The Front Range area has long been a great place to run a small business. And with small companies representing over 80% of all businesses in Colorado, any strategy to develop a sustainable economy must encourage the adoption of social and environmental practices by these emerging entrepreneurs. Those strategies make companies more competitive and open up new market opportunities.

A number of excellent business development programs exist locally to assist aspiring entrepreneurs - but none of them currently provide tools for their participants to apply the triple bottom line. With the help of our coalition partners, we are developing a pipeline to identify interested participants from these programs to join the Greater Good. Entrepreneurs sent to us through the pipeline will gain access to the appropriate technical and financial resources through our Train and Fund programs.

Our pipeline partners are instrumental in helping us identify and support Colorado’s next generation of low and moderate-income, triple bottom line entrepreneurs. Here are some of the organizations that are currently part of the pipeline:

	The Denver Metro Small Business Development Center provides free, confidential and unlimited business consulting service to entrepreneurs, as well as educational seminars for a nominal fee.
	Mi Casa Resource Center has worked to advance the economic success of Denver-area Latino families since 1976 through Small-business development, Career education and training, and Educational enrichment programs for youth and families.
	The Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI) is a non-profit organization serving the needs of Community Entrepreneurs to foster growth within Denver communities. RMMFI’s brand of microfinance combines affordable and accessible business development services and flexible microloans in an effort to support an entrepreneur in creating economic self-sufficiency through business ownership.
	The Mile High Business Alliance is a non-profit membership organization of local Denver Metro businesses and supporters committed to nourishing our community through enhancing local business - building a sustainable economy which provides a healthy environment, meaningful employment and strong communities.
	The Center for Innovation at the Metropolitan State College of Denver offers cutting-edge courses and programs to help students and community members realize their business and social entrepreneurial dreams.
	The Colorado Enterprise Fund (CEF) is a non-profit community development financial institution founded in 1976 that provides small business loans of up to $250,000 to entrepreneurs who are unable to obtain financing from traditional sources, as well as access to management consulting and business training.
	Denver Venture School is a tuition-free, public charter school located in downtown Denver. DVS offers a small school environment dedicated to academic excellence. We offer a relevant, project-based curriculum enhanced by four-year explorations in enterprise and leadership.
	Veterans Green Jobs is a nonprofit organization developing an unprecedented national initiative to offer job training and placement opportunities for military veterans in the emerging green industries. Veterans Green Jobs connects veterans with a wide range of complimentary resources to assist with establishing civilian careers