Tami Door knows alot about what it takes to get a business to succeed and thrivefinancially.  Having been recognized one of the 25 most powerful women in Colorado, Door has transformed the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) as its President and CEO into a formidable force in the Denver Metro Area.  

You know the impact of the Downtown Denver Partnership when you see it. They invest in future leaders through their leadership program, they manage The 16^th street Mall through the business improvement district, and they bring together leaders to envision future plans for Denver.  DDP worked with hundreds of partners in the Downtown community to develop a comprehensive 20-year Downtown Area Plan in 2007. One of the key elements of the plan was to create a prosperous city by supporting start-ups and small businesses with a national small business conference. 

It was from that vision that Denver Startup Week was born. Since its fruition, the convention offers programming and break out sessions on technology, design, manufacturing and business. This fall, the fourth year of Startup Week will bring together the most creative innovators once again. From the beginning, about four years ago, Colorado Technology Association (CTA) played a major role in its success.

Using technology as a unifying thread, the Colorado Technology Association is a trade association for forward thinking and technologically savvy businesses across Colorado.  They are made up of about one-third start-ups, one-third small businesses and one-third large businesses.  With Erik Misitek at the helm, CTA acted as an operating partner with DDP to get the ball rolling on Denver Startup Week. Misitek explains, “Tech transcends all the advanced industries in the Colorado economy.”  The partnership seemed logical—and after years of working together, Door and Misitek even complete each other’s sentences. 

When they started Denver Startup Week, there was no Galvanize or Industry—DDP and CTA were laying the groundwork for what was to come.  And in spite of the event’s extremely organic feel, Door laughs, saying, “There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen.  So I am glad it feels that way.”  DDP funds a major part of Startup week and hires 10 full time employees to run the event to help with logistical considerations like reviewing contracts, getting proper insurance in place, and helping staff the events.

Meanwhile, Misitek and Door saw an opportunity to provide a more permanent space for the entrepreneur and start-up community after Denver Arts and Venues vacated their space at 1245 Champa to relocate to the McNichols building. The 1245 Champa Project will function as an “entrepreneur’s playground,” as they call it, and will boast the title of the largest public/private partnership of its kind in America. Working with the Mayor’s office and the City of Denver, DDP and CTA secured over $2.3 million dollars in kind donations from businesses partnerships to bring he project to life.

To offset the cost of daily operations, some services at Champa, like the use of tech-heavy conference rooms, may come at a fee. However, DDP and CTA will be heavily subsidizing the cost of the space—for the most part, it will be free to entrepreneurs.  Although private companies cannot work permanently out of the space, Champa will provide a haven for non-profits and companies offering services and support to entrepreneurs.

Champa aims to entice businesses “to start, grow, and stay in the center city."  Ultimately culture plays a large part in attracting businesses, both large and small to the region. Supporting the innovative and entrepreneurial brand of Denver is key to creating that attractive culture.

As for timing, Door expects Champa to be open by May. What’s next for Denver on this exciting journey remains to be seen.  But with the visionaries at Downtown Denver Partnership and Colorado Technology Association, there are no limits.

by Emily Przekwas