The 2025 NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition showcased the culmination of a six-month business accelerator program designed to promote circular economy-based ventures and foster innovation in sustainable design, reuse, repair, compost, recycling, and material recovery solutions for end markets in Colorado. Funded by the Colorado Circular Communities (C3) Enterprise, this program supports teams in advancing their circular ventures to create impactful solutions within the state.

Grand Prize Winner

The 2025 NextCycle Colorado Pitch Competition winner: Blazin' Joe!

Maddie Cataldo and Maya Nefs impressed the panel of judges with a compelling pitch that not only showcased a strong value proposition but also demonstrated clear potential for investment. Their women-owned business is transforming coffee waste into eco-friendly fire logs and starters. By repurposing chaff from coffee roasters—a byproduct that contributes to CO₂ emissions equivalent to 10 million cars annually and poses significant fire hazards—they create a cleaner-burning, sustainable alternative to traditional fire products.

Congratulations to Blazin’ Joe!

People’s Choice Winner

A big round of applause to SURPStone, the recipient of this year’s People’s Choice Award!

Selected by audience vote, Jill Layton won over the crowd with her passion for turning Single Use Recycled Plastic (SURP) into durable pavers and concrete products. By using plastic as aggregate, SURPStone strengthens concrete, making it more resistant to freeze and thaw stress while reducing the need for CO₂-intensive crushed rock and sand. In Colorado, affordable end markets for this type of feedstock are limited, and Jill is currently running nearly every aspect of the business herself. This award will help her get closer to her goal of expanding operations and growing her team.

Congratulations to SURPStone!