Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado to Lead Gazelle CEO Community

 
 
 

 

The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) announced a new partnership with Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado (BEN Colorado) to manage the Denver Gazelles recognition program for Denver’s impressive network of fast-growing second-stage companies including such well-known local tech winners as Ping Identity, Welltok, Ibotta, and SendGrid. OED recognizes a new class of Gazelles annually during Denver Startup Week.

The two organizations will work together to select each year’s winners, and identify opportunities to promote the recognition beyond the current efforts of OED. In past years, OED hosted a CEO panel at Denver Startup Week basecamp, issued a proclamation from the Mayor, provided networking opportunities for Gazelle firms to learn from one another, and maintained Denver Gazelle social media.

BEN Colorado will bring new energy to ignite the community of Denver Gazelle winners. “We’re looking forward to working with OED to bring this powerful group of CEOs together to represent the best in leadership that Denver has to offer. We see the Gazelles as the City’s best resource for advising OED on entrepreneurial needs and helping to attract new companies, workforce, and investment financing to Colorado,” says Greg Greenwood, Executive Director of BEN Colorado.

The Gazelle network will come together periodically to develop opportunities that benefit the winning companies and the City and County of Denver.

Turid Nagel-Casebolt, OED’s Director of Business Development, foresees this group acting as an informal advisory group, providing input on how the City can best support the needs of rapidly growing firms. “We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado to serve this group of companies with more impact, resources, and connections,” said Nagel-Casebolt.

“Ibotta is pleased to host the first get-together of Gazelle CEOs in our new Denver headquarters,” mentioned Bryan Leach, Ibotta’s CEO. “We are excited to be based in Denver and want to help lead the effort to continue the growth of the entrepreneurial community in Denver.”

About the Denver Gazelles: The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) annually recognizes 5 Denver Gazelles as fast growing 2nd stage companies. Denver Gazelles help lead the local economy by adding jobs and attracting capital investment. This program, started in 2012, partners with Gazelle leadership to improve the Denver marketplace, promotes Denver's technology assets, and builds a stronger network of like-minded winners.

There are currently 25 Denver Gazelles:

  • comCables

  • TrackVia

  • Inspirato

  • Ping Identity

  • Ibotta

  • Sympoz (Craftsy)

  • Convercent

  • WellTok

  • FullContact

  • Placeable

  • Galvanize

  • RTL Networks

  • Aventura

  • Nimbl

  • Layer3 TV

  • Four Winds International

  • Wayin

  • ProtectWise

  • Altitude Digital

  • Blinker

  • SendGrid

  • Parkifi

  • Havenly

  • Cloud Elements

  • MindAptiv

    About the Denver Office of Economic Development: The Denver Office of Economic Development (OED) is dedicated to advancing economic prosperity for the City of Denver, its businesses, neighborhoods and residents. Working with a wide variety of community partners, OED operates to create a local environment that stimulates balanced growth through job creation, business assistance, housing options, neighborhood redevelopment and the development of a skilled workforce.

    About Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado: The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado (BENCO) strengthens Colorado's entrepreneurial ecosystem by connecting high-growth CEOs with serially successful entrepreneurs and community resources. BENCO is funded by a $3 million gift from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to the State of Colorado and is administered by the University of Colorado’s Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship.

 
BEN Colorado