A number of organizations collect stuff Coloradans no longer want. Here are a handful that turned it into a business that in turn helps folks who have trouble finding work.
social impact
Posted inCartoons
“What’d I Miss?”: Tech progress vs. social progress
In “What’d I Miss?” Ossie observes that the Oscars produced some long-awaited milestones for minority actors. But why does social progress lag so far behind tech advances?
Posted inBusiness, COVID, News
A mission-minded loan source that doesn’t care if you’re a startup with no experience, revenues or credit
When Valerie and Cesar Beltran decided to open Beltran’s Meat Market & Grill in Northglenn four years ago, they thought their past experience of running their own meat market in New Mexico and then a Front Range tortilla factory was enough to make them creditworthy. But as opening day approached, the couple realized they needed […]
Posted inBusiness, News
As society changes, Colorado investors want to make more impact with their money
Back in 2014, the Colorado Health Foundation made an unusual decision. The philanthropic organization, known for helping nonprofits, put its money into a for-profit startup, myStrength, a behavioral health app. It was neither a grant nor a donation. And it wasn’t quite venture capital, where multimillion-dollar investments often aim for tenfold returns. Technically, it was […]
Posted inBusiness, Culture, Environment, Food and Restaurants, Health, News, Technology
America trashes 40% of its food. A Colorado startup is connecting the discards to dinner tables.
Occasionally, at Regis University’s school cafeteria, there are dishes that sous chef Grant Ruesch calls “monotony breakers.” A recent one? New York Strip steaks. “I bought the steaks for a really awesome deal. I can’t remember, but like $3 a pound,” said Ruesch. “$3.49,” someone interjected. “We ran a steak night special at the college […]
Posted inBusiness, Education, Growth, News, Technology
Colorado’s newest billion-dollar B Corp is part of a movement to make a social impact — and profits
Fast-growing Guild Education figured out how to help more than 400,000 service workers take college classes — and get their employers to pay for them. It’s no wonder that investors have been drawn to the profitable-ish business model and a nearly unlimited number of potential users. Last week, investors led by General Catalyst managing director […]