle’s journey
    What’s next for VIM & VIGR
    What’s ShopDot
    Taking her past experience to solve the problem in the retail space
    Bootstrapping VS fundraising for ShopDot
    Resources:
    Websites:
    ShopDot: https://shopdotapp.com/
    VIM & VIGR: https://vimvigr.com/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-huie/
    1 hr
  • Greater Colorado Venture Fund \\ Investing in Rural Colorado
    In today’s episode, I talk with Corey Finney, Marc Nager, and Jamie Finney, who are the magic behind the Greater Colorado Venture Fund, a firm that invests only in companies based in rural Colorado. We get into why it’s important to fund startups in areas outside of the major metropolitan areas. Corey, Jamie, and Marc share their unique perspective on what startups to fund and why. We get into some of the unique challenges of founders who live in unsuspected (but awesome!) places located outside the mainstream of venture capital prospecting. They share with us what they think the future holds for not only their fund, but also the rural startup ecosystem in Colorado.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    What is the Greater Colorado Venture Fund?
    Making Venture Capital work in rural communities.
    Why focus on rural communities?
    What impact has COVID had?
    Can this model be replicated in other places?
    Advice they would give to founders looking for capital.
    Why lifestyle and values are driving factors.
    What types of companies GCVF invests in.
    What is different about the founders in rural areas?
    How to find the right partners and why it’s important.
    Strengths, weaknesses, challenges and unique things across their market
    What role has the state of Colorado played in their success?
    What are they looking for in founders to invest in?
    The vision for 2021 and beyond
    Resources:
    Website: https://www.greatercolorado.vc/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nager/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-finney-761a3055/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiefinney/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greater_colorado_venture_fund/
    1 hr
  • Hanna Wu of Amplify \\ Life Insurance as an Investment
    In today’s episode, I talk with Hanna Wu who is the Co-founder & CEO of Amplify, a life insurance company that allows its users to build wealth with their policy. Hannah tells us her family’s inspiring story of immigrating to the United States and how her upbringing inspired her to an amazing path as a start-up founder. Hanna shares her challenges and the biggest lessons she has learned over the past two years fundraising and growing Amplify. She provides perspective, advice and encouragement for founders of all rocky mountain backgrounds and stages.
    Here’s a closer look at the episode:
    What is Amplify? Why a Life Insurance company?
    How investing with your life insurance policy is different.
    How they handled proof of concept.
    How COVID has changed how they do business and how they fundraise.
    Fundraising tips for first-round founders.
    How her life at home has impacted the path of Amplify
    Personal vision as a motivating factor.
    Developing your network.
    Growth as a leader
    Where is Amplify going?
    Resources:
    Website: https://beamplify.com/
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-wu-a6b094155/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamplify/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/beamplify
    1 hr
  • Hanna Wu of Amplify \\ Life Insurance as an Investment

    Summary:

    In today’s episode, I talk with Hanna Wu who is the Cofounder & CEO of Amplify, a life insurance company that allows its users to build wealth with their policy.  Hannah tells us her family’s inspiring story of immigrating to the United States and how her upbringing inspired her to an amazing path as a start-up founder. Hanna shares her challenges and the biggest lessons she has learned over the past two years fundraising and growing Amplify. She provides perspective, advice and encouragement for founders of all rocky mountain backgrounds and stages.

    Here’s a closer look at the episode:

    • What is Amplify? Why a Life Insurance company?
    • How investing with your life insurance policy is different.
    • How they handled proof of concept.
    • How COVID has changed how they do business and how they fundraise. 
    • Fundraising tips for first-round founders.
    • How her life at home has impacted the path of Amplify
    • Personal vision as a motivating factor.
    • Developing your network. 
    • Growth as a leader
    • Where is Amplify going?

    Resources:

    Website: https://beamplify.com/

    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-wu-a6b094155/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beamplify/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/beamplify


    32 min

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