5th Annual Spark the Springs - Presented by Sparks Wilson
✨ The 5th Annual Spark the Springs ✨
Wednesday, October 28, 2026 -
This event is FREE thanks to our partners!
Join us for the 5th Annual Spark the Springs presented by Sparks Wilson, Colorado Springs’ celebration of entrepreneurship and community in Colorado Springs!
This year, we’re rolling out the red carpet for an Old Hollywood-inspired evening. Think red carpet, classic cinema, and a little Colorado Springs startup magic.
🍽 What’s Included
Your registration includes:
Plated dinner & dessert
Bartender access
Startup Showcase access
Full Spark the Springs program
Post-program networking and celebration
Whether you are an entrepreneur, business leader, student, investor, or just want to party you are welcome to join!
For five years, Spark the Springs has celebrated the people building what’s next in Colorado Springs. Come connect with the community, discover emerging ventures, and celebrate another year of entrepreneurship in our city.
This year's celebration is presented by Sparks Willson.
🎬 Event Highlights
🚀 Startup Showcase — Sponsored by SVA Certified Public Accountants
👱♀️ Keynote Talk by Susan Mason
Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Iolar Ventures
🏆 The 2026 Torch Grant Awards
Together we will learn which of the 2026 Torch Grant finalists will be taking home $50,000 Torch Grants!
Meet the entrepreneurs competing for this year's Torch Grant and hear directly from the ventures working to grow, scale, and make an impact in Colorado Springs:
Mike Kinner — Air-O-Sport
Don McGrath — Avalanche Water Systems
Chris Diaz — Aspis Intelligence
Kevin Washington — BAA Consulting
Josh Boutwell — Mimir Security
Riley Endicott — Vanarchy
🎉 Networking, Photo Booth & DJ
Grab a drink, take some photos, and connect with the founders, students, business leaders, and community members helping shape the future of Colorado Springs.
📌 Community Cork Board & Info Table
Have an event, organization, program, or opportunity you'd like the community to know about?
Bring your flyers or promotional materials! A community information table will be available for attendees to share what they're working on.
At Spark the Springs you will meet emerging Colorado Springs startups, innovators from our community, and experience what its like to walk down the Hollywood Red Carpet!
Interested in showcasing your venture? Email ldoster@uccs.edu.
🥂 Five Years of Sparking Colorado Springs
What began as a gathering to celebrate entrepreneurship has grown into one of EPIIC's signature community events.
For our 5th annual Spark the Springs, we're bringing the community together once again to celebrate the founders taking risks, the organizations supporting them, the students preparing to build what comes next, and everyone helping strengthen Colorado Springs as a place where ideas can become companies.
Come walk the red carpet with us.
We’ll see you at Spark the Springs. 🎬✨
Proud Sponsors of the 2026 Torch Grants
Presented by Sparks Willson, P.C,
Startup Showcase sponsored by SVA Certified Public Accountants
Torch Grants Sponsored by
Mr. Jim Waldrop