Now, more than ever before, innovation drives the northern Colorado economy. From small startup companies to global technology leaders, the regional economy is increasingly fueled by work that pushes science and technology to new levels—and opens up new jobs for area residents. Clearly, northern Colorado is capitalizing on innovation to put local residents to work in jobs that pay well and generate economic activity that ripples through the regional economy. That’s the bright side of the story.

Northern Colorado has an enormous resource that is underutilized: highly educated, highly skilled people who can’t find work that makes full use of their talents. Thousands of area residents fit this description.

In the wake of the tech downturn of the early 2000s and the ongoing shifts in the manufacturing industry, more than 5,500 skilled tech workers have been displaced in Larimer County. Add in the many newly unemployed workers in northern Colorado and you have an army of people hungry for jobs that pay well and put families on the path to prosperity.

Today, these people—these thousands of under- and unemployed workers—are caught in the shadows of a troubled economy. That’s the dark side of the story.

RMI² is building the entrepreneurial ecosystem and assisting the best of the region’s fast growing innovative startups. In order to pursue our mission we rely on public and private funding. In late 2009, we are embarking on a new chapter, one that requires funds from more than the local governments and university. We are seeking contributions from the public in order to fulfill the community’s dream of a diverse and healthy economy filled with innovative high growth startup companies.

RMI² is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your gift is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. When we receive your donation, we will send you a receipt and expression of our gratitude that documents your gift for tax purposes.

The Enterprise Zone Program encourages job creation and capital investment in economically distressed areas by providing tax credits to businesses and Enterprise Zone projects to promote and encourage economic development. You may donate up to $100,000 in one year and receive a Contribution Tax Credit of 25% of your cash donation and 12.5% of your in-kind donation from your state income taxes. The Federal deduction will also apply.

RMI² holds monthly Innovation After Hours in addition to other networking and educational events. These are opportunities for your company to be able to gain some recognition through sponsorship. 

Brightworks has the capacity to absorb all four of RMI2’s existing sites and more than doubles the amount of new clients that can be housed in the small business incubator. Expanded facilities offer 3,000 square feet of wet-lab space necessary to attract and assist bioscience startups. 

The new building will also provide shared conference spaces for business meetings, education seminars and community events to further enhance the value for entrepreneurs.
 

Brightworks will be built by close of 2010/early 2011. There are opportunities for community investors or corporations to enjoy naming rights on the conference facilities and more. 

Donations may be made by check, or credit card.

For credit card gifts, please call the number below.

For gifts by check, make payable to “Rocky Mountain Innovation Initiative.” We will send you a tax credit certificate or donation receipt to be filed with your tax return.

Mail check to:

RMI²

200 West Mountain Avenue, Suite A

Fort Collins, CO 80521

 

For questions, or if you wish to give a credit card number over the phone, please call or send an email to:

Nicole Franklin

970-221-1301

Email: contribute@RMI2.org