Investing in world-class founders who build where they belong.

For the founders who build where culture and values align with their vision.

We provide first-check momentum to high-caliber entrepreneurs across CO building in overlooked regions—outside the usual metro echo chambers. From AI to Outdoors and AgTech, these aren’t small bets. We invest early in founders with vision, grit, and roots—because we believe culture-aligned companies outperform.

Values Create value

Map showing where howdy partners invests in rural areas across Colorado.

Build where you’re rooted. We’ll meet you there.

We've seen firsthand how culture-aligned companies outperform. Which is why we invest in founders who understand that space breeds creativity, balance drives innovation, and building with purpose creates resilience.

You're not in the middle of nowhere. You're at the center of something big. And we’re here for it.

We’ve been in your boots:

  • Explaining why your HQ has cows or your team has powder days.

  • Justifying a focus on fundamentals when everyone else is chasing the next hype wave.

  • Discovering your best thinking comes with fresh air, not at another happy hour.

  • Finding partners who get your market, your mission and your way of life without being mistaken for building a ‘lifestyle business’. 

Hear from the Howdy Partners:

Real Builders. Real Places. Real Returns.

  • Agile Space

    Chris Pearson is the CEO of Agile Space Industries, a leading innovator in in-space chemical propulsion. With 25+ years in the industry, Chris and his team manufacture advanced thrusters and engines that help spacecraft accomplish their missions faster and more efficiently.

    Durango, CO

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    BOPA

    Founded in 2017 by Sarah Hinkley, Jaron Hinkley, and Bryan Stafford, Barn Own Precision Agriculture (BOPA) has developed autonomous robots that can help farmers with weeding, planting, spraying, harvesting, and more. Their ANT systems reduce labor needs while supporting food security and climate resilience.

    Florence/La Junta, CO

  • Cloudrise

    Rob Eggebrecht, co-founded the company in 2019 as CEO and exited in 2024 with an acquisition by Exclusive Networks. Cloudrise uses tech-enabled services to help organizations elevate data protection, privacy & cloud security programs.

    Grand Junction, CO.

  • BettrData

    Aaron Dix is the founder and CEO of BettrData, an AI Data Operations software built to scale data at enterprise without the complexity. Founded in 2020 BettrData offers a highly-automated, flexible, multi-sourced data operations platform

    Black Hawk, CO

  • Smart Media

    Co-founded by Tyler Moebius and Kim Perell in 2014, SmartMedia Technologies is the leading enterprise Web3 platform for first-party data, engagement, and loyalty. Trusted by brands like PepsiCo, Visa, and the NBA, SMT bridges Web2 and Web3 to deliver gamified, immersive experiences at scale.

    Carbondale, CO

  • Sky peak

    Co-founded in 2018 by Cat Coughran McIntosh and Don McIntosh, Sky Peak Technologies is reshaping mobile data with CORA AI—a patented tech that reduces bandwidth usage by shaping content before it hits the network. The result? Seamless, efficient connectivity anywhere.

    Fruita, CO

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    Glade Optics

    Curt Nichols started the company in 2016 in Breckenridge, CO. Glade Optics began by providing premium ski goggles, helmets and sunglasses for skiers and snowboarders. They’ve since expanded across the mountain biking, trail running, and fly fishing industries.

    Breckenridge, CO

  • Kamiwaza

    Founded by Luke Norris, Kamiwaza AI is building the connective tissue between AI hardware and enterprise applications. Their GenAI Orchestration Engine enables secure, scalable AI without moving sensitive data—unlocking private GenAI across any format, silo, or location.

    Silverthorne, CO

Founder Spotlights