Cory Finney

Cory Finney is the Managing Partner of Howdy Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in founders building in rural and overlooked regions across Colorado. 

A sixth-generation Coloradan born and raised in Durango, Cory’s work is rooted in the belief that innovation isn’t confined to major cities—and that exceptional companies can be built anywhere. 

He began his career as a founder, co-creating SnowGate while at the University of Colorado Boulder and leading it from concept to acquisition. He later served as Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Boomtown Accelerator, where he worked hands-on with dozens of early-stage companies, before co-founding Kokopelli Capital, the first pre-seed fund in the Rocky Mountain Region. 

In 2018, Cory co-founded the Greater Colorado Venture Fund (now Howdy Partners), pioneering a place-based venture model focused on unlocking capital and opportunity in rural communities. Today, he backs founders across sectors including SaaS, AI, AgTech, and outdoor industries, combining capital with deep, hands-on support.