I've been done with Gold Systems for just over a year now. The one year aniversary passed, and I thought that maybe it was time to tell the story, but really I've been looking forward much more than backwards so I'm going to save it a while longer. I will say that when I do look back, I think mostly about the great people who worked at Gold Systems. I've started a new company and not a day goes by where I don't think of the people I've worked with, the lessons I've learned and I'm reminded how much they helped me over the years.
Late last year I was asked to join a new venture firm as an operating partner. The founders were people I had known for years and I have great respect for them, and I wanted to be a part of whatever they were doing. They were the founders of a great company in Longmont, Colorado so it was natural that we would look for space for the new venture in Longmont. One of our first meetings was with the Longmont City Manager, the Assistant City Manager and members of the Longmont Area Economic Council. I was so impressed by how supportive everyone was and how much they were committed to making Longmont a great place for people and businesses. As I've spent time in Longmont I've realized it is a community of wonderful people and they've quickly adopted me and become friends.
While exploring the creation of an accelerator to compliment the venture firm, I realized that there was an even greater need in Longmont. While Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins have many places for entrepreneurs and startups to work and connect with mentors and like-minded people, Longmont didn't have a single coworking space. There is TinkerMill, which is the largest maker space in Colorado, but there wasn't a single coworking facility. That's just changed.
In January we opened the doors to Launch Longmont. It's a place for entrepreneurs and startups to meet and work together, and to make the random connections that don't happen when you're working out of the spare bedroom at home. Members can get a desk or a seat on a monthly basis with no long term commitments, and as we build out the space on the second floor they will even be able to get small suites. Ultimately success for Launch Longmont is that these members will grow out of the space, become successful in the Longmont community and then return as mentors and speakers to help the next generation of startups.
Soon after starting Launch Longmont, I realized that I am not just helping startups, but I am in a startup myself. I'll be sharing some of the new lessons learned, and talking about the people who have helped to make it happen over on the Launch Longmont blog, and I'll also be posting here about the journey.
If you are an experienced entrepreneur or business expert, you can help me out by visiting and getting involved as a mentor or speaker. If you are a new entrepreneur, or you just want to get out of the garage and join a community of entrepreneurs you should also check us out. Email me at terry@launchlongmont.com. Thanks!
