During the Denver Startup Week Kickoff Breakfast this year, we learned 772 startups call Denver home, and since 2010, the number of startup employees continues rising.
It’s an exciting time to be a startup in Denver. The entrepreneurial community is growing, and everyone comes together to support startups’ growth and success during the annual Denver Startup Week in September.
The week is five days jam-packed with learning, networking and refining to advance ideas and businesses. This year, was the seventh iteration, and Comcast NBCUniversal was excited to continue our engagement in a variety of ways throughout the week. While Comcast NBCUniversal is now a global media and technology company, 55 years ago Ralph Roberts founded the company as a startup cable system in Tupelo, MS to serve barely 1000 people.
Today, Comcast NBCUniversal is helping the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs elevate their ideas and bring their businesses to the next level. Throughout the week, Comcast employees and teams participated on panels, hosted office hours and attended events to learn from and stay connected with the startup community. We listened and we learned.
Here are a few notable quotes from the week:
“Team, team, team, market traction, idea. The people are everything.” – Jenna Walker Managing Director of Techstars Sustainability
“Decisions have to be made at the team level – otherwise you can’t scale.” – Tony Werner, President of Technology and Product, Comcast
”Ask what value you are bringing to your new endeavor when you are making new relationships.” – Ryan Harris, former Denver Broncos player
“Transitions in our lives are sandpaper moments – they can help you move out of something and grow into who want to be.” – Danielle Shoots, Vice President of Business Operations, Comcast West Division
Many key insights were shared throughout the week, but a common theme emerged – it’s all about the people. Connections and building relationships is are crucial to achievement, success and fulfillment, and we agree.
Connection is at the heart of what we do. Whether we’re supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship, investment, or growth, we’re proud to support Colorado’s innovators and their success driving our state into the future.
We encourage everyone to keep this spirit alive beyond startup week. Denver and Colorado is stronger when we connect with each other, work together and focus on supporting our community.