The Pre-Incubator Program is a prerequisite to the Incubator Program. This two-week program requires two hours a week of classroom instruction and one hour a week of individual work. The classroom instruction is held in person at the ICELab on the campus of Western Colorado University. Participants for the Incubator are chosen from the Pre-Incubator following the annual ICELab Community Pitch Event. 

During the eight-week business incubator founders and teams develop successful business habits, create a solid business model and expand their entrepreneurial mindset to maximize their ideas. Topics covered include marketing, public relations, finances, customer segmentation, go-to-market strategy, DTC and wholesale. Participants will build connections among each other and the local business community. Participants will also become well-versed in Colorado business resources and statewide economic development programs. At the end of the program, participants should have an attainable business plan and resources and knowledge to continue scaling their operations.

“The ICELab and the Incubator team were a pleasure to work with and so helpful in turning an idea and a prototype into a product and a go-to market strategy which is moving forward today. The structure and the resources that the Incubator program bring to a lean startup business are invaluable.”

– Rob Harper, The Shade

The ICELab at Western is a business resource center and coworking space focused on economic development. Are you in Gunnison Crested Butte to bike or ski but still need to work remotely? Check out the ICELab for office space and an internet connection. It provides business consulting, resources and office space for local businesses and remote workers. The ICELab’s mission is to help the small businesses in Gunnison and Crested Butte grow, as well as help new businesses get started.