Colorado Springs closed $380M across 45 deals in 2025. Most capital went to defense tech, aerospace, and cybersecurity. The city has strong ties to military installations and space operations, which shapes what gets funded here. You won't raise consumer social or fintech easily in Colorado Springs - investors here want B2B tech with government or defense applications.
Quick list
Catalyst HTI Fund: Led Red 6's $30M Series B for aerospace defense simulation tech in Colorado Springs
Ridgeline Ventures (Colorado Springs): Backed SparkCognition Government Systems at $15M in AI for defense sector
Bonaventure Equity: Series A investor in Braxton Technologies, Colorado Springs-based mission planning software
Space Capital (Denver): Funded York Space Systems at $45M for satellite manufacturing in Denver metro
Emerald Development Managers: Early investor in Stria, Colorado Springs cybersecurity startup now at $8M ARR
Techstars Space Accelerator (Colorado Springs): Backed 12 space tech startups in 2025 cohort with $120K investments
Shield Capital (Denver): Led $25M round for Hermeus, hypersonic aircraft development with Colorado operations
Flywheel Ventures (Denver): Series A in Rally, Colorado Springs-based fleet management software at $12M
Backbone Angels (Colorado Springs): Seed investor in CloudVelox, raised $2.5M for cloud migration tools
Stout Street Capital (Denver): Backed Scaled Robotics at $6M for construction automation with Colorado presence
RockTree Capital (Denver): Series B in Ursa Major, Colorado-based rocket propulsion at $85M
Exponential Impact (Boulder): Early investor in Orbit Fab, space refueling technology with Colorado ties
Why Colorado Springs works for defense and aerospace fundraising
Colorado Springs has fewer generalist VCs than Denver but stronger defense and aerospace networks. Average seed round is $1.8M, Series A is $8-12M. Most investors here understand government contracting cycles and SBIR grants.
The city hosts five military installations including Space Force headquarters and NORAD. That means easier access to pilot customers and DOD contracts. Investors here actually understand defense procurement timelines - they won't pressure you for consumer-style growth metrics.
Downside is limited capital for anything outside defense tech, aerospace, or B2B SaaS. If you're building consumer products or fintech, you'll need to raise in Denver or go coastal. Late-stage capital is scarce - most companies relocate or raise from out-of-state funds after Series A.
Picking the right Colorado Springs investor
Local presence: Physical location matters here more than in most cities. Defense tech investors need to attend events at Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever. Remote-only funds won't understand the contracting landscape or have the right military connections you need. Tracking real interest is easier when you can track deck activity across individual outreach links.
Portfolio companies: Check if they've backed startups that sell to DOD, Air Force, or Space Force. Experience with government contracts and security clearances is critical. Most generalist VCs don't understand 18-month sales cycles for defense contracts.
Check sizes: Seed rounds here are $500K-2M, Series A is $8-15M. That's smaller than Denver and much smaller than SF. Colorado Springs investors expect you to leverage SBIR grants and government contracts to extend runway.
Local network: The best investors here can intro you to decision-makers at Space Force, Air Force Academy, or Lockheed Martin's local operations. Those connections close deals. Upload your deck to Ellty and send trackable links to see which investors actually review your government contract pipeline.
Follow-on capacity: Most local funds can't lead past Series A. Plan to raise B rounds from Denver, LA, or DC-area funds. Some Colorado Springs investors co-invest well with coastal defense tech funds like Shield Capital or Venrock.
How to find and approach Colorado Springs investors
Research local deals: Check Pitchbook for recent Colorado Springs investments in defense tech and aerospace. Look at Techstars Space Accelerator portfolio companies from the past two years. Most funded startups here have DOD contracts or SBIR grants.
Leverage military connections: Defense tech investors prefer warm intros from military officers, government contractors, or other founders selling to DOD. Join Space Symposium in Colorado Springs every April. That's where most local defense tech deals start.
Build relationships at installations: Attend open events at Peterson Space Force Base or Air Force Academy. Many investors scout at these locations. Colorado Springs investors want to see your technical team has security clearances or military backgrounds.
Share your pitch deck: Upload to Ellty and create trackable links for each investor. You'll see who actually opens your slides about government contracts and technical specifications. Colorado Springs investors spend more time on team backgrounds than market size.
Attend Space Symposium: This is the key event. Three days in April where defense tech VCs, primes, and government buyers all meet. Skip the small meetups and focus here. Most Colorado Springs defense tech deals trace back to Space Symposium connections.
Connect with portfolio founders: Talk to founders at companies like Red 6, Braxton Technologies, or Ursa Major. They'll tell you which funds actually understand government procurement and which ones will pressure you for B2C metrics. Read our blog if you want your compliance materials to follow clear GDPR principles when shared.
Organize due diligence: Set up an Ellty data room with your government contracts, SBIR awards, and security documentation. Colorado Springs investors move faster than you'd expect once they verify your military relationships and contract pipeline.
Understand the pace: Defense tech deals close in 3-6 months here, slower than SF but faster than traditional government contractors expect. Investors here are used to long sales cycles but want to see contract momentum, not just LOIs.
Colorado Springs defense tech considerations
Most Colorado Springs investors only fund startups with clear paths to government contracts. If you don't have military connections or defense industry experience, you'll struggle here. Consumer startups should skip Colorado Springs entirely and go to Denver or Boulder.
The defense tech ecosystem means investors understand security clearances, ITAR restrictions, and SBIR grants. They won't panic about 12-month sales cycles. But they also expect you to know government procurement processes. Show up without understanding FAR or DFARS and you're done.
12 top investors in Colorado Springs
1. Catalyst HTI Fund
Defense and aerospace focused fund that actually understands government contracting timelines.
- Recent Deals: Red 6 $30M Series B (2025, Colorado Springs), Ursa Major $85M Series C (2024, Colorado), Advanced Space $12M Series A (2025, Colorado)
- LinkedIn: Rob Meyerson
- Sector Focus: Defense tech, aerospace, satellite systems, propulsion
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Website: catalysthtifund.com
2. Ridgeline Ventures
Local fund with strong ties to Schriever Space Force Base and NORAD.
- Recent Deals: SparkCognition Government Systems $15M (2025, Colorado Springs), CloudVelox $2.5M seed (2024, Colorado Springs), Rally $12M Series A (2025, Colorado Springs)
- LinkedIn: Scott Jones
- Sector Focus: AI for defense, cybersecurity, B2B SaaS, space tech
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A
- Office Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Website: ridgeline.ventures
3. Techstars Space Accelerator
Accelerator program with direct Space Force partnerships and strong demo day attendance.
- Recent Deals: 12 space tech startups $120K each (2025 cohort, Colorado Springs), Orbit Fab $5M seed (2024, Colorado), Stoke Space $9M Series A (2025, Washington with Colorado ties)
- LinkedIn: Jared Keller
- Sector Focus: Satellite tech, space logistics, propulsion, earth observation
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Office Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Website: techstars.com/accelerators/space
4. Backbone Angels
Colorado Springs angel group with members who have defense contracting backgrounds.
- Recent Deals: CloudVelox $2.5M seed (2024, Colorado Springs), Braxton Technologies $4M seed (2023, Colorado Springs), Stria $3M seed (2024, Colorado Springs)
- LinkedIn: Michael Heil
- Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, defense software, mission planning, cloud infrastructure
- Stage Focus: Pre-seed, Seed
- Office Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Website: backboneangels.com
5. Space Capital
DC and Denver-based fund that's the most active space tech investor in Colorado.
- Recent Deals: York Space Systems $45M (2025, Denver), Orbit Fab $20M Series A (2024, Colorado), Iceye $87M Series D (2024, Finland with Colorado ops)
- LinkedIn: Chad Anderson
- Sector Focus: Satellite manufacturing, space infrastructure, launch services, earth observation
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Denver, CO (active in Colorado Springs)
- Website: spacecapital.com
6. Shield Capital
Defense tech specialists who understand security clearances and government procurement.
- Recent Deals: Hermeus $25M (2025, Colorado operations), Anduril $1.5B Series E (2024, California with Colorado presence), Shield AI $200M Series E (2023, California)
- LinkedIn: Raj Shah
- Sector Focus: Defense AI, autonomous systems, hypersonics, space domain awareness
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Series C
- Office Location: Denver, CO (covers Colorado Springs)
- Website: shieldcapital.vc
7. Bonaventure Equity
Denver-based fund that backs Colorado Springs defense tech startups regularly.
- Recent Deals: Braxton Technologies $8M Series A (2024, Colorado Springs), Advanced Space $12M Series A (2025, Colorado), Voyager Space $300M (2023, Colorado)
- LinkedIn: Frank Bonsal
- Sector Focus: Mission planning, satellite operations, defense software, aerospace
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Denver, CO
- Website: bonaventureequity.com
8. Emerald Development Managers
Colorado-based fund that invests in cybersecurity and defense software.
- Recent Deals: Stria $8M Series A (2025, Colorado Springs), ActZero $15M Series B (2024, Colorado), Coalfire $90M growth equity (2023, Colorado)
- LinkedIn: Eric Anderson
- Sector Focus: Cybersecurity, compliance software, defense IT, cloud security
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B, Growth
- Office Location: Denver, CO
- Website: emeralddevelopment.com
9. Flywheel Ventures
Denver fund that backs B2B SaaS startups across Colorado including Colorado Springs.
- Recent Deals: Rally $12M Series A (2025, Colorado Springs), SafelyYou $30M Series C (2024, California), Havenly $20M Series C (2023, Colorado)
- LinkedIn: Brad Feld
- Sector Focus: B2B SaaS, fleet management, logistics software, enterprise tech
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Denver, CO
- Website: flywheelventures.com
10. RockTree Capital
LA and Denver-based fund investing in space infrastructure and defense tech.
- Recent Deals: Ursa Major $85M Series C (2024, Colorado), Varda Space $42M Series B (2024, California), Relativity Space $650M Series E (2023, California)
- LinkedIn: Gary Rieschel
- Sector Focus: Rocket propulsion, space manufacturing, satellite systems, launch infrastructure
- Stage Focus: Series B, Series C, Growth
- Office Location: Denver, CO
- Website: rocktreecap.com
11. Stout Street Capital
Denver fund that invests in automation and robotics startups including Colorado companies.
- Recent Deals: Scaled Robotics $6M Series A (2024, Colorado presence), AMP Robotics $91M Series C (2024, Colorado), BotsAndUs $7M Series A (2024, UK)
- LinkedIn: Dave Kinnear
- Sector Focus: Robotics, construction automation, industrial AI, manufacturing tech
- Stage Focus: Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Denver, CO
- Website: stoutstreetcapital.com
12. Exponential Impact
Boulder-based fund that backs deep tech startups across Colorado.
- Recent Deals: Orbit Fab $5M seed (2024, Colorado), Twelve $130M Series B (2024, California), Electric Hydrogen $198M Series C (2024, Massachusetts)
- LinkedIn: Mahesh Patel
- Sector Focus: Space infrastructure, climate tech, advanced manufacturing, energy
- Stage Focus: Seed, Series A, Series B
- Office Location: Boulder, CO
- Website: exponentialimpact.co
Start tracking your Colorado Springs investor outreach
These 12 investors closed deals in Colorado Springs or with Colorado-based defense tech startups in 2025-2026. Before you start reaching out, set up proper tracking so you know who's actually interested.
Upload your deck to Ellty and create a unique link for each investor. You'll see exactly which slides they view and how long they spend on your government contract pipeline or technical specifications. Colorado Springs investors often skip market size slides but focus heavily on your team's military backgrounds and existing DOD relationships.
When investors ask for more materials, share an Ellty data room instead of email attachments. Your cap table, SBIR awards, government contracts, and security documentation in one place with view analytics.
Common questions
Do I need to be based in Colorado Springs to raise from Colorado Springs investors?
No, but you need strong Colorado connections. Most investors here prefer startups with operations near military installations or Space Force headquarters. Remote teams without local presence struggle to build the relationships that matter for defense tech deals.
How does Colorado Springs compare to Denver for fundraising?
Denver has 5x more capital and broader sector coverage. Colorado Springs is better if you're building defense tech or aerospace - the military connections and government contract networks are stronger here. For B2B SaaS without defense applications, raise in Denver or Boulder instead.
What's the average seed round size in Colorado Springs?
$1.5-2M, smaller than Denver's $2.5-3M average. Colorado Springs investors expect you to leverage SBIR grants and early government contracts to extend runway. They won't fund pure product development without government customer validation.
Do Colorado Springs investors expect in-person meetings?
Yes, especially for defense tech. Investors here want to meet your technical team and verify military backgrounds or security clearances. Plan to visit Colorado Springs 2-3 times during fundraising. Zoom-only pitches rarely work for local funds.
What industries get funded most in Colorado Springs?
Defense tech, aerospace, cybersecurity, and space systems. B2B SaaS gets funded if you're selling to government or defense contractors. Consumer products, fintech, and healthtech rarely get local investment - those sectors should raise elsewhere.
