Collider Welcomes Peter Burghardt as Executive Director
Collider, a Rochester nonprofit that helps early-stage companies launch and grow, has named Peter Burghardt as its new Executive Director, tapping an experienced entrepreneur and startup advisor to lead its next phase of growth and impact.
Founded in 2018, Collider was created to strengthen Rochester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing a central hub for founders to access mentorship, programming and community connections. Since its launch, the organization has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and played a key role in advancing innovation and small business growth in the region.
Burghardt joins Collider with a background that spans startup operations, venture support and creative entrepreneurship. From 2016 to 2024, he worked with early-stage companies at The Batchery, a Berkeley, CA-based startup accelerator, where he helped more than 200 founders navigate product development, market entry and capital strategy. In 2024, he founded Stringtree, an online marketplace for vintage and high-value musical instruments.
“Peter brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial experience, creative thinking and deep understanding of what it takes to build and support early-stage companies,” said Pamela York, Board Chair of Collider and General Partner at Capita3. “His passion for community-driven innovation aligns perfectly with Collider’s mission, and we’re excited for the energy and vision he will bring to Rochester’s growing startup ecosystem.”
Originally from Minnetrista, Minnesota, Burghardt is returning to the state with a deep commitment to helping entrepreneurs succeed and a belief in the power of strong, locally rooted ecosystems.
“Collider’s work is in line with my passion for helping startups get going—and get going right,” Burghardt said. “I’m a builder by nature and I love supporting people as they figure out how the puzzle pieces fit together for a successful business.”
As Executive Director, Burghardt will focus on expanding Collider’s role as a “front door” for entrepreneurship in Rochester—helping founders access the resources, relationships and capital they need to succeed. His priorities include strengthening partnerships between founders, investors and community partners across the region, enhancing early-stage programming and exploring opportunities to increase access to funding for startups.
Burghardt sees significant opportunity in Rochester’s unique assets. “When you have a community like Rochester—an epicenter for incredibly talented people, innovation, and investment —it creates exciting opportunities for new ideas to take shape,” Burghardt said. “There’s so much potential here to build businesses that improve quality of life and contribute to a vibrant, growing economy.”
Burghardt and his family are relocating to Rochester, where he looks forward to connecting with the community and helping shape its entrepreneurial future.
About Collider
Collider is a Rochester-based nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs and early-stage companies through programming, mentorship and community connections. By serving as a central hub for innovation, Collider helps founders launch, grow and scale their businesses while contributing to a thriving regional economy.
Media contact:
Megan Malugani, Interim Director of Communications
Collider Foundation
507-251-6599
https://www.collider.mn
Collider Welcomes Pam Bishop as Interim Executive Director
Collider is pleased to announce the appointment of Pam Bishop as Interim Executive Director. Pam will lead Collider through a transitional period while the Board of Directors conducts a comprehensive search for the organization’s next permanent executive director.
Pam brings decades of experience in regional economic development, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurial ecosystem building to Collider’s mission of activating, connecting, and empowering entrepreneurs in Rochester. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Economic Development with the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), where she led initiatives to strengthen small business growth and community vitality across the region.
Throughout her career, Pam has demonstrated a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for entrepreneurs and fostering vibrant local economies.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pam Bishop as Collider’s Interim Executive Director,” said Pamela York, Board Chair of Collider Foundation. “Her extensive experience leading economic and community development efforts, paired with her dedication to supporting entrepreneurs at all stages, makes her exceptionally well-suited to guide Collider during this transition. We look forward to her leadership as we continue to advance our vision and prepare for a successful next chapter.”
In her role as Interim Executive Director, Pam will oversee day-to-day operations, deepen partnerships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and support the Board in shaping a thoughtful and inclusive search process for Collider’s next permanent executive director.
“I’m honored to serve as Collider’s Interim Executive Director,” said Pam Bishop. “Collider’s impact on entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners in Rochester is powerful and inspiring. I look forward to working with the team, partners, and community to build on that impact as we move forward together.”
This appointment underscores Collider’s commitment to strong leadership and strategic continuity as the organization continues to grow its programs and services for entrepreneurs in the region.
Media Contact:
Pamela York, Board Chair
Collider Foundation
(507)-722-0306
hello@collider.mn
Collider Foundation Announces Leadership Transition as Executive Director Amanda Leightner Accepts Role with City of Rochester
Collider celebrates exceptional growth and strong organizational foundation as it prepares for next chapter of impact
ROCHESTER, MN – Collider Foundation announced today that Executive Director Amanda Leightner will be departing to assume the role of Economic Mobility Specialist for the City of Rochester. During her tenure, Leightner led the organization through a period of extraordinary growth by expanding services to Rochester entrepreneurs and building a strong operational and financial foundation for continued impact.
Under Leightner's leadership alongside co-founder Traci Downs, Collider Foundation grew over tenfold in organizational capacity and impact. The Foundation greatly expanded its reach to over 250 entrepreneurs a year, added four new team members, and developed comprehensive programs focused on removing barriers and increasing access to capital for local entrepreneurial communities. The organization currently operates with a substantial financial runway and well-structured programs designed to scale.
"We are excited for Amanda and the professional opportunities this new role provides for her," said Pamela York, Board Chair of Collider Foundation. "For Collider, she has been an exceptional leader. Under her vision, we've grown our training and educational programs and entrepreneurial services significantly. The organization is ready to expand to the next level — by offering capital for business growth, creating a strategic hub for connections, and building even more partnerships across the community to systemically support entrepreneurship."
"It has been an honor to serve Collider and Rochester's entrepreneurial community," said Amanda Leightner. "I'm extremely proud of what we've accomplished together and excited to see the organization continue to grow and deepen its impact. This transition allows me to continue supporting economic opportunities in our community from a different vantage point, and I'm excited for Collider's future."
The Foundation will be conducting a comprehensive search for a new Executive Director. The Board of Directors is seeking a forward-looking leader excited to amplify Collider's scale and impact during this next era of organizational growth.
"The current team, with Amanda at the helm, has been a gamechanger for Rochester—everything is in place as she built a strong foundation and created an impressive trajectory of growth," former Board Chair, Traci Downs added. “I can’t wait to see how the next chapter of Collider unfolds; the sky’s the limit.”
The Foundation has deepened its impact as it joined the Rochester Economic Development Center, expanded programming with everything from CO.STARTERS to an intensive incubator program, enhanced connectivity opportunities, and increased social interaction and co-working space for entrepreneurs. These initiatives have created measurable pathways for Rochester entrepreneurs to access resources, start their businesses, and contribute to Rochester’s economic vitality.
About Collider Foundation
Collider Foundation supports entrepreneurs in Rochester, MN by removing barriers to success and increasing access to capital, training, and strategic connections. Through comprehensive programming and community partnerships, Collider empowers entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and scale their businesses while building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. For more information, visit www.collider.mn
Media Contact:
Pamela York, Board Chair
Collider Foundation
(507)-722-0306
hello@collider.mn
Collider Foundation Receives Funding from CLA Foundation
Rochester 501(c)3 nonprofit Collider Foundation is thrilled to announce it has received a grant of $15,000 from the CLA Foundation. This grant is a testament to Collider’s ongoing work within the community and will enable Collider to continue its mission of empowering Rochester's entrepreneurs through startup support, business education, community focused coworking and storytelling. Collider 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.
“The CLA Foundation believes in the power of education, employment, and entrepreneurship to transform lives,” said Susan Carter, executive director of the CLA Foundation. “Our grants are designed to support organizations that embody these principles and strive to create lasting impacts within their communities. By funding initiatives that promote these three E’s, we’re helping to build a brighter future for all and further our commitment to be connected to the communities in which we live and work.”
The grant will be used to support various initiatives at Collider Foundation, including operational funding for its well established programming such as 1:1 startup support, cohort based education, inclusive storytelling, and a welcoming community space – all geared towards lowering barriers to entrepreneurship for those who need it most.
“CLA has been a long supporter and partner of the work done here at Collider. With a shared vision of how entrepreneurship can transform lives, we are extremely grateful for this generous support to foster new ideas and innovations and get business ideas off the ground in the Rochester community,” said Amanda Leighter, Collider Foundation Executive Director.
The CLA Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization. This foundation supports a variety of initiatives aimed at improving education, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. The Foundation provides grants to support organizations as they advance their missions and make a tangible difference in their communities. The Foundation is exclusively funded by contributions from CLA family members and does not accept unsolicited grant proposals from external organizations.
For more information about the CLA Foundation, please visit Community Impact: CLA.
In 2016, Collider began as a for profit coworking space to serve the Rochester community and provide a place for innovation minded individuals to connect to spark new ideas. Recognizing that most of the work being performed was better served under a nonprofit model, Collider transitioned in 2019 to a 501(c)3 organization with the mission to activate, connect, and empower early stage entrepreneurs in Rochester, Minnesota. Since then, Collider has served over 1,488 Rochester-based entrepreneurs through 1:1 startup support, low-cost business education, a supportive community work environment, and a platform for the stories of local entrepreneurs. This year, its team aims to remove barriers for 300+ individuals within the community to open up inclusive, accessible pathways to business ownership.
For additional information about Collider and its work within the Rochester community, contact Amanda Leightner at amanda@collider.mn or call (507) 722-0306.