The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) is one of two finalists for the 2018 National Model Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program award offered by the nation’s largest organization of teachers, scholars and practitioners in entrepreneurship.
The winner will be announced Jan. 14 during the annual conference of the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Los Angeles. The other finalist is the Syracuse University.
“Regardless of what happens, this is a prestigious honor for our program,” said Jonathan York, CIE interim executive director and co-founder. “This recognition indicates that we are at the leading edge in our comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship education, and it is very gratifying for our efforts to be validated by our peers.”
USASBE, with more than 1,000 members from universities and colleges, for-profit businesses, nonprofit organizations and the public sector, is the largest independent, professional, academic organization dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship.
The Model Program award is given annually to a university entrepreneurship program that offers high-quality innovative programs to educate and develop future generations of entrepreneurs. Programs are evaluated on innovation, quality, comprehensiveness, sustainability, transferability, depth of support and impact.
Past award winners include San Diego State University, Baylor University, the University of Tampa, Wake Forest University, Oklahoma State University and Ball State to name a few.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — San Luis Obispo has a reputation for being a sleepy town in central California known for its laid-back charm. Top tourist draws are a nearby 18th-century Spanish mission and Bubblegum Alley, a walkway lined with chewed gum. But Rick Stollmeyer, the chief executive of MindBody, envisioned it as a bustling tech hub.
Nestled along the coast about 230 miles south of San Francisco, San Luis Obispo is far from Silicon Valley. The distance presented a challenge for Mr. Stollmeyer, who sought to lure talent to a small college town known by the acronym SLO, where nature buffs and health food junkies go to find their nirvana.
The New York Times | by Kathy Chin Leong
View Article
November 1, 2017
Contact: Candice Conti
805-756-7171; clconti@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) will host a panel of entrepreneurs at the Corporate Social Responsibility forum on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in the Performing Arts Center on campus.
The theme of the forum is the value of corporate social responsibility and how practicing it helps others and increases a company’s success and brand. The forum, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The panel discussion will focus on how considering the economic, social and environmental impacts for all stakeholders contributes to sustainable development. Panelists include:
— Doug Klein, former Walt Disney Imagineer and current managing director of Matchfire, a company that has raised over $150 million since 2001 for brands around the world and created hundreds of award-winning purpose campaigns for celebrities, entertainment studios, Fortune 50 companies and global nonprofits.
— Dan O’Hare, managing principal at Glenn Burdette, the first CPA organization in California to be employee-owned.
— Rafael Pintor, co-founder of Atsa Foods, a snack food company that uses native superfoods to create opportunity in Native American communities and American open spaces.
— Renee Junge, chief marketing officer of Sambazon, a pioneer of fair trade, organic acai products.
During the P.E.N. (Pitches, Exhibits, Networking) portion of the evening from 5 to 6 p.m., the finalists of the eighth annual Elevator Pitch Competition will have 90 seconds to present their pitches in front of the panel for a chance to win $1,000. The winners of the competition will be revealed at the end of the night.
“Attendees to our fall forum will learn how a group of entrepreneurs whose efforts to improve society have benefited their companies,” said Tod Nelson, CIE executive director. “They will also have the opportunity to vote for the Elevator Pitch Competition Audience Choice Award.”
The forum is presented by Samabazon and sponsored by SESLOC Federal Credit Union and Cuesta College. Advance registration is required. For more details and to register, visit epc17.eventbrite.com.
October 23, 2017
Contact: Candice Conti
805-756-5171; clconti@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Six companies with more than two dozen employees and $1.8 million in capital have completed the SLO HotHouse Incubator program, a Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) program devoted to taking businesses from startup to sustainable.
“CIE provides a structured, two-year program for early-stage startups that includes all the resources needed to facilitate smarter, faster growth,” said CIE Incubator Director Judy Mahan. “After working closely with these companies over the course of their development, we are excited to see where the future takes them as they continue to expand and grow locally.”
The companies graduating from the CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator program include:
– App Scrolls, an online community platform that increases player engagement and retention for any game;
– Bottlefly, a firm that uses flavor chemistry and data science to help retailers increase wine sales and margins and reach their target demographic;
– Brandplug, software that helps marketers buy high quality, high return-on-investment promotion from social media celebrities;
– Calwise Spirits Co., which produces rum and gin that is handcrafted on the Central Coast with the fruits and herbs that define West Coast life;
– Flume, which puts household water usage in users’ hands with an innovative IoT sensor, which protects homes from water damage, conserves water, and avoid a costly water bills with Flume’s technology; and
– Reduce. Reuse. Grow, which aims to replace unsustainable packaging products with smarter, more eco-friendly solutions that also restore local communities’ native landscapes.
“The SLO HotHouse Incubator program helped us launch our company and gave us the tools we needed to create a sustainable business,” said Alex Henige, co-founder, and CEO of Reduce. Reuse. Grow. “The resources, mentorships and connections made through this program have allowed us to grow to where we are today.”
Since its inception in 2010, the CIE has promoted regional economic development. To date, these six companies have created 27 jobs, benefitted from 644 hours of one-on-one consultations and raised $1,836,000 in capital. All six companies will remain in San Luis Obispo County.
The CIE recently added five community startups to the SLO HotHouse Incubator program. They will join five other ventures that are in their second year of the 24-month incubator program and five in their first year of the program, making a total of 15 startups currently incubating at the SLO HotHouse.
CIE offers faculty, students and community members the tools to transform their innovative ideas into viable businesses. By providing quality coaching, professional consulting and connections with industry professionals, the CIE creates an environment in which new businesses can develop and thrive.
“As we progress towards the future, startups play a critical role not only in the growth of our economy but also in discovering solutions to solve real-world problems,” said CIE Executive Director Tod Nelson. “We are proud to drive entrepreneurship forward, and we are committed to building an environment that will help nurture innovative ideas and facilitate success.
For more information on the CIE programs, visit cie.calpoly.edu.
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 https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly and the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members create new innovations and start business ventures.
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October 6, 2017
Contact: Candice Conti
805-756-5171; clconti@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) today announced three new startups that have been selected to join the growing cohort of SLO HotHouse Incubator companies.
The incubator program, which started in 2012 to help startup companies get off the ground and become financially stable and high-growth enterprises, had previously only accepted applications from Cal Poly students and recent graduates.
“Now that we are accepting community startups into the program, the list of success stories continues to grow at CIE with 12 startups currently incubating and three new ones joining,” said Judy Mahan, CIE Incubator, and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) director. “Entrepreneurs are the engine of economic growth all over the world, and at CIE there is nothing we care about more than supporting them.”
The new startups accepted in CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator program include:
— Motoroso is a website that helps automotive and powersports enthusiasts plan, build and share their dream vehicle projects. Conceived by founder and CEO Alex Littlewood. www.motoroso.com
— Savvy Leadership Academy empowering today’s youth with the tools they’ll need to become tomorrow’s leaders. Maggie von Stein is the founder and CEO. www.savvyleaders.com
— Stollmeyer Technologies delivers unmanned automated vehicle (UAV) solutions for professionals; enabling them to perform mission critical tasks reliably. Created by Marc Stollmeyer, founder and CEO, James Thrasher, chief technology officer, and Joseph Coplon, electrical engineer. www.stoll-tech.com
Startups participating in the SLO Hothouse Incubator programs benefit from mentorship, monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, an advisory board for each startup in the program, participation in Pitch Night, networking opportunities, and exclusive access to various entrepreneurial events in the community. Businesses will also be able to utilize all CIE SLO HotHouse resources, including office space, conference rooms and an invaluable peer network.
Participants are excited by the opportunity.
“Leveraging the incredible resources and amazing mentors at CIE and the SLO HotHouse will ensure Savvy Leadership Academy is strongly rooted in San Luis Obispo with the potential to offer our programs around the world,” said van Stein. “SLO roots with a global reach.”
Community startups interested in applying for the CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator program should go to https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/launch/hothouse-incubator.
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, go to https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly, the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members as they work to create new innovations and start business ventures. For more information, visit https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/slo-hothouse.
Photo information: New CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator Companies.jpg
From left: James Thrasher, Joseph Coplon, Marc Stollmeyer, Maggie von Stein and Alex Littlewood are new members of the CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator program.
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June 21, 2017
SAN LUIS OBISPO — For the first time, the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) will accept community startups into its SLO HotHouse Incubator program. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 22.
Startups applying for the program must submit a business plan and answers to a series of questions that a committee will review. The committee will look for companies with technology innovation, scalability, and high growth potential. Up to four ventures will be accepted into the intense 24-month Incubator starting Jan. 11, 2016.
“Thanks to the community’s support, we are able to accept local startups into our program,” said Judy Mahan, director of the CIE Incubator and Small Business Development Center (SBDC). “Our Incubator Program includes everything needed for early-stage companies to develop into financially stable, high-growth enterprises by providing the tools, training, and infrastructure that helps facilitate smarter, faster growth.”
Programming for the SLO HotHouse Incubator includes mentorship, monthly peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, an advisory board for each startup in the program, participation in Pitch Night, networking opportunities, and exclusive access to various entrepreneurial events in the community. Businesses will also be able to utilize all of the CIE SLO HotHouse resources, such as office space, conference rooms, and an invaluable peer network.
“This program provides emerging enterprises with a strategic path; a wide array of vital business development services and resources; and ongoing guidance, motivation, and support to help new ventures succeed,” said CIE Executive Director Tod Nelson.
“Growing in an incubator increases a business’s chance of success and potential for long-term economic impact,” said Jeff Buckingham, SLO HotHouse Community Advisory Board member. “Entrepreneurs thrive when they live in a supportive environment, and when entrepreneurs thrive, so does the local economy.”
Community startups interested in applying for the CIE SLO HotHouse Incubator program should go to www.slohothouse.com.
About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
The Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship manages and supports a wide variety of programs and activities to stimulate the entrepreneurial Learn by Doing spirit at Cal Poly and to assist entrepreneurs in following their dreams. For more information, go to www.cie.calpoly.edu.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space that has been created through the efforts of Cal Poly, the San Luis Obispo community, and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members as they work to create new innovations and start business ventures.
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SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has accepted seven startup companies into this year’s SLO HotHouse Summer Accelerator program.
The intense 13-week program is designed for students and recent graduates who have developed new ventures and want help making them succeed.
The program provides $10,000 in seed money, hands-on strategic business guidance from faculty and mentors, and dedicated office space during the summer at the SLO HotHouse. Companies receive training, introductions to investors and resources to help move their ventures forward. At the culmination of the program, they will have an opportunity to pitch their ideas to investors during Demo Day.
The ventures represent a variety of concepts, including health foods, innovative footwear, sustainable building materials and smart solutions for San Luis Obispo house renters.
“Our accelerators are tackling the startup world head on,” said Lori Jordan, director of student innovation programs, who oversees the program. “We are giving them the tools they need to grow their company, and we are excited to see where their venture takes them and how they make an impact locally, nationally and throughout the world.”
Applicants representing disciplines from across campus competed for a place in the seventh annual accelerator program. Thirteen finalists presented their ideas to a panel of judges who chose the final seven companies.
“This program encourages risk takers, innovators and dreamers to pursue their passion,” said the CIE Executive Director Tod Nelson. “The accelerators are encouraged to think without limits. Through creativity, guidance, ambition and grit, these startups will grow to become pillars of the economy and supporters of our community.”
This year’s accelerator companies are:
– Atsá Foods LLC is an innovative food company that is turning Native American superfoods into everyday nutritious snacks and returning value to the Navajo Nation Reservation. It was conceived by Rafael Pintor, agricultural business; Peter Haverkamp, food science; Neal Gorris, industrial technology and packaging; and Sam Baber, art and design. https://www.atsafoods.com/
– Bluezone uses augmented reality, gamification and big data to inspire discovery and connection between users. It was developed by Brett Foreman, and Jimmy Kang, business administration.
– DTE Materials manufactures hemp-based, high-performance, non-toxic and sustainable building insulation material. Created by Tanner Jolly, materials engineering, and Jose Urizar, civil engineering.
– LocalzOwn is building a platform that its founders say is the smartest and easiest way to source and sell local artisan food products. It was started by Joseph Lyman, biomedical engineering; Michael Fekadu, computer engineering; and Leonel S. Farias, agricultural education.
– Pashion Footwear has designed an adaptable shoe that can easily convert from a pump into a flat that is an innovative and pain-free approach to women’s footwear. It was designed by Haley Pavone, business administration, and Tyler Unbehand, industrial technology and packaging. https://pashionfootwear.com/
– PolyRents has created technology that simplifies the housing rental process for landlords and their prospective tenants. It was created by Cameron Wiese, psychology, and Alexander Kavanaugh, software engineering. http://www.polyrents.com/
– Yellow Glass Media creates and curates socially relevant and unbiased media content to inspire viewers to listen, learn and empathize. It was conceived by Nesrine Majzoub, sociology, and Daniel Hornett, civil engineering. http://www.yellowglassmedia.com/
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, go to https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly, the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members as they work to create new innovations and start business ventures. For more information, visit https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/slo-hothouse.
Front row (from left): Rafael Pintor, Sam Baber, Peter Haverkamp , Michael Fekadu, Haley Pavone, Tyler Unbehand and Nesrine Majzoub. Back row (from left): Neal Gorris, Jimmy Kang, Brett Foreman, Leonel Farias, Joseph Lyman, Cameron Wiese, Alexander Kavanaugh and Jose Urizar. Not pictured: Tanner Jolly and Daniel Hornett.
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April 13, 2017
The Innovation Quest finalists have been announced. Check out the following list and find out who will be competing for the $15,000 grand prize this spring:
Alfa Grey Technologies: researches and develops technologies which protect the first-responders and servicemen and women who keep our families safe.
Archer Components: develops bicycle add-ons that transform any cable-driven shifting mechanism into a high precision, cable-free, Bluetooth operated, shifting system.
Atsá Foods LLC: an innovative foods company that incorporates Native American superfoods into everyday snacks.
Brandplug: allows marketers to lower their social media celebrity marketing costs by more than 50% by using our novel pay-per-impression social media celebrity marketing platform.
Current Solutions: the first comprehensive personal security solution for college-aged women who feel unsafe walking alone at night and parents who are worried for their children’s safety that integrates all four layers of security: deter, defend, respond, and record; It does this by automatically dispatching police to a user’s exact GPS location, notifying loved ones of the user’s situation, alerting the nearby Current community, and recording audio and video.
DTE Materials: manufactures high performing hemp building insulation sustainably from plant to home.
Fitmi: a smart mirror that provides a quick, holistic review of health and progress.
Grow Nodes: a wifi connected automated cannabis growing system that makes growing easy for anyone by constantly monitoring and adjusting the plants environment and notifying the user through the mobile app whenever the plant needs tending.
Pashion Footwear: an innovative fashion startup working to create a “practical and fashionable” approach to the classic stiletto heel – an adaptable shoe that can fully convert from a pump into a sandal.
PCkit: helps people build their own powerful, affordable gaming computers optimized to the specific video games they want to play.
PolyRents: simplifies the housing rental process for landlords, property managers, and tenants.
SharedElements: a platform that vertically integrates solutions for entrepreneurship.
SpotDrop: creates an adaptable smart irrigation system for vineyard managers who want to save water and increases the quality and yield of their crop by enabling vine-by-vine control and eliminating irrigation inefficiencies.
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host a panel of entrepreneurs at the “Customer Craze: Make Them Obsessed With Your Company” forum on Tuesday, Feb. 7, in the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center.
The theme of the entrepreneurship forum, which is free and open to the public, is the customer experience counts even more than price, product or promotions. The forum will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The evening’s panel discussion will focus on customer experience, relationship management and growing a customer base. Panelists include Jodi Andrews, CEO/co-founder of ProTrials Research Inc., a San Jose-based leader in clinical research; Darrell Rodriguez, CEO of castAR, a Palo Alto-based technology startup developing augmented reality and virtual reality glasses; Michael Jones, founder of Azhiaziam International, a Morro Bay-based surf apparel brand and shop; and Steve Beck, venture partner for Champaign, Il.-based Serra Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in technology companies. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask them questions.
“The forum series brings together community members and up-and-coming entrepreneurs,” said Tod Nelson, CIE executive director. “It creates an opportunity for people to connect with others in the entrepreneurship world and learn invaluable insider tips.”
The event kicks off with the P.E.N. (Pitches, Exhibits, Networking), from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m., where attendees will participate in a “Business Slogan Bingo” game where they match slogans with company names for the chance to win prizes.
Community members interested in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation at Cal Poly can become Pioneer Pass Holders with a pledge of $100. The annual pass gives a member expedited registration and access to special industry events.
Advance registration is required. For more details and to register, visit https://febforum17.eventbrite.com.
About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students and faculty members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly and the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members create new innovations and start business ventures. For more information, visit https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/slo-hothouse.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 12, 2017
Contact: Candice Conti
805-756-5171; clconti@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), which is providing workplace solutions for freelancers, startups and entrepreneurs, has space for new members at its new SLO HotHouse location in the heart of downtown.
Business professionals looking for a welcoming coworking space to set up shop with other business-minded members, a place to launch the next big idea or American dream, or a convenient place to meet with clients, now have affordable solutions.
The CIE SLO HotHouse offers its members a comfortable work environment with fast Internet, 24/7 access, educational and social events plus business consulting at an all-inclusive price. Members also have access to meeting rooms, high-quality printers and a full kitchen with premium coffee.
With more than 15,000-square-feet of space, the SLO HotHouse offers flexible short- and long-term memberships, an open area for coworking as well as a private phone booth, a lounge, three conference rooms, private offices, dedicated desk spaces and event space.
“As hotel brokers, the HotHouse has provided us with an energetic and progressive environment for building our business,” said Aaron Graves, principal of California Hotel Brokers and a SLO HotHouse coworker. “We are able to collaborate with other companies involved in technology, tourism and sustainability all under one roof. The input from other cutting-edge entrepreneurs helps to challenge us, and forces California Hotel Brokers to become the best in the industry.”
The SLO HotHouse is a community hub with more than 50 individuals and over two-dozen companies working out of the space. Members include experts in real estate, marketing, law, photography, and development.
“The SLO HotHouse was created for the community,” said Tod Nelson, CIE executive director. “San Luis Obispo is full of talented entrepreneurs and visionaries and the SLO HotHouse provides a collaborative environments. Our coworking space is a melting pot of creativity that generates a level of synergy that results from the proximity and collaboration of like-minded people. New relationships are developed. Ideas are challenged. Problems are solved.”
The SLO HotHouse is at 872 Higuera St. in downtown San Luis Obispo. For more information, go to https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/slo-hothouse.
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 by promoting entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo County. For more information, go to cie.calpoly.edu.
About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly and the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support students and community members create new innovations and start business ventures.
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