August 2023

Colorado Business Development Foundation (CBDF)

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The Colorado Business Development Foundation’s (CBDF) mission is to help develop and fund small business and technical assistance programs in Colorado. Projects include post-pandemic relief grants for small businesses, the Colorado Business Resource Book, the Innovation and Opportunity Conference in partnership with NASA, the Certified Small Business Community Program and much more. The CBDF currently has a grant application open for small manufacturing businesses in the start-up phase. Applications are due August 31.

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Representatives:

Sara Knudsen, Executive Director

Sara Knudsen is the executive director of the Colorado Business Development Foundation. She is also the owner of Gold Stripe Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm which provides graphic design, digital marketing and website development services for small businesses.

Prior to this role, Knudsen was the deputy director of communications for the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, where she managed federal and state government grants totaling more than $2 million annually, including budgeting, negotiations, renewals, grant writing, narratives and reporting, contracts and financial reviews. She also managed all aspects of planning more than 10 statewide businesses training conferences, including securing speakers, sponsorships, travel, marketing and more. Knudsen was also responsible for the statewide branding across the entire statewide SBDC network, in which she standardized both print collateral and online presence.

In 2011-2012, Knudsen worked as the programs and events specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Prior to this position, she was the program coordinator for the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, which is hosted by the Chamber.

Knudsen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and Spanish.

She lives in Littleton with her husband and her two daughters, ages eight and six.

5Star Bank

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Founded in 1990, 5Star Bank is a locally-owned and operated Colorado business with its roots serving military personnel. With an entrepreneurial spirit, we have a depth of expertise in aerospace and defense contracting businesses providing banking and lending solutions. 5Star Bank operates three banking locations in Colorado Springs and one banking location in Metro Denver.

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Participating In:

  • Breakout Sessions
  • Exhibitor Hall
  • One-on-Ones
  • Roundtables

Representatives:

Aileen Berrios, Finance and Banking Specialist for Aerospace and Defense Contracting Companies

Joseph Thiede, Vice President – Commercial Banking

Shawn Early, Assistant Vice President – Commercial Lender

Collaborat LLC

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Our company services the local government and small businesses in the areas of local, municipal, and federal certifications as well as business and marketing consulting. We believe that in order to achieve success, entrepreneurs need to execute on marketing tactics that follow the S.M.A.R.T. philosophy; specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and within a time frame.

Our knowledge and background in marketing, business, government certifications and resources offer our clients a path to success. We work with our clients creating marketing tactics and plans that are beneficial to the business goal. We are a local marketing firm serving Colorado, mainly the Denver Metro Area and we work with all industries.

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Participating In:

  • Breakout Sessions
  • Exhibitor Hall
  • One-on-Ones
  • Roundtables

Representatives:

Talia Bond, Owner, Collaborat LLC, Absolute Promo & PostNet Centennial

Talia is both a marketing expert and the owner of PostNet Centennial and Absolute Promotions. She finds fulfillment by empowering individuals and small business owners to elevate their brands and produce significant results. Talia received her MBA from Regis University, where she continues to honor the University’s mission to be of service to others. In this effort, one of Talia’s previous roles included being a consultant for the Minority Business Office for the State of Colorado where she helped hundreds of clients get certifications for government contracts. Talia is well versed in municipal certifications and understanding the path to getting government contracts. She has facilitated a myriad of workshops in Colorado and assisted with applications.

As a business owner, Talia offers additional assistance to her clients as a marketing consultant. Her clients, who are small business owners or startups not only get marketing materials but a strategy to implement their plans to grow their businesses. Outside of working with her clients, Talia enjoys keeping abreast of opportunities in Colorado to share with others.

As owner of PostNet she drives her business to success. PostNet, a marketing and shipping franchise, has been serving private and government clients with great reviews. Some of PostNet’s clients include the SBDC, MBO (Minority Business Office), The City of Longmont, The City and County of Denver, Waste Management, among other government agencies. PostNet Centennial is known for its quick turnaround and good quality of products.

Driven by fun, Talia finds fulfillment through her friendships, having a good laugh and not taking herself too seriously. She lives in Denver and has fun with her daughters and husband.

SpectrumAMT, an Ocutrx company

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Spectrum Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1997 to provide quick-turn product development and manufacturing services to the aerospace, medical, industrial and commercial marketplaces.

Our goal is to build long lasting relationships with our customers based upon our exceptional team of engineering and manufacturing talent, and to help solve challenges through innovative and cost-effective ideas with commitment to quality.

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Participating In:

  • Breakout Sessions
  • Exhibitor Hall
  • One-on-Ones
  • Roundtables

Representatives:

Mitchael Freeman, COO

Mitch Freeman’s tech journey started early at his father’s PC Designs. He saw personal computers’ untapped potential and aimed to make them both powerful and entertainment hubs. Teaming with his brother and experts, he developed computer systems in the late 1980s, finding success with clients like The Williams Companies. Mitch played a crucial role in advancing computers through research and development, including pioneering Streaming Mobile Video in 1994. Additional innovations include Surfcams digital ID systems, medical solutions and fire safety tech. Currently, Mitch holds pivotal roles as the COO of both Ocutrx and Spectrum AMT, with a remarkable track record of leadership, innovation, and business development.  

Greg Fisher, Director of Operations

Greg serves as Spectrum AMT’s Director of Operations. He holds degrees from California Lutheran University, Colorado Technical Institute, and Arizona State University. With over 25 years of experience, he excels in managing multi-functional teams for commercial and government contracts globally. At Spectrum, he has driven business growth, developed operational plans, outsourced HR activities, and achieved compliance with cybersecurity standards. Greg previously directed Electronic Manufacturing Solutions at Cobham Semiconductor, increasing revenue by 30% annually. He’s also been a Finance Manager at Honeywell and led pricing efforts at Lockheed Information Systems & Global Services, implementing process improvements and overseeing significant contracts.

 

Jim Gatzimas, Chief Business Development Officer

Jim Gatzimas is currently the Chief Business Development Officer at Spectrum AMT. In this role, he leads business development and sales implementation efforts, focusing on supply chain efficiency and partnerships in the US/EU and China. With two decades of experience, Jim specializes in strategic sales, business development, and embedded technology. Previously, he served as SVP of Sales and Executive Consultant at Qualcomm’s Thundercomm, achieving significant sales growth and on-time project deliveries. Earlier, he led engineering services at Bsquare North America and held roles in embedded machine vision after serving in the US Navy.

Kevin Griffin, CFO

Kevin Griffin, CPA, serves as CFO to Ocutrx and Spectrum AMT, bringing with him over 35 years of accounting expertise. Formerly with Walmart, Tyson Foods, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, he’s skilled in GAAP/GAAS accounting, tax, and auditing. His roles at Walmart included overseeing tax returns and sales tax for Sam’s Club. As Comptroller and CFO at Stevens Media Group, he consolidated 20 radio stations, managed finances, and secured loans. Now in Colorado Springs, Kevin implements financial strategies for Ocutrx’s growth and oversees its consolidation with Spectrum.

"The small business support from Colorado SBDC is phenomenal. The consultants are of the highest quality, high integrity, trustworthy and incredibly helpful. The time savings and ability to take on more work is facilitated by having this kind of support available to the small business, particularly in the technology sector."
Helen PetachRatiocinative Engineering Services LLC
"Dan, thank you for your efforts to help us get our EIDL. When I reached out to the SBDC, Sharon got back to me the same day and let me know that the SBDC would do what it could to help. By the end of the next day, Dan had put together a summary of the issues we were facing and sent it to his contact at the SBA. Just four business days later, our loan was approved! There is no shortage of challenges faced by small companies as they work tirelessly to succeed in a very competitive world, so it's great to know that there are organizations like the Boulder SBDC that we can turn to for help."
Michael DulbergSherpa Chai, LLC
“Thank you for organizing this great informative session on the PPP utilization part. I have been in conversation with Dan King and want you to know that you guys are doing a great job in helping small businesses like us. Thank you for all the work you guys do!”
DURGESH SINGHMagswitch Technology
"These [webinars] are super helpful and I can’t thank you and the [SBDC] for all your help for our small Colorado businesses. These are such hard and scary times - being connected does a world of good. Please thank all the panel participants as well. They’ve been fantastic! Best wishes to you and your colleagues and hope you’re all staying safe."
JacqueJourney's Aviation
"A big shout out to Dan and the staff of Boulder SBDC and the SBA from Mustards Last Stand. Thank you for your assistance in helping Mustards resolve a technical issue with our application for our second round funding of the PPP program. Without your assistance I would probably still be on hold listening to maddening music over and over and over again, while worrying the whole time. We appreciate the support from you and everyone else in this community that makes us proud to be an ongoing part of Boulder's business community."
Dan PolovinMustards Last Stand
“Thank you so much for your time! Besides the great information, your energy and support were priceless! It is so good to feel you are not alone in this journey.”
LAILA MARZALLTSM Microwave
"After almost two months of messing with Chase Bank, Susan got us the PPP loan filed and approved in about 8 hours. I hesitate to celebrate until money is in the bank, but it’s looking good and Susan was absolutely amazing. Of course, I’m wouldn't even be talking to Susan if you hadn't made the connection, so chalk up another small business success to SBDC. I see why you’re the best on the country. This loan was crucial to our success at a critical time in the world. All I can say is thank you."
Jeff S.Earthvisionz
“As a new resident in rural Colorado I was truly at a loss about the tech community out here until I attended the SBDC TechSource event in Salida. I was truly impressed by the quality of the content at the event (compared to similar events in Chicago), was able to make some great connections within the local community, and was able to sign up for additional services as well. SBDC assisted us with market research which helped expedite our focus in Colorado and helped connect us with funding sources to expand. Beyond that they were quick to respond, a pleasure to work with, and went above and beyond with their services. I would absolutely recommend SBDC TechSource to another tech company, especially for companies outside of the front range that are looking to connect and grow rapidly. “
CHRIS MCLAUGHLINVital Command
"I just wanted to send a quick note and let you know how helpful Brian Ormsby has been. He responded to my query about a week and answered a bunch of questions about the EIDL, and then we talked again to day about the PPP. I’ve asked several other resources about my PPP questions and he was the first person to answer them. I can’t stress enough how nice it is to be able to talk directly to someone who can answer questions about all of these programs. So thank you very much for making him available...!"
David PAccuer, Inc.
"I'm not sure if this email goes through, but I just wanted to say thank you so much for hosting this webinar. As a small business that is running because of the SBDC, I am so appreciative of what you do for business owners. I went to film school and I'm only successful in my business because of the years of support I've gotten from the SBDC to help me get a business mindset and navigate the crazy waters of running a company. In all of this uncertainty, it's felt like I couldn't find good, solid answers on our PPP loan, and this webinar was so helpful and the tool of the PPP Loan Forgiveness Estimator is so comforting to get some answers. Keep up the good work, and stay healthy out there. With much appreciation."
Shawna M.FX Media
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Boulder, CO 80302

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Longmont, CO 80501

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CONSULTANT PORTAL

The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership between the State of Colorado, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Small Business Administration (SBA), Colorado’s institutions of higher education, local economic development organizations and local chambers of commerce.

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