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  • How to Plan for a Successful Business Exit

    Zoom

    Planning for a successful business exit is one of the most important and often overlooked parts of building a business. Whether you’re years away from exiting or just beginning to think about what’s next, having a clear strategy in place can help you maximize value, protect your wealth, and transition on your own terms. This virtual workshop led by Chad Kihm will provide a practical overview of the exit planning process and the key decisions that shape both your financial and personal outcomes. You’ll walk away with: A clear understanding of what an exit plan is and why it matters Insight into the six-step exit planning process, including setting goals, evaluating readiness, and exploring your options An understanding of your “value gap” and how it impacts your exit An overview of valuation methods, M&A fees, and key financial considerations Guidance on buy/sell agreements and how to build the right advisory team About the Speaker Chad Kihm is a Private Wealth Advisor who works with ultra-high-net-worth, family-oriented business owners. He helps clients align their financial strategies with their personal values—enabling them to spend more time with family while protecting and preserving wealth for future generations. Instructions: This workshop is virtual and attendance is […]

    Free

  • AngelCon 2026

    Rod & Hammer Rock 855 Aerovista Pl, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Six innovative and disruptive startups compete for $100,000+ in investment funding to help grow their business. Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will host six brilliant tech-driven startups from Central California in a pitch competition to win $100,000+ in equity-backed funding at the eighth annual AngelCon on Thursday, April 30th at 5 p.m. The hybrid event will take place in person at Rod & Hammer Rock and stream on YouTube Live. Agenda:5-6PM Dinner & Networking w/ Startups (in-person only)6-7:15PM Startups Pitch7:15PM Winner Announcements - Audience + Investment Choice Startup Finalists: TBD Visit sbdc.calpoly.edu for more information.

    $10 – $85

  • Crafted Connections: Shaping Your Story

    Visit SLO CAL Office 81 Higuera Street Suite 220 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 81 Higuera Street Suite 220, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Educational & Networking Series Designed for Makers and Small Local Businesses in SLO CAL Visit SLO CAL and the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center are excited to present Crafted Connections, a four-part educational and networking series designed for our maker and small business community. From social media strategy and PR storytelling to peer conversations, these events are designed to elevate your marketing, create connections and help you grow in 2026! An interactive workshop led by communications professional Becky Mosgofian, Founder of YOBECKO marketing firm, to help refine your brand story, understand PR fundamentals and craft compelling narratives that resonate with your audience.

    Free

  • Coffee and Conversation with Nia James Starr of EcoSLO

    CIE HotHouse 1134 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    This Coffee & Conversation event features keynote speaker Nia James Starr, Sustainability Coordinator with the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo (EcoSLO). EcoSLO organizes our community to protect San Luis Obispo County’s environment, engaging residents through impactful programs like the Green Business Program, Urban Tree Planting, and Creeks to Coast Cleanups. At this event, Nia will share insights into the SLO County Green Business Program—part of the statewide California Green Business Network—which provides free resources and technical assistance to help businesses reduce costs and environmental impact. In 2025 alone, local Green Businesses collectively prevented over 3.27 million pounds of CO2 emissions, saved nearly 3.82 million kWh of energy, reduced more than 822,000 pounds of waste, and conserved over 1.07 million gallons of water. Nia brings a unique blend of creativity and environmental expertise to her role. After spending 15 years in New York City, she relocated to the Central Coast to pursue her passion for sustainability. She holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Systems from Pratt Institute and previously worked for nearly a decade as a visual designer, using storytelling to connect people with ideas. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how local businesses can lead the way […]

    Free

  • Crafted Connections: Hear From Your Peers By Visit SLO CAL

    Visit SLO CAL Office 81 Higuera Street Suite 220 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 81 Higuera Street Suite 220, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Educational & Networking Series Designed for Makers and Small Local Businesses in SLO CAL Visit SLO CAL and the Cal Poly CIE Small Business Development Center are excited to present Crafted Connections, a four-part educational and networking series designed for our maker and small business community. From social media strategy and PR storytelling to peer conversations, these events are designed to elevate your marketing, create connections and help you grow in 2026!

    Free

  • Controlling the Chaos: Operational Habits for Sustainable Work

    CIE HotHouse + Zoom 872 Higuera St, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Running a business shouldn't mean running yourself into the ground. This workshop led by operations expert, Aline Kubiak, gives solopreneurs and small business owners a practical framework for reclaiming their week, without adding more to it. We'll work through four moves: Deciding what actually matters, protecting time for the work that drives the business forward Reducing the daily decisions that drain your energy Handing off the rest (whether to a person, a tool, or an automation) You'll leave with a one-page worksheet to map your own week and a clear next step you can take immediately Come join us at our new HotHouse location to learn how to streamline your business operations and create a more sustainable way of working! About the Speaker: Aline is an operations practitioner with over a decade of experience helping organizations build systems that actually work. She specializes in translating operational complexity into clear, actionable structure, and giving business owners the frameworks they need to protect their time, reduce decision fatigue, and build teams they can trust. Her work is grounded in the belief that the conditions for sustainable, healthy work are created through process — and operations is where process lives. Instructions: There are two attendance […]

  • User Research & Design, Part II: Design, Iterate, and Develop

    CIE HotHouse 1134 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Understanding your customers is only the first step. The next challenge is turning those insights into a product that works for users and can be developed effectively. In User Research & Design, Part II: Design, Iterate & Develop, Janice Rohn will build on the research and validation principles introduced in Part I (Validate Before You Build) covered last month and explore how to move from customer insights into product design and development. Drawing on decades of experience leading product development and UX teams at companies like Apple and Intel, she’ll walk through key stages of the design process, including storyboarding, prototyping, testing, and transitioning to development. This workshop will explore key stages of the design process, including storyboarding, creating and testing prototypes, incorporating user feedback, and transitioning into development. You'll walk away with: An understanding of how to use storyboarding as part of the product design process Practical approaches for creating and testing prototypes Strategies for gathering user feedback and using it to iterate on your product A better understanding of how to move from design and testing into development

    Free

  • Beyond the Grind: AI & Tech Tools for Small Business — Part I: AI Foundations for Small Business

    CIE HotHouse 1134 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    AI can help small-business owners save time, work more efficiently, and make more informed decisions. In this practical, beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll explore ways to use AI in your business today, from creating content and conducting research to organizing ideas, supporting decision-making, and automating simple tasks. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what AI can and cannot do, along with useful ideas you can apply right away to spend less time on daily tasks and more time growing your business. About the Speaker:  José Huitrón is a founder and startup community builder with more than 10 years of experience in digital marketing, event execution, and venture design. He has launched ventures in content creation, digital marketing, and expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders. José previously served as President of the Latino Startup Alliance, a Silicon Valley organization focused on accelerating Latino-led tech ventures, and is the founder of Santa Maria Valley Tech, an online community platform highlighting technology and entrepreneurship in northern Santa Barbara County. There are two attendance options:  In-Person: In person event will take place at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's HotHouse Virtual: Attendees will receive Zoom login information* the day before of the event. […]

    Free

  • [Virtual] Capital Access for Small Businesses: Preparing to Fund Your Next Step

    Zoom

    Finding the right capital can help your business launch, stabilize, grow, or seize a new opportunity - but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. In this virtual workshop led by Roger Gilbert, small business owners will learn about common funding options, including traditional bank loans, SBA-guaranteed loans, lines of credit, and other sources of capital, and how to determine which may be a fit for their business. You’ll also learn how to prepare before approaching a lender: the financial information, documents, and business story loan officers look for; how lenders assess readiness; and practical steps to strengthen your application and improve your chances of success. This session is ideal for entrepreneurs who are considering financing now or want to position their business to access capital in the future. The presentation will include time for live Q&A. About the Speaker: Roger brings 26 years of financial-services experience, including 12 years in commercial lending and seven years in government-guaranteed lending. He holds a Certificate in Government Guaranteed Lending from NAGGL and has led both the Central Coast SBDC and a Regional SBDC Capital Access Center. As a former business owner in manufacturing, wholesale distribution, and retail, Roger brings both lending expertise […]

  • Beyond the Grind: Mastering Tech, Tools & AI — Part II: Tools to Run the Business Better

    CIE HotHouse 1134 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Running a business often means juggling projects, communication, client work, and countless small tasks. In Part II of our three-part Beyond the Grind series, designed to help you master technology, tools, and AI, Jose Huitron will share practical ways to use AI and digital tools to streamline your operations, stay organized, and get more done without adding unnecessary complexity. This session builds on Part I, AI Foundations for Small Business. If you missed it and would like to catch up before Part II, you can watch the recording here. We’ll explore AI tools, along with other digital tools, for project management, collaboration, communication, productivity, and day-to-day operations. Whether you work independently or lead a growing team, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how AI can support your business, which tools may fit your needs, and how to begin using them effectively. About the Speaker: José Huitrón is a founder and startup community builder with more than 10 years of experience in digital marketing, event execution, and venture design. He has launched ventures in content creation, digital marketing, and expanding access to capital for underrepresented founders. José previously served as President of the Latino Startup Alliance, a Silicon Valley organization focused […]