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Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)

TELLURIDE FOUNDATION

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Funding Amount

$30,000 investment per company; over $100,000 in perks available

Deadline

October 15, 2026

191 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Telluride Venture Accelerator (TVA)

Overview: A 501(c)(3) community foundation program that invests human and financial capital in innovative enterprises. TVA aims to build and strengthen the entrepreneurial community in the Telluride region to create a self-sustaining entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Program Details:

  • 5-month residential business accelerator program

  • Runs February through June annually

  • Accepts up to 6 companies per cohort

  • Companies graduate 15 companies as of 2015

  • Supports 3 additional "Partner" companies

    • Investment & Equity:

  • $30,000 investment per company

  • 5% equity stake per company

  • Over $100,000 in additional perks available through relationships with Global Accelerator Network (GAN), f6s.com, and affiliate partners

    • Focus Areas:

  • Outdoor recreation

  • Travel and tourism

  • Health and wellness

  • Natural resource management

  • Prioritizes technological products and services (software, mobile apps, hardware)

  • Focuses on businesses with potential to operate virtually from Telluride and/or impact regional entrepreneurial ecosystem

    • Program Benefits:

  • Over 1,000 hours of mentor time per company

  • 85+ world-class mentors: successful entrepreneurs and business leaders from full-time residents to frequent visitors

  • Business model development and testing

  • Operational planning

  • Fundraising preparation

  • Leadership development

  • Mentors provide extensive professional networks and perspective

  • Unique aspect: Mentors interact in relaxed setting rather than after work hours

    • Track Record (as of 2015):

  • 15 graduated companies

  • 3 local "Partner" companies supported

  • 1/3 of first 3 cohorts are women-owned

  • $9 million raised by TVA companies in 3 years

  • 60% of 2013-2014 cohorts raised over $300k within first year (exceeding GAN benchmark of 30%)

  • Average investment capital raised: $552,000 per company within 1 year of graduation

  • 4 companies fully funded within weeks of Demo Days (2 from 2014, 2 from 2015)

  • 6 new high-growth companies now based in Telluride as result of TVA

    • Demo Day & Fundraising:

  • Companies present to Telluride's unique investment community at Demo Day

  • Roadshows in Boulder/Denver and San Francisco

    • Contact Information:

  • Website: www.tellurideva.com

  • Director: Thea Chase (thea@tellurideva.com)

  • Program Manager: Ashley Nager (ashley@tellurideva.com)

  • Telluride Foundation info: 970-728-8717

    • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Application Period (for 2016 Cohort):

  • Opens: September 1, 2015 at 12:01 a.m.

  • Closes: October 15, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. MST

    • Application Platform:

  • Online through website

  • Visit www.tellurideva.com

    • Cohort Details:

  • Program runs: February through June

  • Accepts up to 6 companies per cohort

    • How to Apply:
    1. Visit www.tellurideva.com
    2. Complete online application
    3. Submit before deadline: October 15 at 7:00 p.m. MST

    Contact for Questions:

  • Director: Thea Chase (thea@tellurideva.com)

  • Program Manager: Ashley Nager (ashley@tellurideva.com)

  • Phone: 970-728-8717 (Telluride Foundation)

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    startupssmall-businesses

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