PROGRAM
The West Slope Startup Week program is created by the community. So, we’re calling on YOU to share your insights and expertise.
The program is built around 8 “Tracks” (themes) and every session falls under a Track (except the headline events).
Sessions can take many shapes: panels, skill-building workshops, interactive presentations, discussion-based roundtables, interviews, competitions, tours, and more. Get creative!
JUNE 1 – 2
Hometown Days
June 1 -2 is Hometown Days – it’s WSSW in your own backyard!
Locals (hopefully you) plan events in their communities, like Steamboat, Carbondale, Montrose, Telluride, Durango, etc.
You and your friends plan and host the local events, and we include them on the WSSW schedule so everyone and anyone can attend.
Hometown Days is designed to activate the local community in your town before we gather together in Grand Junction.
JUNE 3 – 5
Regional Days
June 3 – 5 is the Regional Days in Grand Junction where your western neighbors will come together for three days of education, celebration, and play.
Sessions are hosted at venues across downtown Grand Junction and Colorado Mesa University. Attendees can choose which sessions they want to go to.
Application/Selection Process:
Jan. 6 – Feb. 28: Application opens to submit an idea
Feb. 28 – March 31: WSSW organizing team review period
April 1: You will be notified about the status of your session
Want to host a session?
TRACKS
The Tracks are built for business on the western slope. We are a region of makers (manufacturers, builders, sewers, etc.) and techies (coders, designers, builders of tech). Agriculture and food are core to our landscape and communities. Dominated by small businesses, the Toolbox Track focuses on specific business 101 and skill-building to take you to the next level. Of course, there’s FUN! to socialize and explore our natural playground.
In line with the Startup Week model, the community designs the program by submitting ideas for sessions under each Track.
COMMUNICATIONS
The who, what, why, where, and how of branding, marketing, advertising, engagement, and public relations.
The verbal, written, and online connection between us.
Captain: Kayleen Cohen, Mtn. Dog Media
CAPITAL
The how-to’s and do’s and don’ts of funding, financing, and investment. It’s all about the money…or is it?
Captain: Bonnie Watson, Telluride Foundation
TECH
The programmers, designers, roboticists, and product visionaries behind the computer – the builders of tech.
Captain: Justin Lewis, TerraFrame
TOOLBOX
Interactive workshops that tackle fundamentals, how-to’s, and skills-building.
Captain: Erin McCuskey, Northwest SBDC
PEOPLE
The heart of it all – developing leaders, building teams, creating culture, fostering engagement, cultivating talent. The human connection.
Captain: Spencer Ingram, Best Monday Ever
MAKERS
The manufacturers, builders, artists, scientists, and sewers of the west. Those working with their hands to those operating
high-tech machinery – all making something out of nothing.
Captain: Joe Elliot, Grand Junction Makerspace
AG/FOOD
It’s everything from growing crops to growing the next generation of farmers and ranchers, from farm-to-table collaborations and creative culinary to the business and operations of food production.
Captain: Barry Pennell, ENGAGE Delta County
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!
Captain: Lexi Van Roekel, ProVelocity
Program Lead: McKenna Yoder, Proximity Space
BASECAMP
Located right off Main St. in downtown Grand Junction, Basecamp is the community hub for Startup Week. A place to recharge, be social, dive into work and fuel up on coffee.
We’re located at 750 Main St. Drop in to get info about the week and connect with other attendees.
Interested in sponsoring West Slope Startup Week? We'd love to hear from you!
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