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:

	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 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.
	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.
	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.
	At YouthBiz, Denver area youth participate in after-school and summer programs that incorporate hands-on activities, real-world experience, and peer-to-peer facilitation, youth become active participants in their learning and success. YouthBiz's mission is to advance the social and economic empowerment of youth through a focus on business, academics, and leadership.
	Five Points Business District The Five Points Business District is a ten-block corridor positioned along Welton Street on the northeast edge of downtown Denver. Our work is focused on Business Development, Cultural Promotion & and the Greater Good; all of which will revitalize the community.
	The 1010 Project partners with people though business and community development to end poverty in Kenya. The Project provides training, planning, lending and mentoring to aspiring entrepreneurs.
	Green Spaces accelerates the emerging green economy by bringing together start-ups committed to sustainable practices, sharing ideas and resources, while promoting change. In Denver and Brooklyn, Green Spaces provides work space, WiFi, interns, conference room and eco-event space.
	Johnson & Wales’ Community Leadership Institute provides students at the Denver Campus with opportunities to learn and practice leadership at the intersection of the campus, industry and community, with a focus on social responsibility.
	Triple Bottom Line Partners (3BLP) is a group of sustainability and academic professionals, seasoned entrepreneurs and corporate executives organized to design and facilitate sustainability learning programs and services.
	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
	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.
	Be Local Northern Colorado is dedicated to a Living Economy that is locally-sustainable and globally-fair. We support independent community and land-based businesses and advocate for a whole, resilient community and bioregion.