DENVER — The Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network in Colorado (“BEN Colorado”) today announced it has appointed veteran Colorado entrepreneur Greg Greenwood as its Executive Director, starting in the new year. In this leadership role, Greenwood will oversee all operations of BEN Colorado, which in less than two years has brought together more than 50 companies, nearly 200 advisors, and dozens of partners in a collaborative effort to support the scale up ecosystem in Colorado.
BEN Colorado was established in the spring of 2014 with a $3 million commitment from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation. It selected the University of Colorado’s Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship to host BEN Colorado. J.B. Holston, who was the Network’s first Executive Director, left this summer to take the role as Dean of the University of Denver’s School of Engineering and Computer Science.
A serial entrepreneur himself, Greenwood has founded and led several technology companies with significant experience developing strategic direction and organizational platform for growth. He founded and served as president/CEO of comCables, a network infrastructure manufacturer and low voltage distributor, which was named one of Denver’s Gazelle Companies by the Denver Office of Economic Development and an Inc. 100 Fastest-Growing Private Company in America before a successful exit in 2013. He also co-founded Colorado Thought Leaders Forum, an organization that delivers timely, value-rich content to Colorado business executives. More recently, in an effort to expand his industry and knowledge, he launched Idella Wines, a boutique winery in Napa Valley, California.
“Greg brings a strong background in scaling up businesses—experience that will not only be helpful to the BEN Network members pursuing scale ups themselves, but also to spur BEN’s own growth in building up a valuable program and strengthening its position in the Colorado entrepreneurial ecosystem,” Phil Weiser, Executive Director of Silicon Flatirons, said. “He is clearly the right candidate to propel BEN Colorado in the next stage of its trajectory, and I am thrilled to welcome Greg aboard.”
“I am pleased to welcome Greg as our new Executive Director of the Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network in Colorado,” Amy Stursberg, Executive Director of the Blackstone Charitable Foundation, said. “The team has created a powerful program that has actively strengthened the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the state over the past year, and we know that Greg will continue to build on this momentum to sustain and grow the program over the long term.”
“BEN Colorado is a remarkable collection of innovators,” Greenwood said. “It’s incredible to see how quickly the organization has made a valuable contribution to the Colorado business community. I look forward to working with the advisors, members and other community partners who give of their time and talents to passionately support our business ecosystem and desire to serve the greater community. I am enthused to lead BEN Colorado and help ensure it has a lasting impact on the Colorado economy.”
About Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado
Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network Colorado (“BEN Colorado”) is funded by a $3 million gift from the Blackstone Charitable Foundation to the University of Colorado’s Silicon Flatirons Center for Law, Technology, and Entrepreneurship. The mission of BEN Colorado is to strengthen the Colorado scale-up ecosystem by bringing together a diverse community of successful serial entrepreneurs, emerging growth companies, and community partners. Through member collaboration, educational resources, talent development, and peer-to-peer mentorship BEN Colorado works together to identify and assist current and future gazelle companies across industry and geography.