TechSource: Commercialization

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Graphic design, website development, social media management, event planning, branding, email marketing

Sara Knudsen (Outreach & Marketing)

Sara Knudsen is the owner of Gold Stripe Consulting, LLC, a consulting firm which provides graphic design, digital marketing and website development services for small businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies. She is also the executive director of the Colorado Business Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that develops and funds small business resources across the state. Prior to opening Gold Stripe Consulting, Knudsen was the Deputy Director of Communications for the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network, where she managed federal and state government grants totaling more than $2 million annually as well as all aspects of planning more than 10 statewide businesses training conferences, including securing speakers, sponsorships, travel, marketing and more. Knudsen was also responsible for the statewide branding across the entire statewide SBDC network, in which she standardized both print collateral and online presence. Knudsen graduated magna cum laude from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and Spanish.

"The small business support from Colorado SBDC is phenomenal. The consultants are of the highest quality, high integrity, trustworthy and incredibly helpful. The time savings and ability to take on more work is facilitated by having this kind of support available to the small business, particularly in the technology sector."
Ratiocinative Engineering Services LLC
Ratiocinative Engineering Services LLCHelen Petach
"Thank you for the SBDC help once again. I submitted our latest SBIR Phase I proposal to USDA yesterday. Brian Ormsby was invaluable with helping with the budget calculations, particularly the indirect rate calculations, and his style ("no nonsense, let’s get the numbers calculated and into the right places on the budget forms") was exactly what I needed."
Pisces Molecular
Pisces MolecularJohn Wood
"Through the SBDC, I received significant support in business development, marketing, financial projection, customer discovery, government compliance and many other business aspects. This support allowed me to have a strong start for my startup company, write solid proposals (including a commercialization plan for the SBIR grant) and be successively awarded SBIR Phase I and Phase II grants by USDA NIFA. But the most valuable part was, because of the SBDC and their consultants, I feel like I have a team of professionals ready to cover my back in the most important journey in my life - building a small business."
SunCatch Ltd
SunCatch LtdOlga Marinkina
"Thank you for organizing this great informative session on the PPP utilization part. I have been in conversation with Dan King and want you to know that you guys are doing a great job in helping small businesses like us. Thank you for all the work you guys do!"
Durgesh Singh
Durgesh SinghMagswitch Technology
"Thank you so much for your time! Besides the great information, your energy and support were priceless! It is so good to feel you are not alone in this journey."
Laila Marzall
Laila MarzallTSM Microwave
"As a new resident in rural Colorado I was truly at a loss about the tech community out here until I attended the SBDC TechSource event in Salida. I was truly impressed by the quality of the content at the event (compared to similar events in Chicago), was able to make some great connections within the local community, and was able to sign up for additional services as well. SBDC assisted us with market research which helped expedite our focus in Colorado and helped connect us with funding sources to expand. Beyond that they were quick to respond, a pleasure to work with, and went above and beyond with their services. I would absolutely recommend SBDC TechSource to another tech company, especially for companies outside of the front range that are looking to connect and grow rapidly."
Chris McLaughlin
Chris McLaughlinVital Command
"We have certainly worked with SBDC in the past and think Sharon and the rest of your office serve a critical function and put on excellent events to support the small business community."
Erica Dawson
Erica DawsonInDevR
"After almost two months of messing with Chase Bank, Susan got us the PPP loan filed and approved in about 8 hours. I hesitate to celebrate until money is in the bank, but it’s looking good and Susan was absolutely amazing. Of course, I’m wouldn't even be talking to Susan if you hadn't made the connection, so chalk up another small business success to SBDC. I see why you’re the best on the country. This loan was crucial to our success at a critical time in the world. All I can say is thank you."
Jeff Schott
Jeff SchottEarthvisionz
"I just wanted to send a quick note and let you know how helpful Brian Ormsby has been. He responded to my query about a week and answered a bunch of questions about the EIDL, and then we talked again to day about the PPP. I’ve asked several other resources about my PPP questions and he was the first person to answer them. I can’t stress enough how nice it is to be able to talk directly to someone who can answer questions about all of these programs. So thank you very much for making him available...!"
David W. PaulsonAccuer, Inc.
"Colorado SBDC Techsource assisted our start-up company in multiple ways: by providing us with a competitive analysis that we use in our Business Plan, providing advice on an SBIR proposal, and by providing some pro bono legal work, that helped with the current investment round. All of which were very helpful to a small business with limited resources."
Diana Hall
Diana HallActivArmor
"We still have steps to go but we are excited and confident that we will have a technology startup that works globally based in SW Colorado and we hope others will follow. We would not have made the progress we have without the advice and help of Colorado SBDC."
Michael Engleman
Michael EnglemanMission Sports
"When I was first beginning Sandbox Solar, I was referred to the SBDC in Greeley. Jenn and the team helped connect me with a lot of people including our current lawyers and accountants. Sandbox Solar has steadily grown since then into the leading solar installer in Northern Colorado. Our company moved into the Colorado State University Powerhouse in 2015. Through that relationship we have been involved in research including Agrivoltaics. Our team is beginning the commercialization phase of this new concept and business model. We turned to SBDC to assist with market research. This was incredibly beneficial to receive market reports that would be otherwise inaccessible. The research was presented to us in a way that has helped narrow our focus and commercialization plan. Our team is excited for the next steps of our new ventures and value the SBDC as a strong partner moving forward. I would highly recommend the SBDC to any company in any stage, because their team has the resources and connections to help find answers."
Ian Skor
Ian SkorSandbox Solar
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The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network is a partnership between the State of Colorado, Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Small Business Administration (SBA), Colorado’s institutions of higher education, local economic development organizations and local chambers of commerce. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration.

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