Following weeks of rigorous training and mentorship, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) 2018 HotHouse Summer Accelerator companies have hit the ground running with innovative business ventures. For the next two years, all accelerator companies will continue to advance their startups as participants in the HotHouse Incubator program, leveraging all CIE... read more →
Oct
08
Sep
06
By: Dylan Grant Riana de Nysschen recognizes the need for healthier alternatives to desserts served in today’s market. As a breast cancer survivor, maintaining a chemical and preservative free diet was critical to the treatment of her own illness. With the support of her family, Riana will soon be serving... read more →
Aug
29
By Dylan Grant Staying productive is no easy feat for entrepreneurs and remote workers. Even the most driven business professionals lose motivation when working from home. Set up shop at a cafe or coffee house, only to find the roar of steaming milk and babbling customers distracting. Everyone deserves a space to... read more →
Jun
06
Susan Steeb has developed a sharp eye for how startups can become bloated with inefficiencies, lack of direction, and mismanagement – and how they can be retooled into sleeker, smoother and more strategically focused organizations. She loves startups and entrepreneurial ventures, helping owners generate revenue and become profitable through solid... read more →
Jan
31
Most startups share a common burden: seeking and obtaining funding, as quickly and as efficiently as possible, to support rapid business development. While tech startup founders go the Angel Group route for funding, most business owners commonly rely on banks to obtain loans for finances; interestingly, there are numerous FinTech... read more →
Dec
27
The idea to start BoltAbout came to Matt Maxwell in November 2015, when he was frustrated by public transportation options. He found the perfect alternative in the form of electric bikes. In April 2016, he decided to turn this passion into a business by launching a pilot program to lease... read more →
Oct
07
In the early stages of turning an idea into a reality, crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have provided startup companies with the means to establish capital that wouldn’t otherwise exist. A series of small contributions made from a large number of people, crowdfunding serves as an alternative to traditional... read more →
Jul
21
Dan Berkeland, owner of Back Porch Bakery has a passion for creating locally made products that brings a sense of community to the Central Coast. After working as a cook in Italy and teaching cooking classes upon returning to the United States, Dan decided he would bring the Italian sense... read more →
Jul
21
Q: What originally got you interested in working in or with startups? A: “Judy Mahan, Director of the Cal Poly CIE SBDC and Incubator Program at the SLO HotHouse, and I had an interview about 15 months ago. I gave Judy my background information and references for my consulting company,... read more →
Jun
17
California residents are generally rather familiar with the consequences that the drought has had on water regulations. Those living in drought-stricken areas are expected to monitor their water intake, and if they exceed their authorized limits in their area, they will be subject to substantial fines. Flume, created by Cal... read more →