Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has signed two executive orders to promote investment in the state's bioscience and clean technology industries. The bioscience industry encompasses products and services developed from research in life sciences, including medical devices, diagnostics, and pharmaceuticals.

In the first executive order, a Clean Technology and Bioscience Investment Opportunity Index will be created for the Colorado Office of Economic Development's website. The index will provide a showcase for the state's bioscience and clean tech start-ups. The start-ups will be able to offer general information for investors seeking a capital investment opportunity.

The second executive order creates a Roundtable on Venture Capital. The Roundtable and a Governor's Advisory Committee will work on growing key industries in the state, including attracting venture capital business.
According to Gov. Ritter's executive order on the Roundtable, bioscience is a thriving industry in Colorado. Employment in the industry has grown over five percent from 2002 to 2006, and academic research and development has grown 72 percent. Boulder, Colo., ranks first in its size in the medical device sector. Research from the University of Colorado has led to the creation of 38 bioscience companies. Colorado ranks 11th in bioscience venture capital investments between 2002 and 2007.

"Over the past four years, Colorado has made huge strides in building a pro-business environment, especially in the areas of clean tech and bioscience," Gov. Ritter said in a press release. "Our economic development strategy is focused on the industries that are leading in innovation -- industries like new energy, bioscience, aerospace and technology. For Colorado to build on these strengths and continue our success, we have to find new and creative ways to increase access to capital for our businesses. That's what these executive orders are all about."

Adapted in part from Gov. Ritter's press release.

Gov. Ritter's remarks and the executive orders can be accessed at: http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=GovRitter%2FGOVRLayout&cid=1251574808552&pagename=GOVRWrapper

More Industry Headlines