Pitching Innovation: Our 2025 Demo Day Success
- SFL Staff Member
- 36 minutes ago
- 3 min read
This past Friday marked a milestone moment for our incubator and accelerator program as we hosted an unforgettable Demo Day at the University of Colorado Denver. The energy in the room was electric as nine exceptional companies from our program took center stage to showcase their groundbreaking technologies to an audience of industry experts, city leaders, and airport officials.
A Showcase of Revolutionary Technologies
The day featured live demonstrations that truly brought each company's vision to life. Among the standout moments, Boomerang Fleets transported their innovative community mobility bikes directly to the venue, allowing attendees to experience firsthand how their solution is transforming urban transportation.
It was also very impactful to witnessing Agami Zero make history with the first-ever public display of their industry-first hydrogen-powered electric vehicle charger prototype. This groundbreaking technology promises to revolutionize off-grid charging capabilities, and we were honored to provide the platform for this debut.
Across the board, all nine companies delivered high-quality presentations that showcased not just innovative products, but transformative solutions that have the potential to change the path to smart cities. Each demonstration revealed amazing technology paired with thoughtful implementation strategies, and every company received high-quality feedback from city and municipality leaders that will help refine their approach to solving complex urban challenges.
The presentations weren't just about showcasing technology – they were about forging connections and identifying opportunities for pilot partnerships that could transform how our communities operate.
The diversity of solutions presented demonstrated the breadth of innovation emerging from our program, with each company bringing unique approaches to solving real-world challenges facing cities and municipalities today.
Gratitude for Our Expert Panel
We extend our deepest appreciation to our distinguished panel of judges who provided invaluable feedback throughout the event. Their expertise helped our companies refine their pitches, think more critically from user and customer perspectives, and better understand the specific needs of city and municipality end-users.
The quality of feedback was exceptional, with judges offering insights that will undoubtedly help each company perfect their go-to-market strategies and strengthen their value propositions. This type of expert guidance is invaluable as these companies continue to scale and seek meaningful partnerships.
Anna Bunce, City Traffic Engineer, City of Centennial
Bob Fifer, Deputy Director, Operations, Colorado DOT
Tracy Whitling, Sr. Dir, Analytics and Innovation, Operations Denver International Airport
John Jackson, City Manager, City of Greenwood Village
Cary Weatherford, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities, CU Denver
Timothy Hoffman, Director of Policy, Mayor's Office, City of Denver
Ian Harwick, Electrified Mobility Community Program Mgr, City of Denver, CASR
Mike Salisbury, Director, Transportation Programs, Colorado Energy Office
Laura Aldrete, Executive Leadership and Community Building, Consultant
David Templeton, Streets Operation Manager, Commerce City
Flo Raitano, Director of Partnerships and Innovation, DRCOG
Earl Jackson, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, DOTI, City of Denver
Building Tomorrow's Solutions Today
Demo Day represents more than just a presentation opportunity – it's a convergence of innovation, expertise, and vision. Watching our companies connect with potential partners and receive constructive feedback from industry leaders reinforced why we're passionate about supporting these entrepreneurs.
The University of Colorado Denver provided the perfect backdrop for this celebration of innovation, offering a space where academic excellence meets entrepreneurial spirit.
As we reflect on Friday's success, we're energized by the potential partnerships that emerged and excited to continue supporting these companies as they work to implement pilot programs that could transform communities across the region.
The future of urban mobility, sustainable energy, and smart city solutions was on full display at our Demo Day, and we couldn't be more proud of what our cohort has accomplished.
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