Events and Programs
iiED supports regional entrepreneurship through a regional website StartupMontereyBay.com and also the following events and programs.
Z Hacks - A Hackathon for everyone!
September 19 - 25, 2020
Until now, you needed to be a coder to participate in a hackathon. To code, you needed the benefit of a good education. You needed to be able to afford a computer, software, and broadband. And you needed a passion for coding.
Startup Challenge Monterey Bay
Finale: May 7, 2021
The region’s premiere new business competition, designed to be an accelerator program inside a competition; a key focus of the Startup Challenge is providing workshops, mentoring, and feedback on pitches to assist participants in developing their businesses and pitches.
Startup Monterey Bay Tech Meetup
2nd Tuesday of the month
A monthly networking event for entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, local startups, and businesses. Entrepreneurs can meet, learn, keep up-to-date, and enjoy the camaraderie. Investors, entrepreneurs, local businesses, and anyone interested in the latest innovations, trends in business and technology, or the latest and greatest ideas should attend!
Startup Weekend Monterey Bay
February 5 - 7, 2021
An annual new business formation competition that provides a hands-on weekend-long experience to design, develop, and pitch a new startup company.
Startup Investment and Community Capital
Sept. 28—30, 2020 (Online)
The region’s premiere investment conference with the largest showcase of emerging companies. Local companies pitch to an audience of venture capitalists, bankers, angel investors, and others who can help them raise the capital they need to grow their business.
Startup Launchpad
Applications are open!
A virtual incubator, Startup Launchpad offers mentoring and advising, workshops, referrals to resources, assistance in obtaining funding, and connection to our extensive network of entrepreneurs, investors, advisors, and service providers. Our vision is to create a community of entrepreneurs and mentors who can support each other in developing innovative businesses in our region – Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties.
GetVirtual (CSUMB)
The Get Virtual project helps businesses caught in the COVID-19 emergency to build their online presence and capabilities. Students working with the project assess the needs of applying businesses and create websites, social media, and other tools for the businesses to build their businesses in the virtual world. The service is free to client businesses and is aimed at businesses that lack the knowledge and resources to do the work themselves or hire an agency to do the work.