Colorado Impact Fund

The Colorado Impact Fund, established in 2014 and based in Denver, is a private equity firm focused on investing in series A to growth-stage companies across various sectors, including clean technology, natural foods, healthcare, education, and technology. The fund aims to support local businesses that not only generate consistent financial returns but also deliver positive community outcomes. Its investors comprise respected executives, families, foundations, and corporations committed to making a difference in Colorado and beyond. Managed by an affiliate of Vestar Capital Partners, the Colorado Impact Fund provides growth capital to entrepreneurs with strong business models, leveraging their collective experiences and networks to foster exceptional companies. The fund's team is dedicated to helping portfolio companies achieve their full potential and seeks to partner with entrepreneurs who share a similar passion for business acceleration and community impact.

Carly Abrahamson

Partner & General Counsel

Nicolás Cordero

Associate

Alice Havill

Vice President

Jim Kelley

Founder and Managing Partner

Ryan Kirkpatrick

Co-Managing Partner

Grace Oliva

Partner & Operating Advisor

18 past transactions

interviewIA

Seed Round in 2021
interviewIA is committed to systematically building an Inclusive Future of Work in a world where organizations can be objective and inclusive in hiring to create thriving, diverse, engaged cultures of high-performing employees. interviewIA is redefining the actual practice of interviewing by creating the first solution to bring human calibration, structure, and data-driven interview outcomes into one, fully integrated, easy-to-use cloud application. interviewIA uses deep learning Intelligence Amplification (IA) technology and human-centered design to redefine the method of interviewing.

Tortuga AgTech

Series A in 2021
Tortuga AgTech focuses on enhancing agricultural practices through the development of digital horticulture systems that integrate robotics, automation, precision data analytics, and machine learning. By automating labor-intensive tasks such as picking, packing, and trimming, Tortuga AgTech aims to significantly reduce the manual labor required in farming while increasing yields through optimized growing conditions. The company's mission is to promote a healthier society and a thriving ecosystem by empowering growers to produce unique, nutritious food that is environmentally sustainable. This approach not only helps farmers compete with large-scale agriculture but also fosters the creation of local technical jobs. Ultimately, Tortuga AgTech strives to provide fresher and healthier products to communities near their grower clients.

CirrusMD

Series C in 2021
CirrusMD Inc. operates a healthcare communication platform that enhances patient access to medical care in the United States. Founded in 2012 and based in Denver, Colorado, the CirrusMD platform allows patients to securely message doctors, send images, schedule video consultations, and access their health information at any time. The service emphasizes a text-first approach, enabling seamless communication between patients and local physicians through HIPAA-compliant channels. By facilitating direct messaging and video chats, CirrusMD aims to revolutionize the way patients receive frontline medical services, making healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Friday Health Plans

Venture Round in 2020
Friday Health Plans is a healthcare management company purposely built for today’s health insurance environment. Headquartered in Denver, the company focuses on overall simplicity to offer low prices so more people can afford health insurance. Operational efficiency, top-notch customer service, and smart technology are core to Friday’s consumer-centric approach. The leadership team consists of experienced executives in the managed care, technology, and consumer marketing industries.

CirrusMD

Series B in 2019
CirrusMD Inc. operates a healthcare communication platform that enhances patient access to medical care in the United States. Founded in 2012 and based in Denver, Colorado, the CirrusMD platform allows patients to securely message doctors, send images, schedule video consultations, and access their health information at any time. The service emphasizes a text-first approach, enabling seamless communication between patients and local physicians through HIPAA-compliant channels. By facilitating direct messaging and video chats, CirrusMD aims to revolutionize the way patients receive frontline medical services, making healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Galvanize

Series C in 2018
Galvanize is a school for entrepreneurs, engineers, and data scientists. It is a learning community for technology with nine physical and two remote campuses, where innovative startups, aspiring students, and large enterprises benefit from this dynamic, unique business ecosystem. Galvanize is backed by investors including, but not limited to, Catalyst Investors, ABS Capital Partners, University Ventures, New Markets Venture Partners, and Colorado Impact Fund. The company was co-founded by Tony Mugavero, Chris Onan, Jim Deters, and Lawrence Mandes in 2012, and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

KMLabs

Series B in 2018
KMLabs was established in 1994 by Professor Margaret M. Murnane and Professor Henry C. Kapteyn. Their research in the early 1990s resulted in the development of the first robust and repeatable mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser capable of generating. KMLabs is a leading manufacturer of low-cost high-performance ultrafast femtosecond Ti:sapphire lasers for single/multi-photon imaging, spectroscopy, OCT, THz-generation, CEP, attosecond generation, and soft X-Rays (EUV). KMLabs is a technology leader for high power, highest performance femtosecond laser systems, and the market definer for coherent EUV and x-ray sources. KMLabs supplies advanced systems to research, government, and industrial markets. The company’s status within the industry is maintained by advancing ultrafast laser technology via research partnerships and by putting state-of-the-art ultrafast research tools into the hands of leading scientists worldwide. KMLabs is known for rapidly transitioning innovation into new products as well as for manufacturing robust laser systems based on proven technology. KMLabs establishes and maintains strong customer relationships at all stages of development. KMLabs’ lasers have set new performance records, and its strong technical base has resulted in increased commercial revenue and government R&D funding.

Maria Empanada

Series A in 2017
Maria Empanada LLC owns and operates a chain of restaurants. It offers egg and potato, ham, Spanish chorizo, and sausages empanada, tarts, tortillas. Additionally the company offers salsa and sweets. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Denver, Colorado with additional office in Greenwood Village and Aurora, Colorado.

Keystone Tower Systems

Venture Round in 2017
Keystone Tower Systems, Inc. manufactures and installs wind turbine steel towers using spiral welding. It performs all the rolling and welding operations. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Westminster, Colorado.

CirrusMD

Series A in 2017
CirrusMD Inc. operates a healthcare communication platform that enhances patient access to medical care in the United States. Founded in 2012 and based in Denver, Colorado, the CirrusMD platform allows patients to securely message doctors, send images, schedule video consultations, and access their health information at any time. The service emphasizes a text-first approach, enabling seamless communication between patients and local physicians through HIPAA-compliant channels. By facilitating direct messaging and video chats, CirrusMD aims to revolutionize the way patients receive frontline medical services, making healthcare more accessible and convenient.

Schoolrunner

Venture Round in 2017
Schoolrunner LLC is a Denver-based company that provides a comprehensive student data system designed for educators and schools. Founded in 2012, its platform enables teachers to monitor various aspects of student performance, including academics, attendance, and behavior. The system integrates seamlessly with existing student information systems and offers tools for data analysis, such as graphs, pivot tables, and dashboards. It also includes features for tracking student behavior to promote a positive school culture and improve classroom management. Additionally, Schoolrunner provides a mobile app that facilitates communication and allows students to monitor their own progress. By centralizing and analyzing data, Schoolrunner aims to enhance educational outcomes and support teachers in their daily activities.

SecureSet

Series A in 2017
SecureSet Academy, Inc. specializes in cybersecurity education, offering a range of programs designed to equip individuals with essential skills for the industry. Founded in 2014 and based in Denver, Colorado, the company provides comprehensive courses covering areas such as network security, system security, applied cryptography, and security culture. SecureSet also offers certified information systems security professional certifications that encompass various aspects of security and risk management, asset security, and security operations. In addition to educational programs, the company offers tuition assistance and job placement services, facilitating a direct pathway into the cybersecurity field for aspiring professionals. Through its hands-on instruction and state-of-the-art facilities, SecureSet addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity talent in the workforce.

Galvanize

Series B in 2016
Galvanize is a school for entrepreneurs, engineers, and data scientists. It is a learning community for technology with nine physical and two remote campuses, where innovative startups, aspiring students, and large enterprises benefit from this dynamic, unique business ecosystem. Galvanize is backed by investors including, but not limited to, Catalyst Investors, ABS Capital Partners, University Ventures, New Markets Venture Partners, and Colorado Impact Fund. The company was co-founded by Tony Mugavero, Chris Onan, Jim Deters, and Lawrence Mandes in 2012, and is headquartered in Denver, Colorado.

KMLabs

Series A in 2016
KMLabs was established in 1994 by Professor Margaret M. Murnane and Professor Henry C. Kapteyn. Their research in the early 1990s resulted in the development of the first robust and repeatable mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser capable of generating. KMLabs is a leading manufacturer of low-cost high-performance ultrafast femtosecond Ti:sapphire lasers for single/multi-photon imaging, spectroscopy, OCT, THz-generation, CEP, attosecond generation, and soft X-Rays (EUV). KMLabs is a technology leader for high power, highest performance femtosecond laser systems, and the market definer for coherent EUV and x-ray sources. KMLabs supplies advanced systems to research, government, and industrial markets. The company’s status within the industry is maintained by advancing ultrafast laser technology via research partnerships and by putting state-of-the-art ultrafast research tools into the hands of leading scientists worldwide. KMLabs is known for rapidly transitioning innovation into new products as well as for manufacturing robust laser systems based on proven technology. KMLabs establishes and maintains strong customer relationships at all stages of development. KMLabs’ lasers have set new performance records, and its strong technical base has resulted in increased commercial revenue and government R&D funding.

TeamSnap

Series B in 2015
TeamSnap develops a sports management platform designed to simplify communication and coordination between sports members. The platform assists sports coaches, administrators, players, and parents to keep a track of rosters, schedules, games, availability, statistics, and make payments, enabling users to play seamlessly and focus on their game.

Schoolrunner

Venture Round in 2015
Schoolrunner LLC is a Denver-based company that provides a comprehensive student data system designed for educators and schools. Founded in 2012, its platform enables teachers to monitor various aspects of student performance, including academics, attendance, and behavior. The system integrates seamlessly with existing student information systems and offers tools for data analysis, such as graphs, pivot tables, and dashboards. It also includes features for tracking student behavior to promote a positive school culture and improve classroom management. Additionally, Schoolrunner provides a mobile app that facilitates communication and allows students to monitor their own progress. By centralizing and analyzing data, Schoolrunner aims to enhance educational outcomes and support teachers in their daily activities.

Nutrinsic

Debt Financing in 2010
Nutrinsic (formerly Oberon FMR) is a pioneer in providing commercial nutrition solutions through the upcycling of unused nutrients. By recovering nutrients, we help food and beverage processors deliver clean water to the environment and eliminate the need to dispose of waste. This process creates an economically and environmentally sustainable source of premium protein for animal nutrition. We are committed to creating win-win sustainability solutions through smart thinking and technology.

LogRhythm

Series A in 2007
LogRhythm is a world leader in NextGen SIEM, empowering thousands of enterprises on six continents to successfully reduce cyber and operational risk by rapidly detecting, responding to and neutralizing damaging cyberthreats. The LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform combines advanced security analytics; user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA); network detection and response (NDR); and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) in a single end-to-end solution. LogRhythm’s technology serves as the foundation for the world’s most modern enterprise security operations centers (SOCs), helping customers measurably secure their cloud, physical, and virtual infrastructures for both IT and OT environments. Built for security professionals by security professionals, the LogRhythm NextGen SIEM Platform has won countless customer and industry accolades. LogRhythm was founded in 2003 by Chris Petersen and Phillip Villella to address the unmet and growing need for a comprehensive log and event management solution. Their varied experience with customers gave them insight into how to architect an enterprise-class solution for maximum utility and long-term viability.