About the Program
Startup Summer provides an energetic, high caliber boost to emerging company internships. This annual program surfaces students who are ready to enter the world of startups, innovation, and emerging companies.
Interns at innovative companies across the Front Range and beyond gather weekly for entrepreneurial programming led by successful Colorado founders and C-level execs. Participants receive a curated tour of the startup ideation and creation process, build a venture with a team of their peers, and compete in an end-of-summer pitch contest for cash prizes.
Who + Where + When
Participation is open to undergraduate students who have obtained or are seeking a paid, full-time internship at a startup or emerging company. Spots are limited; interested students and companies should contact Student Programs Director, Sara Schnittgrund, for details.
The program runs annually, June through August.
Now accepting applications, apply here.
NextStars Program
Sponsorship opportunities are now available to get behind a student through our 2024 NextStars Program. This allows you to sponsor a student to participate in Silicon Flatirons’ Startup Summer.
The NextStars Program recruits and supports underrepresented students who participate in Startup Summer. Your donation of $7,500 ensures that our NextStars Program participants get paid internships alongside their 10 weeks of participation in Startup Summer. NextStars Program participants get professional work experience in a quality internship as well as involvement in the Front Range startup community.
Startup Summer is our premier program for undergraduate students and/or recent grads to come together once a week for entrepreneurial programming. The weekly sessions are led by successful Colorado founders and C-level execs. Participants are guided through the startup ideation and creation process, build their own venture, and compete in an end-of-summer pitch contest with cash prizes. This is a program that won’t be forgotten!
To support the NextStars Startup Summer Program, make a donation to the Silicon Flatirons Entrepreneurship Initiative Fund here.
Student Testimonials
“The program provides insight from all walks of entrepreneurship, allowing students to really get a feel for what a startup entails. It’s a great way to connect with others starting out and experienced professionals.”
— Hannah Newton (2020)
“The opportunity to hear from influential figures in the Front Range startup community was unbeatable. Hearing them speak, I really came to see why Boulder is such a special place for entrepreneurship.”
— Andy Bredar (2020)
“Startup Summer was incredible. I learned a ton about the process of building a business and met lots of new people, ranging from industry experts (such as the CEO of Sphero) to college students from across the country—the people involved are what made Startup Summer truly special.”
— Jackson Roberts (2019)
“I expected to learn a lot during Startup Summer, particularly how the startup I was interning for worked internally—and I did. What I didn’t expect was to get such an inside look into Boulder startup culture. Visiting the headquarters for companies like Sphero, Techstars, and Boomtown Accelerators was an incredibly cool experience, not to mention the opportunities we were given to speak candidly with leaders about their experiences, wins, and failures.”
— Elizabeth Damioli (2019)
Information for Students
Are you ready to enter the world of startups, innovation, and emerging companies? If so, Startup Summer is right for you!
Why Join?
- Exclusive opportunity to meet and learn from Colorado’s top entrepreneurs.
- Build your peer network.
- Engage in a rewarding summer activity.
- Compete for cash prizes.
- Walk away with an understanding of how to build a company and sell yourself in your career.
How to Participate
- Apply Here
- Have questions? Contact Student Programs Director, Sara Schnittgrund.
- Watch the Startup Summer 2021 Info Session here.
- Encourage your employer to sponsor you.
Information for Employers
Is your emerging company interested in maximizing the impact of summer interns? Consider taking part in Startup Summer to get the most out of the experience.
How does the program benefit my interns?
- Exclusive opportunity to meet and learn from Colorado’s top entrepreneurs.
- Build their peer network, engage in a worthwhile and rewarding summer activity, and compete for cash prizes.
- Walk away with an understanding of how to build a company and sell themselves in their own career.
How does the program benefit my company?
- Give back to the next-generation entrepreneurial community.
- Help ensure your interns get the best experience possible.
- Invitations to virtual networking happy hours and summer-end pitch night.
How can my company participate?
Employers can support the program in at least one of the following ways:
- Send your interns to participate.
- Commitment from at least one C-level executive to attend pitch night.
- Provide at least one employee as a mentor to our students to be available for one-off mentorship needs.
- Provide at least one employee as a pitch-coach to our students.
- Become an official Silicon Flatirons Supporter.
Contact Student Programs Director, Sara Schnittgrund, for more information.
Startup Summer Archive
2023 Sponsors
Special thanks to the following official Silicon Flatirons Supporters for sponsoring the program.
Libby Cook
Dale and Pat Hatfield
Krista Marks
