Boulder Startup Week 2024

1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.
2. The leaders must have a long-term commitment.
3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate in it.
4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack.

• Crafting irresistible offers
• Building trust with rich strangers
• The secrets to creating a high-converting website
• How to stand out in a sea of competitors

• There is a building/parking lot just to the east of River & Woods. The lot says you cannot park there, but you can - the building is vacant.
• There is parking and 2-hour parking on many of the streets around the venue
• You can also park at the Boulder Chamber building and walk 1-2 blocks to River & Woods.

• Please be patient with getting food/drinks. This is a big crowd to try to serve quickly. Servers will be circulating and  you can also go to the bar inside. Focus and have 
• There is a pre-set menu of available drinks in order to serve efficiently.
• If you bring cash, you can avoid having to wait to pay your tab if you're in a hurry at the end of the event.
• Tip well! These tired servers are coming off of a busy graduation and Mother's Day weekend.

• You're welcome to stay and mingle, just please pay attention to where staff would like you to be so we're respectful of the diners at the restaurant
• As of now, there is still availability to grab a table and eat afterwards. Talk to a server or staff member to be seated.

Exploring New Frontiers : Building and Investing in Spacetech 

Did you know that Colorado has more SpaceTech jobs per capita than any other state in the US? Join us for a panel discussion exploring the world of space technology. As industries increasingly pursue space-related ventures, understanding the complexities and seizing opportunities in this field is crucial for startups and investors poised to lead in this expanding industry.

Our panel includes Rachel Kelley from Radia, Vanessa Clark from Atomos Space, and Vojtech Holub from ThinkOrbital, who bring diverse expertise in aerospace engineering and astrophysics. This session will delve into the vast potential and practical applications of space technologies. You'll gain insights into the current state of the Colorado space industry, explore the challenges and opportunities it presents for startups, and learn strategies for navigating the rapidly evolving space landscape. Our panelists will share their experiences, successes, and lessons learned from building space startups, offering invaluable guidance for entrepreneurs aiming to make an impact on the next frontier of exploration.

• Successful case studies of Japan market entry and collaboration with Japanese corporates
• Insights into the cultural nuances of doing business, and providing practical tips for startups looking to expand into Japan

• Laura Lammers, Founder and CEO at Travertine
• Tim Weiss, Co-Founder and CEO at Optera
• Porter Montgomery, Founding Team and VP of Operations and Policy at Radia
• Melissa Cheong, Managing Partner at Blackhorn Ventures

• Entrepreneurs who highlight promising startups from Colorado’s Front Range
• Compelling technology-oriented research from CU Boulder and the Federal Labs
• New projects from incumbent technology companies with offices in the Front Range
• Investors discussing their fund’s thesis and/or trends in investing
• Potpourri (tech and the arts, legal or policy issues, or other community items of interest)
• Food, drink, and opportunity to meet other people involved in the innovation and entrepreneurship community

• Kirsten Suddath, Partner at Next Frontier Capital
• Kira Noodleman, Partner at Bee Partners 
• Maggie Rodney, Prinicpal at Massive 

• How are AI products being utilized in commercial settings today?
• How will that evolve and drive economic value in future?
• What's the role of capital in steering that evolution?

1. Founder Presentation
2. Q&A
3. Structured, facilitated feedback on the following questions:

1. Positioning: How well does the value proposition align with the personas and target market, taking into consideration competitors in the space?
2. Design: Is the UX aligned to the target user's technical aptitude and understanding of LLMs, prompt engineering, and automating workflows?
3. Ethics: When we drill into the product, where are the biggest risks for ethics & exploitation? Are there ethical considerations to mitigate?

• The 5 keys to an effective pitch.
• NLP & Mirroring techniques to build instant rapport.
• The 10 biggest mistakes people make when pitching.
• How to pitch if you're an introvert (or just scared as hell!)
• A hypnotic technique to instantly access your confidence.
• How to turn "no's" into lifelong connections.
• How to target the right people for your script.
• Quick improvements you can make to your pitch right now!
• Plus a chance to demo your pitch and get feedback directly from Jacob.

1. Understanding the Unique Needs of Startup Talent: Explore the distinctive aspirations, motivations, and priorities of startup employees and how these shape their expectations from their employers.
2. Designing Innovative Benefit Packages: Learn how to design benefit packages that go beyond traditional offerings to appeal to the entrepreneurial spirit, including equity options, flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and more.
3. Navigating Budget Constraints: Discover creative approaches to offering competitive benefits within the constraints of a startup's budget, balancing cost-effectiveness with attractiveness.
4. Leveraging Company Culture as a Benefit: Understand the role of company culture in attracting and retaining talent, and how startups can cultivate a culture that acts as a magnet for entrepreneurial types.
5. Case Studies and Success Stories: Hear firsthand accounts of startups that have successfully leveraged unique benefit offerings to recruit and retain top talent, with actionable takeaways for attendees.

1. Shift from Transactional to Transformative: Discover how to transition from a mindset of quid pro quo to one of genuine curiosity and care. Learn techniques to go deeper, ask thoughtful questions, and make authentic emotional connections that move past the surface level.
2. Deepen Relationships through Vulnerability: Vulnerability is the pathway to trust and intimacy. Explore ways to thoughtfully share your story, struggles, and true self, creating the space for others to do the same. Strengthen bonds and build lasting trust by letting your guard down.
3. Active Your "Inner" Circle for Greater Impact: Social capital is the most valuable currency in today's landscape. Understand how to activate your network to create synergies, collaborate on projects, and drive positive change - both for yourself and your broader community.

• Set goals and build a financial model: Factor in what matters as you craft a roadmap for your finances, to guide business decisions.
• Navigate funding options: Understand your money options, and find the best fit for your business needs and goals.

• Natalie Levy, Managing Partner, She's Independent Investments [Moderator]
• Yoriko Morita, Senior Patent Agent, Neugeboren O'Dowd 
• Kevin Allen, CoFounder of Access Mode, Investor 
• Jim Franklin, Board Member, Investor, and Executive
• Malte Witt, Managing Director, Techstars Boulder

• Maddie Cataldo, Blazin’ Joe
• Otto Hanson, TermScout
• Khushang Hipara, CLD-9
• Nick Singstock, Mana Battery

• Discover Industry 

• Hear startup elevator pitches
• Connect with Visionary Founders The Fair will be an unbeatable networking opportunity. Mingle with startup founders pushing boundaries, investors fueling dreams, and an energizing crowd of professionals.

• Jaclyn Hester, Partner at Foundry Group
• Natty Zola, Partner at Matchstick 
• Kirsten Suddath, Partner at Next Frontier Capital

Join Ben Bloom from Atom Computing, Marlou Slot from NIST, Ian Dickinson from Longpath Technologies, and Scott Davis from Vescent, who bring together expertise from quantum computing, physics, and entrepreneurship. They will discuss the vast potential and practical applications of quantum technologies, delve into the current landscape, and explore challenges and opportunities for startups. Attendees will gain direct insights and practical strategies from their experiences in building quantum startups, underscoring how Colorado's educational resources and research prowess—including four Nobel Prizes awarded to CU Boulder researchers in quantum science—contribute to advancing this sector.

• Real-life lessons on launching and growing your SaaS startup
• Insider tips on navigating challenges and boosting your growth
• A chance to connect, share, and brainstorm with fellow entrepreneurs

• Jaclyn Hester, Partner at Foundry Group
• Nicole Glaros, VC, Entrepreneur, and Board Director
• Natty Zola, Partner at Matchstick Ventures
• Yoav Lurie, SaaS Entrepreneur, Operator, and Investor

• Knowing how to lean into a difficult conversation to move towards a goal; rather than coming out as the “bad guy” or getting stuck in the same old loop
• With tactics for using difficult conversations to strengthen your relationships and move you towards your goals
• With the opportunity to connect with other business leaders who are facing similar challenges

• 02:00 pm, Intro, Immigrants’ journey in one story
  
  • Alena Rivers Tech Flow Denver Builder / easyDacha Startup Founder / MBA

• 02:05 pm, The relationship between cultures and opportunities in America for startups with immigrant owners 
  
  • Tanya Arnt, Director of Global Trade Activator at World Trade Center Denver / MBA, CGBP, CIT

• 02:30 pm, Networking and building a personal brand on LinkedIn for immigrants
  
  • Olga Bondareva, Founder @ ModumUp - Social Selling for B2B, Microsoft Alum and AI Enthusiast

• A deep understanding of the neuroscience and psychology behind habit formation and its impact on organizational performance
• A step-by-step process for translating your startup's objectives into actionable habits that can be easily adopted and maintained by your team
• The power of a data-driven approach to organizational habits
• Strategies for using technology and data to track, measure, and optimize habit formation across your organization
• Techniques for fostering a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement that empowers your team to take charge of their own success

1. Nervous system regulation techniques help you manage stress and maintain a sense of calm in the face of adversity.
2. Mindfulness practices that cultivate present-moment awareness, clarity, and unconditional kindness.
3. Embodiment practices that will aid you in managing reactivity and support skillful responses in challenging situations. Embodied practices support a felt sense of aliveness, connection, and vitality.

• Do you feel guilty or lazy when you want to rest?
• Do you push yourself until you feel taken advantage of or burned out?
• Does an inner critic treat you with contempt?
• Do you ever feel like you are one or two mistakes away from being rejected?

1. Don't pitch us
2. Offer to help someone with something (and follow through please)