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Why Denver is Becoming a Global Hub for Startups and Innovation

Real Good Denver

Release Date: 08/25/2025

Aurora…. Borealis?? More Construction, and Our Wildlife Tour Giveaway!! show art Aurora…. Borealis?? More Construction, and Our Wildlife Tour Giveaway!!

Real Good Denver

Quick episode this week as we discuss the top news hits, events, and how you can escape the constant construction with a Birding Man Wildlife Tour!!   As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well. Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok:   Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at . We’re opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to . Sign up at to be the first to know when it’s...

info_outline Special Guest Bart Wilson from Motor Street 360! Also - Denver Fashion Week, No Snow + Holiday Plans show art Special Guest Bart Wilson from Motor Street 360! Also - Denver Fashion Week, No Snow + Holiday Plans

Real Good Denver

We’ve got Bart Wilson on to talk us through two of his Colorado based companies that are driving photography into the future:   As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well. Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok:   Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at . We’re opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter thanks to . Sign up at to be the first to know when it’s ready!!   News...

info_outline Breaking the Rules of Wine and Winning the Shelf in Denver show art Breaking the Rules of Wine and Winning the Shelf in Denver

Real Good Denver

Episode Summary: What happens when you look at a wine label and realize you don’t know what’s in it? Kristin Taylor did, and she didn’t like the answer. So, with no vineyard inheritance and no Napa trust fund, she started a wine company from scratch. From selling cases door-to-door in Denver to landing in hundreds of stores nationwide, Kristin and her co-founder built Mom Juice Wine, a clean, low-sugar, women-led wine brand that’s rewriting the rules of the industry. In this episode, Kristin shares how she turned a few thousand dollars and a big vision into a thriving business,...

info_outline Season 3 Premiere!! Vibrant Denver Bond, Five Points First Friday + More!!! show art Season 3 Premiere!! Vibrant Denver Bond, Five Points First Friday + More!!!

Real Good Denver

Season 3 is here after an extended break from the Real Good Denver crew! We’ve enjoyed some time to reflect on the show and are excited to return with a new, events first format that we think you’ll love! As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.   Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok:   Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at . We’re opening up early access to a custom Denver job alert program through our newsletter...

info_outline One Night Only: Flamenco Denver’s “RAICES” at the Newman Center show art One Night Only: Flamenco Denver’s “RAICES” at the Newman Center

Real Good Denver

In this episode of the Real Good Denver Podcast, Ryan Estes sits down with Maria and Eva from Flamenco Denver, the nonprofit bringing the passion, rhythm, and roots of Spain to the Mile High City. With 25 years in Denver, Flamenco Denver has taught thousands of students, performed across schools, and created community through music, dance, and song. Their annual showcase, RAICES, returns September 30 at the Newman Center with world-class dancers, singers, and musicians. Who this episode is for Arts lovers and culture seekers in Denver Musicians and dancers looking for inspiration ...

info_outline Joined by Special Guest Ren from Audacious Immersive! Cults, Star Wars, & When Does Fall Really Begin? show art Joined by Special Guest Ren from Audacious Immersive! Cults, Star Wars, & When Does Fall Really Begin?

Real Good Denver

This week we’re joined by Ren from Audacious Immersive for a wide-ranging conversation that covers everything from cults to Star Wars to the all-important question—when does fall really begin? Ren takes us inside the world of Audacious Theatre, where immersive, sensory-driven productions push the boundaries of live performance through collaboration, innovation, and cross-cultural creativity. From staging experiences that surround the audience to exploring the strange ways stories connect us, this episode blends the quirky, the thoughtful, and the theatrical. As always, we’ve got the top...

info_outline Quesadillas for Good, Bronco’s Preferred Stadium Location, & Thoa Nguyun from Bánh & Butter Bakery Cafe! show art Quesadillas for Good, Bronco’s Preferred Stadium Location, & Thoa Nguyun from Bánh & Butter Bakery Cafe!

Real Good Denver

Special guest Thoa Nguyun from is joining us to talk about her unique bánh mìs, her family's collection of amazing Denver restaurants, the struggle of owning a small business on Colfax during major construction, and of course about her part in the Denver Inner City Parish’s fundraiser!   As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.     @ Denver Inner City Parish   Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok:   Ryan’s Takes   +   Tom’s Takes   Developing Denver   is open tomorrow   ...

info_outline Denver Food & Wine Festival, F1 Arcade, New Restaurants & Construction Everywhere!! show art Denver Food & Wine Festival, F1 Arcade, New Restaurants & Construction Everywhere!!

Real Good Denver

We're following up on some unique Developing Denver stories that we see unfolding before our very eyes! Also listen in t As always, we’ve got the top Denver news and things to do on our radar this week as well.   Follow RGD: YouTube: Instagram: TikTok:   Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at tom@kitcaster.com.   Troys Takes:       Toms Takes   is open next Wednesday   under way     Events:   @ Reelworks   @ National...

info_outline Inside Denver Food and Wine Festival at the Tivoli Quad show art Inside Denver Food and Wine Festival at the Tivoli Quad

Real Good Denver

Real Good Denver Podcast with Denise from Denver Food and Wine Festival Location: Tivoli Quad, Auraria Campus Dates: September 3–6 Format: Week of tastings and competitions culminating in the Grand Tasting What you will learn How Denver Food and Wine Festival funds the Colorado Restaurant Foundation and why that matters for local workers The full schedule for festival week including the Riedel glass seminar, Shake and Break Showdown, and the Grand Tasting VIP benefits including lounge access, dedicated restrooms, exclusive restaurants, and tasting seminars How ProStart gives 2,300...

info_outline Episode 100!!! Real Good Denver Recap and The Birding Man Ryan Dibala show art Episode 100!!! Real Good Denver Recap and The Birding Man Ryan Dibala

Real Good Denver

We're looking back on 100 episodes of Real Good Denver with some RGD trivia! We're also talking with Dr. Tyan Dibala, the man behind one of CO's top birding and nature touring companies, !   Follow RGD: YouTube:  Instagram:  TikTok:    Do you have a Denver event, cause, opening, or recommendation that you want to share with us? We want to hear from you! Tell us what’s good at .   Troys Takes:           Our Top 3 from Denver Brunch Fest: - Cjili Verde & jalapeno cornbread - Garnachas - Kickin Chicken Congee ...

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More Episodes

In this episode of Real Good Denver, Ryan Estes sits down with Melissa Jenner, founder and CEO of Actvo.ai, a New Zealand company now thriving in Denver’s startup scene. Melissa shares how Denver’s global outreach brought her across the world, why she believes work should be a place people love, and how her AI-driven platform helps companies retain top talent by mapping out employee career pathways before burnout takes hold.

The conversation dives into the unique culture of Denver’s business ecosystem, the power of serendipity in founder connections, the craft beer influence on collaboration, and why collective intelligence makes this city special.

Key Takeaways

  • Denver’s Global Magnetism: Economic development teams are actively recruiting international startups, making Denver a true global landing pad.

  • Culture of Serendipity: Denver’s tight-knit founder ecosystem creates constant collisions of opportunity through dinners, meetups, and a give-first mindset.

  • Beer as a Business Model: Collaboration in Denver mirrors its craft beer scene—newcomers and legacy players help each other scale.

  • The Future of Work: Actvo.ai helps employees see 12 possible work pathways, close skill gaps, and create proactive career conversations before they leave a company.

  • Equity over Equality: Melissa argues for tailored support to unlock overlooked talent, ensuring people find meaningful work.

  • Collective Intelligence: Denver’s culture of shared ideas and generosity accelerates innovation beyond the traditional Silicon Valley model.

Frameworks Mentioned

  1. The 12 Pathways of Work – Actvo.ai’s model to help employees explore new roles.

  2. Exit Lounge Effect – why companies lose 40% of employees after 2–5 years and how to prevent it.

  3. Equity vs Equality – supporting employees differently to reach the same starting point.

  4. Flywheel Effect of Collective Intelligence – how networks of generous founders compound innovation.

Resources & Links