2025 NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition
- ALL AGES
Eight NextCycle Teams will present their innovative end-market business concepts and compete for the grand prize and People's Choice award.
Date and time
Location
eTown Hall
1535 Spruce Street Boulder, CO 80302Agenda
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Doors Open and Networking
5:30 PM
Pitch Competition Begins
5:40 PM
Pitches Part I
6:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Intermission
6:45 PM
Pitches Part II
7:30 PM
Judge Deliberations
7:45 PM - 8:00 PM
Awards Ceremony and Close Out
About this event
- Event lasts 3 hours
- ALL AGES
Join us for the 2025 NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition, happening on Thursday, May 15 at eTown Hall in Boulder! This inspiring event will feature a lineup of innovative teams presenting their end-market business concepts as they compete for two prizes.
The pitch competition winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize provided by Resource Recycling Systems (RRS). The people’s choice winner will receive a $500 cash prize from the Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC) and registration to the Summit for Recycling Conference, sponsored by Recycle Colorado.
By attending this free event, you'll gain insight into cutting-edge circular economy solutions, meet passionate entrepreneurs, and connect with key players in Colorado’s sustainability ecosystem. Enjoy light bites, a cash bar, and a chance to network with industry leaders, investors, and sustainability advocates.
NextCycle is designed to promote circular economy-based ventures and foster innovation in sustainable design, reuse, repair, compost, recycling or material recovery solutions for end markets in Colorado. NextCycle Colorado is funded by Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support groundbreaking ideas and discover new investment opportunities!
2025 NextCycle Colorado Teams
- Blazin’ Joe (Golden, CO) - transforming coffee waste into eco-friendly fire logs and starters.
- Cold Spark (Longmont, CO) - using cryomilling technology to recycle EV batteries and electronic waste.
- Driven Plastics (Pueblo, CO) - incorporating recycled plastic into asphalt to create stronger, more sustainable roads.
- High Plains Biochar (Laporte, CO) - converting agricultural and forestry waste into biochar.
- Maple Ridge Rubber Paving (Saskatoon, SK, CAN) - engineering recycled rubber into sustainable paving and resurfacing solutions.
- Refound Goods (Denver, CO) - hosting an online marketplace for secondhand furniture and home goods more accessible.
- The Source Zero (Fort Collins, CO) - expanding zero-waste shopping with a mobile delivery service and commercial warehouse.
- SURPStone (Grand Junction, CO) - repurposing plastic waste into durable, high-quality pavers and landscaping materials.
Judges:
- Juri Freeman - Executive Director, Circular Action Alliance
- Alice Havill - Founding Partner, Fractal Climate
- Andrew Maxey - CEO of Vartega, Inc. (NextCycle Colorado Alumni)
- Jesse Stedman - Founder and CEO of Trash Panda Disc Golf (NextCycle Colorado Alumni)
Emcee:
- Jay Mays - Founder of Pitch Lab
Thank you to Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise for sponsoring the NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition!
Thank you to our partners!
Circular Economy Development Center (CEDC)
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Appetizers provided by Three Leaf Catering, with a fully vegetarian menu. Gluten-free options will be available, and all food will be clearly labeled for common allergens. To help limit waste, we will use reusable dishware. Please bring your reusable water bottle. A cash bar will available.
No - all are welcome! Anyone interested in learning about circularity and recycling end markets, hearing inspiring pitches, or networking with other sustainability and innovation advocates is encouraged to attend.
Please consider walking, cycling, using public transportation, or carpooling with others! eTown Hall has no onsite parking, but nearby options include the 15th & Pearl garage (paid), metered street parking ($1.25/hr.), and limited Whittier neighborhood parking (3 hrs. max).
eTown Hall is a fully ADA compliant community space. Guests with limited mobility will find access to all public spaces at the venue.