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8th Annual Longmont Startup Week stays virtual this year

In-person "Zoom Rooms" and after-hours social events add to the week.
Matt Maenpaa
Matt Maenpaa
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Longmont Startup Week begins July 26StartupStockPhotos/Pixabay

Longmont Startup Week remains virtual this year.

Starting July 26, Longmont Startup Week will broadcast live from Longmont Public Media for each of it’s presentations and panels. Entrepreneurs and curious residents can watch the broadcast live from their home or office. Those looking for in-person networking and conversation can join the live “Zoom Room” at Longmont Economic Development Partnership’s office located at 1925 Pike Road, Suite 202.

Startup Week, organized by Longmont’s Avocet Communications, is in its second year of virtual presentations, and it’s eighth year overall.

“There are still a lot of people who are uncomfortable because of the pandemic, so the decision was made to keep everything virtual to err on the side of caution,” said Lori Jones, president and CEO of Avocet Communications.

The Longmont Downtown Development Association, or LDDA, assisted with coordination of the event this year, including organizing the social events following daily panels. 

“Longmont has such a rich community of creative and talented entrepreneurs, startups and business owners,” said Colin Argys, marketing specialist and events coordinator for the LDDA. “There’s always great energy and buzz within the community surrounding Longmont Startup Week and we’re excited to be a part of that again this year.”

Highlights this year include a Morning Motivations panel with Sticker Giant CEO Beth Smith and a panel with Chris Pearson, Will Francis and Doug Campbell of Longmont-based Roccor on maintaining employee-owned culture through a company buy-out. According to Jones, another panel of note is on  diversity in the workforce with Betty Artes of Casa Alvarez, Ricardo Cabrera of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County and Sonia Stavall, assistant professor of diversity in criminal justice, criminology and public policy at Colorado Technical University.

“I feel like we’ve been very discerning with our speakers this year,” Jones said. “We looked at national trends and put out surveys to the community to hear what they were most interested in.”

In addition to viewing at the Longmont Economic Development Partnership, the Times Collaborative co-working space at 338 Main Street also will  host drop-in viewing for Startup Week. 

“This year’s virtual session format will allow attendees flexibility to participate from wherever they are throughout the week, but we’ve incorporated in-person viewing options for those who prefer the networking and socializing that Longmont Startup Week traditionally offers,” Argys said. “Daily in-person social events also give participants the chance to connect (or reconnect) with one another, share thoughts and ideas, and have some fun together.”

The after-hours events will give participants and observers a chance to network and discuss hot topics during Startup Week. A kickoff party on July 26 at Wibby Brewing will have an evening of music, beer and food. Happy hours throughout the week will be hosted at Copper Sky Distillery, The Roost, Grossen Bart Brewery, Quarters Bar + Arcade, Abbott & Wallace Distilling and Cyclhops. The closing party on July 30 will take place at 300 Suns Brewing with Longmont-themed trivia, prizes, giveaways and more.

“This year’s Startup Week is a chance for entrepreneurs in our community to reflect on this past year and how it has inspired change and growth in our businesses,” Jones said.

All Longmont Startup Week events are open to the public and attendance is free. Anyone interested should visit the StartupLoco website or reach out directly to Colin Argys at the Longmont Downtown Development Association.