nuance intelligence

In addition to the fact that Denver has now twice been identified as the major metro area best poised for economic recovery (tip to newbie tweeter Adam Rentschler), there’s some pretty exciting progressive economic activity happening up and down the Front Range.

Coming up on July 9th is the Responsible Economy Roundtable, hosted by Richard Eidlin and his new firm, Progress Group.   Our firms share a goal, which is to catalyze support for social entrepreneurs, which Eidlin describes as “triple bottom line (financial, social and environmental) businesses that use market-based strategies to advance a social mission, while generating revenue.”

“The Roundtable is dedicated to supporting the next generation of Denver-area social entrepreneurs from underserved communities, who have the talent and vision, but lack the necessary resources to scale their idea. The goal is to connect these innovative people and their good ideas to business leaders and civic organizations with resources. A particular objective is to deepen the involvement of the private sector.”

We’re not only totally aligned, but fully participating in the Roundtable, as well as the greater movement. This session fits into an ongoing discussion in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and points in-between.  This fall and winter, the Local Capital Summit and Angel Capital Summit are both poised to maintain the momentum.  Both events are run by our long-term colleagues, and without stealing their thunder, we know you’ll learn about new tools, collaborations and opportunities at each event, which will build toward a more vibrant and sustainable economy in Colorado.

Care to play? Join us on July 9th.

The only thing we have to fear is…. doing nothing.

It has been an exciting few weeks, with many high-end networking events in Boulder around sustainability, investing and clean tech.  While the financial crisis remains in full swing, many investors, entrepreneurs and thought leaders are looking to the future and charting the course for the next phase in the Boulder / Colorado / U.S. economy.

Trustworthy sources are telling us about multiple 8- and 9-figure funds being raised for clean tech and sustainability investing, as well as rumors of keen interest in that space from private equity.  The rumor of Kleiner Perkins posting a one-man team at NREL to help spin out investable clean tech companies is confirmed as well — we met him this week.  Vague inquiries are coming from as far away as Tel Aviv and Sau Paolo.

Or, as my partner Kevin Johansen is saying these days, “recession my ass!”

Leading Boulder Web2.0 companies are even hosting a job fair to bring more technical talent into town, although there are also rumors of layoffs at weaker firms.  It’s going to be a mixed bag in that space, and the wheat will quickly be separated from the chaff.

If you want to escape the doom and gloom for a day, and join a more prosperous and optimistic future, look no further than the Angel Capital Summit, November 21, in Denver. Highlights include:

• Anita Burke’s presentation on how to run a business in a world of Peak Everything (including capital, it seems).
• 40 of Colorado’s strongest entrepreneurial growth-oriented businesses presenting investment opportunities.
• A TOWN HALL discussion called Disrupting the Recession, where a diverse group of thought leaders will talk directly with conference attendees about how we can all come together to build an Entrepreneurial Renaissance in Colorado.
• Surprise visit from one of Colorado’s favorite political leaders.

I’d love to know what you think about all this.  The TOWN HALL is still evolving, and your input will help make it better.

Please join us on November 21st in downtown Denver for this community gathering during a unique moment in history.

What recession? The Colorado small business economy is vibrant and growing, with a more dynamic mix of industries and sectors than we have seen in decades.  From biotech to energy, web 2.0 to nano, and an overriding mindset towards sustainability, there is a counter-cyclical boom in small business growth happening here on the Front Range.

If you want to learn more, you should really come check it out.  Here are some of the many ways to connect into this thriving community:

• New Tech Meetup.  Hundreds of geeks, entrepreneurs and cool new companies every month.
• Clean Tech Meetup. Cool ideas and innovative solutions for energy, transportation and more.
• Founders Meetup. Entrepreneurs coming together to help create great businesses.
• Colorado Capital Conference.  Hosted by the Rockies Venture Club next week, you can meet some of the best up-and-comers across a variety of sectors.
• TechStars. Cool summer program for aspiring web jockeys aspiring to become business people.
• Business Catapult. Online matching service for entrepreneurs and investors. Note: I’m one of four owners here, which makes it even cooler
• Angel Capital Summit. Annual fall investing fair, although their site has not been updated since last fall.  Look for more information in coming weeks.
• And there’s more.  Much more.  Comment here if you’ve got questions, thoughts or other interest in connecting into Colorado’s great entrepreneurial scene.