Colorado Springs Loves Small Business

Valentine’s Day can be a lonely day for some, but if you’re a small business entrepreneur, Colorado Springs is one place you won’t be left out in the cold. With a top ranking for its business environment and citywide development of coworking spaces and startup programs, Colorado Springs attracts skilled entrepreneurs and provides them with the resources they need for success. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day this week, here are some of the reasons why Colorado Springs and small business are a match made in heaven:

True Connection

Like any healthy romance, there’s a strong mutual attraction between Colorado Springs and its entrepreneurs. Thanks in large part to the presence of innovative startups, the city has grown into one of the nation’s best downtown areas and has earned a top ranking from Forbes for business and careers. Colorado Springs offers tax incentives, credits and exemptions that make the city a perfect place to launch businesses in any industry, from tech and robotics to restaurants and food trucks. A committed matchmaker, the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC is dedicated to connecting startups with the right support system to help them find their niche.

Unwavering Support

It’s just as true in the business world as the dating world–it helps to have somebody to lean on. Thankfully, Colorado Springs is full of small business resources, startup programs and coworking spaces that give support whether it’s your first date as a new entrepreneur, or you’re in a long-term relationship as an established business owner. These include:

• Business Resources: The Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers the consulting, training and resources for young companies to survive the difficult process of starting from scratch. Pikes Peak Small Biz, originally started by a volunteer at the SBDC, focuses on events that bring together the community for workshops and networking. Consider it speed dating for business.
• Coworking: Including spots like the Enclave, named one of the top 20 coworking spaces in the nation, and The Machine Shop, pictured above, Springs-area coworking spaces provide more than just a work area. Catalyst Campus provides services from web and graphic design support to legal assistance and accounting help, while offering meeting spaces, suites and other business amenities. Many of the coworking spots, such as Epicentral Coworking, are open 24/7 and offer WiFi, printing, and perhaps the most important factor for productivity: coffee.
• Startup Programs: When problems arise–in the dating world or otherwise–it helps to have a mentor. And as an entrepreneur in Colorado Springs, programs like Peak Startup and 1 Million Cups ensure you don’t have to go it alone. Through group pitching events, Q&A sessions, full startup weeks and countless events each year, you’ll get the advice you need to succeed as a business owner.

Unbroken Commitment

In order to help the city’s startup community succeed, the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC offers the most important factor of a successful relationship: commitment. In partnership with the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County, CSEDC is launching the Sourcelink Resource Navigator, a tool that identifies and organizes the region’s support resources and makes them available to entrepreneurs. We’re also advocating locally and at the state capitol in Denver to ensure that Colorado Springs’ strong business climate supports businesses of all sizes. When it comes to supporting our region’s businesses, it truly is a labor of love.