Colorado Companies to Watch 2015

Colorado Companies to Keep Your Eye On!

Gigi Sukin //July 29, 2015//

Colorado Companies to Watch 2015

Colorado Companies to Keep Your Eye On!

Gigi Sukin //July 29, 2015//

They’re not stars yet. But they are on the verge, scooting their way to center stage, attempting to unseat the icons of their respective industries.

Now in its seventh year, Colorado Companies to Watch, presented by UMB Bank, highlights 50 second-stage companies that are discovering and devising valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, elevating communities, and redefining the marketplace.

“We have companies across a variety of industries, started in garages and out of personal savings accounts that have transformed into established scale-ups that are creating new employment in Colorado and beyond,” says Sam Bailey, Colorado Office of Economic Development industry development manager.

Not to be overlooked is that these companies proudly call Colorado home.

However, brilliant ideas, strong teams and a stunning backdrop to frame the star-studded scene do not mean these organizations are without hardships. Challenges include remaining nimble as organizations scale up, access to capital, the lightning speed and expected integration of technology, and recruiting top talent, regardless of industry.

Looking into the future, as “Companies to Watch” suggests, means the opportunity to problem-solve and strategically reinvent.

“These winners, these risk-takers are moving Colorado’s economy forward by creating new jobs, disrupting industry norms and solidifying Colorado as a growth-oriented state,” says Dave Tolson, Chair and Platinum Sponsor, Colorado Companies to Watch. “This year’s winners truly exemplify the spirit of Colorado’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Stay tuned.

2015 By the Numbers

50 winners from 1,024 nominees and applicants

Businesses were started by
*(of those that reported)

  •  21 by personal savings and credit
  • 4 by angel investors
  • 6 by private investors
  • 3 by venture capital
  • 3 by organic growth and sales from Day 1

Companies were started as far back as 1978 and up to 2013

  • 18 LLCs
  • 11 C Corps
  • 21 S Corps
  • 11 are diversity owned
  • 115 – number of locations the 50 winners do business: 63 in-state, 52 out of state
  • 43 of the 50 winners are profitable

2014 – 50 winners generated a combined $503 million in revenue and are projected to do $578 million in combined revenue in 2015

In 2014, the 50 winners employed 2,019 FTEs and are projected to employ 2,456 in 2015.

Here's the list of finalists:

1908 Brands Inc.
3d Lacrosse LLC
Aleph Objects Inc.
ALIO Industries
Allison Medical Inc.
Alpen High Performance Products
Anthem Branding
APEX Movement
AppThis
BackJoy
Bamboobies
Barber-Nichols
Blackhawk Equipment Company
Blue Moose of Boulder
BWBacon Group
Cactus
Cloud 9 Living Inc.
COLDQUANTA
Colorado Engineering Inc.
Colorado Professional Resources LLC
Commerce Kitchen
Conspire
Crazy Mountain Brewing Company
Czero Inc.
DevelopIntelligence
Dynamic Solutions International
E Source
Elevation Beer Company
EMPSi
Engrain
ESCO Construction Co.
Eventus Solutions Group
Faction
Faustson Corp
FHE USA LLC
FluentStream Technologies
Flylow Gear
Galvanize Inc.
Global Communications Group Inc.
Grateful Bread Company
Greystone Technology Group Inc.
Haugen Consulting Group
High Plains Computing Inc.
Horizon Glass
Infinity Systems Engineering
ISSAC
JMark Services Inc.
JumpNrope
Kapost
Lark IT
Levels Beyond
Lewis Fowler
MainNerve
Mobile Accord
Mobile Solutions Services Inc.
NinjaTrader Group LLC
Oakman Aerospace Inc.
Odell Brewing Co
Ozo Coffee Company
Parallel Path
Pharmatech Inc.
Pie Consulting & Engineering
PivotDesk
Platte River Networks
Premium Panels Inc.
Qualtek Manufacturing Inc
Quinn Popcorn
Rubadue Wire Co., Inc
Sanity Solutions Inc.
SeedPaths
Seth Ellis Chocolatier LLC
SGM
Silvergate Pharmaceuticals
Simple Energy
Skoop
Skratch Labs LLC
Slackline Industries
Slice of Lime
Sphero
Standard Alcohol
Support Inc.
Sweet Action Ice Cream
The CE Shop
The Fatbike Company
The Harloff Company
The Infinite Monkey Theorem
Think Network Technologies LLC
ThinkTank
Volume NIne
VOORMI
Wallaroo Hat Company
Wayin
Wowza Media Systems LLC
Your Green Contractor Inc.

Source: Colorado Companies to Watch