Not Everybody Can Be On Shark Tank: Securing Funding For Great Startup Ideas in Santa Cruz

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By Kate Rose
SBDC Communications Strategist
Special to Santa Cruz Tech Beat

August 31, 2017 — Santa Cruz, CA

Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center (SBDC) presents:

• Hot Topics for Tech Startups: Three industry advisors discuss protecting intellectual property, securing funding through government grants, and tips for creating a perfect pitch deck.
• Wed, Sept 27, 2017, 10am – 2pm
• Santa Cruz Library, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz, CA
• Register here.

Eavesdrop on conversations around the Santa Cruz New Tech Meetup and you’ll notice something different about the tech community here. This isn’t Silicon Valley – the crowd is more likely to lead with their kid’s summer experience at Junior Guards than to force their app pitch on you while you’re waiting to grab a beer. But don’t be fooled, they have an app idea, and it might just change the world. Good news is, they’re not looking over your shoulder to see if an angel investor walks in.

This is Santa Cruz County. We’ve chosen balance over chaos, surf over turf, and living with 7 roommates over… well, we can’t afford a place over the hill, either. So we grind and we innovate and draw inspiration from our gorgeous surroundings, all while staying mindful and chill (mostly). But what if you’ve got a game-changing startup idea or you’ve already launched something really incredible and need to get funding? You can go the traditional route, sure, but Bud Colligan can only do so much, and let’s face it – not everybody can be on Shark Tank (lookin’ at you, Inboard).

Instead of stroking Mark Cuban’s ego, you’ve got options to explore. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) just announced a special panel catering to the tech community in Santa Cruz County. On September 27, Hot Topics for Tech Startups will bring three industry advisors to the Downtown Public Library to discuss protecting intellectual property, securing funding through government grants, and tips for creating a perfect pitch deck.

Intellectual Property (IP) attorney Patrick Reilly, IP Society, is a featured speaker at SCDB’s Sept 27 event. (Contributed)

Patrick Reilly of IP Society is an intellectual property attorney with years of experience navigating IP. He’ll be joined by Gerry Barañano and Charles Eason from Tech Futures Group, a group of business advisors who help technology entrepreneurs raise capital and form strong organizational, marketing, and operating strategies.

“SBIR/STTR funding is one of the few grant programs available to technology based for-profit businesses that allows them to secure up to about a million dollars to demonstrate the feasibility of their innovation or technology without giving up any equity in their company,” said Charles Eason.

Hit up this event to network with other entrepreneurs, ask the speakers hard-hitting questions at a Q&A, and enjoy a free lunch, courtesy of the folks at Lighthouse Bank. The event is also made possible by great partnerships with Santa Cruz Tech Beat, City of Santa Cruz Economic Development, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Santa Cruz Works, and Tech Futures Group.

About Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The SBDC offers a wide variety of services to present and potential small business owners. All counseling services are confidential and free of charge. The SBDC’s mission is to provide quality management and technical assistance for small businesses, resulting in success for the entrepreneur, and economic growth and prosperity for all Californians. http://www.santacruzsbdc.org/

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Tagged Economic Development, Santa Cruz Public Library, SBDC