📅 Last Updated: February 5, 2026 | New Denver startups added weekly
Looking for recently funded Denver startups? You’re in the right place. Denver startups are transforming Colorado into one of America’s fastest-growing tech hubs. The Mile High City’s tech sector raised $3.99 billion in 2025, representing a remarkable 68% increase year-over-year. Denver startups now employ over 165,000 people across the Front Range corridor, cementing Colorado’s position as a major innovation center.
Our team tracks Denver startup funding announcements every week, maintaining the most comprehensive database of verified contacts, funding details, and company intelligence. Below, you’ll find 100 recently funded Denver startups with actionable data you can use today.
👉 Jump to the List of 100 Funded Denver Startups
Quick Stats: Denver Startup Funding in 2025
- 📍 Major hubs: Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs
- 💰 Total funding 2025: $3.99 billion across 285+ deals
- 🏢 Denver startups tracked: 220 companies in our database
- 📈 Growth rate: 68% increase year-over-year
- 🎯 Top sectors: AI (32%), Energy/CleanTech (24%), HealthTech (18%)
Table of Contents
Why Denver Startups Lead the Rocky Mountain Region
Denver startups have established Colorado as a premier destination for tech entrepreneurship and innovation. The region’s tech sector now contributes over $28 billion annually to the state economy, with Denver serving as the primary hub for recently funded startups throughout the Rocky Mountain West. Several factors drive momentum for Denver startups:
- Quality of Life & Talent Attraction: Denver consistently ranks among America’s most desirable cities, making it easier for Denver startups to recruit top talent from coastal markets. The city offers 300 days of sunshine, proximity to world-class outdoor recreation, and a lower cost of living than Silicon Valley or New York.
- Strategic Geographic Position: Denver’s central US timezone enables Denver startups to serve both East and West Coast markets efficiently. The city’s central location also positions it as a natural hub for companies serving energy, agriculture, and natural resources sectors.
- Strong University Pipeline: Colorado universities including University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, and Colorado State University produce over 15,000 STEM graduates annually. CU Boulder’s Technology Transfer Office has helped launch over 150 startups, making it one of the nation’s most productive research commercialization programs.
- Favorable Business Climate: Colorado offers competitive tax rates, streamlined business registration, and the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program, which provides up to $250,000 in matching funds for early-stage companies.
- Growing Venture Capital Ecosystem: Denver’s VC community has expanded significantly, with firms like Foundry Group, Ridgeline Ventures, and Access Venture Partners providing both capital and mentorship to local startups. Total VC assets under management in Colorado exceeded $5 billion in 2025.
According to the Startup Genome Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2024, Denver-Boulder ranks as the #15 global startup ecosystem, ahead of established hubs like Washington DC and Miami.
Recently Funded Startups in Denver
Below is our curated database of the 100 most recently funded Denver-area startups. This data is updated weekly and sourced from Crunchbase, SEC filings, and direct company announcements.
| Name | Website | Industry | Country | Funding Amount (USD) | Funding Type | Last Funding Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SparkServ | sparkserv.com | Automotive, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Marketing | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| BattlegroundAI | battlegroundai.com | Advertising, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | Seed | February 2026 | |
| RedFox Equity | redfoxequity.com | Finance, Legal, Professional Services | United States | Pre-Seed | February 2026 | |
| Reddy | reddy.io | Human Resources, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Education, Recruiting | United States | $6,150,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | February 2026 |
| Struction | struction.co | Construction, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $5,053,200 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| VieCure | viecure.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, B2B Software, Data | United States | $43,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Neuramint | neuramint.xyz | Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software, Blockchain | United States | $5,000,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| encoord | encoord.com | Energy, Analytics, B2B Software, Environment | United States | $2,000,000 | Seed | January 2026 |
| Engaged Citizen | engagedcitizens.us | B2B Software, Community, Information Technology, Social Network | United States | $8,773,137 | Venture - Series Unknown | January 2026 |
| Pomp | pompbeauty.com | Beauty, B2B Software, Marketplace | United States | $583,614 | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 |
| Lin Health | lin.health | Healthcare, B2C Software | United States | $11,000,000 | Series A | December 2025 |
| Soar Autism Center | soarautismcenter.com | Healthcare, Mental Health, Wellness | United States | $17,031,369 | Venture - Series Unknown | December 2025 |
| CisLunar Industries | cislunarindustries.com | Aerospace, Hardware, Manufacturing, Materials | United States | Seed | November 2025 | |
| Orion | oriongeo.com | Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Analytics, Data | United States | $3,500,000 | Seed | November 2025 |
| encoord | encoord.com | Energy, B2B Software, Environment | United States | $1,300,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | November 2025 |
| bQuest | thebquest.com | Insurance, Finance, Family, Healthcare, Professional Services | United States | Seed | November 2025 | |
| Crusoe Energy Systems | crusoe.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Energy | United States | $1,400,000,000 | Series E | October 2025 |
| BoltWise | getboltwise.com | B2B Software, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Logistics | United States | $2,500,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| fieldflo | fieldflo.com | B2B Software, Construction, Environment | United States | $35,000,000 | Private Equity | October 2025 |
| Simplifya | simplifya.com | Cannabis, B2B Software | United States | $2,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| Halfdays | halfdays.com | Fashion, Consumer Goods | United States | $10,000,000 | Series A | October 2025 |
| Birdcall | eatbirdcall.com | Food and Beverage, Hospitality | United States | $3,150,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2025 |
| Splash Sports | splashsports.com | Gambling, Gaming, Sports | United States | $14,500,000 | Series B | October 2025 |
| Kurv Health | kurv.health | Healthcare, Technology | United States | Seed | October 2025 | |
| Atolio | atolio.com | Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data | United States | $24,000,000 | Series A | September 2025 |
| Kestrel Labs | kestrellabs.com | Cloud Computing, Architecture, Construction | United States | $550,000 | Pre-Seed | September 2025 |
| Auxilia | theauxilia.com | Cloud Computing, Non Profit | United States | $1,003,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | September 2025 |
| Vantage Data Centers | vantage-dc.com | Data, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence | United States | $1,600,000,000 | Private Equity | September 2025 |
| Sunshine Silver Mining & Refining | sunshinesilvermining.com | Materials | United States | $75,000,000 | Private Equity | September 2025 |
| Maybell Quantum Industries | maybellquantum.com | Quantum Computing | United States | $40,000,000 | Series B | September 2025 |
| Strive Health | strivehealth.com | United States | $300,000,000 | Series D | September 2025 | |
| Raptt | raptt.tech | Cloud Computing, Information Technology | United States | $10,000 | Pre-Seed | August 2025 |
| Fluint | fluint.io | Artificial Intelligence, Sales | United States | $2,400,000 | Seed | August 2025 |
| Omnia | omnia.financial | FinTech, Finance | United States | $6,200,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | August 2025 |
| Cascade Biocatalysts | cascadebiocatalysts.com | Biotechnology, Manufacturing | United States | $5,441,785 | Venture - Series Unknown | August 2025 |
| CisLunar Industries | cislunarindustries.com | Aerospace, Manufacturing | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | July 2025 | |
| Modii | modii.co | Mobile, Analytics, Marketing | United States | Seed | June 2025 | |
| Rosarium Health | rosariumhealth.com | Home Services | United States | $372,750 | Seed | June 2025 |
| Lux Aeterna | luxaeterna.com | Aerospace | United States | $4,000,000 | Pre-Seed | June 2025 |
| Sphinx | sphx.io | Artificial Intelligence, Data, Cloud Computing | United States | $2,000,000 | Pre-Seed | June 2025 |
| GovWorx | govworx.ai | Government, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing | United States | Private Equity | June 2025 | |
| Noma | nomatherapy.com | Insurance, Healthcare | United States | $4,250,000 | Seed | May 2025 |
| FoodHealth | bitewell.com | Food and Beverage, Healthcare, Food and Beverage, Nutrition and Supplements | United States | $7,500,000 | Series A | May 2025 |
| Quantix | quantixinc.com | Information Technology | United States | Private Equity | May 2025 | |
| Pluto Biosciences | pluto.bio | Biotechnology, Analytics | United States | $3,600,000 | Seed | May 2025 |
| StackHawk | stackhawk.com | Cyber Security | United States | $12,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | May 2025 |
| Notable Systems | notablesystems.com | Legal, Cloud Computing | United States | $12,000,000 | Series B | April 2025 |
| Reddy | reddy.io | Recruiting | United States | $2,000,000 | Seed | March 2025 |
| AidKit | aidkit.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence | United States | $8,500,000 | Series A | March 2025 |
| Urban Sky | urbansky.com | Aerospace | United States | $30,000,000 | Series B | February 2025 |
| Affineon Health | affineon.com | Artificial Intelligence, Hardware | United States | $5,000,000 | Seed | February 2025 |
| MagicSchool AI | magicschool.ai | Education | United States | $45,000,000 | Series B | February 2025 |
| Nextworld | nextworld.net | Virtual Reality | United States | $65,000,000 | Series F | February 2025 |
| Pathify | pathify.com | Education | United States | $25,000,000 | Private Equity | February 2025 |
| Tereform | tereform.com | Chemicals | United States | $1,200,000 | Seed | February 2025 |
| cliexa | cliexa.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology | United States | $2,740,000 | Seed | February 2025 |
| Frontera Health | fronterahealth.com | Healthcare, Wellness | United States | $32,000,000 | Seed | February 2025 |
| Loxo | loxo.co | Recruiting, Cloud Computing | United States | $115,000,000 | Private Equity | February 2025 |
| Karman+ | karmanplus.com | Aerospace | United States | $20,000,000 | Seed | January 2025 |
| RheumaGen | rheumagen.com | Biotechnology | United States | $15,000,000 | Series A | January 2025 |
| Parsyl | parsyl.com | Logistics | United States | $20,000,000 | Series C | January 2025 |
| Colorado Bathhouse | coloradobathhouse.com | Wellness | United States | $200,000 | Seed | December 2024 |
| Supliful | supliful.com | FinTech, Finance | United States | $1,053,056 | Seed | December 2024 |
| Vantage Data Centers | planmark.fi | Artificial Intelligence, Education | United States | $1,471,922,552 | Private Equity | December 2024 |
| Elevate | elevate.inc | Artificial Intelligence | United States | $20,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | November 2024 |
| Crusoe Energy Systems | crusoeenergy.com | Energy | United States | $500,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | November 2024 |
| Cloverleaf AI | cloverleaf.ai | Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing | United States | $2,800,000 | Seed | November 2024 |
| Eaze | eaze.com | Marketplace, E-commerce, Cannabis | United States | $10,000,000 | Series B | November 2024 |
| VieCure | viecure.com | Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence | United States | $45,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2024 |
| Koloma | koloma.com | Data, Chemicals | United States | $50,000,000 | Series B | October 2024 |
| ForceMetrics | forcemetrics.com | Data, Analytics | United States | $22,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2024 |
| Cast | castfinance.com | FinTech, Finance | United States | $2,295,000 | Seed | October 2024 |
| Staffing Referrals | staffingreferrals.com | Human Resources, Recruiting | United States | Venture - Series Unknown | October 2024 | |
| Redaptive | redaptive.com | Energy | United States | $100,000,000 | Private Equity | October 2024 |
| Credit Pulse | creditpulse.com | Finance, Analytics | United States | $3,000,000 | Seed | September 2024 |
| Soar Autism Center | soarautismcenter.com | Healthcare | United States | $19,335,699 | Venture - Series Unknown | September 2024 |
| Opopop | opopop.com | Food and Beverage | United States | $1,978,729 | Venture - Series Unknown | September 2024 |
| Two Boxes | twoboxes.com | Logistics, Transportation | United States | $5,300,000 | Seed | September 2024 |
| Hotel Engine | hotelengine.com | Travel, Hospitality | United States | $140,000,000 | Series C | September 2024 |
| Torq | torq.io | Artificial Intelligence | United States | $70,000,000 | Series C | September 2024 |
| BNP Associates | bnpassociates.com | Aviation | United States | Private Equity | September 2024 | |
| Zavanna | zavanna.com | United States | Private Equity | September 2024 | ||
| PolyAPI | polyapi.io | Cloud Computing | United States | $5,139,999 | Seed | July 2024 |
| Vequity | vequity.ai | Finance, Investing | United States | Seed | July 2024 | |
| zLinq | getzlinq.com | B2B Software | United States | $2,000,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | July 2024 |
| Scholarly Software | scholarlysoftware.com | Education, Cloud Computing | United States | $3,999,996 | Seed | July 2024 |
| Peak Energy | peakenergy.com | Energy | United States | $55,000,000 | Series A | July 2024 |
| BoltWise | getboltwise.com | Cloud Computing, Logistics | United States | $3,000,000 | Seed | July 2024 |
| Cowboy Clean Fuels | cowboycleanfuels.com | Energy | United States | $13,000,000 | Series B | July 2024 |
| Liminal | liminal.ai | Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $5,000,000 | Seed | June 2024 |
| Amoofy | amoofy.com | Electronics, Wearables | United States | $305,000 | Seed | June 2024 |
| Delise Automotive | deliseauto.com | Automotive | United States | Series A | June 2024 | |
| HarperDB | harperdb.io | Data, Analytics | United States | Private Equity | June 2024 | |
| APIGen | apigen.com | Cloud Computing | United States | $500,000 | Pre-Seed | June 2024 |
| MagicSchool AI | magicschool.ai | Education | United States | $15,000,000 | Series A | June 2024 |
| Turbo Press Inc | theturbopress.com | B2B Software | United States | $11,231,113 | Venture - Series Unknown | May 2024 |
| Notable Systems | notablesystems.com | Healthcare, Data, Information Technology | United States | $2,265,000 | Venture - Series Unknown | May 2024 |
| Backflip | backflip.com | Real Estate, Investing | United States | $15,000,000 | Series A | May 2024 |
| MagicSchool AI | magicschool.ai | Education, Artificial Intelligence, B2B Software | United States | $17,866,348 | Venture - Series Unknown | May 2024 |
| In-House Health | inhouse.health | Healthcare | United States | $4,000,000 | Seed | May 2024 |
Want To Contact These Startups?
We send recently funded startups with double-verified email addresses, CEO details, and much more directly to your inbox. Sign up and get 100 leads free.
Denver Startups at a Glance
- Number of Denver, CO startups in our database: 223
- Number of verified email addresses in our database: 290
- Number of social profiles in our database: 549
- Other data points stored: 3,175
- Total funding raised in 2025: $3,998,105,655
- Seed: $47,918,229
- Series A: $123,550,000
- Series B: $162,750,000
- Series C: $281,050,000
- Other funding*: $1,981,676,783
- Total funding raised in 2025: $3,998,105,655
*Other funding includes private equity, debt financing, and various other types of capital.
Top Industries for Denver Startups
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
AI startups in Denver captured over $1.27 billion in funding during 2025, representing 32% of all Colorado tech investment. The sector benefits from Colorado School of Mines’ world-class data science programs and the region’s strength in applying AI to traditional industries like energy, agriculture, and aerospace.
Notable Denver AI startups include Crusoe Energy Systems, which raised $1.4 billion in Series E funding to power AI compute with stranded energy sources, and VieCure, which secured $43 million for its AI-powered healthcare analytics platform. MagicSchool AI raised $45 million in Series B funding for its education-focused AI assistant platform, demonstrating Denver’s strength in applied AI across diverse sectors.
The Colorado AI Task Force, established in 2024, is working to position the state as a leader in responsible AI development, particularly in healthcare and energy applications. Denver startups are uniquely positioned to leverage AI for solving real-world challenges in energy efficiency, natural resource management, and healthcare delivery.
Energy & CleanTech Innovation
Denver startups in the energy sector raised $956 million in 2025, driven by Colorado’s abundant renewable energy resources and strong policy support for clean energy transition. The state’s ambitious goal of 100% renewable electricity by 2040 creates massive market opportunities for energy innovators.
Crusoe Energy Systems leads the sector with its innovative approach to capturing wasted natural gas to power cloud computing and AI workloads. Other notable companies include Peak Energy, which raised $55 million for sodium-ion battery storage technology, and Cowboy Clean Fuels, which secured $22 million for renewable natural gas production.
Colorado’s Clean Energy Fund provides financing for clean energy projects, while the state’s robust Renewable Energy Standard creates predictable demand for innovative solutions. Denver’s proximity to major energy infrastructure and natural resources sectors provides unique testing grounds for energy tech startups.
HealthTech & Life Sciences
HealthTech startups in Denver raised over $718 million in 2025, reflecting the region’s strength in medical devices, digital health, and biotechnology. The Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora serves as a major research hub, housing the University of Colorado School of Medicine and numerous biotech companies.
Major funding rounds include Strive Health’s $300 million Series D for kidney care management, Lin Health’s $11 million Series A for mental health support, and Frontera Health’s $32 million seed round for Latino healthcare access. The concentration of major healthcare systems including UCHealth, SCL Health, and Centura Health provides Denver startups with clinical validation partners and early customers.
The BioScience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program offers up to $150,000 for early-stage life sciences companies commercializing research. Colorado ranks 8th nationally in NIH funding, generating substantial research output that feeds the startup ecosystem.
Aerospace & Space Technology
Denver’s aerospace sector benefits from proximity to major defense installations and a long history in space technology. Aerospace startups in the Denver area raised over $285 million in 2025, focusing on small satellites, space infrastructure, and advanced manufacturing.
Urban Sky secured $30 million in Series B funding for its high-altitude stratospheric balloons providing Earth observation data. CisLunar Industries raised seed funding for space-based metal processing and manufacturing. Karman+ raised $20 million to develop sustainable space propulsion systems. Lux Aeterna raised $4 million in pre-seed funding for lunar infrastructure technology.
Colorado’s aerospace heritage includes major facilities from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Ball Aerospace. The Colorado Space Coalition connects aerospace companies with research institutions and government agencies. Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs anchors the region’s military space operations, creating unique opportunities for dual-use technology startups.
Explore More Funded Startups by Industry
Looking for startups in other sectors? Check out our comprehensive lists:
- B2B SaaS Startups – Software companies serving business customers
- FinTech Startups – Financial technology innovators
- EdTech Startups – Education technology companies
- Quantum Computing Startups – Next-generation computing
- Cannabis Startups – Legal cannabis industry companies
- Recently Funded Startups – Latest funding announcements across all industries
Denver Startup Ecosystem: Location Breakdown
Downtown Denver Tech Corridor
Downtown Denver has emerged as the primary concentration point for tech startups, with the RiNo (River North) Arts District serving as the epicenter of the startup community. The area offers renovated industrial spaces, high walkability, and proximity to both housing and amenities that appeal to young tech workers.
Key coworking spaces and startup hubs include Galvanize Denver, WeWork RiNo, and Industry Denver. The Denver Startup Week, held annually each September, attracts over 20,000 participants and serves as a major networking and deal-making event for the ecosystem.
Major Denver-based companies include Guild Education (workforce development), SendGrid (email delivery, acquired by Twilio for $3 billion), and Ibotta (cash-back shopping app, publicly traded). The downtown corridor benefits from excellent transit access via RTD light rail and close proximity to Denver International Airport.
Boulder: Innovation Powerhouse
Boulder maintains its position as one of America’s most successful per-capita startup ecosystems. Located 30 miles northwest of Denver, Boulder’s 100,000 residents support over 300 tech companies. The University of Colorado Boulder drives substantial innovation, producing research that has spawned companies across AI, quantum computing, and biotechnology.
Notable Boulder companies include Boom Supersonic (commercial supersonic aircraft), Made In (premium cookware), and historically Google Maps (originated from a Boulder startup acquired by Google). The Boulder Chamber of Commerce estimates tech companies contribute over $5 billion annually to the local economy.
Boulder’s advantages include exceptional quality of life, strong university connections, and a mature network of serial entrepreneurs and angel investors. The Techstars Boulder accelerator, founded in 2006, helped establish Boulder’s reputation as a startup-friendly city and has graduated over 200 companies.
Fort Collins: Emerging Hub
Fort Collins, home to Colorado State University, has emerged as Colorado’s fastest-growing startup hub. The city raised over $120 million in startup funding in 2025, a 215% increase from 2023. Fort Collins excels in agricultural technology, life sciences, and outdoor recreation technology.
Companies like OtterBox (mobile device protection) and Woodward (aerospace/industrial controls) provide both acquisition exit opportunities and experienced talent for startups. The Colorado State University Ventures program has helped commercialize dozens of university research projects.
Fort Collins offers significantly lower operating costs than Denver or Boulder while maintaining quality of life advantages. The city’s Innovation District provides tax incentives and infrastructure support for tech companies.
Colorado Springs: Defense & Aerospace
Colorado Springs anchors the southern portion of Colorado’s Front Range tech corridor, with particular strength in defense technology, aerospace, and cybersecurity. The city’s proximity to five military installations including Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, and the U.S. Air Force Academy creates unique opportunities for dual-use technology companies.
The aerospace and defense sector employs over 40,000 people in Colorado Springs. Startups in the area often focus on space technology, satellite systems, and defense electronics. The Defense Innovation Unit maintains an office in Colorado Springs to connect military needs with startup solutions.
Colorado Startup Funding Trends
Series A & B Momentum
Denver-area startups raised significant Series A funding in 2025, with rounds ranging from $5 million to $65 million. The median Series A size reached $15 million, reflecting strong investor confidence in Colorado companies that demonstrate product-market fit.
Notable Series A and B rounds include:
- MagicSchool AI: $45 million Series B for education AI platform
- Peak Energy: $55 million Series A for sodium-ion battery technology
- Heidi Health: $65 million Series B for AI-powered healthcare scribe
- Urban Sky: $30 million Series B for stratospheric balloon imaging
- Splash Sports: $14.5 million Series B for fantasy sports platform
The growth of local late-stage capital providers like Ridgeline Ventures and Access Venture Partners means Denver startups can now raise Series A and B rounds without relocating to Silicon Valley. This “stay local” trend strengthens the ecosystem by keeping successful founders and experienced operators in Colorado.
💼 Selling to Series A Startups?
Denver startups that just raised Series A funding are actively building teams and buying tools. Get weekly lists of newly funded Denver startups with verified decision-maker contacts, or request a custom list of Series A companies in your target industry.
Late-Stage Growth Capital
Late-stage funding (Series C and beyond) in Colorado totaled over $1.2 billion in 2025. This represents healthy ecosystem maturation, with companies scaling to national and global markets while maintaining Colorado headquarters.
Major late-stage rounds included:
- Crusoe Energy Systems: $1.4 billion Series E for AI cloud infrastructure
- Strive Health: $300 million Series D for kidney care management
- Hotel Engine: $140 million Series C for business travel booking
- Torq: $70 million Series C for security automation
The presence of growth equity firms like Foundry Group, Grotech Ventures, and Stratus Equity Partners provides expansion capital for scaling companies. Denver startups can now access the full spectrum of venture capital without geographic constraints.
Denver vs. Other Tech Hubs
Denver’s startup ecosystem competes effectively with larger coastal markets:
| City/Region | 2025 Funding | Companies | Top Strength | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver/Boulder | $3.99B | 220+ | AI, Energy, Aerospace | $115K |
| Austin, TX | $4.8B | 340+ | SaaS, Semiconductors | $125K |
| Seattle, WA | $6.2B | 450+ | Cloud, E-commerce | $145K |
| Boston, MA | $8.1B | 520+ | Biotech, Robotics | $135K |
| Chicago, IL | $3.2B | 280+ | FinTech, Logistics | $110K |
While Denver’s total funding trails Boston and Seattle, the ecosystem demonstrates competitive strength on a per-company basis. Denver’s advantages include:
- Lower operating costs: Office space costs 40-60% less than San Francisco or New York
- Higher talent retention: 78% of tech workers rate quality of life as “excellent” vs. 45% in San Francisco
- Tax competitiveness: Colorado’s 4.4% flat income tax compares favorably to California’s 13.3% top rate
- Central timezone access: Denver companies can serve both coasts during standard business hours
The Denver Startup Support System
Key Accelerators & Incubators
Colorado’s accelerator ecosystem provides critical early-stage support for startups:
- Techstars Boulder: One of Techstars’ original locations, has graduated over 200 companies including ClassPass, Sphero, and FullContact. Provides $120K investment for 6% equity plus intensive mentorship.
- Boomtown Accelerators: Boulder-based with programs in multiple industries, focusing on companies serving enterprise markets.
- Catalyst HTI: Health technology accelerator in partnership with UCHealth, providing access to clinical validation and healthcare expertise.
- Innosphere Ventures: Focus on deeptech commercialization, particularly companies emerging from university research at CU Boulder and CSU.
- Colorado Springs Chamber EDC: Supports defense and aerospace startups with connections to military installations and prime contractors.
Venture Capital Landscape
Colorado’s VC ecosystem manages approximately $5 billion in assets across 50+ active firms. Key investors include:
Early Stage:
- Foundry Group – Boulder-based firm with portfolio companies including Fitbit, Zynga, and SendGrid
- Ridgeline Ventures – Focuses on B2B SaaS companies in the Rocky Mountain region
- Access Venture Partners – Early-stage investor in AI, cybersecurity, and infrastructure software
- Boulder Ventures – Seed and Series A investor supporting Colorado companies since 2003
Growth Stage:
- Ridgeline Partners – Growth equity for B2B software companies
- Grotech Ventures – Multi-stage investor with Denver office focusing on enterprise software
- Stratus Equity Partners – Denver-based private equity for lower middle-market companies
National firms including Sequoia Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Tiger Global are increasingly active in Colorado deals, validating the ecosystem’s quality and potential.
Colorado’s Talent Pipeline
Colorado’s education system produces over 15,000 STEM graduates annually from leading universities:
- University of Colorado Boulder: #1 in Colorado for computer science, engineering, and physics research. Strong startup culture with the IDEA Forge innovation space and the Venture Partners program.
- Colorado School of Mines: World-renowned for engineering, data science, and natural resources programs. Particularly strong in energy technology and materials science.
- Colorado State University: Excellence in agricultural technology, life sciences, and atmospheric research. Strong partnerships with food and agriculture companies.
- University of Denver: Growing computer science and business programs with focus on entrepreneurship.
Major tech employers including Google (Boulder office with 1,500+ employees), Amazon (multiple Colorado fulfillment and tech centers), Microsoft, Oracle, and VMware provide training grounds for startup talent. The ecosystem benefits from experienced operators leaving these companies to join or found startups.
Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle attracts talent from coastal markets, with 63% of Denver startups reporting they’ve successfully recruited employees from California, New York, or Massachusetts in the past two years.
How to Use This Denver Startup Database
This database is updated weekly and designed for multiple use cases:
For Sales & Business Development Teams: Contact Denver startups within 30 days of funding announcements when budgets are freshest. Our verified email addresses reach decision-makers directly, and we track funding amounts so you can prioritize high-value prospects. Companies that raise $10M+ Series A rounds typically spend 40-60% on sales, marketing, and technology infrastructure in the first year. Learn how to sell to recently funded startups.
For Investors & VCs: Track emerging trends in the Colorado ecosystem, identify co-investment opportunities, monitor competitive landscape, and discover high-potential companies at various stages. Our database includes funding history, investor details, growth indicators, and sector classifications to support deal sourcing and market research.
For Job Seekers: Recently funded Denver startups are actively hiring across all functions. Use funding announcements to time your applications when companies are expanding teams. Our database includes LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and industry classifications to target your search effectively.
For Service Providers: Target startups needing legal, accounting, HR, marketing, or technology services post-funding. Companies that just raised capital are actively seeking vendors to support their growth. Many B2B lead generation tool vendors specifically target recently funded companies for this reason.
For Media & Researchers: Source breaking stories, track Colorado innovation trends, and analyze funding patterns across industries and cities. Our data provides comprehensive insights into the Front Range startup ecosystem and its evolution over time.
Ready to Connect with Denver Startups?
Growth List subscribers receive weekly updates of newly funded Denver and Colorado startups with double-verified email addresses, funding amounts, investor details, and LinkedIn profiles. Sign up and get 100 free leads to test the quality of our data.
Need something more specific? Our custom list service can build targeted lists of Denver startups filtered by:
- Specific cities (Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, Aurora)
- Industries (AI, Energy, HealthTech, Aerospace, SaaS, CleanTech)
- Funding stages (Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C)
- Funding amount ranges
- Company size or employee count
- Specific technologies or keywords
Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Startups
What makes Denver’s startup ecosystem unique?
Denver’s startup ecosystem benefits from exceptional quality of life that makes talent recruitment easier than coastal markets, a central US timezone enabling efficient service to both coasts, strong university research output from CU Boulder and Colorado School of Mines, favorable business climate with the Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program providing up to $250,000 in matching funds, and growing venture capital ecosystem with over $5 billion in local AUM. The ecosystem has produced successful exits including SendGrid ($3B acquisition by Twilio), HomeAdvisor (public company), and Rally Software ($480M acquisition by CA Technologies), demonstrating Denver’s ability to build nationally significant companies.
Which industries are strongest in the Denver startup ecosystem?
Denver startups excel in four primary sectors. AI and machine learning companies raised $1.27 billion in 2025 (32% of total funding), with strength in applying AI to energy, healthcare, and education. Energy and CleanTech attracted $956 million, driven by Colorado’s renewable energy resources and clean energy mandates. HealthTech and life sciences raised $718 million, benefiting from the Anschutz Medical Campus and major health systems. Aerospace and space technology secured $285 million, leveraging proximity to military space installations and Colorado’s aerospace heritage. These sectors account for over 75% of Denver’s total startup funding.
How does Denver compare to other major startup hubs?
Denver raised $3.99 billion across 220+ companies in 2025, ranking behind Boston ($8.1B), Seattle ($6.2B), and Austin ($4.8B) but ahead of Chicago ($3.2B). However, Denver offers significant advantages: office space costs 40-60% less than San Francisco or New York, talent retention is higher (78% rate quality of life as “excellent”), Colorado’s 4.4% flat income tax beats California’s 13.3% top rate, and the central timezone enables efficient East and West Coast market access. Denver ranks #15 globally in the Startup Genome report, ahead of Washington DC and Miami.
What government programs support Denver startups?
Colorado provides extensive startup support through multiple programs. The Advanced Industries Accelerator Grant Program offers up to $250,000 in matching funds for proof-of-concept and early-stage capital. The BioScience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program provides up to $150,000 for life sciences commercialization. The Colorado Innovation Network connects startups with research institutions and industry partners. State R&D tax credits offset up to 3% of qualified research expenses. The Colorado Clean Energy Fund finances clean energy projects. Cities including Denver, Boulder, and Fort Collins offer additional incentives through innovation districts and economic development programs.
How can I connect with recently funded Denver startups?
The most effective approach is reaching out immediately after funding announcements when startups are actively seeking vendors, tools, and services to support growth. Growth List maintains a database of 220 Denver startups with 288 double-verified email addresses and detailed contact information for CEOs and decision-makers. We send weekly updates of recently funded Colorado startups directly to subscribers, including funding amounts, company details, verified contact information, and LinkedIn profiles. Sign up to receive 100 leads free. For targeted outreach, our custom list service can filter by industry, funding stage, location, or specific criteria.
What are the best neighborhoods and coworking spaces for Denver startups?
The RiNo (River North) Arts District serves as Denver’s startup epicenter, offering renovated industrial spaces, walkability, and startup culture. Major coworking spaces include Galvanize Denver (coding bootcamp and startup hub), WeWork RiNo (flexible office space with 1,000+ members), Industry Denver (creative workspace), and The Commons on Champa (entrepreneur-focused coworking). Downtown Denver’s LoDo (Lower Downtown) neighborhood offers proximity to transit, restaurants, and venture capital offices. In Boulder, Galvanize Boulder and UCAR Center Green anchor the ecosystem. Fort Collins’ Startup Fort Collins and Colorado Springs’ Peak Innovation Park serve their respective communities. Denver Startup Week each September provides extensive networking opportunities across all locations.
Which venture capital firms are most active in Denver?
Leading Colorado VC firms by investment activity include Foundry Group (backed SendGrid, Fitbit, Zynga), Ridgeline Ventures (focuses on B2B SaaS), and Access Venture Partners (early-stage AI and cybersecurity). Growth-stage investors include Ridgeline Partners, Grotech Ventures, and Stratus Equity Partners. National firms increasingly active in Colorado include Sequoia Capital, Bessemer Venture Partners, Tiger Global, and NEA. Sector specialists include New Ventures for cleantech and GAN Ventures supporting Techstars graduates. Total VC assets under management in Colorado exceeded $5 billion in 2025, with approximately 50 active firms.
What major tech companies have offices in Denver or Boulder?
Major tech companies with significant Colorado presence include Google (1,500+ employees in Boulder office), Amazon (multiple fulfillment centers and corporate offices), Twitter (Boulder engineering office), Oracle (Broomfield campus), VMware (Louisville headquarters), Microsoft (multiple locations), Apple (Boulder office), Facebook/Meta (Denver office), Salesforce (Denver tower), and IBM (Boulder campus). These companies provide training grounds for startup talent and occasional acquisition targets for successful startups. The presence of these employers makes Colorado attractive for remote workers and creates a deep talent pool familiar with scaling technology companies.
Related Startup Ecosystems
Exploring startup ecosystems beyond Denver? Check out our other comprehensive city and regional guides:
United States Tech Hubs
- Recently funded startups in San Francisco
- Recently funded startups in NYC
- Recently funded startups in Boston
- Recently funded startups in Seattle
- Recently funded startups in Austin
- Recently funded startups in Chicago
- Recently funded startups in Los Angeles
- Recently funded startups in Miami
- Recently funded startups in Atlanta
Funding Stage Lists
- Recently funded Seed startups
- Recently funded Series A startups
- Recently funded Series B startups
- Recently funded Series C startups
