#WSSW25 Program:
See What WSSW Has to Offer!

Apply to Speak at WSSW25

West Slope Startup Week is a free week-long, “choose your own adventure” style educational conference for aspiring and established entrepreneurs, small business owners, startup founders, creatives, and makers. 50+ educational sessions are taught by regional entrepreneurs. Session ideas are submitted by the local community members and selected by an objective committee of entrepreneurs.

Who is #WSSW For? West Slope Startup Week is for people who have started or want to start a business—everything from tech to tires. Workshops and lectures are curated for both successful, serial entrepreneurs looking to launch their next project and first-timers entering the stage searching for support. Local small business owners, such as coffee shops, retail stores, and restaurants, can benefit from attending educational workshops about finance, marketing, HR, and more. High-growth startups will learn about scaling, fundraising, and serving a global market from rural Colorado.

West Slope Startup Week is powered by Startup Colorado, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in 53 rural counties.

What does the week look like?

You’re invited to participate in 4 days of in-person programming in Durango, Colorado.

West Slope Startup Week Tracks:

West Slope Startup Week programming is organized into a number of Tracks to help attendees choose workshops and lectures most pertinent to their areas of interest.

CLIMATE

New this year! The intersection of climate and commerce, where entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators come together to build resilient, forward-thinking businesses for a changing world.

MONEY

The how-to’s and do’s and don’ts of funding, financing, and investment. It’s all about the money…or is it?

COMMUNICATIONS

The who, what, why, where, and how of branding, marketing, advertising, engagement, and public relations.
The verbal, written, and online connection between us.

PEOPLE

The heart of it all – developing leaders, building teams, creating culture, fostering engagement, cultivating talent. The human connection.

TECH

The programmers, coders, designers, roboticists, and product visionaries behind the computer – the builders of tech.

TOOLBOX

Interactive workshops that tackle fundamentals, how-to’s, and skills-building.

MAKERS

The manufacturers, builders, artists, scientists, product designers, and sewers of the west. Those working with their hands to those operating
high-tech machinery – all making something out of nothing.

FUN!

Pretty straightforward – this is where we come together to enjoy each other’s company and the beautiful natural world we choose to call home. Social events and opportunities to play outdoors!

LATINE

For the third year running, we dedicate a full day of programming to Latine founders. Spanish to English, and English to Spanish translation is available—whichever language you present in, we welcome your sessions that support the needs of the Latine business community.

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