Events

Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Today

  • QuickBooks 101 Beginner Workshop

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

    Description: New to QuickBooks? This beginner-friendly workshop led by QuickBooks expert, Marissa Jones, will walk you through the essentials of setting up and navigating the platform with confidence. Whether you’re launching a business or simply ready to get your books in order, this session will help you build a strong foundation for managing your finances. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn: How to set up QuickBooks and get started Tips for organizing your books for a smooth year-end handoff to your tax professional How to use QuickBooks reports to stay financially informed and make better business decisions Common mistakes new businesses make—and how to avoid them About the Speaker:Marissa Jones is the Founder & CEO of Carpe Digits, where she helps businesses grow—from inception to exit—through modern accounting and finance solutions. With a background in economics and accounting, Marissa is a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and a frequent speaker at industry events.

    Free

  • Unlocking Growth for Your Business: Finding and Competing for Grants & Federal Funding

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

    Are you exploring ways to grow your business without giving up equity? Join us for this in-depth workshop on non-dilutive funding led by funding expert, Carolyn Kreuzcamp, MBA, and learn how to identify, pursue, and secure grant opportunities that align with your business goals. Is non-dilutive funding right for your business? Gain a clear understanding of grants and federal funding, how they work, and when they’re the right fit. How to find the right opportunities for your business. Discover strategies for identifying relevant opportunities across public (municipal, state, and federal) and private (foundation) sources. About the speaker Carolyn Kreuzkamp, MBA is a seasoned funding strategist with extensive experience preparing grant proposals and responding to solicitations at the Municipal, State, and Federal levels. Carolyn specializes in building commercialization strategies for regulated industries, with a strong focus in healthcare and medtech. Her expertise spans tech transfer, finance, innovation, government contracting, and storytelling. She also serves as a member of the NIH Center for Scientific Review and as a mentor for the Department of Commerce Select Global Women in Tech program. Based in San Francisco, Carolyn is proud to be part of the SBDC at Cal Poly and visits San Luis Obispo quarterly to advise teams in person. IMPORTANT NOTE: Carolyn […]

    Free

  • QuickBooks Intermediate – Virtual Workshop

    Zoom

    Ready to take your QuickBooks skills to the next level? In this live, virtual workshop, QuickBooks expert Marissa Jones will guide you beyond the basics to help you strengthen your financial systems and maintain accurate, insightful records. Perfect for business owners and professionals who already use QuickBooks and want to enhance efficiency, consistency, and confidence in their bookkeeping. In this interactive online workshop, you’ll learn: -Best practices for clean, consistent recordkeeping -Tools to streamline monthly reviews and stay on top of business health -How to track KPIs to measure performance and make data-driven decisions About the Speaker Marissa Jones is the Founder & CEO of Carpe Digits, where she helps businesses grow—from inception to exit—through modern accounting and finance solutions. With a background in economics and accounting, Marissa is a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and a frequent speaker at industry events. Register for free

    Free

  • Coffee and Conversations with Peter Falzon

    SLO HotHouse 872 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States

    Join us for a special Coffee & Conversation as we welcome Peter Falzon, the new Executive Director of the Cal Poly Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE)! Peter is a serial entrepreneur with a proven track record of creating economic value in venture-stage and public companies with a focus on life sciences and technology. For the past seven years, Peter has been the CEO of Ripple Science, a healthcare IT spinout of the University of Michigan that provides cloud-based software for recruiting and retaining participants in clinical research studies. Before Ripple Science, Peter spent 10 years studying and working in Japan and 15 years managing life science companies in San Francisco and Silicon Valley. He is a native of Michigan and a graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where he earned his degree with distinction. We are incredibly excited to have Peter join the Cal Poly CIE community! This event is a wonderful opportunity to hear his story, learn about his vision for the CIE, and connect with other members of our vibrant business community. Enjoy free coffee, great conversations, and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with like-minded professionals!

    Free

  • AngelCon 2026 Startup Info Session (Online)

    Interested in $100K+ to grow your startup? Join us for this online info session to learn how your startup can participate in  AngelCon 2026 — the Central Coast’s biggest annual startup competition that brings together tech-driven entrepreneurs and local investors. Each year, one company walks away with  $100,000+ in equity-backed funding to accelerate their growth.During this session, you’ll: Get an overview of AngelCon — from application to the live pitch event. Learn about eligibility requirements and what makes a competitive startup. Understand the time commitment and expectations for participating companies. Participate in an open Q&A session to get your specific questions answered. We’re seeking a diverse group of innovative, high-potential startups from across Central California (from LA to the Bay) — to compete for $100K+ in funding. Previous winners have collectively earned  $875,000 in AngelCon funding and secured $2–20M in follow-up investments. Join us to learn how you can become part of AngelCon 2026 and take the next step in scaling your startup! A Zoom link will be provided to registrants on the morning of the session so you can join us online.  Startup applications are open now through January 16th. 

    Free

  • Year-End Financial Planning for Business Owners & What You Need to Know for 2026

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

    As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time for business owners to review their finances, get organized, and prepare for the year ahead — including new California employer requirements taking effect in 2026. Join us for a practical workshop designed to help you reflect on your business finances and identify the steps needed to build a strong financial future. Led by Chloe Feingold, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, this session will walk you through key year-end planning essentials while helping you understand and prepare for these upcoming state requirements. The format will be interactive and informal, with the opportunity to ask Chloe questions throughout. During this session from 4-5PM, we’ll cover: Finance basics and best practices to strengthen your business’s finances in the new year How to create a simple financial plan that supports both business and personal goals Key updates for 2025–2026, including the SECURE 2.0 Act and California’s new retirement-plan requirements After the session, you will have a chance to network with other business owners from 5-5:30PM over small bites and beverages. About the Speaker: Chloe Feingold is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones who helps business owners align everyday financial decisions with their long-term goals. She brings a practical, approachable style to […]

    Free

  • [Virtual] Preparing for Tax Filing Season: What Every Business Owner Should Know

    Zoom

    Tax filing season can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This practical workshop led by Peter Buss of KBF Advisory, is designed to help business owners understand what to expect as they head into tax season and how to prepare with confidence. Participants will gain an overview of key tax considerations for businesses, common pitfalls to avoid, and proactive steps that can help streamline the filing process. Whether you’re a first-time founder or a seasoned business owner, this session will help you ask the right questions, stay organized, and feel better prepared for conversations with your accountant or tax advisor. About the Speaker Peter K. Buss is CEO and Managing Director of KBF Advisory, serving public, private equity–owned, and venture-backed companies. He specializes in accounting for incoming taxes (ASC 740), purchase accounting, and oversees corporate tax compliance for public and private entities. Peter frequently acts as an outsourced tax department and liaison with audit firms, helping companies meet SEC and PCAOB independence requirements. His expertise also includes stock-based compensation, interim tax accounting, and uncertain tax positions. Peter joined KBF in 2004 after working at Ernst & Young in San Francisco. Instructions: This workshop is virtual and attendance is offered via Zoom. A […]

    Free

  • Crafted Connections: Creating Content That Sticks

    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! Learn social media strategy directly from Haley Pavone, CEO & Founder of Pashion Footwear with 2.2 M followers across Instagram and Tiktok - featuring practical insights, creative approaches and maker-focused tips to elevate your online presence.

    Free

  • 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