Amplifying stories from the Rochester, MN entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Q&A with Juliana Silva - Community Insights and the Evolution of the Incubator Program
Q: Tell me a bit about you! What is your background in work and education, what brought you to Rochester, and what are some of your hobbies and interests?
A: I have a Bachelor in Business and an MBA, and my background blends marketing experience with a love for numbers—I’m a bit of a finance geek at heart. I’ve always been drawn to spaces where strategy, creativity, and community impact come together, which led me to work across both startups and mission-driven organizations.
I originally moved to Rochester from Colombia when my husband began his training at Mayo. What started as a personal move turned into a professional opportunity—I found a growing city with a strong sense of community and a lot of untapped entrepreneurial potential.
Outside of work, I love traveling—Japan was one of my favorite recent adventures. I also enjoy connecting with new people, and diving into podcast about personal finance and entrepreneurship while working out.
Q: We recently concluded our third cohort of the Collider Community Incubator program, how have you seen the program evolve and change over the last few cohorts to best serve the participants?
A: We just wrapped up our third cohort, and the program has really evolved. We’ve been refining it to offer participants a better experience—one that’s more aligned with the stage their business is in. That means more relevant workshops, targeted content, and support that truly meets them where they are.
We also introduced a prize during Demo Day to recognize the hard work participants have put in throughout the program. It’s become more than a final presentation—it’s a celebration of their growth and effort.
Q: What are some of the most unique or interesting businesses you’ve seen come through the program?
A: That’s such a hard question because every business is interesting in its own way. One that stands out is Wren Writing, an app designed to help writers stay motivated and finish their projects. It’s been incredible to see how the founder refined the idea during the incubator and went on to compete in the Ignite Cup and most recently in MN Cup.
What I find most inspiring is that these businesses are deeply rooted in the founder’s personal experience and community needs. They’re not just building products—they’re solving real challenges with purpose and a deep personal meaning.
Q: What inspired you to develop the incubator program? What gap in Rochester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem does it fill?
A: We noticed that while Rochester had some startup resources, there was a missing step—something to support people in the very early stages, especially those who didn’t see themselves as "traditional entrepreneurs."
The incubator is meant to be that soft landing. A place where people can test ideas, build confidence, and grow in a supportive environment without having to be pitch-ready or tech-focused. It fills a gap by being accessible, human-centered, and rooted in relationships—not just business plans.
Q: What are some of your thoughts on building inclusive, diverse economic entrepreneurial ecosystems? How do you feel that Collider works toward that in Rochester?
A: Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. From offering programs at no cost, to providing interpretation, to partnering with community leaders—we’re intentional about removing barriers to access.
We know that entrepreneurship can be a pathway to generational wealth and community impact, so we make sure our programs reflect the diversity of the city.
It’s also about listening. We don’t assume what people need—we co-create programs with the communities we serve.
Q: What do you think is the greatest challenge Rochester entrepreneurs are currently facing? What can ecosystem builders do to help?
A: One of the biggest challenges is access—whether that’s access to capital, space, networks, or just plain confidence. A lot of early-stage entrepreneurs are doing everything on their own, and it can be overwhelming. They need people who believe in them before the traction shows up.
As ecosystem builders, we can help by showing up consistently, making connections that matter, and making resources easier to navigate.
Q: Do you have any advice or insights to share with early stage or aspiring entrepreneurs in Rochester?
A: Start small, but start. Clarity comes from doing—not from waiting until everything is perfect. Surround yourself with community. You don’t need to go it alone, and you’re not supposed to. And don’t underestimate the power of your story—your background, your challenges, your experiences—they all shape the value you bring through your business.
Learn more about the Collider Community Incubator here! Applications for our fall cohort will open soon!
Program Update: CO.STARTERS at Collider
CO.STARTERS at Collider continues to be a powerful catalyst for entrepreneurship in our region. This January, we launched our 8th cohort—our first to offer participation free of charge through a competitive application process. Over 10 weeks, participants built critical business skills, grew their confidence, and ended with public pitches at our Collider Cup event, where Emerald Edge Builders took home the $1,000 grand prize.
Our most recent cohort was one of our most diverse yet, spanning industries from construction to tech and tourism. Their progress was remarkable—not only in their business skills but also in the sense of community and confidence they gained. These entrepreneurs now join a growing network of 48 alumni, 60% of whom remain actively engaged with the organization and are advancing their businesses through monthly meetups and new milestones in development.
Our CO.STARTERS at Collider graduates are creating a range of businesses, with the most common being in the technology, personal services, food and beverage, or business service spaces.
Our graduates have also made some major headlines this year. Three of our CO.STARTERS at Collider alumni competed in the final round of the Ignite Cup this March, a feeder system into the Minnesota Cup, the largest state run business plan contest in the country. The competition winner, Hope Technologies, was a graduate of our inaugural cohort in summer 2022 and is currently advancing through the Minnesota Cup competition.
Christy and Aaron Chan of Hope Technologies.
Other CO.STARTERS alumni made the news with Winter 2024 graduates Gina Marcucci and Abram Krause of Goldberry Common getting a profile in Voyage Minnesota's Hidden Gems series and recent graduate Denise Frey of 4 Youth LLC being feature by KIMT3 news.
With support from the Rochester community, barriers have been removed for these starters and they are continuing to push forward, bringing their dreams to life in this community. Thank you for your continued belief, support, and action to make entrepreneurship a reality for so many who want to make a difference.
Thank you to all of our CO.STARTERS at Collider supporters, including:
Minnwest Bank
Southeast Minnesota Small Business Development Center
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development's Small Business Technical Assistance Program
Otto Bremer Trust
Mayo Clinic Department of Business Development
Fredrikson & Byron Foundation
Think Mutual Bank
Entrepreneurs First (E1) Network
Collider Foundation Receives Grant Through the Mayo Clinic Community Contributions Program
Collider Foundation was recently awarded a grant through Mayo Clinic’s Community Contributions Program. This generous funding will support Collider’s ongoing mission to empower early-stage entrepreneurs throughout Rochester, Minnesota.
Collider Foundation is dedicated to helping local innovators break through the barriers to success by fostering a supportive, inclusive, and entrepreneur-first ecosystem. With this funding, the foundation will be able to continue its work, offering both programmatic and operational support throughout 2025.
Collider Foundation supports its mission to make entrepreneurship more accessible and inclusive through a variety of initiatives, including events, education, a coworking space, and community storytelling. Collider Foundation believes that the support, education, and growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem is a pathway to a more prosperous and inclusive future for the Rochester community.
Originally launched as a for-profit coworking space in 2016, the Collider team realized that the real value the organization brought to the community lay in education, mentorship, and storytelling for local entrepreneurs. This insight led to Collider's transformation into a nonprofit in 2019, focusing specifically on supporting early-stage entrepreneurs and making business ownership more approachable for everyone, especially those facing the greatest barriers to entrepreneurship.
Today, Collider Foundation offers personalized startup support, a comprehensive framework for business development through free or low cost business education, a welcoming coworking environment, and a platform to highlight the inspiring stories of Rochester entrepreneurs.
“It takes the work of many individuals, organizations, and systems of support to create a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem with economic mobility for all. We are constantly grateful to have Mayo Clinic as a collaborator and supporter of our work at Collider Foundation to provide pathways to entrepreneurship for anyone in the community with a solid business plan and the passion to see that business grow,” said Amanda Leightner, Collider Foundation Executive Director.
If you have any questions about Collider or our work within the community, please contact Amanda Leightner at amanda@collider.mn or call (507) 722-0306.