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 Spring 2026 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 Spring 2026 accelerator cohort.
Or, join us at one of these upcoming Colorado startup events:
- How to Adopt an Entrepreneurial Mindset: 6:00pm, Feb 09, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/383684
- Founder Institute Online Information Session: https://FI.co/infosession
- Growing Innovation Districts through Regional & Private Partnerships: 11:00am, Feb 10, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/387951
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner: 11:00am, Feb 17, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/385047
- Meet Early-Stage Founders looking for a Co-Founder (Online Networking Event): 11:00am, Feb 23, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/388199
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI: 11:00am, Feb 24, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/385382
- Startup Advisors 101: How to Find Advisors and Maximize their Impact: 6:30pm, Mar 02, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/388452
- Founder’s Guide to AI: Converting Data into Business Value with AI: 11:00am, Mar 03, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/385216
- What Do Investors Really Look For? Startup Funding Q&A: 10:00am, Mar 09, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/387462
- From Zero to Startup Idea: A Practical Founder Framework: 6:00am, Mar 16, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/387634
- Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder: 10:00am, Mar 17, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/388872
- Perfect Your Pitch: Expert Feedback to Secure Investor Interest: 10:00am, Mar 24, 2026 (America/Denver): https://FI.co/e/389080
Applications to the Denver - Silicon Valley Spring 2026 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 2BN 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.
