ChicoSTART Strategic & Innovation Workshops + Pitch Challenge

What?

Spend the day with us at the beautiful Westport Event Venue in Downtown Chico, CA for a dynamic lineup of strategic and innovative workshops—plus a ChicoSTART/GrowTECH Hang and Pitch Challenge! Lunch and evening libations are included.

Who should attend?

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a startup, small business, or just looking to learn something new for your business or idea, you'll want to sit in on these sessions! We will wrap up the day with a Startup Pitch Challenge and Hang.

All sesssions are 1 hour in length.

Schedule (subject to change):

8:45 a.m. : Attendee Check In

9:00 a.m.: 1 Million Cups Chico

Description: 1 Million Cups Chico takes place every Wednesday @ 9a.m. for entrepreneurs to share their business idea and receive support, feedback , and resources from the community. Whether you’re an entrepreneur yourself or just curious about what local innovators are creating — you’re invited to join us and see what’s brewing in our region!

10:15 a.m.: CleanStart’s CEO Crash Course (Abridged), Presented by Thomas Hall, Executive Director, CleanStart

Description:Come learn about CleanStarts CEO Crash Course, what to expect and gain from 12 weeks of courses. In addition learn about tools that you can use right now to level up your company as we cover:

• Tools to test and validate your business idea through customer discovery, value proposition design, and early market feedback
• Understand investor-ready fundamentals including capital expectations, key metrics, and a clear go-to-market strategy

We will also highlight opportunities in the energy transition that rural areas can take advantage of.

11:30 a.m.: Aligning AI with Your Mission: Practical Guidance for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses, Presented by Tyler Smith, CEO and President, Matson and Isom Technology

Description: AI is everywhere right now. And for entrepreneurs and small business leaders, the pressure to “do something with AI” can feel overwhelming.How do you use AI in a way that actually supports your mission, your people, and your customers without adding risk or distraction? Rather than focusing on tools or technical details, this session will help you think clearly about where AI fits, where it doesn’t, and how to make thoughtful decisions that align with your goals. This is a practical session designed for founders, startup leaders, and small business teams who want to move forward with confidence.It’s not about replacing people.

12:30 p.m. Lunch and Networking

1:30 p.m. Speaking for Your Brand: Media Training for Startups (Panel Session) - Linda Watkins-Bennett, News Anchor, Action News Now, Michael Redman, Co-Founder, Half a Bubble Out and Dorian Cohen, Owner & Creative Director, Metric Studios

Description: Are you a new, growing business? What if you send out a press release and the media calls your for a statement? Are you prepared? Is your core message consistent for every communicaton? Looking to start a podcast? It looks easy, but do you have a clear purpose? What are the ROI expectations? Do you and your company actually have something worth saying?

In this session you will:

Develop strategies to handle difficult questions and navigate high-pressure situations or crises with composure.

Identifying and refining your core messages and narrative to ensure consistency across all communications.

Get started in podcasting with practical tips and tools from the pros.

2:45 p.m.: Session Coming!

4:00 p.m. Mastering the Startup Pitch, Eva Shepherd-Nicoll, Executive Director, ChicoSTART

Description: Learn and practice the key skills to design & execute an impactful “Pitch”.

5:30 p.m. Startup Pitch Challenge and Hang

Whether you attend the workshop sessions or not, be our guest at the Hang to connect and support the Pitch Challengers. Our Hang attendees will be part of the FUN voting process to determine winners!

Pitch challenge begins at 6 p.m.

Connections, beverages, and small bites will be served.

*In Person Event

**Space is limited!

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Presented by ChicoSTART & GrowTECH

Thank you Partners: Mechanics Bank, Tri Counties Bank, Half a Bubble Out, Carta

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