Top Startup Investors in Colorado who Invest in Fintech Startups

Last updated: September 22, 2024
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Colorado is home to many well-known Fintech businesses and the state has gone through exceptional startup growth in the last decade. 


In 2023, the state’s fintech sector secured around $30M in funding, which is expected to increase this year. Are you also planning to raise funds for your startup this year?


Well, you just landed at the perfect place because this article highlights some of Colorado's most active fintech Startup Investors.


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    Here are Some of the Top 7 Startup Investors in Colorado who Invest in Fintech Startups

    The following list of top-ranked venture capital firms and investor networks is categorized on their investment interests and active involvement. 


    Crawley Ventures

    • Website: Crawley Ventures – Denver-Based Private Equity 

    • Focused Sectors: high-tech optics, financial services, software, manufacturing, and wireless technologies

    • Funding Stages: Early and Seed

    • Present in: Colorado

    • Notable Investments: CommercialTribe and Caliber Mind


    Headquartered in Denver, Crawley Ventures is an active and famous VC firm in Colorado. The network was founded in 1995 and has funded many early and seed-stage businesses in the fintech sector.


    Similarly, when funding startups, Crawley Ventures focuses on businesses that have strong leadership teams with a deep customer understanding. The investors like the startups that provide solutions to significant customer pain points and are operating in large/growing target markets.


    Once a business has secured funding from Crawley Ventures, the network gives them access to their experienced network of mentors and provides them with expert guidance. 


    The investment range of Crawley Ventures can extend to $1,500,000.


    Stout Street Capital

    stoutstreetcapital

    • Contact: info@stoutstreetcapital.com

    • WebsiteStout Street Capital

    • Focused Sectors: Enterprise Software, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Industrial Robotics, Healthcare Robotics, Service Robotics, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Fintech, Diagnostics, Digital Therapeutics, Telehealth, Wearables

    • Funding Stages: Early

    • Present in: US

    • Notable Investments: Opetra, Show Labs, and Hook Security


    Stout Street Capital is an active venture capital firm that is based in Denver and actively invests in early-stage startups. The network was founded in 2017 and has invested in many startups, having around 20 exits.


    Moreover, Stout Street Capital believes in funding startups at the earliest stages and providing them with expert guidance through different stages of a business. The investors from Stout Street Capital are highly experienced and have funded hundreds of businesses. Every year, they arrange many pitching competitions and also help startups pitch online and conduct investor meetings.


    The investment range of Stout Street Capital can range up to $1.5M.


    SpringTime Ventures

    springtimeventures


    Funding startups all across the US, SpringTime Ventures is also a renowned venture capital firm in the US. The network was founded in 2016 and has made quite a lot of investments in the fintech and healthcare sectors.


    Like most other VC firms, SpringTime Ventures focuses on businesses that can generate a huge ROI and are operating on a unique idea. The investors usually fund startups through fundraisers, growth events, or startup incubators as SpringTime Ventures doesn't arrange a lot of pitching competitions.


    The investment range of SpringTime Ventures lies between $100,000 to $1M.


    Upslope Ventures

    upslope

    • Contact: CONTACT@UPSLOPE.VC

    • Website: Upslope Ventures

    • Focused Sectors: Software as a Service (SaaS), Hardware & Internet of Things (IoT), Mobile, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Consumer, E-commerce, Content, Fintech, Aerospace, Marketplace, Ad Tech, Robotics, Medical Devices, Virtual Reality, Data Science

    • Funding Stages: Series A and Seed

    • Present in: US

    • Notable Investments: Topya, Smilo, and Go Spot Check


    Upslope Ventures is also a notable venture capital firm that has a strong interest in Series A and Seed-stage startups. The network was founded in 2014 and has made a huge number of investments with most of them being in the AI, Fintech, and Deep-Tech sectors. But those aren't the only sectors Upslope Ventures is actively investing in. Recently the firm has also announced that it is going to expand its investment sectors and fund startups in many other industries including AI, VR, Marketing, and Hardware. 


    Moreover, the investors from Upslope Ventures are actively investing in businesses that can show the potential to generate massive revenue. They prioritize businesses with experienced startup leaders and qualified teams.


    Upslope Ventures' investment range can go up to several million dollars depending upon the startup. 


    FirstTracks Ventures

    firsttracks

    • Website: FirstTracks Ventures

    • Focused Sector: Fintech, IoT, SaaS, Mobile Workforce Management, E-commerce, Telehealth

    • Funding Stages: Seed

    • Present in: US 


    Being an active investor in the US, FirstTracks Ventures is also a well-known name in the industry that invests and helps seed-stage businesses.


    Founded in 2014, FirstTrack Ventures has invested in a huge number of startups. The network usually conducts 2-3 pitching competitions every year and funds startups that can generate at least 5x ROI within 3 years of investment.


    Similarly, FirstTrack Ventures is also highly active in arranging extra startup events. The investors believe that early-stage startup founders need guidance to thrive and that is why, they are currently organizing many public workshops and networking events.


    The investment range of FirstTrack Ventures can range up to several million dollars. 


    Rockies Venture Club

    rockiesventureclub

    Website: Rockies Venture Club

    Present in: Denver


    Operating since 1985, Rockies Venture Club is one of the most experienced and biggest investor networks in the US. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, Rockies Venture Club focuses on connecting startups with some of the most famous investors in Colorado.


    However, they also make a limited number of investments in notable startup names that can easily grow. The investors from Rockies Venture Club have strict requirements for the startups applying such as:


    • Generate venture-class returns (typically 10x over five years)

    • Have strong leadership teams

    • Possess differentiated products or services

    • Show clear customer traction and a large target market


    Rockies Venture Club also organizes multiple startup events throughout the year. 


    Next Wave Impact

    beyondthebillion


    Next Wave Impact is also an active startup investor and an educational platform for entrepreneurs in Colorado. Operating for almost a decade, the firm has a prime focus on educating young entrepreneurs and helping them dive deep into the world of startups.


    Similarly, the investors from Next Wave Impact also make a huge number of investments and have invested in a lot of fintech related businesses in the past 9 years.


    The investment range of Next Wave Impact can range up to 300,000, depending upon the startup and its growth potential.  



    How To Select an Investor For Startup Funding?

    Generally, Colorado is filled with angel investors, venture capital firms, and investor networks that actively fund startups.


    But, it isn’t that easy to find an investor who has identical thinking and the same business interests. Well, let us help with some short tips on how you can make the right choice by working with the right startup investor.



    Know the Type of Investor

    In this list, we have added VC firms and Investor Networks, both of which have separate business ideologies and investment strategies.


    VC Firms: Venture Capital firms invest in startups with established traction and a proven business model. They typically focus on Series A, B, and later funding rounds, seeking huge returns within a defined timeframe.


    Investor Networks: These networks are more focused on helping startups get connected with different angel investors of the respective sectors. However, a few investor networks actively fund startups as well.


    Understand His/Her Investment Philosophy

    While some investors want to get the maximum profits, others are more interested in guiding a startup toward success and becoming a part of their journey. Research the investor's track record and philosophy. Ask questions like:


    Do they prioritize high-risk, high-reward ventures, or do they favor a more balanced approach?  


    Do they have a history of actively supporting your industry sector?


    Investors with experience in your specific industry can offer valuable insights and connections beyond just capital. 


    Know the Business Approach

    A good investor-founder relationship is built on trust and shared values.  Although many investors are now providing startups with amazing mentorship, you should still do strong research before applying for an investment. 


    Prefer Investors with Long-Term Vision

    Startup investors should always have a long-term vision and support their business throughout the good and bad stages. Avoid getting funded from investors who may quit within a short period. 


    Wrap-Up

    The fintech sector of Colorado is expected to grow almost 2-3x in the next decade. However, with such an active startup scene, you need to ensure that your business is solving a real-time problem and adding value to the consumer market. 


    Always read some successful pitch deck examples to develop an in-depth understanding of how to properly present your startup idea and make it look like a profitable investment.


    Good luck pitching to your favorite startup investors!


    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What is the difference between Venture Capital Firms and Individual Angel Investors?

    A: Venture capital firms are organized setups that aggregate capital from various investors and deploy it into startups at a larger scale, offering expertise and guidance.


    In contrast, individual angel investors are private individuals who invest personal funds directly into startups, typically at an early stage, using a more personalized approach and hands-on involvement in the startup's growth.



    Q: Do Angel Investors Provide Mentorship Programs?

    A: Yes, many angel investors provide mentorship programs and financial support. They leverage their experience to offer strategic insights, assist in critical decision-making, and facilitate introductions to their network connections. This mentorship is pivotal for startups, aiding them in overcoming obstacles and expediting their growth trajectory.



    Q: How to make your startup investable?

    A: To make a startup investible, focus on a scalable business model, a strong team, a well-defined market opportunity, and evidence of market validation.



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