Monday, August 5, 2013

Rocky Mountain Innosphere Launches New Office at CREED in Golden, CO to Support Cleantech Startups

Press Release

Rocky Mountain Innosphere, the non-profit technology incubator with headquarters in Fort Collins, CO is pleased to announce the launch of their new office, “Innosphere at CREED” which expands Innosphere’s cleantech program throughout all of Colorado by supporting startups who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies. The new office is located in Golden, CO at the Colorado Center for Renewable Energy Economic Development (CREED). CREED is co-located with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL), which is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Innosphere’s Access to Capital program, corporate partners, relationships with test facilities, physical space and business guidance expertise is what sets Innosphere’s program apart from other incubator models. “Rocky Mountain Innosphere’s presence at CREED is a valuable part of our cleantech ecosystem,” said Richard Adams, NREL Manager for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center. “Innosphere will support NREL’s efforts in providing business support for emerging cleantech companies as well as commercializing technologies.”

“We really appreciate all the support from our current and new investors that allow us to expand our reach and serve more companies in the cleantech arena,” said Doug Johnson, Innosphere VP of Capital Access. “We have support from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT); Brownstein, Hyatt, Farber, Schreck; the City of Golden; Jefferson County; NREL; the Canadian Consulate; Global Prairie and Colorado Business Bank. They are all strong supporters of the cleantech industry and see the potential it has to create jobs.” Innosphere also works closely with industry clusters such as the Colorado Clean Energy Cluster and the Colorado Water Innovation Cluster, making this incubator the right choice for emerging energy, water, and transportation startups.

“The space between being a cleantech entrepreneur and having a full-fledged company is full of both opportunities and pitfalls,” said Rob Writz, Innosphere’s Director of Clean Technology Programs. “To help Colorado entrepreneurs bridge those gaps, Innosphere’s Cleantech Program provides support to companies that are at the early stages of growth.  I’m excited to be a part of an organization that enables a cleantech innovation ecosystem in Colorado.”

The expansion of Innosphere’s incubator programs and services to support cleantech startup companies across the Front Range and state of Colorado speaks to the value Innosphere is adding to the economy in the entrepreneurial startup space. “Innosphere has demonstrated a successful business model over the past 14 years and is now at a point where they can expand their cleantech program beyond Northern Colorado,” said Johnson. “Given the emerging technologies coming out of NREL, combined with the talent coming out of the universities such as CU, CSU and Colorado School of Mines, this is an ideal time to incubate promising startups through Innosphere’s proven incubator model that focuses on mentoring, capital, strategy and growth.”

About Innosphere

Accelerating job creation and entrepreneurship, Rocky Mountain Innosphere is a 501c3 nonprofit technology incubator formed to accelerate the development and success of high-impact scientific and technology startup companies. In promoting the development of a regional entrepreneurial ecosystem, Innosphere currently provides support to 39 entrepreneurial startup companies with resources such as assistance with raising capital, help in assembling solid management teams, access and connections with academic and government institutions, a network of advisors and mentors, discounted professional service providers, and educational and networking opportunities. Rocky Mountain Innosphere has two physical locations: headquarters in Fort Collins, Colorado and the Innosphere at CREED office located in Golden, Colorado which serves to expand Innosphere’s cleantech program throughout all of Colorado by supporting startups who will provide the next generation of clean, renewable, and efficient energy technologies.