Startup Challenge Monterey Bay 2017 Orientation in Downtown Hollister

Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is a new business competition and accelerator program that supports the founding, funding and growth of new and innovative businesses in the Monterey Bay region. It offers workshops, feedback, and mentoring to empower entrepreneurs in a competitive process. The City of Hollister is sponsoring an orientation to be hosted 6-7:30PM Thursday evening, March 2nd at the Hollister City Hall Council Chambers located at 375 5th Street in Downtown Hollister. Nothing inspires and prepares entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to market like Startup Challenge Monterey Bay!

Applications are due by midnight, Monday, March 13th for the 2017 Startup Challenge Monterey Bay. The Challenge is open to all entrepreneurs and start up companies in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties, as well as the cities of Gilroy and Morgan Hill. Applications are to be completed online at www.thestartupchallenge.org, and are due March 13th.

The competition has three divisions. The Venture Division for businesses designed to grow into large businesses, the Main Street Division for small businesses, sole proprietorships, and non-profits, and the Student Division for student teams at all levels from high school through graduate school.

Prizes offered by the Challenge include $1,500 cash for the winning Student Division team, $10,000 cash and $2,500 in professional services for the winning Main Street company, and a $20,000 grand prize in cash and $10,000 in professional services for the winning Venture Division company

Key dates for the Challenge are the application deadline on March 13th, the Qualifying Round pitches on April 8th, and the Final Round and Venture Showcase on May 12th.

The Startup Challenge Monterey Bay is organized by a committee of community members and managed by the Institute for Innovation & Economic Development (iiED). The iiED supports the regional entrepreneurship ecosystem to provide resources entrepreneurs need to be successful.  The Institute also offers programs that engage entrepreneurs and managers worldwide in learning about innovation and entrepreneurial practice. The iiED is an institute of the College of Business at CSU Monterey Bay. For more information, contact StartupMB@CSUMB.edu (831) 582-3230.