Comments on: Local tech startup might decide to grow elsewhere

By: Sir Curt

Sir Curt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 23:18:09 +0000

I have met with the company mentioned in this article and was born have lived in this town 50+ years. This town has always been slow to offer any entertainment besides bars or anyone living here. The guys that work at Prosperent work 40-60 hours a week or more if needed. They probably do have a fridge of beer for those breakthrough moments but they work hard in a very competitive environment. They have t work hard to stay ahead in their industry and deserve it at the end of the day. It sounds like money is only one of the issues they have to deal with what can the business network or the city offer them and others like them to give them a chance to succeed? Colorado Citizen should re-read the article before misstating what the article says. They are not asking the world for a hand out, they are asking for the tools to prosper. If they are successful then they help support the employees, the city through taxes and so on. This town has a limited reputation for new start up businesses and this reputation goes out to all the other companies looking for a home. Good luck Mr Christensen and Mr Lovett with you future endeavors.

By: MikeP

MikeP — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 22:37:17 +0000

Take a look at what downtown Denver has done to attract and keep young high-tech workers and startups.

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_21922566?source=pop_section_business

Why not here?

By: Rick Wehner

Rick Wehner — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:36:44 +0000

“We’re looking at growing,” he said, “and Colorado Springs just doesn’t seem like the best place for that.”

This is an interesting and subtle statement that says a lot. Subtle in that it relates to the underlying cultural reasons that sophisticated, high-tech firms refuse to consider placing their staff and employees in the El Paso County area – and thus be able to have open positions to fill from within the local unemployed population.

Perhaps it is time to strap on the big boy britches – and form a ‘task force’ (yes, Another one!) to open up all those things we refuse to accept or talk about that forces firms out of the area and keeps firms from moving to the area. It is interesting to hear from successful, out of state firms on what the perception of the area is – and why they move to Boulder and Longmont. Or Austin and Charlotte. Some of it relates to ‘incentives’. A good part is ‘attitude’.

By: Ray Krueger

Ray Krueger — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:29:11 +0000

*Colorado Citizen, you are correct. This town isn’t aligning with the needs/wants of high tech startups like this. The town fathers talk platitudes about small businesses yet this small business self-identifies as a startup. Their aspirations exceed their size and their work ethics foster creativity. While not mentioned, I’d bet they have a fridge full of craft beers for quick celebrations of breakthroughs… or just because….

By: anonymous

anonymous — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 20:03:27 +0000

The article states that the company is bootstrapped and profitable. I am lost as to how that equates to them spending other people’s money exactly? I have worked for a number of startups in the tech sector, and the culture is typically very relaxed because it has to be. Sitting behind a desk programming for 12+ hours a day is pretty stressful. Blowing off steam for a few minutes enables someone in that position a much needed time to refocus before tackling the next problem. The last thing you need is a team of burnt out team members wasting time and money.

By: Colorado Citizen

Colorado Citizen — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:33:06 +0000

Translation = we want all the *old* hard working people to give us their money so we can go spend it playing all day and since you won’t give it to us, we are going to go find somewhere else that has lots of OPM (other peoples money) to spend.

And we wonder why Colorado is going to pot – figuratively and literally…