BioVantage is one of many of Cleantech companies emerging in the Front Range area, which Sue attributes to this area’s “green gene”.  She said where else would neighbors get excited to hear that you are composting. Colorado has all the ingredients to emerge as a place for thought leadership around Cleantech, especially on the topic of water. Sue says, “Colorado has a talented population, research institutes like the University of Colorado at Boulder Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), the labs: NREL, NOAA and NIST, the climate, and the entrepreneurial community” to extend Colorado’s leadership role in the future.

She does concede that some of the regulatory hurdles can slow the development and growth of startups and early stage businesses, especially those relying on outside funding.  Small businesses, especially in Cleantech, need a longer runway to take off than internet startups as the problems they are tackling are not simple, one-sided isolated issues. CleanTech solutions extend far beyond the initial problem, such as clean water, to encompass energy, storage , distribution, and facility management.

If you would like to learn more about BioVantage Resources, check out how their “green” solutions are being used in different industries

Fortunately, there are enough local people and companies tackling different elements of the problem. And this is why Sue believes Colorado is ideally positioned as a leader in Cleantech.  Colorado’s environment has enabled a critical mass of innovation, a spirit of collaboration between individuals and companies, and the talent to address these global issues.