Denver Wellness Startups Are on the Brink of Something Huge
17th July 2015
Addaero partners on a mountain bike trip.
The health and wellness market exploded in the past few years, and Denver is producing some solid contenders in the market. Denver startups are leading the way when it comes to thinking of new ways to make it easier to get healthy and stay healthy. Check out these startups that are addressing previously-unmet needs you didn’t even know you had!
Addaero: This online platform connects coaches, groups and individuals to design, track and analyze health and fitness. Basically, it’s an online platform and a personal trainer designed to help anyone on the fitness spectrum to get the support they need to meet their health and wellness goals.
“There was, and I still believe there is, a lot of need for education,” says Joshua Ross, Addero’s Vice President of Business Development.
“In terms of coach-based apps where the user can interact with a coach and they can be guided through physical activity – that’s still a new concept,” he says. “Training tips have been around the longest, but there’s much more data and analytics in terms of athletes. We don’t dive as deep.”
![Denver’s Innovative Architecture Opens Their Doors: Denver Art Museum and Clyfford Still MuseumOur second two stops for Doors Open Denver featured innovative architecture in the cultural district of the city, the new Clyfford Still Museum built in 2011 by Brad Cleophil and Allied Works Architecture, and the Denver Art Museum an emblem of innovative architecture in the city, built in 2006 by Daniel Libeskind and Davis Partnership. Is this what the future looks like? We asked participants what they think.Sarah and Nick – DenverInnovative architecture in Denver seems to be about transforming old buildings and making them new. In the future, I think the neighborhoods will be more developed. Each neighborhood will be unique. I’d like to see a more organic approach, utilizing what we have and building thoughtful spaces instead of throwing buildings up out of necessity. I just hope the natural environment is highlighted.[[MORE]]Jamie - Denver and Amy - EvergreenI appreciate architecture with intentionality behind it. What’s neat about Denver is that older architecture is juxtaposed to new contemporary architecture. I’d like to see architecture in the future that flows with how people are moving. Who knows what that will be like in the future, but I hope the design won’t block the flow of energy and supports a sense of agency, safety and expansion for human spirit.Owen - Denver; Amy, & Taylor - Tulsa, OKHonestly, the modern style is not what I would build for myself. I prefer a more classic style. I could see why this area is considered innovative, with the different geometric shapes, it is sort of whimsical. The style right now is so minimalist, I wonder if in the future there will be more decoration, or a gothic revival. This area, with the Art Museum, will continue to maintain an innovative reputation. Jen & Kerry - BoulderI’d love to see in the future the integration of nature in architecture more. I have seen buildings with roof top gardens, trees on balconies it blocks out some of the surroundings. I lived in a mansion when I was a student in Boston and it was amazing the thought that went into every part of the building. I like design on a human scale. In the future, I never want to see a parking lot again. I hope that people will be able to walk to everything.Vanessa & Nicole - DenverI think there will be flying cars in the future.Josh - Halifax, Nova ScotiaThe contemporary architecture is laid out well and there seems to be a mix of architectural styles in this city. Its booming, all the new building. The envelope will continue to be pushed in the future. I imagine Denver will be participating in what ever architectural style is contemporary the time. I’d hope people spend time preserving the past as well.By Emily Przekwas](../../12149b7f8b0a65b75c34dc4c0680ee6c/tumblr_noctmta4XV1tk0d1vo1_1280.jpg)
![Talking Crowdfunding With The Apparel Company Your Inner-Coloradan NeedsA few weeks ago we told you about Ink Lounge Studio in Denver – one of the city’s coolest creative places where inspired and artistic people meet up for workshops and use of the public space. Its places like this where innovators and creators flock, and there was no shortage of them present during our visit to the studio.One of those people that we were able to speak with and tell you about briefly was Marissa Mason, who recent started designing and screen printing her own t-shirts then selling them under the moniker Wandering Ink. Since we last spoke with her, things have really been shaping up nicely for Mason and Wandering Ink. She recently started a Kickstarter campaign where she began hitting her initial goals soon after.[[MORE]]Mason’s campaign is still underway – so we caught up with her to find out all you need to know about helping make this awesome project come to life. This is what she had to say:Innovators Peak: What’s new since you’ve last spoken with Innovators Peak?Marissa Mason: I launched my Kickstarter! I’m 7 days in right now. I met my first base goal and my first stretch goal. I’m kind of half way to my second stretch goal right now. Then I’ve been working on trying to reach out to other businesses in Colorado to cross promote.IP: Can you tell us more about that Kickstarter and how Wandering Ink started up?MM: Definitely. I took a class at Ink Lounge back in November. From there I started printing my own shirts and made my first sale in December and then I got my LLC in January. I just launched this Kickstarter to help fund my next 5 designs and to come up with supplies to start doing craft fairs in Colorado. I’m trying to get into that vendor market scene here. I also started selling on the I Heart Denver store in February.Marissa Mason.IP: Why and who should be the people interested in funding your project?MM: For me, I think it really appeals to the outdoors adventurous type. I made designs that I like and all of my friends seem to like. They’re great shirts for hiking and being outdoors and to kind of show off your adventurous side – which in Colorado, everyone really has some type of outdoor adventure that they enjoy.IP: I know I do. So you’ve already reached your initial goal, what will the extra funding be going towards?MM: That’ll go towards keeping inventory on hand so I can send out orders a lot quicker. As of now, everything is made to order because I just don’t have the finances to keep a lot of blank shirts on hand. Part of that will also go towards inventory for craft fairs and markets. Other things I would need like tables, booth fees and all those fees associated with doing markets here in Colorado.IP: Why are you so passionate about this idea of outdoors themed apparel?MM: I’m really passionate about the outdoors and climbing, specifically. I’ve been climbing since I was in college. I love hiking, canoeing, and just photographing the landscapes here. Just finding and seeing all of the beauty that Colorado has to offer.My background is as a studio artist and photographer – so I’m always trying to use my creativity in one way or another. With screen printing I’m able to use my own design. The screen printing process itself is more physical than a desk job, which I like. It allows me to get a lot of exercise while I’m working. I’m on my feet and I’m making something that I enjoy and that other people enjoy which is really fulfilling to me.IP: What is it that you think makes everyone enjoy your product so much?MM: One thing is that the shirts are really soft. They have that vintage feel. That water based ink is softer to the touch than, say like, plastisol ink which is thicker and a little bit more prone to cracking. They’re just light, good, soft shirts you can really wear anywhere.IP: Sounds like a shirt we could all use. So what happens after you get your funding?MM: The next step would be fulfilling all of the orders and sending out the rewards for funding. *Laughs.* My plan is to order the shirts, start with basically the first backers and go down the line. I’m going to get the orders out and start building inventory for craft shows and things like that, using the most popular designs and color combinations as a basis for what I should keep on hand.IP: Any ultimate goals for the future?MM: My ultimate goal would just be to be constantly creating whether that’s t-shirt design or whatever. I want to branch out into art prints, and just kind of spend my time balancing between creating new designs and being able to get outside. With a 9-5 job, it’s kind of harder to find the time to go hike or climb in the morning. My main goal is to just create and be able to get out there and experience all that we have here to do.We recommend that you check out Mason’s Kickstarter here and check out all she has to offer on her website here. But first, check out a few of these awesome design mockups:](../../511bc9ebf868a008e952363fa7805f7c/tumblr_nngwexCD5m1tk0d1vo1_1280.jpg)
![Talking Crowdfunding With The Apparel Company Your Inner-Coloradan NeedsA few weeks ago we told you about Ink Lounge Studio in Denver – one of the city’s coolest creative places where inspired and artistic people meet up for workshops and use of the public space. Its places like this where innovators and creators flock, and there was no shortage of them present during our visit to the studio.One of those people that we were able to speak with and tell you about briefly was Marissa Mason, who recent started designing and screen printing her own t-shirts then selling them under the moniker Wandering Ink. Since we last spoke with her, things have really been shaping up nicely for Mason and Wandering Ink. She recently started a Kickstarter campaign where she began hitting her initial goals soon after.[[MORE]]Mason’s campaign is still underway – so we caught up with her to find out all you need to know about helping make this awesome project come to life. This is what she had to say:Innovators Peak: What’s new since you’ve last spoken with Innovators Peak?Marissa Mason: I launched my Kickstarter! I’m 7 days in right now. I met my first base goal and my first stretch goal. I’m kind of half way to my second stretch goal right now. Then I’ve been working on trying to reach out to other businesses in Colorado to cross promote.IP: Can you tell us more about that Kickstarter and how Wandering Ink started up?MM: Definitely. I took a class at Ink Lounge back in November. From there I started printing my own shirts and made my first sale in December and then I got my LLC in January. I just launched this Kickstarter to help fund my next 5 designs and to come up with supplies to start doing craft fairs in Colorado. I’m trying to get into that vendor market scene here. I also started selling on the I Heart Denver store in February.Marissa Mason.IP: Why and who should be the people interested in funding your project?MM: For me, I think it really appeals to the outdoors adventurous type. I made designs that I like and all of my friends seem to like. They’re great shirts for hiking and being outdoors and to kind of show off your adventurous side – which in Colorado, everyone really has some type of outdoor adventure that they enjoy.IP: I know I do. So you’ve already reached your initial goal, what will the extra funding be going towards?MM: That’ll go towards keeping inventory on hand so I can send out orders a lot quicker. As of now, everything is made to order because I just don’t have the finances to keep a lot of blank shirts on hand. Part of that will also go towards inventory for craft fairs and markets. Other things I would need like tables, booth fees and all those fees associated with doing markets here in Colorado.IP: Why are you so passionate about this idea of outdoors themed apparel?MM: I’m really passionate about the outdoors and climbing, specifically. I’ve been climbing since I was in college. I love hiking, canoeing, and just photographing the landscapes here. Just finding and seeing all of the beauty that Colorado has to offer.My background is as a studio artist and photographer – so I’m always trying to use my creativity in one way or another. With screen printing I’m able to use my own design. The screen printing process itself is more physical than a desk job, which I like. It allows me to get a lot of exercise while I’m working. I’m on my feet and I’m making something that I enjoy and that other people enjoy which is really fulfilling to me.IP: What is it that you think makes everyone enjoy your product so much?MM: One thing is that the shirts are really soft. They have that vintage feel. That water based ink is softer to the touch than, say like, plastisol ink which is thicker and a little bit more prone to cracking. They’re just light, good, soft shirts you can really wear anywhere.IP: Sounds like a shirt we could all use. So what happens after you get your funding?MM: The next step would be fulfilling all of the orders and sending out the rewards for funding. *Laughs.* My plan is to order the shirts, start with basically the first backers and go down the line. I’m going to get the orders out and start building inventory for craft shows and things like that, using the most popular designs and color combinations as a basis for what I should keep on hand.IP: Any ultimate goals for the future?MM: My ultimate goal would just be to be constantly creating whether that’s t-shirt design or whatever. I want to branch out into art prints, and just kind of spend my time balancing between creating new designs and being able to get outside. With a 9-5 job, it’s kind of harder to find the time to go hike or climb in the morning. My main goal is to just create and be able to get out there and experience all that we have here to do.We recommend that you check out Mason’s Kickstarter here and check out all she has to offer on her website here. But first, check out a few of these awesome design mockups:](../../511bc9ebf868a008e952363fa7805f7c/tumblr_nngwexCD5m1tk0d1vo1_500.jpg)