Top Company 2019: Startup

Even though these companies are just getting started, they are making a large impact

Lisa Ryckman //September 4, 2019//

Top Company 2019: Startup

Even though these companies are just getting started, they are making a large impact

Lisa Ryckman //September 4, 2019//

Balanced health botanicals.

In its 32nd year, ColoradoBiz's Top Company honors the Colorado companies that have drive, determination, a vision and a plan and are ultimately making the state a better place to live and work. These three companies – one winner and two finalists – represent the 2019 Top Companies Startup Category. 

WINNER

Balanced Health Botanicals

Denver

Since its 2015 founding, Balanced Health Botanicals (BHB) has transformed from a five-person operation to more than 100 employees and finished 2018 with a value that had increased by 13,499% in just two years.

“The mission of Balanced Health Botanicals is to get CBD to the masses, and at fair prices,” CEO Chase Terwilliger says.

BHB is parent to CBDistillery, one of the largest and fastest growing retailers of hemp-derived CBD (cannabidiol) products in the world. BHB’s #CBDMOVEMENT furthers the company’s commitment to provide the highest quality, U.S.-grown hemp-derived CBD products and to provide consumer education and brand transparency. 

“Since the day we started, we’ve been transparent, and we’ve been able to publish third-party test results, which is very important in this industry,” Terwilliger says. “We want consumers to see exactly what’s in their product.”

BHB has made significant investments in its infrastructure, supply chain capabilities, product portfolio, innovation and sales strategy, and is uniquely positioned for continued rapid growth. Control of the supply chain plus the combination of these investments allows for the company to truly put customers and their needs first. It recently announced lower wholesale pricing on all tinctures by 18% to 30%. BHB is among the 13 outstanding companies awarded the first-ever U.S. Hemp Authority Certification Seal, and it sources its hemp from domestic farmers who exercise natural farming practices.

BHB uses employee spotlight programs, company outings and multiple work channels to encourage sharing and open-door policies with executives.

FINALISTS

Rule4

Boulder

Rule4 provides consultative cybersecurity and emerging technology guidance to a wide variety of organizations across industries. The company is leading the way on the new frontier of technology – artificial intelligence/machine learning, industrial Internet of Things, site reliability engineering, biotech, cybersecurity effectiveness, and more. It has earned Certified B Corp Pending status and is working toward full certification within one year. Rule4 actively seeks out mission-driven clients, lending its services to support them in the pursuit of social, environmental and community-driven goals. The company has hosted local meetups and community group meetings of up to 120 people so they can come together and share ideas without the financial burden of renting a regular space. This includes B Local Colorado, BLUG, DevOps Boulder, JAVA Users Group, Elasticsearch, Harvest of Hope Pantry, ISSA and more. Rule4 is a member of the Colorado Technology Association and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce.

Facing Homelessness Denver

Castle Rock

In 2010, Rex Hohlbein began inviting people living homeless into his Seattle architecture office for conversation. “The negative stereotype against the homeless was not matching up to the beauty of those I was meeting,” he says. Those encounters gave rise to a Facebook page and eventually a nonprofit, and inspired Denver advocate Amber Dinh to do the same. She created Facing Homelessness Denver two years ago, featuring up-close profiles, photos and conversations with Denver’s homeless residents on a Facebook page. The nonprofit feeds 8,000 people a year and works with other nonprofits to access services for those in need. The all-volunteer staff uses any revenue generated to help people experiencing homelessness.

This article is part of the 2019 ColoradoBiz Top Company Awards. Read more about all the winners & finalists: 
ADVERTISING & MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING ARCHITECTURE & INTERIOR DESIGN CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING CONSUMER BUSINESS ENERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES HEALTH CARE MANUFACTURING NONPROFIT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REAL ESTATE SOFTWARE | TECHNOLOGY SERVICES TOURISM & HOSPITALITY