Incubator space aims at keeping innovative startups in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Large companies or government branches like Space Force draw major attention when they choose Southern Colorado as a base. But how can this area attract and keep smaller companies?

Milestones for Growth is banking on tech start-ups in Colorado Springs. The building, off N. Nevada Ave, is owned by the Fagnant family. They also run Qualtek Manufacturing, located right next door.

Christopher Fagnant says the original plan was to move into the huge space, but later the family decided to renovate the building and create a collaborative space for the growing tech and manufacturing community. 

"Different businesses have different needs, and so we tried to build the building as inclusive as possible," he said. 

All said, Milestones for Growth has room for eight tenants, but space if filling-up fast.

"We're getting a lot of great feedback. We still have three units available," he said. 

One of those already-taken spots belongs to Motominded. The tech company prints products and accessories for motocross bikes using a small army of 3D printers. 

Chris Vestal owns the company and says this space kept his small company in the Springs. 

"My initial search [was] in a full panic to finding somewhere in Colorado Springs. We were looking on the western slope, we were looking in Utah, we were looking in Arizona because we couldn't find that space. Finding it was helping us stay here," he said. 

He says without the worry of moving into a large space before they're ready, they can focus on the important things.

"We're able to focus our growth and focus on our next milestone," he said.