As part of the Founder Institute’s Startup Ecosystem Leaders series, we were pleased to welcome FI program co-director Craig Swiatek for an update on the latest developments in Colorado's startup and tech ecosystem.
Craig Swiatek is co-director of the Colorado Founder Institute accelerator, is currently an investment advisor for Venture Capital & Growth with Red Arrow Capital, Principal at C Squared Solutions, and an Advisor on the Due Diligence Team with Rockies Venture Club.
In this video, FI Colorado co-director Craig Swiatek shares his thoughts on the ‘state of the startup’ today in Denver, in Colorado statewide, and across the wider Mountain West tech ecosystem(s), which new and emerging developments particularly excite him for the future, what has surprised him most in working with early-stage entrepreneurs, and much more.
Plus, learn a few startup success stories of recent FI Colorado Alumni, about the amazing local program partners and mentors, and open event dates and application deadlines for the upcoming Denver - Silicon Valley Fall 2025 Founder Institute pre-seed accelerator cohort!
Watch FI HQ's full interview with FI Colorado Co-Director Craig Swiatek:
If you're a Colorado-based pre-seed stage entrepreneur interested in finding direction on your own startup journey, and you haven’t done so already, head over here to learn more about the next FI Denver - Silicon Valley Fall 2025 accelerator cohort.
Or, join us at one of these upcoming Colorado startup events:
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building an MVP with No Coding Skills : 11:00am, Jul 09, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/373324
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- FI Silicon Valley Spring 2025 Graduation: Meet the New Portfolio Companies: 7:00pm, Jul 09, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/375838
- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam Velani: 11:00am, Jul 14, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/374409
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using AI to Increase Productivity: 11:00am, Jul 16, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/373461
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Using Agentic Workflows to Automate Repetitive Tasks: 11:00am, Jul 23, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/373581
- Best Practices on Building Innovation Hubs for Universities & Colleges: 11:00am, Jul 24, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/375925
- Responsible AI for Startups: Frameworks You Can Apply from Day One: 11:00am, Jul 28, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/376080
- [NEW DATE] Entrepreneurship Education: Lessons from Startup Accelerators: 11:00am, Aug 07, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/375283
- How to Come Up with Great Startup Ideas: 11:00am, Aug 11, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/374565
- Co-Founder Networking: Find a Business Partner: 11:00am, Aug 18, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/374767
- Startup Pitch Practice: Share Your Idea and Get Expert Feedback: 11:00am, Aug 25, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/375434
- How to Get Investors to Notice Your Startup: AMA with Marta Marrucco: 11:00am, Sep 17, 2025 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/373851
Applications to the Denver - Silicon Valley Fall 2025 Founder Institute are now open, and anyone building an applicable tech company can apply at FI.co/apply/denver.
Graduates of the Founder Institute are creating some of the world's fastest growing startups, having raised over $1.85BN in funding, and building products people love across over 200 cities worldwide.
See the most recent news from our Grads at FI.co/news, or learn more about their stories at FI.co/graduates.
