Denver ranked top in Forbes list
In a new list released by Forbes this week, Denver came in first place among 100 cities as the best place for business and careers. It’s the city’s second consecutive year in the top spot on the list and was joined by other four other Colorado cities: Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins and Greeley. The list is based on the diversity of cities’ economies, projected growth and the education level of their workforces. [Forbes]
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VR haunted house comes to Denver
A new local startup has set up a virtual reality-based haunted house at Denver’s Epic Brewing. Guests choose between three frightening experiences — heights, zombies and an insane asylum — strap on a VR headset and dive in. The experience also has physical, real-world elements to trick guests’ minds into thinking the events on the screen are truly happening. The haunted house will be open through Nov. 6. [Denver Business Journal]
Tech’s latest challenge: Filling 10K cybersecurity jobs
At the Colorado Technology Association’s Colorado Tech Summit this week, a panel discussed some of the biggest challenges facing the state’s flourishing cybersecurity industry. Along with threats from teenage hackers and malicious nation-states, the industry’s key challenge is filling the 10,000 available jobs. The panel — including newly-named CEO of the forthcoming National Cybersecurity Center, Ed Rios — said the key to filling these jobs is preparing the workforce by nurturing an interest in the field among young students and focusing on training that emphasizes the skills necessary for success, including anthropology and sociology skills. [Denver Post]
Government Technology highlights Denver’s smart city efforts
In a feature by Government Technology, the City of Denver’s CIO, Scott Cardenas, outlined how different city departments came together to create a “smart city” initiative for Denver. The city hopes to implement different public-serving technologies targeting issues like public safety, transportation and homelessness. [Government Technology]
Ibotta wins inaugural Colorado Startup Games
Denver consumer mobile startup Ibotta took home the trophy from the first-ever Colorado Startup Games earlier this week. The competition, hosted by the Austin-based nonprofit of the same name, pitted area companies against each other in events like cornhole and flip cup. As a result of their victory, $7,000 will be donated to Ibotta’s organization of choice, Judi’s House. Judi’s House provides grief counseling for children who have lost a parent. [ColoradoBIZ]
New cannabis startup launches
Cultivate, a Boulder-based startup, launched their first product earlier this month. The app is designed to boost customer retention and engagement in the cannabis industry, bridging the gap between patients and dispensaries, and customers and retailers. Through Cultivate, dispensaries and retailers can customize a white-labeled iOS app, online menu and an iPad for customers to place orders on-site. [Reader tip]
Photos via Shutterstock, featured companies and social media.
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