In honor of Black History Month, we’re excited to spotlight Hush Harbor Artisan Bakery & Café, a beloved staple in Atascadero that’s been bringing delicious, handcrafted bread and baked goods to the Central Coast for over two decades. Founded by Donnie Monroe and Penni Monroe, this Black-owned bakery has become a true gem for locals and visitors alike.

Donnie Monroe, with a background in aerospace, discovered his passion for European-style bread later in life. After years in the aerospace industry, he shifted gears and pursued his dream of opening a bakery. He attended the San Francisco Baking Institute and honed his skills working at Simple Simon’s Bakery & Bistro in Riverside before launching Hush Harbor in 2003.

While Donnie Monroe oversees the baking, Penni Monroe has taken on the business side of Hush Harbor, ensuring that the bakery stays rooted in the local community and is a place where everyone feels welcome. They’ve faced challenges as one of the only Black-owned businesses in Atascadero, but the support from loyal customers and the local community has helped them persevere, especially during difficult times such as the pandemic and social unrest.

The bakery specializes in artisanal bread, made from scratch pastries and other comforting meals. Every loaf is crafted by hand, with no machines or automation, but simply years of expertise and patience. The Monroes’ commitment to quality is clear, and their customers rave about the textures, flavors and beauty of their baked goods. Some of the most popular items include the morning glory muffins, chocolate chip cookies and the seasonal sweet potato pies, all made with fresh ingredients and prepared daily.

Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, lunch or a freshly baked loaf, you’re sure to experience the Monroes’ dedication to quality and their commitment to their community. To support this Hush Harbor, visit them at 5735 El Camino Real in Atascadero.

Alcohol misuse costs U.S. employers an estimated $249 billion per year in lost productivity, healthcare expenses and workplace incidents. Owen Works, founder and CEO of Horizen Tech, is on a mission to help individuals and companies make more informed health choices regarding alcohol use. Horizen Tech provides corporate wellness solutions focused on alcohol accountability and behavior change, helping businesses reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and support employee well-being.

His entrepreneurial journey began in 2022 when Works saw a flyer for an Elevator Pitch Competition hosted by the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), and decided to try his luck.

Brainstorming an idea that could be presented at the competition and possibly carried on afterward, Works took inspiration from his own experiences and identified a growing movement: sober curiosity. He wanted to develop a solution that supports individuals looking to build healthier drinking habits and explore a lifestyle with less alcohol.

“I think I was terrified because deep down, I knew this is something I really wanted to do, and I was worried I was going to screw it up. But it’s better to try it and possibly screw it up than to never try at all,” Works reminisced.

At the time, public speaking was not a strong suit for Works, but he pitched his idea for an alcohol-detection patch. He won first place in the competition and the grand prize of $1,000. 

Following the momentum from his successful elevator pitch, Works participated in Startup Launch Weekend, an event where entrepreneurial students work for an entire weekend to advance and develop a tangible business.

That following spring, Horizen joined Innovation Quest, an innovation-centered showcase for Cal Poly entrepreneurs to pursue their ideas and gain funding.

As a fifth-year Cal Poly Industrial Engineer minoring in entrepreneurship, Works was able to leverage his academic network and resources. Horizen has collaborated with students across both the business and engineering colleges, working with over 30 student interns to develop the product and refine the business model. These students have played a critical role in research, product design, and software development, helping drive the startup forward.

Horizen Tech was accepted into the 2023 Summer Accelerator, a 12-week intensive program where Cal Poly students and recent graduates transform their business ideas into startups with the help of a $10,000 in seed funding and local resources.

Upon the conclusion of the Accelerator, Horizen Tech joined the CIE Incubator Program in November 2023, a 2-year full-time program that provides resources in all aspects of early-stage companies to develop into high-growth enterprises; including a dedicated desk in the CIE HotHouse coworking space in downtown San Luis Obispo. Works spotlights the importance of this, mentioning the significance of a sense of community in the field of entrepreneurship, which can be so isolating for founders.

 “When we were in the Accelerator, we knew for sure that the Incubator was the place that we wanted to go after that,” Works adds.

In May 2024, Horizen Tech was one of six startups to pitch at AngelCon, an event hosted by the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that brings together tech-based startups who receive training and mentorship from expert business advisors and a group of dedicated angel investors.

Works remarked that during AngelCon, “the access to consultants and mentors in different areas, whether that be customer development, finance or marketing, has been instrumental.”

Horizen Tech’s first product, Pulse, is an app designed to support sober-curious individuals by providing accountability, connection and resources. The app pairs with the Pulse Patch, a wearable device that detects alcohol levels in sweat, helping users track their drinking habits and make informed health decisions.

Over time, the wearable patch has evolved into a continuous monitoring device, much like a glucose monitor, that enables individuals to make informed choices about their health. Through Pulse, users can share achievements and goals with their trusted inner circles, providing viable proof of abstinence to sponsors, family or employers.

Eventually, Horizen Tech intends to integrate data with Fitbit and Apple Health, allowing users to correlate their lifestyle choices with well-being practices, such as quality of sleep and impacts of caffeine intake.

In January 2025, Horizen Tech hosted its first-ever SLO Dry January Challenge, attracting over 100 participants. The initiative encouraged community members to abstain from alcohol for the entire month, offering incentives such as cash prizes, yoga sessions and gifts from local businesses. The impact was significant: 97% of participants rated the challenge as successful or very successful, with 69% stating they would participate in a future challenge. Most participants successfully completed the month, reinforcing the effectiveness of structured accountability in fostering healthier habits. 

Works has organized this event to “encourage better health decisions in the community and really make it a fun experience. It is kind of like a preview of what’s to come with our challenges that will be part of the platform.”

With the Pulse Patch now in manufacturing and software development accelerating, Horizen Tech is expanding its corporate wellness offerings. The startup is focused on helping individuals and businesses create healthier environments around alcohol consumption and is on track to make a lasting impact on workplace wellness and personal health.

In honor of Black History Month, the CIE is spotlighting Black-owned businesses across San Luis Obispo county that brings creativity and community to the Central Coast. This week, we are celebrating A Satellite of Love, a vibrant space where art, music and culture intersect. 

Owned and operated by Malik Miko Thorne, the boutique offers an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, vinyl records, books, artisanal decor and handmade goods. Beyond its curated selection, A Satellite of Love also serves as a gathering place that fosters connection, reflecting Thorne’s deep commitment to community. 

Thorne took full ownership of the shop after buying out his friends and has since used his background in the arts to shape A Satellite of Love into a space that goes beyond retail. Before the pandemic, the shop regularly hosted music nights, movie screenings in collaboration with Arts Obispo and small performances from local and traveling musicians. It was one of the few places in downtown San Luis Obispo where people could experience live entertainment outside of the typical bar scene.

Born in Hawaii to a Black and Indigenous father and an Indian mother, Thorne spent much of his early life moving between Georgia and the Bay Area before attending Cal Poly. His passion for music led him to KCPR, Cal Poly’s college radio station, where he discovered a welcoming and creative community that solidified his love for San Luis Obispo.

His love for music later led him to host a soul show on KCBX, San Luis Obispo’s public radio station, and eventually into a career as a DJ for weddings and events for over 15 years. His experience in radio, music and event production continues to shape the vision for A Satellite of Love as a dynamic space that bridges the gap between retail and expression.

A Satellite of Love is a reflection of Thorne’s dedication to fostering independent business, artistic expression and meaningful connections. You can visit A Satellite of Love at 1335 Walker St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or check out their online store here.

This Black History Month, we’re highlighting Black-owned businesses that are making an impact in San Luis Obispo. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on Ebony SLO, the first Ethiopian restaurant in the area, founded by sisters Helen Abraha and Martha Taezaz. With a deep passion for cooking and a mission to bring authentic Ethiopian flavors to the Central Coast, Ebony is more than just a restaurant — it’s a celebration of culture and community. 

Growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Abraha and Taezaz learned the art of cooking from their mother, who instilled in them the value of patience, love and tradition in the kitchen. Abraha’s passion led her to earn a Culinary Arts degree, while Taezaz pursued formal training at Ethiopia’s Catering and Tourism Training Institute. 

Together, they’ve combined their expertise and lifelong love of food to create Ebony SLO, a restaurant that honors their roots while introducing Ethiopian cuisine to a new audience.

Since opening in December 2023, Ebony has quickly gained a loyal following, offering an entirely organic, vegan, and gluten-free menu. Staples like misir wot (a flavorful red lentil stew), shiro (a rich chickpea dish) and freshly made injera (a traditional fermented flatbread) transport customers to the heart of Ethiopia with every bite. 

Beyond the food, Ebony introduces an essential part of Ethiopian culture: the tradition of sharing meals.

“In Ethiopia, food is always about sharing,” Taezaz explained in an interview with Mustang News. “We eat together from one big plate, and that’s what makes it special.”

For many customers, Ebony has become a place to experience not only new flavors but also the warmth and hospitality that define Ethiopian dining. Regulars have praised the restaurant not just for its incredible food, but for the dedication and heart that Abraha and Taezaz put into every dish.

Abraha and Taezaz’s journey reflects the resilience, passion and dedication of Black entrepreneurs in San Luis Obispo. While Black History Month serves as a time to recognize and uplift Black-owned businesses, support shouldn’t stop when February ends.

As the sisters continue to introduce more people to the beauty of Ethiopian food, the best way to support them is simple: show up, spread the word and celebrate the diversity that makes San Luis Obispo a richer place to live.

Visit Ebony SLO at 778 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, or visit their website. 

To kick off Black History Month, we’re spotlighting Thrifty Beaches, a unique vintage clothing and furniture shop in the heart of Downtown San Luis Obispo. Founded by Adam Kemp, MBA student from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), Thrifty Beaches is a testament to resilience, sustainability and entrepreneurship. 

The inspiration to start Thrifty Beaches began both financial and practical. “Not having money inspired me. I needed to make more, and once I got more, it turned into a passion for sustainability and wanting to give clothing a second or third or fourth life,” Kemp explained. 

What began with a chance discovery of vintage dining chairs at a Goodwill Outlet quickly grew into a thriving business, with over 15,000 pieces sold and a loyal clientele of more than 3,000 people in San Luis Obispo alone. But, the journey hasn’t been easy. 

Opening a storefront in the center of Downtown SLO came with unexpected challenges, including fines and code enforcement issues. Despite these hurdles, Kemp pushed forward, fueled by a commitment to his community. 

“I could’ve stopped there and said screw it, I can’t do anything. But I kept trying. That stems from having influential people in the back of my mind that pushed through so much adversity in their lives.” 

Kemp drew inspiration from figures like Langston Hughes and Malcom X. 

“Langston Hughes was one of my favorite Black icons as a kid. Malcom X reminds me to be strong in the face of adversity, and to not allow a door closing to stop me,” Kemp said. 

Kemp also sees Thrifty Beaches as part of a larger mission to bring diversity to San Luis Obispo. “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere,” he explained, encouraging other entrepreneurs of color to pursue their dreams in San Luis Obispo. He believes the city needs more diversity and urges the community to show support not just during Black History Month, but year-round. 

To support Thrifty Beaches Headquarters, visit them downtown at 876 Higuera Street or check them out on Instagram @thrifty.beaches.

On January 30th of every year, we celebrate National Croissant Day, honoring the buttery, flaky pastry that is beloved worldwide. The holiday itself was established in 2006, but the pastry’s origins trace back centuries.

In 1863, during the siege of Vienna by the Turkish Empire, bakers who worked in basement storerooms heard the sounds of underground tunneling. Their timely alert allowed the city’s army to end the attack. To commemorate this victory, the bakers crafted a crescent-shaped pastry symbolizing the Ottoman Empire’s crescent moon. 

Once the Turks were defeated, it became tradition to serve this crescent-shaped pastry with morning coffee. Though many people believe croissants come from France, its journey began in Austria before French bakeries altered the recipe to use puff pastry. 

In honor of this holiday, we’re taking a delicious journey through San Luis Obispo County and beyond to highlight some of our favorite bakeries in the area: 

• Back Porch Bakery, founded by Dan and Caroline Berkeland, began as a back porch operation in 2011, sharing freshly baked bread with friends and neighbors in San Luis Obispo. Their passion for community and quality grew into a business that now serves over 120 local establishments. The bakery remains rooted in fostering connections through their artisanal breads and pastries. Back Porch Bakery is located at 289 Prado Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405. 
• Bijou Bakery, located in Cayucos, California, was created by Jeniece Grimshaw, who is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with over a decade of professional baking experience. After moving to San Luis Obispo County in 2015 and finding success in the local wedding industry, Grimshaw launched Bijou Bakery in June of 2020. The bakery offers high-quality, French-inspired pastries, quickly becoming a central coast gem. Visit Bijou Bakery at 149 Cayucos Dr., Cayucos, CA 93430. 
• Bread Bike is a small organic bakery in San Luis Obispo that specializes in 100% organic, naturally leavened bread and California-style pastries made with whole grains and locally-sourced ingredients. Bread Bike is unique in that they deliver to community supported bakery members by bicycle. The bakery values their food, farmers, planet and community. Bread Bike can be visited at 2060 Parker St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Budget Café has been a cherished local spot since the mid-1980s, offering a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with affordable meals. This classic diner-style café serves breakfast and lunch all day made with quality ingredients. Budget Café has a welcoming vibe and commitment to creating a home away from home for locals and newcomers. Budget Café is located at 3121 S. Higuera St. #J, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Buttercup Bakery & Cafe offers a variety of products from daily-made pastries and freshly baked bread to breakfast and lunch sandwiches, and hand-crafted drinks. With a focus on healthier options, Buttercup Bakery & Cafe enhances traditional recipes by reducing sugar, incorporating whole wheat flour and using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible. Buttercup Bakery & Cafe is located at 430 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay, CA 93442. 
• Drizzle Bakery LLC, a women-owned and Latin-owned bakery, was created by Trina Galvan who is a passionate baker with deep roots in the Central Coast’s farming community. Drizzle Bakery started as a cottage kitchen and expanded in March 2023, offering a range of delectable baked goods, including vegan and gluten-free options. Galvan’s artisanal cakes and pastries are made with attention to detail and personalized service. The bakery is located at The Kitchen Terminal at 4750 Allene Way, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. To place an order, visit Facebook or Instagram @drizzle_bakery_llc.
• Sally Loo’s Wholesome Café, established in 2009, has become a beloved San Luis Obispo spot in the Railroad District. The cafe is dedicated to supporting local farmers and artisans, and crafts house-made recipes and baked goods using locally-sourced ingredients. Their dedication to the art and science of quality coffee, partnering with Cacti Coffee Roasters, provides an extra special coffee experience. Sally Loo’s is located at 1804 Osos St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93401. 
• Tiny Café is a unique art project focused on sustainability, striving to maintain eco-friendly practices within municipal regulations. They compost coffee grounds, encourage customers to avoid disposables and source single-use products from environmentally conscious providers. With a thoughtful approach to every aspect of their service, Tiny Café prioritizes the planet while delivering delicious products! Tiny Café is located at 496 Broad St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405.

San Luis Obispo County offers a variety of exceptional bakeries that capture the specialty of the croissant and so much more. This National Croissant Day, the CIE encourages you to explore these local gems, support their passion for quality and community and savor every flaky bite. Happy National Croissant Day!

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About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunities to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit https://cie.calpoly.edu/.

Mense is a period product company with a mission to provide a comfortable, safe and working solution for people with periods. Founded in 2022 by California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) biomedical engineering graduate McCall Brinskele, Mense aims to destigmatize menstruation and elevate the conversation surrounding this essential aspect of reproductive health.

While Brinskele was taking a course at Cal Poly focusing on biomedical engineering in women’s health, her sister was diagnosed with endometriosis and uterine fibroids. The reality of female reproductive health conditions and Brinskele’s learning of the lack of coverage in the women’s health space inspired Brinskele to create a platform addressing this underrecognized topic.

“I first began working on this company as part of my interdisciplinary senior design project, which was a wonderful experience,” says Brinskele. “It’s awesome that Cal Poly has the ability for students to work with other disciplines outside of their major.”

Mense quickly earned a spot in the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) 2022 Summer Accelerator, a 12-week intensive program where Cal Poly students and recent graduates transform their business ideas into startups with the help of a $10,000 seed fund and local resources.

After completing the Summer Accelerator, Mense joined the Cal Poly CIE Incubator program,which helps early-stage startups develop into financially secure and scalable enterprises providing entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding opportunities and other resources over two years.

“The Incubator is the next step of growth for companies that are moving from just an idea and a product to incorporating and taking on investment,” says Brinskele.

The program has connected Mense to business professionals in various fields, including Novocuff, a graduated Incubator company also focused on female reproductive health, which has been an asset for Mense.

“Dr. Christopher Heylman is a personal mentor to our company. His advice has been absolutely crucial when it comes to our prototyping and securing non-dilutive funding. Kelly Sooter is another wonderful marketing consultant that we work with,” says Brinskele. 

In May 2024, Brinskele brought Mense to the seventh annual AngelCon competition, where six tech startups compete for over $100,000 in equity funding. After pitching to an audience of 250 attendees and over 20 angel investors, Mense received a $50,000 investment. 

Photo by Ruby Wallau for SBDC

“The Incubator played a crucial role in helping us prepare for AngelCon,” remarks Brinskele. “We heavily leaned on all of our consultants when it came to pitch prep and making sure everything was together, and the boot camp was an absolutely amazing experience.”

As an entrepreneur who has utilized several programs offered by Cal Poly and the CIE, including lecturing for classes in the Orfalea College of Business, Brinskele is always looking for growth. She encourages new entrepreneurs to do the same, by being unafraid to ask questions and never fear failure.

“For anyone who’s applying to the Incubator program, I would say go for it. Lean into your connections. You never know who’s going to be helping you in the future.”

Mense is currently working with manufacturers on a final design for their menstrual cup and applicator product and will graduate from the Incubator program in 202

Navigating a startup is difficult without guidance from seasoned professionals, which is what makes the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Entrepreneurs-In-Residence (EIRs) crucial to the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE). These EIRs volunteer their time and expertise to help young businesses thrive. 

Five EIRs have been helping 30 young entrepreneurs throughout the Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Lori Jordan has over 20 years of experience helping startups and large organizations with go-to-market strategies and product launches. Since starting her mentorship journey in 2012, Jordan became the CIE’s Director of Student Innovation Programs in 2015, where she ran the program, including the Accelerator, until 2018. She continues to mentor teams for both Innovation Quest (iQ) and the Summer Accelerator. 

Barry Lieberman brings over 40 years of experience, specializing in customer and market development, business formation and business growth. Since becoming an EIR in 2020, Lieberman has helped Accelerator teams navigate the complexities of building and scaling their businesses. His expertise ensures that startups are equipped to thrive in competitive markets. He also teaches entrepreneurship classes at Cal Poly’s Orfalea College of Business.

Jim Elliston, with over 20 years of experience, assists Accelerator teams with branding, design and product development. Since 2016, Elliston has leveraged his extensive background in product design and entrepreneurship, helping startups bring products from conception to market. His passion for crafting beautiful experiences and leading teams to build exceptional products has made him an invaluable EIR. 

Dan Weeks has over 32 years of experience, particularly in Software as a Service (SaaS) and software development. Having mentored since 2013, Weeks has worked with over 100 businesses and early-stage companies. With seven years of SaaS experience and 25 years at HP, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the table and helps startups develop robust software solutions and navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship.  

Jim Finwick has dedicated over 30 years to customer, business model and pitch development. Finwick has mentored since 2015 and combines his leadership coaching experience with a passion for helping people realize their full potential. He has worked with top leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners and uses that experience to help Accelerator teams focus on storytelling, connecting with the voice of their customer.

These individuals are more than just mentors, and the eight startups in the Accelerator would not be where they are without their Friday morning pitch feedback sessions or private one-on-ones. The CIE is deeply grateful for each and every one of our EIRs. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

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A chance meeting of two young immigrants fueled not only a lifelong friendship, but a deep-rooted entrepreneurial spirit. 

Oleksandr Gorpynich and Matan Kedar immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine and Israel, respectively, as 10-year-olds. They met in middle school and bonded over their shared backgrounds and passion for science and technology. 

As they began exploring the world of innovation together, they discovered a challenge that both of their home countries faced: drone identification on the battlefield. This realization led to the creation of Skymark Systems. 

Skymark Systems is developing a handheld device that helps soldiers determine whether a drone is friendly or foe. By using advanced radio frequency technology and military-grade encryption, their device can accurately identify small and medium-sized drones in real time, addressing a critical need in modern warfare. 

The idea for their startup was born out of Gorpynich and Kedar’s personal experiences and deep understanding of the conflicts in their home countries. 

“We looked into the wars in both of our homes and discovered that soldiers often can’t identify drones. We believed we could engineer something to fix this,” Kedar explained. 

Gorpynich and Kedar’s unique backgrounds have proven invaluable to their startup’s development, they said. 

“We’re already talking to soldiers on the ground through our connections about the prototype. Ultimately, this will tell us if the tool is useful,” Gorpynich said. 

Their internal connections have played a significant role in Skymark’s progress, but equally critical is the wide variety of skills each team member brings to the table. 

Kedar, a computer engineering junior at San Jose State University, serves as the CEO of Skymark Systems. Before this, he spent a year and a half working in embedded systems for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

Gorpynich, a computer science junior at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), is the CTO of Skymark Systems and brings over a year of experience as a software engineer for Amazon. 

Joining Gorpynich and Kedar is Vasanth Pugalenthi, a computer science junior at Cal Poly who works as Skymark’s Business Lead.

Pugalenthi has founded several apps, worked as a software developer on various projects and is currently a generative artificial intelligence (AI) intern for Ryght. 

“I decided to join Skymark because I believe in the team and their vision. They are committed to making this happen,” Pugalenthi said. “It ensures that they aren’t going to give up; to me, the team is more important than the idea.” 

The team recognized that they needed more resources to bring Skymark to life, which led them to apply for the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) Summer Accelerator program, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“We realized we desperately needed the resources to get a working prototype that we can ship to people,” Gorpynich said. “I talked to a few previous participants who also encouraged us to apply.” 

According to the U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Pruden, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been mistakenly shooting down nearly half of their own drones — a problem that Skymark aims to solve with their innovative technology.  

“There are currently some existing solutions to the problem we are tackling, but none of them, at least how we look at it, look as good as ours,” Kedar explained. “We have patent-pending status on both of our devices, and we believe what makes us special is the device, the solution and our team.”

Skymark is set to begin testing their product in Ukraine. Eventually, they hope to make their device universal and integrable for potential sale to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD). 

From their shared history of immigration to their collaboration as startup founders, Gorpynich and Kedar are using their skills to address a critical issue close to home. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

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Technology is at the forefront of our society, driving continuous progress and innovation. However, this rapid advancement has led to a growing problem: electronic waste. As devices become obsolete at an alarming rate, the question of what happens to them after their use becomes increasingly urgent. 

A group of four California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) students is developing a solution to tackle this issue. 

Their startup, GreenSight Tech, is dedicated to promoting a circular economy for electronics. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI)-driven automation, they aim to help electronic refurbishers and resellers efficiently process, redistribute and remarket used devices — keeping them out of landfills and making technology accessible to all. 

The startup began in the entrepreneurial senior project class led by the Center for Innovation and Entreprenurship’s (CIE) Academic Programs Director, Dr. Thomas Katona. When researching what they wanted to focus on, they discovered how electronic waste is a massive problem that is growing rapidly. 

“The rate at which electronics are being produced is outpacing the rate at which they’re being responsibly recycled by five times in the last ten years. We immediately knew we wanted to see if there was something that could be done about it,” CTO Diego Curiel (computer engineering, ‘24) explained. 

Co-founders of GreenSight from top to bottom: Jake Daniels, Mackenzie Kettwig, Chris Lawson, Diego Curiel

The team behind GreenSight is a diverse group of technical experts who share a passion for environmental sustainability. 

Jake Daniels (general engineering, ‘24) is the CEO of GreenSight, and spearheads customer development while working closely with potential early adopters. 

As CTO, Curiel assists Daniels with customer development and oversees the generative AI and computer vision workflows. 

Chris Lawson (computer science, ‘24) serves as the team’s Engineering Lead, designing the system architecture for their products while leading a group of four software engineer interns. 

Mackenzie Kettwig (computer engineering, ‘24) is the newest member of the team and is GreenSight’s Product Manager, bridging the gap between the engineering and business sides of the startup. 

Coming out of senior project, the team decided to participate in the CIE’s Innovation Quest (iQ), a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups. 

iQ gave them valuable experience in pitching their ideas which led them to apply for the CIE’s Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides Cal Poly students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. 

Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding, as well as access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office located in downtown San Luis Obispo.

“The support that the Accelerator offers has been crucial in taking our business to the next level,” said Daniels. 

For Curiel, his Accelerator experience can be best described with one word — fun!

“It’s a lot of work and it’s tiring, but it’s really exciting. We are creating something that is meaningful and valuable. Being able to wake up every day and know that I’m going to spend my time putting energy into something that will bring good into the world makes me really happy,” Curiel said.

GreenSight’s innovation lies in its use of artificial intelligence to revolutionize how electronic devices are processed after they’ve been discarded. 

“None of our competitors, or really anyone in this space, is using AI to solve their problems,” Lawson explained. “They’re using old systems that could be working faster and processing more devices to keep them out of landfills with the technology we’re bringing to the market.” 

As the startup works towards delivering an early version of their software products to initial customers, their long-term vision is to actively reshape the electronics industry by reducing the number of devices that end up in landfills and promote sustainability, said Daniels. 

GreenSight’s camaraderie fuels their collective drive to tackle the pressing issue of electronic waste and sets a new standard for how technology and AI can be used to create a better, more sustainable future. 

“We are the team to solve this problem because we all really care about the environment. It’s part of the passion for our project and it’s what keeps us coming to work everyday,” Kettwig said. 

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship:

The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.  

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