About Central Mountain Entrepreneurs
Central Mountain Entrepreneurs is a collaborative network of founders, funders, mentors, and advisors dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in Colorado’s Central Mountains.
Led by Chaffee County EDC, our growing entrepreneurial ecosystem connects local talent with the resources, relationships, and opportunities needed to build successful businesses. Through our new partnership with Startup Colorado, we’re expanding that support to entrepreneurs across Chaffee, Summit, Lake, and Gunnison counties.
A New Chapter for the Ascent Accelerator
Big opportunities for rural Colorado entrepreneurs.
After five years of supporting 50 founders, the Ascent Accelerator is entering an exciting new chapter through a partnership between Chaffee County EDC and Startup Colorado.
Launching in January 2027, the expanded program combines Ascent’s strong local roots with Startup Colorado’s Rural Operating System (RuralOS), bringing additional mentorship, business development resources, statewide connections, and access to capital opportunities to entrepreneurs across Chaffee, Summit, Lake, and Gunnison counties.
Whether you’re developing a new business idea or preparing an existing company for its next stage of growth, Ascent is here to help you move forward.
Applications for the 2027 cohort are now open through December 18, 2026. Participation is FREE for selected founders.
How it works.
The next chapter of Ascent brings together the best of local entrepreneurial support and statewide resources.
Through our partnership with Startup Colorado, selected founders will have access to programs and resources designed to support businesses from early-stage ideas through growth and expansion.
Startup Colorado will lead structured founder-development programming, including Idea Factory and Growth Challenge, with access to technical assistance, mentorship, peer networks, pitch preparation, and capital readiness resources.
Chaffee County EDC will continue bringing entrepreneurs together through local events, mentorship opportunities, and community connections.
Together, we’re building a stronger network of support for entrepreneurs throughout Colorado’s Central Mountains.
ascent | as·cent | noun
1a: the act of rising or mounting upward: CLIMB
Central Mountain Entrepreneurs is a startup community committed to building equitable, sustainable economic development through collaboration and continuous learning. Our Ascent business accelerator supports innovation and entrepreneurship by creating an ecosystem of growth resources to propel makers and doers startup and scale, while elevating their communities and serving as a pillar for social good.
CME Mentors & Advisors
The power of any accelerator program is the quality of its mentor and advisor network. Ours is world class. From investors and serial entrepreneurs to seasoned ecosystem builders, our mentors come from a broad set of backgrounds and are committed to supporting your success. They understand that helping your business grow is central to creating sustainable, equitable economic opportunity in rural America. Get to know our incredible network of mentors here.
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