Chicostart

05/28/2026

Meet one of the young entrepreneurs from our NEXTGEN cohort. 🚀

In this testimonial, they share how NEXTGEN helped them build confidence, develop their ideas, and connect with a community that supports them to start, grow, and thrive. 🌟

Ready to join the next cohort? Applications are now open.

Apply here:
🔗https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFQgv2lzD84WnX2ZI1I_D8WjtPCnu2q9oK2iMW-kVZ8BZ_9w/viewform

Learn more about NEXTGEN:
🔗https://www.chicostart.com/chicostart-next-gen

05/26/2026

Silicon Valley has discovered the grid. 👀

Big ideas, bold claims, and a lot of confidence. But what holds up when you stress-test it against reality?

We're having that conversation at our June 18th Cleantech Meetup at Rancho Cordova. Come bring your perspective.

🔗 https://luma.com/m6t7j4zw

Made Possible By:
City of Rancho Cordova Government, SMUD, Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Sac State, & E2

05/26/2026

05/26/2026

Tomorrow 9:00am-10:00am
In-person: 2155 Park Avenue Chico, CA
Zoom link: https://lnkd.in/gbgJrvtV

hashtag hashtag

You may have heard…
1 Million Cups Chico has officially moved into a bigger space at Tech Toss!

Join May 27th us for a morning of coffee, connections, and conversation as we open the doors to our new location on Wednesday mornings.

We’re excited to continue growing our community of entrepreneurs, creatives, and founders, in a space built for connection and innovation.

📍 Tech Toss 2155 Park Ave, Chico
🗓️ May 27th
⏰ 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Come check out the new space, meet the community, and see what 1 Million Cups Chico is about. Free to attend!

05/25/2026

Your go-to update for all things entrepreneurship, tech, and small biz. 🧡⁠

Meet ChicoSTART's Innovation Grant Awardee Real Good Soil. Real Good Soil is part of Emergence’s forest-to-farm system, transforming responsibly thinned forest biomass into biologically active soil amendments that regenerate soil, improve water retention, and support durable carbon storage.

Watch YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/p_9ytkYYMQY?si=E9iuSepFB23DnDmI

☕ Join Us for 1 Million Cups Chico Wednesday, May 27th

📍 New Location Reminder (starting May 20):⁠
2155 Park Ave, Chico, CA 95928⁠

*Subscribe to the ChicoSTART 📰newsletter by visiting our website 🔗www.chicostart.com

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, ChicoSTART will be closed on Monday, May 25. 🇺🇸

We honor and remember the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country. ❤️🤍💙

We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday May 26th 9AM – 5PM.

05/22/2026

This week we’re highlighting Fresh Haven from our Fall 2023 NEXTGEN cohort!

Fresh Haven was founded in August 2023 with the mission of creating a sustainable, eco-friendly, and socially responsible business through plant-based laundry detergent sheets made with only 5 ingredients and packaged in 100% compostable packaging.

Since joining ChicoSTART NEXTGEN, Fresh Haven has continued making an impact:
✨ Donating over 2,000 loads of laundry to the Torres Homeless Shelter in Chico
✨ Being featured in Upgraded Living Magazine in April 2025
✨ Launching a NEW website in February 2026
✨ Remaining stocked locally at S&S Natural Foods and Chico Natural Foods Co-op
✨ Participating in local events including Thursday Night Market hosted by the Downtown Chico Business Association and Blossom Market hosted by Lunar Market and Chico State

We’re excited to continue watching Fresh Haven grow and create positive change through sustainable products and community involvement. 💚

Learn more about Fresh Haven: www.freshhavenllc.com

Interested in joining a future NEXTGEN cohort? Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFQgv2lzD84WnX2ZI1I_D8WjtPCnu2q9oK2iMW-kVZ8BZ_9w/viewform

05/20/2026

Meet CalOSBA Innovation Grant Awardee – Joel White, Founder, Real Good Soil.

From responsibly thinned forest biomass and living microbiology. Real Good Soil is focused on soil regeneration, increase water retention and carbon credits.

Real Good Soil is one of five recipients of the CalOSBA Innovation Grant.

These Innovation Grants are supported by ChicoSTART and funded through CalOSBA and IBANK. They support early-stage startups working on proof of concept, research and development, prototypes, and initial product development across high-impact industries such as clean energy, climate resilience, agriculture, and technology.

You can find the full video on ChicoSTART’s YouTube here: https://youtu.be/p_9ytkYYMQY

Real Good Soil was also recently selected as a finalist in the WPWMA Circular Economy Pitch Competition. The 2026 WPWMA Circular Economy Innovation Competition is a live pitch event where innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs present solutions that turn landfill waste into valuable resources through recycling, material recovery, and waste reduction technologies.

Follow along as we continue to share the story of each awardee!

See the full press release to learn more at ChicoSTART.com
Press Release: https://www.chicostart.com/news/for-immediate-release-chicostart-announces-300k-to-north-state-innovation-grant-awardees-pdf

05/14/2026

Apply by tomorrow May 15th! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbPf_wtOSrbMWihKdhERjFoQAxA2wBLmh0hLtQlpZb4Db9JQ/viewform

GrowTECH FEST💚 2026 Speaker🎤 Application is Open!
🚨Deadline to Apply is May 15th.

GrowTECH FEST 💚 is where we celebrate and elevate the entrepreneurial spirit in the North State! Presented by ChicoSTART🧡, GTF is two days of ✨️keynotes, idea generators, workshops, and community — an inspiring event packed with networking, expert talks, and hands-on sessions.

Be part of the speaker lineup‼️
We are officially opening our speaker pool for 2026. We’re looking for experts and storytellers who can provide high-value insights to our North State entrepreneurial ecosystem. 💡💪

We are seeking:
🗣️Industry Expert Talks
🎤Founder Stories
💻️📝Day 2 Workshop Speakers

Apply to Speak:
🔗https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbPf_wtOSrbMWihKdhERjFoQAxA2wBLmh0hLtQlpZb4Db9JQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106918957822447472857

Folsom Tech Week Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Sac State StartupSac Chico Chamber of Commerce Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce

05/14/2026

Apply to be a speaker at GTF 2026...deadline tomorrow Friday May 15th!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbPf_wtOSrbMWihKdhERjFoQAxA2wBLmh0hLtQlpZb4Db9JQ/viewform