The ICELab

The ICELab is the Gunnison Valley’s entrepreneurial support organization. “ICE” stands for innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Our mission for economic development is multifaceted: 

  • To create more high-paying jobs in Gunnison County
  • To support local businesses that export products or services out of the county
  • To nurture connections between local entrepreneurs, established businesses, mentors, investors and state business resources
  • To foster the entrepreneurial spirit in Western Colorado University students

To learn more about us and our parent organization, Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism Association, visit the “about us” page. 

What the ICELab can do for you

“The ICELab has been instrumental in growing our early stage business. From incubator and accelerator programs to introducing us to a network of investors and providing low cost office space, it is an invaluable resource. Every startup, small business and remote worker in the Gunnison Valley should explore this invaluable resource.”

 – Jake Thomas, co-founder, PACT Outdoors

hub-shared-workspace-gunnison-colorado

The Hub

Office, Warehouse and Storage space for Exporter Businesses in the Gunnison Valley

The Hub is a flexible workspace designed to help Gunnison Valley exporter businesses grow. Managed by the ICELab, it offers office, warehouse, and storage space, along with shared amenities and a collaborative community that supports businesses as they scale, manufacture and distribute products beyond the region.

Learn more about The Hub

Business resources

Learn more about state and local programs in this guide to business resources. Whether you’re seeking grant funding, applying for state-run programming or hoping to join the local chambers of commerce, this page is a great place to start. 

Find business resources

ICELAB PROGRAMS

The ICELab offers programming for businesses in various stages of growth. Below are our current offerings. 

To inquire further about our programs, please reach out to [email protected].

Business incubator

The ICELab Business Incubator is designed to foster startup companies in rural Colorado. This program provides Gunnison Valley startups in the early stages of business development with the tools and resources they need to build and grow a business. 

Learn more about the Incubator

Outdoor Industry Funding Summit

The Outdoor Industry Funding Summit (OIFS) brings early-stage outdoor industry companies and investors together. Companies have the opportunity to network with each other and build relationships with investors. Companies also pitch to the investors for the chance to receive funding. 

Learn more about OIFS
Gnara products in a GUC airport display case.

Local product displays at Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport

The ICELab sponsors display cases at Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport. The cases feature a rotating selection of local products and services. To see whether your business qualifies for this free program, click the button below.

Display your product

Companies We Work With

Below are companies who have participated in ICELab programming or received other types of support from us. They range from brand-new startups to established businesses.

Anthracite Spirits

We started this spirited little venture in 2022 with a simple goal: to root ourselves more deeply in the Crested Butte community and build something meaningful (and delicious!) from the […]

Lupine Design Co

Lupine Design is rooted in Crested Butte, Colorado, with strong partnerships throughout Crested Butte and Gunnison. While our studio is intentionally small, our team expands through close collaboration with local […]

The Creative Garland Company

Imagine transforming your space into a cool, unique haven that perfectly reflects your style. That’s what we do at The Creative Garland Company. We’re not just about garlands; we’re about […]

NORDJÖRK

Cross-country skiing-inspired lifestyle goods celebrating our corner of the skiing world.

ID Sculpture

ID Sculpture is a pioneer in bringing interactive sculpture into public places and playgrounds. From nature-inspired playgrounds to whimsical sculptures and interactive public art, we infuse adventure and authenticity into […]

Blister

BLISTER was born from a passion for playing in the mountains, and a frustration with the lack of honest information about the gear we use to do what we love. […]

Vermont Sticky

Our pure organic maple syrup and sugar is low on the glycemic index making it a healthier choice for all you sugar needs. Use as a substitute for all recipes […]

First Ascent Coffee

Coffee Ready to Go Whenever and Wherever You are

Beacon Guidebooks

Devoted to providing critical terrain and avalanche information to every backcountry skier and rider. Our products are tools to be used in the ski tour planning process as well as […]

Zuni West Brewing Company

Brewpub in Crested Butte South featuring craft beer brewed on site, wine & spirits, and rotating food options. Regular live music & events.

Lively Life

Lively Life – Holistic nutrition, lifestyle and mindset guidance for a more lively life! Decrease inflammation, increase energy through Nutrition, Lifestyle and Stress Reduction.Lively Life holds a Fall and Spring […]

Coastal Range Equipment

Coastal Range Equipment makes outdoor cooking gear. Their stoves are lightweight, easy to use and high quality. They are designed to be simple to use, especially after a day out on […]

Thicket Adventure

Thicket makes outdoor apparel for plus-size adventurers in true plus sizes. The founders, who are plus-size women, noticed that most outdoor apparel companies only go up to size 22, or […]

Near Zero

Near Zero makes lightweight backpacking gear designed to help everyone get out into the outdoors. Their backpack design has a compartmentalized storage system that is labeled, making it easy to pack […]

Lume Six

Lume Six is improving comfort, support and durability in sports bras. They use high performance materials and focus on key features like how the straps lay to ensure a more comfortable […]

No Limbits

No Limbits is an adaptive clothing brand whose goal is to increase comfort, confidence and independence in individuals who struggle with clothing due to a disability. Their apparel features hidden zippers, […]

Crested Bucha

Delicious mountain tea. Brewed in Colorado. Made in Gunnison, Colorado with the highest quality, organically grown ingredients, we brew our kombucha slowly and in small batches. We go to great […]

The Shade

The Shade is the most reliable and multi-functional shade system on the river today. It’s simple enough to quickly set up or break-down, solid enough to withstand the elements, and […]

Hustle Bike Labs

We at Hustle™ think it is high time to take the next evolution in pedals, and we found our inspiration in the Earth on which we love to ride. Rare […]

Pact Outdoors

The PACT Kit is an all-in-one backcountry bathroom kit for digging a hole and burying your poop. It is ideal for hiking, camping, backpacking, fishing, hunting and other activities that […]

Gnara

Traditional pants were designed for men — a members-only club, if you will. But we’re on a mission to make sure that everyone can relieve themselves outdoors with equal comfort […]

AspectAvy

Aspect Avy is setting out to eliminate avalanche fatalities in the backcountry. Their app utilizes an algorithm that could prevent 99% of all avalanche deaths by providing decision-making resources that […]

Western Colorado University

Western Colorado University promotes the personal and professional growth of its students and prepares them to become leaders in local, national and global communities. We help students reach their full […]

Romp Skis LLC.

Handcrafted skis made in Colorado.

Coffee Lab

All proceeds from Coffee Lab help to support scientific research at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL). Locations in Gothic, Mt. Crested Butte, and Gunnison: 620 Gothic Rd Suite C-100 […]

Buckel Family Wine Tasting Room

We are Buckel Family Wine, a small family-owned and operated winery nestled on the Western Slope in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. While wine may not be the first thing that comes […]

JJ’s Jeeps Custom Guided 4×4 Tours

Backcountry without the Blisters There is no better way to experience the unparalleled beauty of the Gunnison Country than from the comfort and safety of a legendary Jeep! JJ’s Jeeps […]

Acli-Mate

Acli-Mate Mountain Sport Drink is a powdered acclimatizing supplement for adjusting to altitude, providing energy and lost vitamins and minerals during exercise, and recovery from muscle fatigue, jet lag, illness, and surgery. Formulated, founded, and headquartered in Gunnison, Colorado. Sold to health and sport shops locally as well as nationwide.

Camp 4 Coffee – Crested Butte

“The Best Coffee in Colorado?” The Denver Post thinks so. Perhaps you will too. Try some at one of our locations in the Crested Butte area. If you like, we […]

Montanya Distillers

Local distillery and tasting room in Crested Butte offering sustainably-crafted, American white oak barrel-aged rum. Montanya Distillers is female owned and distilled, made from only three ingredients (Colorado mountain water, […]

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