Federal lands comprise 85% of the Gunnison Valley. YOUR trails, rivers and public lands will be OPEN as the snow melts, but personnel cuts at the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Park Service mean all of us will need to keep stewardship top of mind this summer. Pack out all trash, and be extra careful with fire. Together, we can keep our backcountry beautiful!

ICELab Business Incubator

A program for emerging businesses in the Gunnison Valley

Building a business, especially in rural Colorado, can be difficult. The ICELab @ Western’s Business Incubator is designed to fuel the growth of early-stage businesses in the Gunnison Valley. The program provides startups with the tools and resources needed to build a successful business from the ground up. Joining an ICELab program provides you with a supportive community of entrepreneurs and mentors to help your business grow and succeed.

What is the ICELab Business Incubator?

Boost your startup in the Gunnison Valley

The business incubator helps founders and teams develop successful business habits, create a solid business model and expand their entrepreneurial mindset. Topics covered include marketing, public relations, finances, customer segmentation, go-to-market strategy, DTC and wholesale. Participants build connections among each other and the local business community. Participants should leave the program with an attainable business plan and the resources and knowledge to continue scaling their operations. Companies in the Incubator will develop successful business habits, create a business model and get tools to maximize their ideas. Companies will also receive a free ICELab membership and the ability to meet with ICELab staff and mentors for advice, support, and encouragement.

How do I apply for the ICELab Business Incubator?

Check back later for more event information. 

Please reach out to ICELab Program Director Ben Engman if you’re interested in attending future Incubator Programs.

Learn more about the Business Incubator

The history of the Business Incubator

The ICELab’s Business Incubator is designed to boost local Gunnison Valley exporter companies. You can watch a video about the program and take a look at past companies below. 

Incubator Program Testimonial

“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

Check out the Incubator Alumni

Discover local businesses that went through the Business Incubator. 

The ICELab at Western

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. 

The ICELab

Other Regional Resources

Startup Colorado

Startup Colorado is a network for entrepreneurs in rural Colorado. Its motto is ““To build a sustainable statewide network of human, social, and financial capital resources supporting rural entrepreneurs, so that people and places can thrive and chart their own futures.”

Startup Colorado supports entrepreneurs through a free online network, direct funding, events and programming, and collaboration with local business resources. Learn more below

Startup Colorado

The Idea Factory

An early-stage business development program from Startup Colorado

The Idea Factory is a four-week program specifically for early-stage entrepreneurs. The goal of the Idea Factory is for entrepreneurs to take their ideas and turn them into an actionable plan. The program includes:

  • A funding assessment for your business.
  • The knowledge to determine the best funding model for your business.
  • Connections with expert advisors throughout Colorado.
  • A network of other small-town entrepreneurs. 
  • The opportunity to ask Startup Colorado advisors your biggest growth questions and challenges.
  • The potential to be featured in Startup Colorado’s storytelling program. 
Learn more about the Idea Factory

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