Upcoming community events
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Exponential Impact (XI) is where innovation thrives and connections flourish. As a leading force in Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, XI empowers startups, high-tech companies, coders, and innovators by providing invaluable opportunities to engage, collaborate, and grow. These community events bring together the brightest minds across the state, fostering an environment where ideas spark, partnerships form, and businesses accelerate. Whether you're seeking mentorship, funding insights, or simply a network of like-minded professionals, these events are designed to equip you with the resources and relationships to thrive in today’s dynamic tech landscape. Explore these upcoming events and join us in shaping the future of Colorado’s innovation economy!
FREE Virtual Lunch & Learn by Colorado Companies to Watch | Make Sense of Business Funding
Looking to fuel your company’s next stage of growth? Join us Wednesday, June 11th, from 12:00–1:00 pm for an exclusive Colorado Companies to Watch Virtual Lunch & Learn, presented by Energize Colorado.
Our guest speaker Spencer Ingram - an expert who’s helped deliver millions in capital to businesses worldwide - will guide you through smart, actionable funding strategies to help your business thrive.
You’ll learn how to:
✅ Match your needs with the right funding (and avoid common traps)
✅ Overcome approval obstacles quickly
✅ Tap into funding sources lenders don’t typically share
Don’t miss this FREE opportunity to empower your business with better funding options!
Click here to register for the Make Sense of Business Funding virtual event.
Garden of the Gods - Startup Hike + Workshop
Join us for one of the most beautiful hikes in Colorado -- Colorado Startups will be hiking through the stunning Garden of the Gods. Whether it's been on your bucket list for years, or you're a regular, this will be a stunning hike you won't want to miss.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR GARDEN OF THE GODS - STARTUP HIKE + WORKSHOP
Build Your DEMO in 90 Minutes: No Code, No Problem!
Join us for a free, in-person no-code workshop that combines a morning hike, hands-on building, and startup energy.
Join us on Wednesday, June 12th at Exponential Impact in Colorado Springs for "Build Your Demo in 90 Minutes: No Code, No Problem!"—a free, in-person workshop that blends creativity and community. In this hands-on session you'll transform your product idea into a non-functional demo using the no-code tool Loveable. Perfect for founders, makers, and side-hustlers, this workshop includes step-by-step guidance, free templates, and a roadmap to help take your idea from concept to demo.
90 Minute MVP Kickstart Workshop
Goal: By the end of the session, participants will walk away with a clear product concept, user persona, a core feature set, and a non-functional low-fidelity demo using a no-code tool (e.g., Loveable).
What You’ll Do:
Turn your idea into a working demo—in just 90 minutes and with zero coding. Whether you’re a founder, maker, or side-hustler, you'll leave with:
● A non-functional prototype built using Loveable
● A roadmap to take your idea from spark to MVP
What to Bring:
💻 Your laptop
💡 An idea or challenge you want to explore
🧃 Your energy—we’ll bring the rest!
Hosted by Humanity Innovation Labs, Bobcats Coding, Colorado Startups, and Exponential Impact (XI), this unique experience is equal parts hustle and high-impact building. Spots are limited—sign up now!
Click here to register for the Build Your DEMO in 90 Minutes: No Code, No Problem! Workshop
XI Accelerator Demo Day
XI's Demo Day is the culmination & completion of the 12-week Accelerator Program and provides our startup founders the opportunity to showcase their startups' growth, development, and transformation over the past 3 months. Come hear from these founders as they pitch their innovative product solutions & present plans for future growth.
Click here to register for the XI Accelerator Demo Day on June 12th
Tech Connect: Coffee and Community
At Exponential Impact (XI), we believe that innovation thrives through connection. That’s why we host The Tech Connect: Coffee & Community — a weekly gathering designed for entrepreneurs, founders, and tech enthusiasts who are shaping the future through new and emerging technologies.
Whether you’re developing AI solutions, building robotics, designing software, or exploring ways to improve business operations, this is your space to connect, collaborate, and share ideas with others on a similar journey.
Join us every Thursday, 9:00–10:00 AM at Exponential Impact, 3650 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80907. Please RSVP so we have enough coffee and pastries using the link.
Come for the coffee. Stay for the community. Let’s build something great together.
XI Thursday Group Run
Join us every other Thursday starting May 29th for a casual, community-powered run (or walk!) starting from Exponential Impact in Colorado Springs. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking to get your steps in, this out-and-back route along a mostly paved path is for you.
We’ll mark the course ahead of time, so all you need to do is show up and move at your own pace. Afterward, we’ll wind down at Goat Patch Brewing Co., where participants can enjoy $1 off all draft pints—thanks to our friends at Goat Patch! (Plenty of great non-alcoholic options available too.)
Bring your sneakers, your friends, and your good vibes. We can’t wait to see you out there!
Click here to learn more about this Group Run!
2025 Small Business Resource Fair
Join us for a FREE event connecting business owners with 40+ local resources, including government agencies, nonprofits, and chambers.
The ACHIEVE Committee—a collaboration of 15+ organizations that support entrepreneurs in El Paso County—presents this impactful event to help entrepreneurs access the right support and receive tailored business advice through expert guidance, networking, and educational sessions.
Last year’s event featured amazing prize giveaways and this year will be even better! Make sure to be one of the first to reserve your spot and show up Thursday, June 5 | 11 AM – 2 PM at Exponential Impact in Colorado Springs
🍽️ Food trucks available onsite for lunch.
Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and grow your business! 🚀
Click here to register for the 2025 Small Business Resource Fair.
Pitch Night
With a focus on community feedback and connections, these startup pitches range from the earliest ideas of a company to teams ready to raise venture capital. Come connect with others in the Colorado Springs entrepreneurship community, hear innovative ideas, and give helpful feedback to pitching entrepreneurs!
*XI is proud to provide pizza, and drinks to our community at no cost!
Please complete a free registration below if you plan to attend as a guest so we can prepare accordingly.
WEBINAR - Funding Your Early Stage Colorado Startup
The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) is excited to host a Colorado-wide webinar focusing on Funding Your Early-Stage Colorado Tech Startup.
Whether you're in the beginning stages of getting your tech startup off the ground, or you're ready to start the fundraising process, if you are an early-stage tech startup founder anywhere in Colorado, this will be a great resource for you.
During our time together, you will hear about the various financing avenues available to you, which ones will make sense for your unique tech startup, and how to take next steps on your fundraising journey. Luz C. Gonzalez from OEDIT will share about government programs and incentives that support tech founders across Colorado, we will learn more about what it means ready to engage with angel investors from Kevin Kudra at Rockies Venture Club, Bill Miller will share more about who is a good fit for Venture Capital, Brittany Romano from Startup Colorado will share more about the many resources available to founders in rural Colorado, and Exponential Impact will share more about the challenges and opportunities their founders living beyond the Denver metro face. We will then have time for live Q+A for you to engage directly with our esteemed panel!
This will be a conversation you won’t want to miss. You will learn more about the Colorado funding ecosystem, find what partners might be the right ones for you, and have more tools in your toolbox as you proceed in your fundraising journey.
We can’t wait to see you there.
Click here to register for the Webinar - Funding Your Early Stage Colorado Startup
Pikes Peak Region Small Business Week
Join us for Small Business Week: Legacy of the Peak, a celebration of the entrepreneurs who shape our community and drive our economy forward. This inspiring week is filled with opportunities to connect, learn, and grow—from honoring visionary business leaders to exploring cutting-edge innovations and championing the future of small business.
Small businesses are the heart of our region, carrying forward a Legacy of the Peak—where rich traditions meet bold new ideas. This year, we honor the trailblazers who built our foundation and the next generation of entrepreneurs who are redefining what’s possible.
For over 18 years, Small Business Week of the Pikes Peak Region has been a cornerstone event, celebrating the innovation, resilience, and impact of our local business community.
Click here to learn more about the amazing events being held during the first week of May
Early-Stage Startup Funding Conversation
Join Exponential Impact (XI) on Friday, May 2nd from 2:00–3:00 PM for an engaging and informative conversation focused on early-stage startup funding.
We’re excited to welcome representatives from FirstMile Ventures, Colorado Startups, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) for a candid discussion on the current funding landscape, what investors are looking for, and how startups can position themselves for success.
Whether you're actively raising capital or just starting to explore your options, this session will offer valuable insights and opportunities to connect with key players in Colorado’s startup ecosystem.
Click here to register for Early-Stage Startup Funding Conversation
Manitou Incline - Startup Hike + Early-Stage Funding Panel
Join us for a Startup Hike like no other — Colorado Startups will be taking on the Manitou Incline! Whether it's been on your bucket list for years, or you're a regular, this will be an epic hike you won't want to miss.
Colorado Startups, in collaboration with Exponential Impact, the Colorado Office for Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), FirstMile Ventures, Catalyst Campus, UCCS, and EPIIC, will come together to provide an energizing day that will be followed by an early-stage startup funding conversation with FirstMile Ventures. We literally have activities that you can partake in all day if you wanted to!
Colorado Women In Tech by Colorado Startups
Join Us for the Women in Tech Panel!
Colorado Startups invites you to an inspiring Women in Tech Panel on April 30th at 4 PM! Being a woman in tech means many things—it’s not just one role or one sector, and we’re excited to explore those possibilities together.
Our panel features accomplished Colorado tech leaders who will share their unique career journeys across engineering, product, growth, operations/HR, and startup leadership. You’ll gain valuable insights from their experiences, learn about their challenges and successes, and hear their advice on navigating and thriving in the tech world. Plus, we’ll celebrate the progress made while discussing how we can continue to create opportunities for more women in tech.
📅 When: April 30th at 4 PM
📍 Where: Connect, learn, and grow with an incredible community of women in tech!
Don’t miss this chance to network, gain wisdom, and build meaningful connections. We can’t wait to see you there!
Click here to learn more and register for the Colorado Women In Tech By Colorado Startups
Unlock The Power Of Survive & Thrive: Everything You Need To Know
Virtual Event Description: Unlock the Power of Survive & Thrive: Everything You Need to Know
Discover how Exponential Impact’s Survive & Thrive program is transforming the small business landscape in El Paso County, Colorado. Originally launched as a rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis, Survive & Thrive quickly became a lifeline—delivering $2.3 million in low-interest, non-recourse loans to 132 small businesses before federal funding arrived. The result? A staggering $156 million in economic impact for Colorado Springs.
Survive & Thrive Loan Terms are generally:
Loan size: $1,000 - $5,000
2% interest and no payments due in Year 1
3% interest and monthly payments in Year 2
4% interest and monthly payments in Year 3
But it’s more than just funding. Survive & Thrive connects small business owners with mentorship, holistic programming, and a supportive community—providing the tools and guidance needed to not just survive, but thrive.
Join us for this virtual event to learn how the program works. This webinar is meant to help local economic developers, lending insitutions and other business resources better understand how Survive & Thrive works and how it can benefit your clients.
AI Crafts Colorado Springs
AI Crafts Comes to Colorado Springs!
No fluff. No hype. Just practical insights you can actually use. We’re bringing your favorite event to Exponential Impact on April 18th, 2025, from 4-6:30 PM MDT to bridge the gap between AI promises and real results.
As AI reshapes industries in 2025, the divide between hype and successful implementation is growing. After guiding dozens of clients through this journey at Humanity Innovation Labs and Bobcats Coding, we’re ready to share the hard-earned insights you need. We'll cover everything from spotting “AI washing” and handling infrastructure limitations to approaching MVP development, estimating token costs, and making smarter AI deployment decisions.
And the conversation doesn’t stop when the presentations end—stick around for drinks, snacks, and a chance to dive deeper into your AI development questions.
📢 Join us for a refreshingly honest late-afternoon product meetup!
📍 Where: Exponential Impact
🗓️ When: April 18th, 2025 | 4-6:30 PM MDT
📢 Space is limited—reserve your spot today!
Click here to register for the AI Crafts - Colorado Springs event
XI Pitch Night
With a focus on community feedback and connections, these startup pitches range from the earliest ideas of a company to teams ready to raise venture capital. Come connect with others in the Colorado Springs entrepreneurship community, hear innovative ideas, and give helpful feedback to pitching entrepreneurs!
CO AI Summit - Academia, Industry & Government
AI/ML Innovation in Action. See What’s Next from UCCS Student Researchers! Enjoy panels, presentations & networking!
CO AI Summit: Academia, Industry & Government
AI/ML Innovation in Action – See What’s Next from UCCS Student Researchers!
Join us for the CO AI Summit, a premier gathering of academia, industry, and government leaders focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning innovation. This event, hosted by Catalyst Campus for Technology & Innovation in partnership with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), showcases cutting-edge research and fosters collaboration among AI/ML experts, students, and professionals.
What to Expect
🔹 Lightning Talks – UCCS students present their latest AI/ML research in high-energy, rapid-fire sessions.
🔹 Poster Showcase – Engage with student researchers and explore their work through interactive poster presentations.
🔹 Expert Panel – Hear from top minds in academia, industry, and government as they discuss the future of AI/ML.
🔹 Networking Opportunities – Connect with professionals, researchers, and thought leaders shaping the AI/ML landscape.
Whether you're an AI/ML professional, researcher, student, or enthusiast, this is your opportunity to gain insights, collaborate, and be part of the future of AI innovation.
Secure your spot today and join us for an exciting evening of discovery, discussion, and networking.
Click here to learn more and register for CO AI Summit: Academia, Industry & Government event
AI Crafts Boulder
Cutting Through the AI Hype
AI is transforming industries in 2025, but the gap between hype and real-world success is growing. At Bobcats Coding, with experience across the USA, Portugal, Switzerland, and Hungary, we’ve seen it firsthand—everyone wants AI, but few know how to build solutions that deliver real value.
Join us on April 16 at Kiln for AI CRAFTS BOULDER, where we’ll share practical insights from real client projects on the five biggest challenges in AI product development. No fluff. No hype. Just actionable frameworks to help you:
✅ Spot “AI washing” and identify true innovation.
✅ Tackle infrastructure and scaling challenges.
✅ Approach MVP development and estimate token costs.
🔎 Why Attend?
Get real insights, ask tough questions, and gain the clarity your AI strategy needs.
📢 Space is limited—reserve your spot today!