Start, Grow, and Stay Conference Announcement

Written by: Peggy Cromwell, Content Writer and Media Specialist Intern

We are excited to announce the Start, Grow, and Stay Conference at Fresno State in May! It is a celebration of the entrepreneurs here in the Valley, with networking opportunities with our partners through the Accelerate California program, two pitch contests, and a reception at the end, where you can get to know the other people in the area. The Start, Grow, and Stay pitch competition winners will receive advanced mentorship and coaching, along with a nomination for one of two Innovation Grants offered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. We can recommend one company for a $25,000 investment and one for a $75,000 investment, with our categories split based on the stage of the business or concept. We are still actively looking for applicants until April 30th, so please apply if this sounds like a good fit for you and your business, or reach out to us if you aren’t quite sure. We aim to connect with entrepreneurs and help them explore the available support options. Our goal is to ensure that when they have their next big idea, they know exactly how to bring it to life.

The Accelerate California program is an initiative that aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the state. Funded by the State of California and administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate, the program bolsters the regional innovation ecosystem, strengthens innovation assets, increases business growth, and creates jobs across underserved communities. It also supports a diverse group of entrepreneurs. As the WET Center, we work with a number of other groups throughout the Central Valley in order to share our resources amongst the next generation of founders.

We have two levels to the pitch contest based on the specific grant the winner will be recommended for. The $25,000 grant is the Proof of Concept, which supports early-stage ventures conducting feasibility studies, market validation, and prototype development. This funding aims to assist businesses in establishing a foundation for future commercialization. You should apply if you have a new and innovative idea but need to complete research or develop a prototype before you are fully ready to launch.

Our second level to our pitch competition is for more advanced businesses that are a bit further along. The $75,000 grant is the Early Commercialization grant, which supports ventures transitioning from research and development to market readiness. This funding is intended for businesses that have validated their innovation and are prepared to implement commercialization strategies, refine business models, and scale operations. You should apply if you are ready to go to market with a prototype or business plan.

This will be a great day to learn about the entrepreneurial landscape here in the Central Valley, and we hope you can join us! It will be a great chance to network and see the starting stages of some great new businesses. We are excited to gather a driven group of entrepreneurs for this event! If you or someone you know fits this description, please apply here.