In the small town of Boulder, Colo., big things are constantly at work. Perhaps no one knows this better than 17-year resident Nicole Glaros, chief innovation officer for Techstars, a mentorship-driven startup accelerator that began in Boulder and now has 14 locations worldwide.
In fact, Boulder has fast become one of the top tech startup hubs in the U.S. thanks in large part to Techstars, which has fostered a strong entrepreneurial spirit there.
Glaros downloaded some of her advice for navigating “the Berkeley of the Rockies.”
What’s an up-and-coming area in Boulder?
North Boulder, or “NoBo,” is really picking up. You can still see a homeless shelter next to a strip club next to an upscale housing development. But the trails are less frequented, it’s a short jaunt to the Boulder Reservoir, and there are lots of great road-bike rides from there.
Twenty Ninth Street, Pearl Street and the Chautauqua area are also must-sees.
Where to spot the techies outside the office:
Eat lunch at The Kitchen Next Door on Pearl Street to see everyone in tech. Then, get your afternoon grinds at Amante Coffee, Trident Booksellers & Cafe, The Cup Espresso Cafe or The Laughing Goat Coffeehouse.
Where else should visitors grab a bite?
If it’s a Monday night, go to Frasca Food and Wine for an amazing meal. It’s about $50 per plate, but it’s worth it. For more affordable fare, try Oak at Fourteenth or Taco.
Where do you go to find inspiration?
You have to get outside your own comfort zone, get out of the regular routine. Last May, I competed in a boxing tournament without any previous knowledge or experience. While I didn’t win my match, I’m proud I got in the ring in the first place. The Corner Boxing Club is run by two women who will inspire you to push yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.
What visitors might not know about the area is:
That it’s not really that cold in the winter. That the ZIP Code Man is a living legend (see him on Pearl Street). That Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse makes a killer chai. That this city houses entrepreneurs, artists and creators who are all engineering their own lives to be as they want it.
The Details
Techstarswww.techstars.com
