Reflections on Boulder Startup Week: Quantum Energy and Founder Spirit

Last week, we had the privilege of kicking off Boulder Startup Week (BSW) with a presentation at the University of Colorado's Silicon Flatirons. The room was packed with local founders, students, and innovators—a diverse, energized crowd that perfectly captured the essence of what makes Boulder so special.

Later in the week, I had the honor of helping host one of two Quantum Panels—focused on the growing quantum technology ecosystem in Boulder. The event left me buzzing with excitement and a deep appreciation for this community. Here are a few personal highlights and observations:

1. Founders Supporting Founders

The informal support network for entrepreneurs in Boulder is second to none. If you're a founder looking for a mentor, you'll find not just one—but many—experienced, thoughtful leaders ready to lend a hand. There's no red tape, no ego—just a genuine desire to help others build.

2. The Power of Grassroots

Boulder Startup Week is a masterclass in grassroots innovation. It’s completely free to attend and impressively runs without renting venues. People and companies open their doors, offer their spaces, and bring their talents—all in the spirit of community. It’s scrappy, collaborative, and deeply inspiring.

3. Quantum Is Coming

And Boulder knows it.

Across the week, over 300 people showed up for quantum-related events—despite a packed schedule with plenty of other great sessions. Some attendees were “quantum-curious,” others were budding enthusiasts, and many were full-on quantum geeks. It was thrilling to see such broad interest in this emerging field.

4. An Organic Quantum Ecosystem

Boulder’s quantum scene isn’t just growing—it’s thriving, and in many ways, it’s doing so organically. From institutions like CU Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, NIST, and JILA, to organizations like Elevate Quantum, to startups like Quantinuum, Infleqtion, Atom Computing, Quantum Rings, Mesa Quantum, Longpath, Maybell, Vescent, Xarios, and many others—we’re building something rare.

Add in initiatives like the Quantum Commons, Quantum Incubator, and Quantum Loan Guarantees, and you start to get a glimpse of what the future might hold. This is only the beginning.

Wrapping Up

Boulder Startup Week is a reminder that when a community shows up for each other—without paywalls or pretense—amazing things happen. Whether you’re building a new app or simulating quantum circuits, Boulder has your back.

If you haven’t been to BSW, mark your calendar for next year. And if you're quantum-curious, come join us—we’re just getting started.