Paul Major co-founded a nationally recognized rural accelerator and fund to diversify a fragile ski-town economy, using local philanthropists and angel investors to back startups that would create economic resilience in remote Telluride rather than a major tech hub. As a longtime community foundation CEO turned venture GP, he brings an unusual background of community philanthropy and civic leadership to venture investing, combined with experience as an Olympic alpine ski coach and ski resort business development executive. Paul Major co-founded a nationally recognized rural accelerator and fund to diversify a fragile ski-town economy, using local philanthropists and angel investors to back startups that would create economic resilience in remote Telluride rather than a major tech hub. As a longtime community foundation CEO turned venture GP, he brings an unusual background of community philanthropy and civic leadership to venture investing, combined with experience as an Olympic alpine ski coach and ski resort business development executive.