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| Valley Ventures Edition! |
 
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Valley Ventures reflects on successful fall cohort, now accepting spring 2018 applications
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Looking to join a cohort for your company to access investment opportunities, generate revenue, and establish a solid understanding of the water, energy and agriculture industry?
Valley Ventures spring cohort is looking for about 15 companies with a for-profit business model with high potential to scale. Throughout the program, companies will receive close engagement with entrepreneurs and industry leaders in the agriculture, water, and energy technology space. Our mentors and speakers come from a variety of backgrounds ranging from successful founders who have built and sold companies, to experienced investors well versed in the agriculture tech space, to seasoned executives who run or own some of the largest agriculture-related firms in the nation.
Our program offers participating ventures:
• The opportunity to engage with potential customers, stakeholders, and leading investors.
• Feedback and guidance from entrepreneurs who have been in your shoes.
• A community of like-minded entrepreneurs looking to grow with you.
• Sector-specific startup curriculum tailored to the needs of agriculture, water, and energy tech companies.
Fresno State News featured a press release this month on the growth and success of Valley Ventures. Click here to read it! To apply to become a member of the spring cohort click here! |
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Company Highlight: Perigo Welding
In 1991 Steve and Lori Perigo started Perigo Welding Works. The business had humble beginnings, with little capital, a small customer base, and the husband and wife team as the only employees. They were originally an equipment repair and fabrication company but beginning in 1994, service and fabrication work for the irrigation industry became their primary customer base. Since then, Perigo Welding Works hashelped install countless micro-irrigation filter systems in California and other states, supplying support products and services. This experience led Perigo to develop its own low-pressure/low-energy filtration system.
On advice for other entrepreneurs, Perigo says, “For me it has been a long journey of ideas, reinvention and development. My filtration system for example; I recognized the need and possibility for change at least 10 years ago. After many failed concepts, I believe we are very close to a viable final design. I would advise any early-stage entrepreneurs to work and gain experience in their field, recognize opportunity and the need for improvement, be confident in their opinions and ideas but be open minded enough to change them, and be patient. Sometimes you can’t change an industry until the industry is ready to change.”
Perigo appreciates the support of organizations like BlueTechValley and those who are behind the scenes. He says at times it is difficult to find support for new ideas, and that optimism and support are vital for the development of new technologies.
Learn more about Perigo Welding at http://perigowelding.com/! |
WET Member Highlight: Ectas Sanitation
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Ectas Sanitation was founded in 2012 with headquarters in Joinville, Brazil.
Ectas provides compact equipment for wastewater treatment with innovations and patents to improve performance and decrease operational costs. CEO Ricardo Lima says Ectas is expanding the company to the United States with a location in San Francisco, and was encouraged to join the WET Center by the Brazilian Consulate. One of the goals for Ectas, with assistance through the WET Center, is to achieve more integration with the community.
Learn more about Ectas at http://www.ectas.com.br/quem-somos/!
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| In the News |
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The Energy 202: January may be a make-or-break month for the U.S. solar business -
The federal government faces two deadlines in January that could have far-reaching ramifications on the U.S. solar industry if they do not go industry’s way. To read more, click here. |
Project to Study Climate Effects on California Water Systems from Headwaters to Groundwater
To address future climate change effects on water resources, scientists at five UC campuses, and Lawrence Livermore and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories will study California’s water systems, from the headwaters in the Sierra Nevada, through rivers, reservoirs and groundwater in the Central Valley. To read more, click here. |
#FarmBillFriday: Rep. Frank Lucas (OK-3)
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Frank Lucas emphasizes the impact the farm bill has on the lives of all Americans. From providing healthy nutrition for families to protecting the environment, the farm bill plays an active role in everyday lives. To read more, click here! |
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Team Member Highlight: Sarge Green
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When Sarge Green joined the California Water Institute in 2007, he added extensive experience in water management to the water, energy, and ag expertise available at Fresno State. As a Project Director, he has been involved in a variety of projects, most notably the statewide collaborative effort to manage water resources through integrated regional water management planning (IRWMP). Sarge says that water has always been challenging but the hardest part now is to get everyone to agree on how to move forward when demands are increasing and the water supply is fixed. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations assess their resources and find innovative management strategies and technologies. He is excited about working with the BTV Innovation Cluster to identify new water, energy, and ag technologies.
Sarge graduated from the University of California at Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Soil and Water Science. He served as General Manager of Tranquility Irrigation District for 18 years, and also worked for 13 years at the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. He grew up in both Linden, New Jersey and Livermore, California and at the age of 16, he started a lifelong hobby of collecting EU-manufactured model trains. Sarge says just as in real life, his trains "don't run on time and most never really go anywhere. |
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Upcoming Events and Webinars
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Ag Business Workshop in Kings County
Tuesday, February 6, 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Kings Co. Ag Commissioner’s Multi Purpose Room
680 N. Campus Dr.
Hanford, CA 93230
For more information, contact Erik Cherkaski: echerkaski@csufresno.edu
Industry Research Webinar - California State University, Fresno
February 8, 2018 at 10 a.m.
Libraries have excellent databases to help you find detailed, up-to-date information and statistical data on industries and companies. Learn how to take advantage of these valuable tools.
For more information or to register, click here!
Legal Pitfalls of Startups Webinar
February 15, 10-11:30 a.m.
Umberg Zipser will discuss some of the common legal pitfalls experienced by technology start-ups and entrepreneurs. The session will include information and guidance regarding common issues faced by start-ups in the areas of intellectual property, employment law, and securities law.
For more information or to register, email info@calseed.org.
Legal workshops and office hours for entrepreneurs
BlueTechValley in Partnership with the Practicum is Berkeley Law’s interdisciplinary transactional law clinical program, in which JD and MBA students have assisted start-up entrepreneurs. These webinars are a series of workshops that focus on different legal areas of running a business.
11:00 am Workshop: The legal checklist for startups
11:00 am Webinar
10:00 am – 2:00 pm office hours
For information or to register, click here!
2018 Ag Solar & Energy Efficiency Workshop
Together, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and Wexus Energy Management System For Ag
and the Fresno County Farm Bureau are hosting the 2018 Ag Solar & Efficiency workshop on Wednesday, February 28th. Topics covered will include PG&E Solar Program,
Demand Response Program, 811/ Call Before You Dig information, Enhanced VFD Rebate Program, Advanced Pump Efficiency Program (APEP), scheduling pump Tests,
Ag tech and energy management, the opportunity to connect with irrigation technology and solar contractors, and PG&E service planning. Registration is Free! Don’t miss out!
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. PST
CPDES EASTON HALL
172 West Jefferson Avenue
Fresno, CA 93706
For more information or to register, click here!
Big Bang! Business Competition
Show me the money: Seeking funding + presenting financials
Wednesday, February 7, 6-8 p.m.
UC Davis, 1213 Gallagher Hall
For more information or to register, click here!
Idea to Reality: Business Boot Camp
Thursday, February 15, 4-8 p.m.
UC Davis, 1213 Gallagher Hall
For more information or to register, click here!
Developing Your Startup Slide Deck
Wednesday, February 28, 6 p.m.
UC Davis, 1213 Gallagher Hall
For more information or to register, click here!
Reminder! FLOW 2018 Statement of Intents due Feb. 1
FLOW’s DOE Cleantech UP competition is looking for the next big idea in cleantech and sustainability. This could be your chance to affect change! Apply now and you could win
cash from of a pool of $100k+, and the opportunity to represent the Western region at DOE’s Cleantech UP national competition. This year we’re offering more prizes for early stage projects and also a special prize from the Department of Defense, for military cleantech technologies.
To apply or for more information, click here!
Second Annual San Joaquin Valley Clean Transportation Summit
Wednesday & Thursday, March 14-15, 2018
Join us for two days of expert-led workshop sessions, Ride N’ Drive demos, and the latest in clean transportation technology! Discover how to access some of the $220 million in funding available for clean air projects!
For more information or to register, email echerkaski@mail.fresnostate.
ARPA-E issues periodic Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs),
which are focused on overcoming specific technical barriers around a specific energy area. ARPA-E also issues periodic OPEN FOAs to identify high-potential projects that address the full range of energy-relate technologies, as well as funding solicitations aimed at supporting America’s small business innovators.
Click here for more information or to apply!
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Did you know?
January 6th was National Technology Day!
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“Imagine the world without technology. In our daily lives, we can’t take a step without coming into contact with a form of it. The world is abuzz with technology.
Outside of the healthcare sector, tech jobs are one of the strongest and fastest growing divisions. And let’s face it, technology is at the center of most jobs these days. From agriculture, healthcare and fitness to entertainment, food service and security we use technology to keep us organized, connected, healthy and safe.”
- nationalcalendarday.com |
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| Follow us on social media or contact us at bluetechvalley@csufresno.edu! |
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