Throughout the month of October, the Santa Clarita Business Incubator (SCBI) hosted Innovate Santa Clarita, a series of events in partnership with Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, the Small Business Development Center and College of the Canyons to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation in Santa Clarita and the greater Los Angeles area.
Events included a Pitch Day, a Speaker Event with serial entrepreneur Larry Twersky, a Tech Startup Networking event, and culminated with Startup Weekend SCV 2016. Innovate Santa Clarita events were shared widely through the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Together they reached 10,000 people on Facebook and received 17,485 impressions on Twitter. A total of 87 entrepreneurs participated in Innovate Santa Clarita Events.
A complete summary of Innovate Santa Clarita events is provided below:
Pitch Day was held on October 12 at the Old Town Newhall Library to prepare entrepreneurs for SCV Startup Weekend. Participants learned how to develop and deliver a superior pitch.
A Speaker Event was held on October 13, serial entrepreneur Larry Twersky, met with several startup entrepreneurs at the Incubator to discuss his entrepreneurial journey through 1-800-DENTIST, launching innovation in established industries, and leveraging technology.
A Tech Startup Networking Event was held in Old Town Newhall on October 20. Attendees enjoyed connecting and networking with other like-minded entrepreneurs at this event which celebrated entrepreneurship and innovation in Santa Clarita.
Additionally, three Incubator Entrepreneur Spotlight Videos were developed and released, highlighting SCBI tenant entrepreneurs 3D-SensIR, Nuhubit Software Studios, and Outlyer Technologies. The videos provide the entrepreneurs an opportunity to showcase their business and products via the City’s YouTube channel and social media platforms. The videos were shared on the City’s Facebook and Twitter accounts and reached close to 6,000 viewers on Facebook, and received 22,573 impressions on Twitter, combined.
Innovate Santa Clarita culminated with Startup Weekend SCV 2016. Startup Weekend SCV, sponsored by the City, challenged over 40 developers, designers and entrepreneurs to work together and build a startup company in just 54 hours.
Several new startups were formed over the course of three days including the first place winner, SafeClub, a Facebook messenger software that will help educate consumers on car insurance choices in simple language, and let them quote and bind insurance packages without an agent. Tied for second was Let’s, an app to help groups plan where to eat based on everyone’s tastes and preferences, and Rangle, an app that empowers citizen journalists to capture footage of local events for media outlets that pay for the coverage. The audience choice award went to Jam, an app to help musicians plan spontaneous local jam sessions, music lessons and professional collaborations.
In the weeks leading up to the event, the City held a Facebook competition and randomly selected Arin Williams to win a pair of free tickets to the event. Arin Williams’ team tied for second place in the competition for their app, Rangle.
Prizes included an investor sit-down, $1,500 credit to Steamwork Center, a new premier shared work and event space in Santa Clarita and $500 in cash, to the first place winner. All participants received a free day pass and great offers at Steamwork Center, including a $50 credit toward membership.
Innovate Santa Clarita is a partnership between the City, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, as well as the countywide Innovate Los Angeles event, which promotes the region as a leading global center for innovation and entrepreneurship rooted in boundless creativity and diversity.
For highlights of Innovate Santa Clarita, search the hashtag #inSC on social media. To find out more about the Santa Clarita Business Incubator, visit ThinkSantaClarita.com.
