In May, Deters and his partners in Galvanize announced [i4c], a contest designed to give three ventures not just investment money, but support that would galvanize the business. That support included office space in a Golden Triangle spot Deters was not yet ready to disclose.
Now, however, you can see the space for yourself. It's the old Rocky Mountain Bank Note building at 1062 Delaware Street, which over the decades has been home not just to financial institutions, but also the Monastery, a wine bar that featured servers wearing monk's robes, and P.S. 1, the state's longest-running charter school, which finally closed at the end of the 2010-11 school year.
Thanks to Galvanize, it's becoming a home to a new kind of education, a shared work space for entrepreneurs and investors that will also include a software-programming school. And by the end of the year, there should also be a restaurant in the space, Gather. Chef Lon Symensma is working on that concept; he and Deters are partners in ChoLon Asian Bistro, which opened in LoDo two years ago. But Deters knows how to cook up deals as well as restaurants; he was the co-founder of Ascendant Technology, an IT consulting firm Deters left last year; it was recently acquired by Avnet.
These days, Deters is pouring much of his energy -- and his money -- into the Golden Triangle's Galvanize, which has room for seventy start-up companies, as well as an atrium that can host large gatherings, several of which will be held there this week, as the first Denver Startup Week gets under way. The ambitious program was organized by Denver entrepreneurs, the Downtown Denver Partnership, Colorado Technology Association and Startup Colorado. The week's lineup boasts more than seventy events, all of them free (but many of them filling up fast); find the complete Startup schedule here.
Here are just two of the Startup events at Galvanize this week, which should be a great start to this startup incubator:
Entrepreneur Film Night: Brad Feld + Something VenturedAccording to the Brookings Institute, more people in the 25-to-34 age group are moving to metro Denver than any other urban area, fueling our entrepreneurial boom. Click to read "Fifteen reasons why young people are moving to Colorado."6-9 p.m. Galvanize, 1062 Delaware Street, Denver, Colorado
Great innovation communities are build by inspired entrepreneurs who want to change the world. This event is focused on how startup communities are built, what inspires their creation and how to participate in them to make them a success.
Brad Feld will present his new book, Startup Communities, followed by a viewing of the film, Something Ventured.
Free and open to the public. Hosted by Galvanize and Denver Startup Week Sponsors
Denver Startup Week Finale Starters, Builders and Hustlers Bash
6-9 p.m. Galvanize, 1062 Delaware Street
Everything you need to close out an exceptional week in style: signature cocktails courtesy of Tanqueray, Bulleit, Ketel One, Don Julio, and Ogave soda, a local luminary and DJ spinning, and a street filled with some of the best food trucks in town*.
Bringing together Denver's most talented and passionate entrepreneurs, this night will be the culmination of the innovation and pure hustle that defines Denver Startup Week.
Admission free, but come hungry and don't forget your cash & cards.* Hosted by Galvanize and Denver Startup Week Sponsors
