Enjoy breakfast and visit with the companies featured in our Innovation Hall before the program begins!

Let the fun begin! Our CEO will kick off the 2025 program with a few words and notes on the future of Colorado Technology Association!

Rachel built Guild into a $4.4 billion education unicorn by the age of 34, redefining career mobility for millions of employees. After experiencing a stroke in August 2023, Rachel’s incredible resilience and leadership continue to inspire Guild’s next chapter of growth and impact. In this fireside chat, Rachel will be paired with Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, to discuss her journey—including overcoming challenges, insights on Colorado’s tech landscape, and opportunities for growth and innovation.

The Colorado Tech Industry Report is a repository of facts, statistics, trends, and insights into the Colorado tech ecosystem. As a follow-up to CTA’s 2022 Colorado Tech Industry Report, the 2024 edition explores new data and trends shaping the state’s innovation ecosystem. Presented by Skylar Elliot Casey, Director of Research at Economic Leadership LLC, this important tool compares the performance of our tech industry against other top metros in the country and highlights our unique assets, as well as emerging challenges facing our community.

Under Bryan’s leadership, Ibotta launched the largest tech IPO in Colorado history in 2024, solidifying its role as an innovation powerhouse. In this conversation, moderated by Mayor Johnston, Bryan will share his perspective on the Colorado’s tech industry and share his vision for the future of the industry.

Amy has revolutionized the insurance technology space, driving innovation and transformation at Vertafore. In this conversation, moderated by Suma Nallapati, CIO, City and County of Denver, Amy will discuss the importance of innovation and what’s next for the state’s tech industry. 

Colorado is rapidly becoming a hub for artificial intelligence innovation, with AI-driven companies shaping industries from healthcare to aerospace.  Join us as we discuss how AI is driving economic growth, revolutionizing industries, and positioning Colorado as a leader in the next wave of technological advancement.

Our AI & The Future Panel brings together top AI leaders and CEOs:

• Sonia Kastner (CEO, Pano AI)
• Dr. Vinay Nair (Founder and CEO, TIFIN)
• Claude Pumilia (CEO, Accuris)
• Howard Wright (VP of Startup Ecosystem, NVIDIA)
• Moderated by Kristina Conley (Data, Analytics, & AI Senior Director, Slalom)

We’ll celebrate our 2025 Advocate of the Year Award Winner, Elevate Quantum, for their work advancing the technology industry in Colorado through their leadership in moving forward policies and ideas that ensure our state’s status as a prominent tech hub. 

Take a break and enjoy time to network while you explore the booths in our Innovation Hall!

Don’t forget your passport! Visit every booth and you’ll be entered to win a  round-trip, first-class ticket with United Airlines! 

Don’t miss it– We will be giving away 100 copies of Dan Caruso’s new book, Bandwith! Be sure to swing by to meet Dan and get your copy signed during the break. 

The APEX Awards Luncheon will kick off with a conversation with Dan Caruso, Managing Director of Caruso Ventures moderated by Stephanie Copeland, Managing Partner of Four Points Funding. Dan will talk about his new book, Bandwith, as well as his perspective on what makes the Colorado tech industry special.

Following this important conversation, we’ll announce this year’s  APEX Award winners:

• DEI Talent Champion of the Year
• Entrepreneur Excellence Award
• Emerging Tech Leader of the Year
• Project of the Year
• CISO of the Year
• CEO of the Year
• Company of the Year
• CIO of the Year
• Bob Newman Lifetime Achievement Award

Celebrate our 2025 APEX Award winners over dessert in our Innovation Hall!

Don’t forget to return your completed passport to be entered to win a first-class, roundtrip flight with United Airlines!