Bridge Entrepreneurs Network (BEN Colorado) Receives a $50,000 Grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation to Expand Support for Colorado’s Scale-Up Small Businesses
The Bridge Entrepreneurs Network (BEN Colorado), the leading entrepreneurial advisory organization for Colorado scale-up businesses, is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous $50,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation. This funding will significantly enhance BEN Colorado's capacity to support small business entrepreneurs through the Denver ScaleUp Network (DenSUN).
The Denver ScaleUp Network is an annual post-accelerator program designed by the Denver Office of Economic Development & Opportunity, in partnership with BEN Colorado and Colorado Thought Leaders Forum, to support a small, diverse group of emerging and traditionally underserved Denver small businesses by providing advisorship, connections, and resources needed to solve their key strategic challenges to growth.
The DenSUN program has demonstrated remarkable success with its 113 graduate entrepreneurs, 60 percent of whom have been female-led businesses and 38 percent of whom are minority-led small businesses. Since the program's inception in 2017, our small business owners have created 1,325 jobs, generated $43M in revenue, and raised $446M in capital.
With this new funding, BEN Colorado is excited to announce the addition of another cohort of small business entrepreneurs this fall, addressing the immediate needs of these innovative businesses.
“The $50,000 grant will be instrumental in providing critical resources, mentorship, and support for the next cohort of small businesses,” said BEN Colorado Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Mick Freeman. “The funding will enable BEN Colorado to expand its reach, offering tailored guidance and strategic assistance to help second-stage entrepreneurs navigate their growth journeys successfully.”
Wells Fargo's commitment to supporting local small businesses and fostering economic growth in Colorado aligns seamlessly with BEN Colorado's mission. The Colorado economy is powered by small businesses and Wells Fargo is committed to helping them succeed financially. This partnership underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in nurturing the entrepreneurial ecosystem and driving innovation in the region.
While economic challenges continue for businesses at various stages of growth in Colorado, Wells Fargo focuses on fostering an inclusive recovery and strengthening the small business sector for the long term. Its goal is to help as many Colorado ventures as possible, with a strong emphasis on supporting the needs of diverse small business owners. By doing so, it strives to be the bank of choice for entrepreneurs, recognizing their critical role in the health and prosperity of Colorado communities and the national economy.
About BEN Colorado:
BEN is a transformative community where entrepreneurs, advisors and partners come together to foster collective growth. The essence lies in the power of the shared wisdom, mentorship and a dynamic network that propels everyone toward success. BEN initially was funded by a grant from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to help Colorado jump-start the development of high-growth companies that have the greatest potential to create new jobs and other opportunities in the region. BEN introduces Colorado-based companies to experienced business experts who have successfully grown their own companies and are now willing to advise others. BEN recently changed its name from the Blackstone Entrepreneurship Network to Bridge Entrepreneurship Network to reflect BEN’s role in elevating statewide scale-up entrepreneurship and ‘bridging’ various entrepreneurial support entities. BEN has supported more than 350 small businesses that generate over $7.8 billion in top line revenue, raised over $10 billion in capital, and employ over 21,678 people.
For more information, visit bencolorado.org or email info@bencolorado.org.