M.Fin. Bonnie Watson

Bonnie Watson, M.Fin., is a finance professional and entrepreneur with a strong background in venture capital, banking, and supporting small businesses in Colorado. Here's a comprehensive overview of her career and background:

Education and Early Career

Bonnie Watson grew up in Evergreen, Colorado, and considers herself a native Coloradan. She pursued her education at Colorado Mesa University (formerly Mesa State), where she studied finance. Later, she earned her Master's in Finance from Colorado State University.1

Her professional journey began in banking, where she started as a management associate and credit analyst. Over time, she built and managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio of commercial business and residential clients.1

Telluride Venture Network

Watson served as the Managing Director at the Telluride Venture Network (TVN).2 In this role, she:

• Managed TVN's mentor network, bootcamps, regional loan fund, and venture fund2
• Deployed capital from the Telluride Venture Fund and San Juan Regional Loan Fund3
• Led boards and investment committees to approve capital deployment3

During her time at TVN, Watson became deeply immersed in venture capital, high-growth startups, accelerators, and mentorship programs.1

Entrepreneurial Support

Over the past decade, Watson has mentored, accelerated, and funded over 100 businesses in Colorado and beyond.1 Her work has focused on supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, particularly in rural communities. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur herself, she has a profound respect for small business owners and understands the challenges they face.1

Current Role

As of September 12, 2023, Bonnie Watson has taken on the role of CEO at Energize Colorado.14 In this position, she aims to continue supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout Colorado by providing impactful capital solutions and valuable resources.1

Philosophy and Approach

Watson's experiences have shaped her philosophy on entrepreneurship and lending:

1. She recognizes the need for character-based lending, especially for underserved entrepreneurs.1
2. She believes that entrepreneurship is a rewarding but challenging journey, and is committed to helping accelerate this journey for others.1
3. She emphasizes the importance of small businesses as the lifeblood of the economy and the charm of Colorado's main streets.1

Bonnie Watson's career trajectory demonstrates her commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small businesses in Colorado, particularly through innovative financing and mentorship approaches.