Welcome to the new entrepreneur newsletter–our monthly digest for Bay Area founders to get the resources you need to grow a thriving business. First up:
🍻 We'd love to see you at our first Alumni Happy Hour of 2022, this Thursday, March 10 at 4pm. We'll be out at Temescal Brewing. First round is on us! RSVP.
🏆 It's award season! Nominations are open for the East Bay Innovation Award, maybe you know an extraordinary local company that deserves to be recognized? (Self-nominations accepted and encouraged....) Nominations close Friday, March 25.
⬇️ Scroll to the bottom for up-to-date opportunities including a Latinx accelerator program, rent grants for SF-based businesses, and a bunch of March workshops.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Ugly Pickle Co.
2021 Accelerator at ICA Alumni
Kayla Abe and David Murphy founded Ugly Pickle Co as a climate solutions company to upcycle farm surplus and cosmetically-irregular produce into fresh pickles and tasty condiments. We connected with Kayla about their journey as a company so far.
Why did you start Ugly Pickle?
This business emerged out of a personal connection to our local farming community. Both David, as a chef, and me, working directly with farmers at a sustainable agriculture non-profit CUESA, both learned firsthand about the issue of food waste from farmer friends. Not only is food waste devastating to their bottom line, it’s also destructive for the environment. Knowing this was a microcosm of a much deeper institutional flaw, we felt a responsibility to mend these broken links in our food system.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Your tenacity is your biggest strength. There are so many hard times running a business, but constraint always breeds creative solutions. You can always find a way forward if you are dogged in looking for a solution.
What’s your favorite part about running your own business? And what is your biggest challenge?
I love getting to see people engage with our vision for a better world and working with my life partner every day. It’s such a creative endeavor—every day is different.
GET SUPPORT
Resources
Connect with other Bay Area entrepreneurs and gain expertise on financing, strategy, and management
WORKSHOPS
FRI, MAR 18, 10AM-11AM
All About Exits & Acquisitions
As your business grows, your options for the future evolve. Join investor Shawn Flynn, principal at Global Capital Markets, to learn all about exit options and acquisitions.
Sign-up for this online event.
Mar 16 - How to Find Co-Manufacturing Success - Naturally Bay Area
Mar 22-24 - Gathering for Women in CPG - Naturally Bay Area
Mar 20 - How to Protect your Business from Eviction - Start Small Think Big
Mar 23 - Financial Statements and Tax Considerations with Start Small Think Big
Mar 29 - Quickbooks Bootcamp with Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center
On-Demand - All About Due Diligence with Willis Wilson, ICA’s Director of Investment and Portfolio Management. ICA Alumni can find more pre-recorded resources like this one on the new ICA Platform!
LEASING & REAL ESTATE
Manufacturing space available for lease at 2222 Grant Avenue in San Lorenzo. Up to 100K sq ft as sub-divided leased space. There are possible supportive programs and funding with the space. Contact Carline Au at carline@eastbayeda.org for more info.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Start Small Think Big provides entrepreneurs with totally free legal, financial and marketing services through in-house experts and their extensive network of pro bono partners.
Apply for services.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
San Francisco small businesses and nonprofits can apply for a rent relief grant for rent debt accrued due to COVID-19. Deadline to apply is April 1.
INCUBATORS & ACCELERATORS
Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Program is an 8-week hybrid in-person/online program that runs from May 21 - July 23. For Latino entrepreneurs across industries. This is a national opportunity and network. $2000 fee. Rolling deadline.
East Side Oakland Ventures Incubator is a 10-week business incubator for Black and Brown founders. Access subsidized technical assistance and capital upon completion of the program. Rolling program dates and deadline, submit business details if interested.
