Colorado Companies to Watch 2021: The Techies

Aerosol Devices

Fort Collins

The true difficulty of analyzing and capturing airborne pathogens has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but thanks to Aerosol Devices and its patented water-based condensation growth tube collection (CGTC) technology, these concerns may be a thing of the past. The company’s technology is expected to continue to be a valuable asset in the fight against COVID-19.

The unique technology captures whole-cell airborne particles and preserves them for further analysis. Due to this ground-breaking capability, Aerosol Devices has received more than $4.5 million in grant money from five federal agencies. The versatility of this technology has government agencies, industrial partners and the aerosol research community interested in what Aerosol Devices has to offer. While its products are changing how aerosol research is conducted, the company is also financially committed to assisting two research consortiums in Australia and the United States to help teams continue to work on enhancing indoor air quality.

Outside the lab, the company also prides itself on creating an inclusive and flexible work environment. Aiming to retain top talent, Aerosol Devices gives its employees the freedom to design and create products that will directly affect real world problems.

Aspen Technology Group

Aspen

Many flock to the mountains of the Western Slope to enjoy the clouds of snow that descend upon the various ski resorts and mountain towns. However, Aspen Technology Group capitalizes on a very different type of cloud that is now a mainstay in the world of remote work. Specializing in Amazon Web Services, the Aspen Technology Group understands the importance of cloud computing and its ability to exponentially lower the technological overhead costs for companies looking to join the cloud revolution.

Director of Operations Buddy Webster says none of this growth would have been possible without the Aspen Technology Group’s secret weapon: its employees. “We want our employees to enjoy where they work without the ‘corporate’ culture that many disfavor,” Webster said. “Our employees without contention are our most valuable asset, and we go to great lengths to appreciate them.”

Barn Owl Tech

Colorado Springs

In the initial stages of Barn Owl Tech’s development, the company focused on providing sensor systems that would aid agricultural professionals in monitoring their water resources. But a consultation with customers prompted a vast shift – to developing remote camera systems. Whereas some companies would find a complete shift in product development difficult, Barn Owl Tech was able to use this transition as a way to catapult into new avenues of business.

With a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the United States Air Force for its work, Barn Owl Tech is providing a service that has immediate application across multiple industries. Barn Owl provides affordable products for anyone looking to utilize a security system that provides real-time notifications.

“The Barn owl team is hungry, humble and kind. We are a remote-first company and operate in a high trust environment,” CEO Josh Phifer said. “We hire top-notch talent and give them the freedom and resources to do their job.”

StratusIQ Fiber Internet

Colorado Springs

StratusIQ has provided fiber-to-the-premises high-speed internet services to the Colorado Springs and El Paso County areas since 2003. StratusIQ is a completely independent internet service that is embedded in Colorado literally and figuratively. Literally, as it runs over 100 miles of transmission fiber throughout Colorado Springs on a network that stretches from Monument to Ft. Carson and Falcon.

Locally owned and operated, this is a company that prides itself on the longevity it has experienced and continues to support the community that allows it to thrive. The company’s 40 gigabit ethernet backbone provides residential services, business services, telephone services and online service for multiple K-12 education sites. StratusIQ has its hand, or wires, in all aspects of Colorado business and community and with its exceptional customer service, it is easy to see why it has been around for as long as it has.

“Our extensive fiber backbone, fiber-to-the-premises technology and excellent customer service creates an unmatched customer experience for residential and business customers,” the company’s website states.