Exponential Impact

Exponential Impact (XI)’s Southern Colorado Seed to Scale Initiative will establish and strengthen a pathway of support for early-stage ventures looking to progress from seed to scale. The Southern Colorado region’s economy relies heavily on defense and tourism and historically lags in high-growth venture resources and talent, resulting in entrepreneurs often leaving the region in search of funding and team members to launch and scale high-growth tech companies.

This project will build upon XI’s Accelerator program, creating second- and third-stage growth programs for high-tech companies, as well as an apprenticeship program. The six-month Amplify program and 12-month Ascend program will provide post-accelerator alumni and other ventures with the access to workspace, mentor and investor events, and professional services they need to commercialize emerging technologies and grow high-tech companies. The project will also establish a two-year Entrepreneurship Apprenticeship designed to increase skills and provide on-the-job training, work experience, and high-level mentorship.

By 2022, XI anticipates supporting 45 participants in its Amplify program, 27 participants in its Ascend program, and 20 apprenticeship participants, thereby supporting the creation of 610 jobs.