StartUp Wyoming to Enter Next Phase
PRESS RELEASE: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
CONTACT INFO
Taylor Vignaroli, WBC Entrepreneur Development Manager
307.214.0485
Wyoming Business Council Announces Next Phase of StartUp Wyoming Following Statewide Listening Tour
Jackson, WY (For Immediate Release) — The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) and Silicon Couloir unveiled the StartUp Wyoming Phase 1 Gap Analysis and Implementation Plan and formally approved Phase 2 of the StartUp Wyoming initiative at the WBC's quarterly board of directors meeting in Casper last week. This marks a critical milestone in building a stronger, more connected startup ecosystem across the state.
StartUp Wyoming, a collaborative effort launched in September 2024 by the WBC and Silicon Couloir, completed a six-month listening tour engaging hundreds of stakeholders through in-person interviews and virtual focus groups across all 23 counties. The resulting report identifies strengths and pain points in Wyoming's entrepreneurial landscape, examines key recurring themes shared across communities, and outlines a preliminary framework for supporting founders of high-growth potential startups statewide.
Key Findings
The report reveals three critical insights:
Lack of coordinated support: Wyoming lacks coordination of support for founders of high-growth potential startups, including education, connection to funding, mentorship, service-based resources, and networking opportunities. Many resources exist in the state, but finding them proves challenging and time-consuming.
Need for connection mechanisms: There is a strong desire throughout the startup ecosystem for consistent, well-promoted mechanisms to connect with other entrepreneurs both virtually and in person. These include online platforms and both state and local networking events that help promote a thriving and supportive startup community centered around innovation.
Importance of celebrating success: Celebrating success stories energizes and inspires those in the ecosystem, including those yet to come. Highlighting Wyoming's wealth of resources, expertise, and business-friendly policies and spreading the message that innovation is alive and happening in every corner of the state is fundamental to growing and attracting the state's startup founder base.
Moving Forward
"Wyoming has a unique opportunity to leverage its entrepreneurial spirit, strong sense of community, and its established and emerging innovation sectors," said Business Council CEO Josh Dorrell. "We are poised to launch the next phase of StartUp Wyoming, moving beyond the foundational work of understanding our entrepreneurial landscape to actively strengthening the connections that make businesses thrive – turning challenges into opportunities for all Wyoming founders."
With unanimous approval from both the WBC and Silicon Couloir boards of directors, Phase 2 will create a more integrated ecosystem with a Startup Roadmap as a living guide tied directly to the resources entrepreneurs can access in Wyoming, and allow sharing of important peer success stories.
“Phase 2 will transform insights into action,” said Rob Kellogg, Executive Director of Silicon Couloir. “By focusing on better statewide coordination of resources and events, connecting and supporting a thriving ecosystem, and widely sharing information about our state’s startup successes, we’re not just filling gaps, we’re building a system that accelerates innovation and drives economic resilience across Wyoming.”
Taylor Vignaroli, WBC Entrepreneur Development Manager, is coordinating efforts in partnership with Silicon Couloir.
"We're enhancing both our virtual platforms and in-person networking opportunities because we know that relationships drive innovation," Vignaroli said. "Most importantly, we're committed to amplifying the incredible Wyoming-based services that already exist and celebrating the success stories happening in communities across our state. When we shine that bright light on what's working, we inspire others and show the world that Wyoming is not just a place where businesses can survive, but where they can truly flourish."
Public Webinar
A public webinar led by StartUp Wyoming Director Blossom Ko Lumley, who will shepherd the initiative from Phase 1 to 2, will be held on Friday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m MDT. The webinar will provide an overview of the report, a timeline of upcoming programming, and allow participants to engage in community Q&A. Register for the webinar at wbc.pub/SUWY_Webinar060625.
Following the webinar, StartUp Wyoming plans a widespread launch targeted for mid-September. The StartUp Wyoming Gap Analysis and Implementation Plan is available here: https://startupwy.com/resources.
About the Wyoming Business Council
The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is the state's economic development agency, committed to leading economic growth, building resilient communities, and creating opportunities to thrive. The WBC works to support business growth, develop local infrastructure, and create job opportunities across the state.
About Silicon Couloir
Silicon Couloir is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to empower entrepreneurship in the Tetons and beyond for a healthy, vibrant community.
StartUp Wyoming Launches to Strengthen Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Across the State
StartUp Wyoming, a collaborative initiative between the Wyoming Business Council and Silicon Couloir designed to enhance entrepreneurial services and support for communities statewide, is officially underway. In its initial phase, the program will conduct a comprehensive assessment of Wyoming’s entrepreneurial landscape through a state-wide listening tour. The goal is to evaluate opportunities for strengthening startup programs and identify the resources necessary to foster innovation, drive startup growth, and support economic development throughout Wyoming.
“StartUp Wyoming represents a critical investment in our state’s entrepreneurial future,” says Rob Kellogg, Silicon Couloir Executive Director. “By assessing our current landscape and engaging with stakeholders from across the state, we aim to build a stronger foundation for startup success, which can lead to long-term job creation and economic growth.”
Following an extensive search, Silicon Couloir is proud to announce the appointment of a Wyoming-based professional to lead the initiative forward.
Blossom Ko Lumley, StartUp Wyoming Director, brings over 20 years of experience in business operations, project design, and management across both nonprofit and for-profit sectors. As a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Airloom Energy, a venture-backed wind energy startup based in Laramie, WY, Lumley has helped secure over $12 million in seed funding for the company.
“I’m thrilled to be part of StartUp Wyoming, an initiative designed to connect innovators to resources throughout Wyoming’s vital and expanding startup ecosystem,” states Lumley. “Through education, mentoring, peer networks, and funding, we can work collaboratively to accelerate and amplify startup success at every stage. We are grateful for the extensive support provided by the Wyoming Business Council and Silicon Couloir, and are eager to listen to and learn from the many voices and organizations dedicated to Wyoming’s growth.”
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About Silicon Couloir: Silicon Couloir is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower entrepreneurship for a healthy, vibrant community. Through a variety of world-class programs, Silicon Couloir supports entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey, helping them turn their ideas into thriving businesses. Since its inception in 2012, the organization has connected more than 17,000 business professionals, served over 500 entrepreneurs, and catalyzed $150 million in capital investment.
About the Wyoming Business Council: The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) is the state's economic development agency, committed to leading economic growth, building resilient communities, and creating opportunities to thrive. The WBC works to support business growth, develop local infrastructure, and create job opportunities across the state.