 |
| |
|
Success at Stockton CEO Crash Course |
|
| |
|
This past summer, BlueTechValley and CleanStart hosted our CEO Crash Course, a series of workshops dedicated to teaching entrepreneurs the finer points of running a business.
The three-installment series has been a great success. The most recent CEO Crash Course took place in Sacramento, California. One participant who attended the boot camp noted that “CEO Crash Course is very interesting...these are exactly the questions we have been dealing with for some time."
Thomas Hall, Executive Director of CleanStart, noted that attendees come away from the crash course with a better understanding of team building. "Everyone was in constant discovery mode. Students engaged in lively discussion with the professors, experienced professionals, and each other, learning about all the implications of different decisions a startup must make regarding its growth strategy."
One of the BTV ventures, Scarlet SolarTiltPort, who participated in the CEO Crash Course is now a proud member of the next a Valley Ventures cohort! You can ascend to this level of success by taking advantage of our numerous services!
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
In the News
|
| Apply to pitch at CVIEF |
At the Central Valley Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum, you will have opportunities to network with investors, venture capitalists, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, not to mention the chance to compete for $10,000!
You can actively participate in the event in two unique ways. First by being part of the pitch showcase competition and second by exhibiting at the stock exchange.
A select group of ventures will compete for the Judges Choice Award by pitching to a panel of judges.
A group of promising startup ventures will have the chance to vie for the attendees’ Bulldog Investment Dollars and will be recognized as the Audience Choice. The deadline for applications is October 8.
Apply to compete for the $10,000 grand prize here!
|
|
|
| Successful Grant Writing Workshops |
BlueTechValley and the Grant Farm, now Momentum, hosted a series of grant writing workshops at our various hubs throughout August and September. The workshops were held at Fresno State, CSU Bakersfield, Humboldt State and the Sierra Business Development Center in Truckee. Lonny Grafman and Cavyn Simon of Humboldt State were happy to report the immense success of the Humboldt workshop and even a few potential BlueTechValley members. You can learn more about our hubs here.
|
|
|
Cleantech Venture Capital is back? Early numbers say yes
|
There has been a major increase in venture capital since the Great Recession ended in 2009. Unlike other industries that are climbing toward recovery, the cleantech sector has reportedly been lacking.
However, data from the Cambridge Association disputes the apparent lag in cleantech. There seems to be an upward acceleration of venture capital investments into the sustainability sector.
Learn more here.
|
|
BioFiltro: VP of Sales
BovControl:
Android Developer
Full-Stack Developer
ECO2MIX: Sales Rep
New Energy Nexus:
Grants Admin Associate
Communications Manager
|
| How the EDA is helping to create new innovations in the food industry to maximize business growth |
Impossible Foods has had explosive success with its meatless star product: the “Impossible Burger.”
The company has garnered $700 million in investments for its plant-based burger, and now has its product in
over 1,400 establishments, including Burger King.
Impossible Foods is just one in a series of ventures in
the food industry that have been able to maximize its business with assistance from the Economic
Development Administration.
Read more here.
|
|
|
| Encore Entrepreneurs |
New data from the Kauffman Indicators of Entrepreneurship is demonstrating a surge of entrepreneurs in their 50s and 60s.
Aliza Sir, director of Income Security at AARP, says that “it’s incredibly important to celebrate and lift up those entrepreneurs" and we may need to revise our notion of the typical entrepreneur.
Learn more here.
|
|
 
|
| Sierra Energy just raised $33 million |
Sierra Energy Corporation just received an investment totaling $33 million. The funds will be used to further develop its new product, which converts fuel without burning. Learn more here.
|
|
Twitter: @BTVCluster
Email: bluetechvalley@csufresno.edu
|
|
| Back to Top |
| WET Member Highlight |
| |
BioFiltro is a wastewater treatment company that works to repurpose wastewater into revenue streams.
Mai Ann Healy of BioFiltro, said “Our worm powered technology is relatively low maintenance and easy to operate when compared to other solutions, making our system and company competitive in not only the sanitary market, but also in the wineries, food processor, dairy, and aquaculture divisions.”
BioFiltro has used BlueTechValley resources to expand their efforts that currently reach six different countries by staying up to date on Central Valley events.
As a Valley Ventures graduate, BioFiltro has had the opportunity to network and reflect upon its business strategies.
Currently, the company is planning to launch a product line geared toward wineries.
Learn more about BioFiltro here.
|
|
|
| Back to Top |
| Team Member Highlight |
|
Miguel Lopez is a U.C. Merced graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Lopez currently works for the Office of Community and Economic Development (OCED) at Fresno State Lopez has an important role in the BlueTechValley Innovation Cluster outreach to rural, disadvantaged, and underrepresented communities throughout California.
“I grew up in a rural community and understand many of the issues that they face. I love getting to visit the numerous and diverse communities in the Central Valley region and getting an opportunity to give back and help them in any way I can.” Lopez said, citing his love for his work. |
When speaking with him, Lopez also referenced a quote by Cesar Chavez: “You are never strong enough that you don't need help.”
|
|
| Back to Top |
| Funding and Other Opportunities |
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative - Sustainable Agricultural Systems
Award Amount: $90 million
Deadline: September 26, 2019
Apply here.
California Air Resources Board: Air Grants Program
Award Amount: $5 million
Deadline: September 30, 2019
Apply here.
Small Business Innovation Research Program - Phase I
Award Amount: $25 million
Deadline: October 23, 2019
Apply here.
Playground Wishes Granted
Award Amount: Up to $90,000
Deadline: October 30, 2019
Apply here.
U.S. National Science Foundation: Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation
Award Amount: $125,000 - $4.5 million
Deadline: November 3, 2019
Apply here.
Food Production Investment Program 2019
Deadline: November 20, 2019
Apply here.
|
|
| Back to Top |
| BlueTechValley and Partner Events |
Central Valley Innovation & Entrepreneurship Forum
Date: October 23, 2019
Location: Clovis, CA
Come network with promising startups! Don't miss out on one of the most unique and interactive events in the Central Valley! Attending CVIEF will give you the opportunity to observe leading innovators for only $45. All the fun of being a savvy millionaire business leader with none of the risks! Register to attend here!
CSU Monterey Bay - Startup Investment and Community Capital
Date: September 27, 2019
Location: Seaside, CA
CSU Monterey Bay is hosting the Startup Investment & Community Capital Expo (SICC) this September! This event will be a perfect opportunity for local startups to network with venture capitalists, bankers, angel investors and others who can help them raise the necessary capital to grow their businesses. The event will feature speakers and panels on capital sources as well as funding success stories and exhibits. Don’t miss your chance to network and connect with the Monterey Bay startup community. Learn more here.
Central Valley Clean Tech Showcase
Date: October 9, 2019
Location: Sacramento, CA
The Central Valley Clean Tech Showcase will bring together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policy makers, regulators, funders and investors to discuss the latest clean tech innovations, ideas, initiatives and challenges. Through company exhibits, keynote talks, panel discussions and founder presentations, the showcase will highlight the successes of the many regional clean tech companies as well as explore future opportunities in technology advancement. The half-day program will take place in Sacramento near the State Capitol and will include a company exhibit area with 25+ displays. Admission is free. Register here.
Berkeley Law Webinar Series
Date: October 18, 2019
Berkeley Law hosts a legal advice webinar series and on October 18, you will learn how to write, edit, and review your own contracts. Attendees will leave this webinar knowing when to use contracts and how to enforce them. Register here.
Cleantech Open West 2019 Awards & Innovation Showcase
Date: October 23, 2019
Location: Oakland, CA
The Cleantech Open West Awards & Innovation Showcase is the culmination of a seven-month cleantech accelerator program. Closed-door judging and investor meetings take place on Wednesday, October 23rd. Register here.
Chico Meetup
Date: October 30, 2019
Location: CSU Chico Colusa Hall 100A
Meet agricultural and food processing companies, farmers, ranchers, faculty, students, technology companies, and entrepreneurs to develop connections between farm and processor needs and the ag and food technology companies that are in the region. Technology is the future of food! Let’s build a network so that the local communities enjoy high paying jobs, environmental improvement and reduced costs for agriculture and food/beverage processing. Register for the meet-up here!
|
|
| Back to Top |
 |
Berkeley Law comes to BlueTechValley every third Friday of the month to host a legal
webinar! You can attend these online or in-person and gain vital insights into the legalities of running a business.
To view the event calendar, click here or to sign up for office hours, email bluetechvalley@csufresno.edu!
|
|
| Back to Top |
|