Cone of Silence Blog

COIN

On August 26-27, Colorado will open its doors to Rocky Mountain inventors, venture funders, startups, and tech entrepreneurs. This will be the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade’s (OEDIT) third year of bringing ideas, innovation, money, technology, and people together to grow and expand the innovation impulse that’s been building in the Centennial State over the past decade. It’s called the COIN Summit, sponsored by the Colorado Innovation Network (COIN).

In the 10 years from 2001- 2010, the challenging period spanning two recessions, Colorado establishments created not one single net-new job. Yes, that’s right – zero. Despite the gloom, Metro Denver added 130,000 new jobs during that 10-year period. How? You can attribute this to entrepreneurs and their impulse to create, invent, and innovate. Their passion is what kept Colorado’s economy moving, despite a massive pair of economic downturns.

Noting the incredible resiliency of Colorado entrepreneurs and after attending former President Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative program in Chicago, Gov. John Hickenlooper and OEDIT Executive Director Ken Lund created COIN. Patterned after some of CGI’s components, COIN has developed its own rhythm and style. The two-day showcase will feature notable speakers such as GE CEO Jeff Immelt, a strong act following last year’s headliner Muhtar Kent from Coca-Cola. Clinton was so impressed with Colorado’s collaborative business and political communities that he moved CGI from Chicago to Denver for the next three years – a great affirmation of Colorado’s emergence as an innovation center.

COIN participants will hear from inspiring speakers, cutting deals, and finding themselves enraptured with the innovation occurring right here in Colorado. They will also get a copy of Colorado’s Innovation Report – a comparison of the state’s competitive position nationally.

Like the Clinton Global Initiative, the event will conclude with public promises made by participants to advance Colorado’s innovation environment and enhance our brand as a center of innovation.

Colorado has a lot to be thankful for this past year. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s satellite facility opened earlier in July, capping a successful competition with other metro areas around the country. Proximity to the USPTO offers great savings and expert help for Rocky Mountain entrepreneurs, further advancing our innovation culture. Announcements of additional international flights, including Tokyo and Panama, are expanding our market reach. Job growth is way up and wage acceleration is not far behind.

Enjoy your summer. And if you’re interested in where technology is going in Colorado, spend two days in August with us. It will be time well spent.

Regionalism

Metro Denver is a national model for regional cooperation in economic development, political cooperation, culture, and sports.

Our region has a long history of getting big projects done. In the last three decades, the region diversified its oil and gas-dependent economy, spearheaded construction of the nation’s only new airport in the past 25 years, and rolled on the nation’s largest single transit buildout.

Workforce

It’s no secret that Metro Denver attracts talent. More than 40 percent of our residents have a bachelor’s degree or better. While Metro Denver attracts workers from all over the world, it’s also growing its own energetic minds.

A robust educational system—from preschool to post-doctorate—prepares a workforce that’s well matched to the evolving needs of today’s workplace.

Innovation

Our state is second to none in concentrated talent, making Metro Denver a crucible for innovation and entrepreneurism. Partnerships among our research universities and national laboratories and the business community breeds company success.

Our entrepreneurial business environment is propelling forward with dynamic industries, significant venture capital awards, and high concentrations of scientific and research talent.

Infrastructure

With a modern and efficient international airport, the Metro Denver region’s central location and growing economy combine to make the area one of the country’s most important transportation hubs.

Metro Denver is a model for the country when it comes to solving transportation challenges, taking steps to reduce sprawl, and create new neighborhoods along transit. We’re definitely keeping our eyes on the road ahead.

Health & Wellness

Metro Denver’s dynamic outdoor environment and emphasis on health combine to make it one of the healthiest regions in the U.S.

It’s no secret Metro Denver is positively preoccupied with staying fit and healthy. Attribute it to our nearly 300 days of spectacular sunshine, exceptionally mild climate, or the Rocky Mountains in our back yard. The fact is Metro Denver has a balanced lifestyle where health, family, and career complement one another.

Energetic minds driving an innovation economy

World-class research universities set the stage for innovation

Colorado's world-class research institutions are leaders for funding and turning out scientific and research talent:

The University of Colorado System
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University

Consider these facts, from an article by Research Colorado:

The University of Colorado system received more than $819 million in research funding in 2012 and has spawned over 100 companies since the mid-1990s, the vast majority of which still have operations in Colorado
Colorado State University in Fort Collins brings in more than $330 million per year for research and employs 7,000 people
Collectively, CU and CSU churn out more than 320 new patent filings annually, each one representing even more economic potential
Bioscience, clean technologies, environmental engineering, aerospace and atmospheric sciences are examples of the major industry sectors that benefit from Colorado’s research universities and federal laboratories