Denver ScaleUp Network

Founded in 2017 with over 130 graduates, the Denver ScaleUp Network is a post- accelerator program led by the Denver Office of Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO), in partnership with BEN Colorado and CiviCO.

We serve two cohorts per year, each supporting 10–15 emerging, diverse Denver- based entrepreneurs. The program provides founders the guidance, connections, and resources needed to overcome the strategic growth challenges in their businesses.

Program Overview

The Denver ScaleUp Network Program is a six-month cohort designed to support second-stage entrepreneurs in Denver. This program provides strategic guidance, mentorship, and resources to foster business growth and success.

Program Structure

Participants gain:

Access to a curated peer cohort for shared learning and accountability
Monthly in-person cohort meetings facilitated by DEDO to foster collaboration and provide ongoing support
Strategic guidance tailored to their businesses’ stage
High-impact connections to local business leaders and resources, including a 1-hour session with BEN Advisors
Participation in the TrueSpace Program

Ideal Candidate

We’re looking for founders leading Denver-area businesses that are already in market with customers, generating between $200K and $2M in annual revenue. Candidates should be poised for growth and open to strategic guidance, with a focus on long-term scalability.

BEN Days

The program culminates in a 1-hour strategic advisory session for each founder, with a group of seasoned BEN Advisors. These advisors bring deep expertise and an unbiased perspective —they’re here as mentors, not investors. This is not a pitch. It’s a candid, high- value conversation focused on helping the entrepreneur make better strategic decisions.

“BEN is the most valuable resource I have encountered in the Denver startup community. Since getting involved with BEN almost a year ago, I have grown more personally and professionally than I had during the prior three years as an entrepreneur. The main reason for this is the incredible people I have connected with through BEN who have been instrumental in my development and who genuinely want to see me succeed without any other agenda. Without them, this journey would be significantly more difficult, and I’m incredibly grateful that the organization exists.”

- Niki Koubourlis, Denver ScaleUp Network Entrepreneur