Senior Partner and Co-Founder of Epic River, LLC, Jeff Grobaski, is scheduled to speak at the 2014 Bixpo Workforce Symposium hosted by BizWest Media and the Larimer County Workforce Center. The event offers Northern Colorado business leaders and community stakeholders an opportunity to discover innovative models, best practices and proactive strategies that address workforce challenges.

InnovatioNews.com Article by Steve PorterThe software developers at Epic River were nearly stacked on top of each other before they moved to Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT) last January. Today, they’re basking in a roomy, well-lit, high-tech space in Building D of the center, which occupies most of the former Agilent campus in southwest Loveland. And there’s tons of room to expand for the rapidly growing company, as it and one other company – DataTraks – remain the sole occupants of RMCIT so far. "It's removed one of the fears of growth," said Jeff Grobaski, Epic River co-founder and senior partner "We're probably going to have to expand again within the next 12 months, and it's not scary." Epic River has grown quickly in its nine years of existence, starting with just three staff in 2005. The custom software company now employs 25. In addition to Grobaski, the company is led by co-founder and senior partner Steve Wood and managing partner Scott Mead. Grobaski said many factors have contributed to the company’s growth and success and staying power, but one stands out. Check out the rest of InnovatioNews.com's article, Epic River takes Customized Software Development to a Higher Level at RMCIT in Loveland.

Accelerating the Process of Innovation

The Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT) has seen a lot of activity in its history prior to 2007. But once Agilent vacated the 810,000-square-foot campus in south Loveland seven years ago, little has happened to the property other than the transfer of ownership. However, all of that changed in the fall of 2013 when DataTracks made the move to the campus that is now owned by Cumberland and Western Resources. Epic River was close behind with a move to the RMCIT campus in January 2014. With the doubling of employee growth in just two years, Epic River was in need of additional office space. Not only did the idea of site expansion over time appeal to the company, but the endless opportunities made available simply by residing on the same campus as other technology companies was even more attractive. And with that, Epic River made the move and signed a five-year lease agreement with Cumberland and Western Resources in early 2014.

When Epic River's employee growth doubled within two years, a move to a larger facility became increasingly eminent. And the 810,000-square-foot complex known as the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT) quickly became an obvious candidate. Not only did the location offer unlimited space availability to accommodate employee growth, but it also offered the company opportunities to network with other technology companies.

Not only has Colorado claimed 20% of the spots on the Entrepreneur.com list of top locations for technology startups, but the Fort Collins-Loveland area claimed the #2 spot. Freelance writer Brad Shannon took notice and quickly identified Epic River as one of the five digital startup leaders to watch. Read the full story.

I hate starting 2014 out like this, but it just has to be said, "This healthcare mess cannot continue!" There. That feels better. Except one little thing. It probably will continue. And get increasingly messy.

As preparations continue for the impending move to the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology (RMCIT), Epic River approached the Loveland City Council with a mutually beneficial incentive deal to assist with the company's transition to the larger facility. During the December 17 meeting, Marci Erion, City of Loveland Business Specialist, presented the Incentive Agreement Request and indicated that Epic River had signed a Letter of Intent for a five-year lease with Cumberland and Western Resources, the owners of the former Hewlett-Packard/Agilent campus.

Photo courtesy of rmcinnovate.com After doubling in size within the past two years, Epic River’s need to increase its office space was becoming urgent. Originally located in Loveland, Colorado, the company needed office space that would be conducive to the high-tech company’s growth patterns while remaining located near northern Colorado’s two primary transportation arteries, Interstate 25 and U.S. Highway 34. So when company executives began researching the 177 acre parcel known as the Rocky Mountain Center for Innovation and Technology, the company took note of the more than 811,000 square feet of office and manufacturing space. The campus, formerly owned by Agilent Technologies and now managed by Cumberland and Western, provides ample room for companies to locate a large operation in a single location and still have room to grow. Photo courtesy rmcinnovate.com Epic River began to focus on building D, the largest of the four available buildings, which included newly renovated offices, a walkout garden level, and a beautiful courtyard between buildings C and D. And the campus’ mountain views of Colorado’s northern front range, the Big Thompson River Valley and the city of Loveland wasn’t anything to ignore either. “Though our need for space was the initial driving factor in relocating Epic River, the Innovation Center’s collaborative work environment with other high tech companies offers a mutually beneficial relationship that we believe adds momentum to Epic River’s growth potential,” noted Scott Mead, Epic River’s Managing Partner. Epic River is planning an office build out over the next few months and will be the second tenant to the RMCIT when it relocates its office headquarters in spring 2014.

After a two year controlled, measurable launch with six financial institutions, MyLoans announces its national rollout.