The Keiretsu Forum Denver Investor Summit, held on June 19, was a blockbuster event, living up to its reputation as one of the most anticipated gatherings of the year. Bringing together 186 investors in person at the iconic Denver Athletic Club and virtually on Zoom, the Summit was a celebration of entrepreneurship, collaboration, and Denver’s growing reputation as a vibrant hub for innovation.
Building on the momentum of our April Investor Capital Expo, the Denver Summit reignited that spirit with renewed energy and focus. The day kicked off with the Family Office Investment Panel, featuring leading voices from the investor community, Nathan McDonald, Chairman of Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies, Jessica Billingsley, Founder & Managing Partner, MacArthur Holding Company, Bryant Hayward, Chief Investment Officer at De La Prym - Single Family Office, and Mark Adelmann, Chief Executive Officer at Adelmann Family Office. This was followed by an insightful keynote from Ronald Weissman, Chair of the Angel Capital Association, who offered a data-driven outlook on the State of Investment Market.
After a brief networking lunch, we delved into the Colorado Ecosystem Panel, where speakers like Mick Freeman, CEO & Executive Director, Bridge Entrepreneurs Network Colorado, Brittany Romano, Executive Director, Startup Colorado, and Byron Hewett, Fractional CEO General Inception, Colorado Bioscience Association, spotlighted the state's growing support system for entrepreneurs and investors. Brianna McDonald, CEO of Ecosystem Venture Group, shared the compelling vision of Ecosystem Venture Group, dedicated to providing support beyond capital to companies poised for breakout growth.
The highlight of the afternoon was the ten early-stage companies, carefully vetted for scalability and market opportunity, presenting their breakthrough solutions to the investor audience. The excitement was palpable, with 281 recorded investment interests, and an engaging Q&A session that fostered transparent and meaningful dialogue between investors and innovators.
Next on the agenda was recognizing the Most Valued Company out of the presenting ventures. The attending investors participated in the vote, and after a close competition, it was PredxBio that took the top honors, followed by Pitch59 and Open Waters Solar as the second and third runners-up, respectively.
The day concluded with a powerful keynote by X. Eyee, CEO of Malo Santo on “Future-Proof Investing: See Tomorrow, Today,” followed by a lively social hour where ideas, deals, and connections flowed.
The Denver Summit was a testament to what’s possible when bold ideas meet capital. And this is just the beginning. Our Investor Capital Expo on August 21 promises to raise the bar even higher. Stay tuned.
About Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies
Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies is a region within the global Keiretsu Forum investor network. It includes chapters in Vancouver (Canada), Denver/Boulder, Bellevue, Seattle, Salt Lake City/Boise, and Portland. Keiretsu Forum Northwest & Rockies has more than 400 members and has invested over $500 million since its founding in 2005. For more information, visit www.k4northwest.com
