Rocky Mountain High Growth: Expanding Your Startup to Denver
22 October 2025
- Scaling Up
- Ignite
Rocky Mountain High Growth: Expanding Your Startup to Denver
Join in the Mile High City momentum, connecting NZ innovation to Denver's ecosystem. Denver has emerged as an attractive hub for Kiwi startups and offers a compelling environment for New Zealand founders looking to enter the U.S. by providing a supportive ecosystem, established partnerships, and access to key industries, resources and venture capital. From Auckland to the Rockies, Denver is a path for building meaningful bridges for global success. Learn how Denver can be the next edge, looking beyond the mountains to boost your U.S. expansion efforts with ease and confidence.
Free
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Speakers
Stephanie Garnica
Director Global Engagement at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
Stephanie Garnica is the Director of Global Engagement at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, where she leads the city’s international strategy, diplomacy, and foreign investment initiatives. She has held leadership roles at Denver International Airport, World Trade Center Denver, and Colorado’s Office of Economic Development. Fluent in Spanish, Stephanie has lived and worked in Central America and serves on several globally focused boards. She holds a master’s in International Business and an undergraduate degree in International Marketing from the University of Colorado. A mother of three, she enjoys hiking, travelling, cooking, and raising globally minded kids.
Vanessa Simsick
Senior Global Engagement Manager at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
Vanessa Simsick is the Senior Global Engagement Manager at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, where she advances foreign investment and international diplomacy for the city. Her career spans global sport, including the Olympic Games, and international trade leadership in Chicago, supporting U.S. businesses abroad. A Denver native, she serves on the WorldDenver Board of Directors, speaks French, and is passionate about global engagement. With experience in Europe and the U.S., Vanessa brings a dynamic international perspective. Outside of work, she is an avid traveller who enjoys outdoor adventures and exploring new cultures.
