Jeffrey Donenfeld

The World’s Best Startup Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship and innovation are everywhere, in every country, across all people, around the globe. During my time working with Boomtown Accelerators on finding, selecting, and supporting seed-stage entrepreneurs, I’ve had the opportunity to get involved with innovation around the world – interviewing founders who have applied for a Boomtown program,… >>>
Speaking with Terawatt career coaching about the power of the entrepreneur and venture investing

This month, I had the opportunity to speak with career coaching firm Terawatt founder Francie Jain about my views on venture investing and the future of technology and entrepreneurship. It was a pleasure speaking with Francie, and I’m honored to join the team of business leaders profiled on the site.… >>>
Judging Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitches.. in an Elevator!

Going up? We sure were at the Denver Startup Week Elevator Pitch Event. I stood in an elevator in downtown Denver and listened to short 1 minute pitches from emerging startups.. super fast, super fun. I also had a chance to introduce Boomtown, and speak a bit about how we… >>>
Reverse Pitching Boomtown at Denver Startup Week

This week, I was happy to pitch Boomtown Accelerators at the Denver Startup Week Reverse Accelerator Pitch Session. Thanks GAN for hosting, and for all of the great questions from the audience. GAN is a highly-curated community of accelerators, partners, and investors who all share a collective purpose of creating… >>>
Mentoring German Marshall Fund YTLI Fellows

This week, I was proud to spend a bit of time working with a group of international entrepreneurs participating in the German Marshall Fund of the United States Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative Fellowship, supported by the U.S. Department of State. We discussed: The quick expansion of the Denver/Boulder area… >>>
Leading the Montreal StartupFest 2019 “Startup Accelerator Communities” Roundtable Discussion

At Montreal StartupFest 2019, I led a roundtable discussion on Building Startup Accelerator Communities, accompanied by industry colleague Tariq Haddadin of Techstars. Thanks to the StartupFest team for putting on a solid event! Discussion Notes: Montreal StartupFest 2019 – Building Startup Accelerator Communities Roundtable Discussion Led by Jeffrey Donenfeld of… >>>
Guiding discussion on Startup Network Building at Montreal StartupFest

This year at Montreal StartupFest, I hosted a discussion with startup accelerator and venture investment leaders on startup network building, alumni services, and dealflow community. Thanks to Montreal StartupFest for a solid event. Startupfest is the leading startup event in Canada. Founded in 2011, it has become the annual gathering… >>>
Keynote – “Startup Investing in the United States” at Kazakhstan’s GoViral Conference

During the June 2019 GoViral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I gave the keynote speech on Startup Investing in the United States. Featured on: Instagram – GoViral.kz, Facebook – GoViral.kz, Facebook – US Embassy Kazakhstan Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together… >>>
Forbes KZ – Making the connection between US and KZ investors

I had a wonderful time speaking with journalist Ulyana Salapaeva writing for Forbes Kazakhstan about making the connecting between US and KZ investors. In summary, I feel that there are a ton of options for Kazakh startups to approach US investors. It’s important to understand the mindset of the US… >>>
Discussing Kazakh startups going international at GoViral Almaty

On Day 1 of GoViral in Almaty, Kazakhstan, I participated in an engaging panel discussion covering details, nuances, and issues with Kazakh startups appealing to an international audience. Thanks for a solid discussion, panel! Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators… >>>
How to position your startup for investors – GoViral KZ Interview

I had a solid discussion about how to position your startup for investors during GoViral.kz in Almaty, Kazakhstan with U.S. Embassy Tashkent Information Officer Susannah Wood. Thanks for the awesome discussion! Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together innovators in media,… >>>
Interviewing on How Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors at GoViral.kz

Aliya Shaikhina and I sat down during the Go Viral Conference in Almaty, Kazakhstan to discuss how Central Asian startups can position themselves for US investors, #entrepreneurship, #investing, #technology, and Boomtown Accelerators. Thanks for your time Aliya, and thanks to the U.S. Consulate Almaty for hosting me at GoViral.kz! Go… >>>
Discussing Where Traditional and Digital Nomads Meet at GoViral Almaty

Thanks to GoViral Organizers and my amazing conference colleagues Rolf Potts, Gani Abadan, Daniyar Amanaliyev, and Saken Nigma for an engaging panel discussing long term travel, working remotely, and the changing landscape of digital productivity. Go Viral is an international festival sponsored by the U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan that brings together… >>>
Mentoring Startups from Emerging Markets at Seedstars World Summit 2019

I’m proud to have spent an action-packed week mentoring startups from global emerging markets at part of the Seedstars 2019 World Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland on behalf of Boomtown Accelerators (where I currently serve as Investment Director) It’s always a pleasure to connect with founders from across the globe, trade… >>>
An incredible view: Apollo 11 Found Footage Todd Douglas Miller Documentary

I’ve watched this one over and over again… the feel of this “found footage” is simply incredible, and its amazing to see the “slice of life” surrounding the Apollo 11 mission. Apollo 11 (2019) From director Todd Douglas Miller (Dinosaur 13) comes a cinematic event fifty years in the making.… >>>
Discussing life in Antarctica on REN TV Russia’s “The Riddles of Humanity”

This week, I appeared on REN TV Russia’s adventure show “The Riddles of Humanity”, Episode 255 to discuss life at the South Pole, Antarctica. Skip to minute 12 of the clip for my segment. My part of the segment covers (Google Translated from Russian: “Why is Antarctica called white Mars?… >>>
Mentoring startups at the Seedstars CEE Summit

In December 2018, I was honored to mentor startups and speak at the Seedstars CEE Summit. Meeting with leading edge entrepreneurs in the CEE region was an inspiring project, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with this engaging group. A few of the key topics covered included: Key… >>>
Checking out the Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs with Longines and Wrist Watch Review

I write watch reviews for Wrist Watch Review, and this past weekend covered for WWR the 2018 Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs as a guest of watchmaker Longines. My original writeup is published on Wrist Watch Review: WWR goes on-site as Longines times the 2018 Breeders Cup at Churchill Downs. … >>>
Pitching Boomtown at the University of Colorado’s Tech Transfer Office Accelerator Seminar

Today I had the opportunity to speak to a group of grad students and early entrepreneurs about the details of the startup accelerator and incubator ecosystem in Boulder. I was joined by industry colleagues from Innosphere, Rockies Venture Club, Boulder Small Business Development Center, and CatalyzeCU. Boomtown Accelerator is currently… >>>
Exploring Panama – Panama City, Boquete, Bocas Del Toro

This September, I had the opportunity to explore Panama with H. A few pics, and our trip notes. Thu Sept 13 Flew Denver to Ft. Lauderdale Tight connection Flew Ft. Lauderdale to Panama City Took Uber to Casco Viejo AirBnB Finally got in bed in AirBnB around 3am. Slept! Fri… >>>
Mentoring Startup Summer Pitch Night

This week, I was pleased to mentor Startup Summer Pitch Night with Silicon Flatirons, at the Boomtown Accelerators office. What a great set of teams! Pleasure working with Sarah Phillips of Boulder Bits. Startup Summer 2018 concludes with a pitch competition, where students from the program pitch their unique startup ideas. This summer, students have interned at local… >>>
Teaching the Galvanize Workshop: What’s Next for My Startup?

This week, I was proud to develop and teach the Galvanize workshop titled “What’s Next for My Startup?“. During this hour-long workshop, I worked with a group of emerging entrepreneurs to discuss pathways for their startups, analyze the state of venture capital, and go over the model we’re pursuing at… >>>
Discussing International Investing and Russian Startups on The Syndicate Podcast

This week, I had the pleasure of recording an interview with Matt Ward of The Syndicate Podcast: “The Russian Startup Scene and What Founders and VCs Need to Know with Jeffrey Donenfeld of Boomtown Accelerator” Listen to me on The Syndicate Podcast: Apple Podcasts, Android, RSS, Direct Here’s what I… >>>
Boomtown Accelerator Demo Day Spring 2018 showcases our 10th Cohort

Last Friday, May 18th, I was proud see Boomtown Accelerator’s 10th cohort showcase their businesses at Demo Day, part of Boulder Startup Week. As Investment Manager at Boomtown, it’s always a satisfying experience seeing the companies I helped to bring into the program finally graduate, with the growth and success… >>>