Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship
FRESNO, CA – Efforts to establish the Central Valley as a world leader in water technology received a boost from a recent $25,000 PG&E grant awarded to the Central Valley Business Incubator to assist member companies in its Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator.
The grant, specifically directed toward CVBI’s specialized WET Incubator, will be used to assist companies in the development of sustainable business models. The WET Incubator opened in March and is home to five on-site companies developing new technologies or businesses in the water and energy technology sectors.
“We are very grateful for the continued support that PG&E gives to entrepreneurship in the Central Valley,” said CVBI CEO Craig Scharton. “The WET Incubator will use these funds to support companies who will affect our water, energy and environmental priorities for our region.”
In working with the WET Incubator companies, CVBI’s goal is the creation of new businesses that will lead to new jobs, a reduction in dependence on foreign fuels, and a cleaner environment. The WET Incubator has received international visits from heads of state from countries including Australia, Nigeria, China, Israel and Canada.
"We believe it is important to fund nonprofit organizations that provide important services to our customers," said PG&E’s Government Relations Manager Al Galvez. "The Central Valley Business Incubator provides support to Valley-based clean energy startup companies, and those are exactly the type of programs PG&E wants to support."
About the Central Valley Business Incubator
The Central Valley Business Incubator is a public/private partnership fueled by community resources. CVBI helps startup 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 3,400 entrepreneurs who have obtained more than $14.5 million in capital and created 2,030 direct, verifiable new jobs for Central Californians.
###
I know that there is some well-earned cynicism among business people toward government programs. But just as there are efficient and inefficient businesses, there are...
Read more...Hello Campers, My CEO message will be very short this month. I'd like to drone on and on, but there is simply too much going...
Read more...