Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship
FRESNO, CA – If it were a reality show, it would be called “Central Valley Entrepreneur,” and now would be the start of “Season II” – as the Central Valley Business Incubator is looking for its next on-site member (not to be confused with the next American Idol). The opening at CVBI’s Launching Pad comes after the “graduation” of its first on-site member.
CVBI houses five on-site members at the Launching Pad and five at its Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator. On-site members are entrepreneurs who develop their business and prepare for its launch while working in the Incubator. On-site members have access to CVBI resources, consulting, unique networking opportunities and a furnished office.
President Lori Boes of Skysail Technology Associates – CVBI’s first on-site member to graduate – used her time in the Incubator to develop custom software and other technological advancements. She now has office space in the Tower District in Fresno where she works with consultants and partners throughout the community for clients such as Fresno State and MIT.
The competitive process for finding CVBI’s next on-site member starts with the submission of an application and business plan, which will be reviewed by staff and a panel of local business leaders. Criteria for selection include company feasibility, employment potential and value to regional economic development.
CVBI On-Site Member Selection Criteria
Company Viability
Employment Potential
Value Added to CVBI and Regional Economic Development
Finalists will visit CVBI for interviews and an opportunity to pitch their business at an all-day finalists’ challenge.
The deadline to submit an application and business plan is Friday, Sept. 7, at 5 p.m.
On-site member applications are available at cvbi.org/membership.html.
About the Central Valley Business Incubator
The Central Valley Business Incubator is a public/private partnership fueled by community resources. CVBI helps start-up companies launch successfully by creating an entrepreneurial community where people learn how to balance their passion and ideas with the structure of running a successful business. CVBI offers business development classes and houses five on-site members at each of its two facilities – the Launching Pad for mixed-use incubation and the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator.
Founded in 1996, CVBI is a nonprofit organization that fosters economic development through entrepreneurship and job creation. It has worked with more than 3,000 entrepreneurs who have obtained more than $12.7 million in capital and created 1,900 direct, verifiable new jobs for Central Californians.
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