The Start, Grow, Stay Conference: A Celebration of Innovation in the Central Valley
- BTV Student
- Jun 6
- 3 min read
Written by: Peggy Cromwell, Content Writer and Media Specialist Intern
The Start, Grow, Stay Conference was a resounding success! We welcomed a vibrant mix of entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders who came to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and explore the resources available right here in the Central Valley. We are so excited to announce that we will be doing it again this year! We hope to make this an annual event.
A Pitch Competition Full of Potential
We were honored to host a pitch competition featuring standout innovators, all of whom impressed us with their vision and passion. Taking home top honors was Green Evolution Technologies, whose patented Hydrogel, developed through a groundbreaking Frontal Polymerization process, is poised to change the game in sustainable agriculture.
Their Hydrogel dramatically increases water and nutrient absorption, reduces nitrogen leaching, and supports healthier soils, with absorption rates 10 to 40 times greater than existing products. With a pilot plant already running in Fresno and a commercial launch planned for Spring 2025, their impact is already taking root. We’re proud to recommend them for CalOSBA’s $75,000 Innovation Grant.
Keynote Inspiration
One of the standout moments of the day was the keynote from Yvette Cuellar, who shared her journey stepping into a leadership role at her family’s business, La Tapatia Tortilleria. Her story about using her English degree to write company manuals and shape internal systems was a powerful reminder that innovation isn’t always about technology—it’s also about clarity, structure, and heart.
Fireside Chat
We had a fantastic group of founders, Amir Caiden Johnson, Calvin Kammer, and Kris Marshall, join us for a fireside chat. They shared their experiences as entrepreneurs in today’s landscape, highlighting the importance of collaboration among small businesses to foster mutual growth.
Partners in Community
None of this would be possible without our amazing partners throughout the Central Valley, who work with us through Accelerate California to provide resources and mentorship to each of the entrepreneurs and small businesses we support. Thank you to each of our partners who were able to have a table at the event, as well as to those who took the time to come up and share with us what they do for the community.
Connections That Matter
We loved seeing the conversations unfold throughout the day. Hearing how each person and group can work together to foster the entrepreneurial network in our area was really inspiring, so we asked the members of your team about their experiences.
Eric reflected: “One of my favorite parts of the job is talking with entrepreneurs. While it’s easy to highlight the exciting and rewarding aspects of building a business, there’s a tremendous authenticity in conversations about the challenges. When entrepreneurs share the late nights, the doubts, and the relentless effort, it’s a powerful reminder that success isn’t handed out— these businesses are built, not gifted.”
Kent shared: "One of the biggest takeaways from the Start, Grow, Stay Conference was interacting with the High School students from Phillip J. Patino School of Entrepreneurship and Fresno State University High School. I was pleasantly surprised to see young entrepreneurs attend our event and connect with the pitch contestants and the WET Center Accelerate CA partners. One student who attended the event enthusiastically commented, “I got a lot out of being an audience member. I felt more empowered to make more client connections and not fear being told 'no thank you' or a flat-out 'no' by potential clients."
Chakty added: “What stood out most about the Start, Grow, and Stay Conference was the genuine collaboration between partners and participants. Everyone left feeling more equipped with practical tools, clearer direction, and new relationships that could move their ideas or businesses forward.”
Peggy shared: “My favorite part of the event was the way people were able to connect with each other after the competition and were able to start building professional connections and relationships over their observations of the participants. I had invited a recent graduate of Fresno State, and I was so glad to see the way she was able to connect with new people and businesses and make connections that might lead to her first industry job."
Looking Ahead
Start, Grow, Stay was more than just a conference, and it was a spark! We’re grateful to everyone who helped make it happen, and we are excited to announce that we will be doing it again next year! Thank you to all who came to support us!
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