Startup California Region Launches To Support Startup America Partnership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STARTUP CALIFORNIA REGION LAUNCHES TO SUPPORT STARTUP AMERICA PARTNERSHIP

Innovative startups are an economic engine, driving job creation, global competition and wealth creation. Startup California’s mission is to ensure these startup companies receive the necessary resources and relationships they need to succeed and that their voices are heard in California

IRVINE, Calif., June 7, 2012 – Today, California entrepreneurs are launching Startup California, a statewide effort to support the growth of startups throughout California, as a regional initiative to support the Startup America Partnership, a national organization dedicated to helping young companies grow in order to spur job growth creation across the country. Startup California launches with four in-state regions in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco with others to follow, to provide startup companies with the support they need to grow.

The four in-state regions will host launch events featuring startups, corporate partners, universities and investors. The events include:

• Orange County, June 13th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Microsoft Store in South Coast Plaza

• San Diego, June 9th from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the UCSD Rady School of Management

• Los Angeles, June 16th from 5:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m. at Cross Campus in Santa Monica, CA

• San Francisco Bay Area, June 14th from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at WeWork (2nd & Mission)

Along with the resources Startup America Partnership offers entrepreneurs nationally, Startup California will focus on breaking down silos across communities and uniting entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other California leaders, to work in concert with a wide range of local and state resources that can dramatically increase the prevalence and success of the California startup ecosystem. Startup California is on a mission to increase the number and scale of new high-growth firms in order to create economic growth, innovation and quality new jobs in the state.

“Startup companies drive the economy, and we think business leaders and policy makers should view these startups as the proverbial canaries in the coal mine – a willingness to experience business danger without compromise. They can alert us to opportunities that can fuel our economy for decades to come. But, they also can highlight looming challenges that stifle growth,” said Ash Kumra, Startup California Champion and Co-Leader.

By combining the power of the Startup America Partnership’s national network along with the local resources and capital opportunities across California, entrepreneurs will be able to access key tools in the following areas:

• Expertise: Connect entrepreneurs with knowledge, training, mentors, advisors, and accelerators.

• Services: Provide entrepreneurs access to critical services at reduced costs.

• Talent: Assist entrepreneurs in recruiting and training the people that can help them grow.

• Customers: Help to scale startups through new and existing markets.

• Capital: Highlight sources of available to entrepreneurs in various regions and sectors.

Once startups apply and become a Startup California member, they will have access to these resources and to connections with thought leaders, major corporations (as partners or customers), customers and more.

“A multitude of entrepreneurs and organizations across California have come together and made it their mission to embrace conflict, resist the urge to control, break down silos, and advance entrepreneurship, with the idea that we will produce high-growth companies, create jobs, and make a lasting impact on the state and the country,” said Danny Beckett Jr., Startup California Champion and Co-Leader. “Optimism and confidence remain high. For a state like California to thrive in the rapidly evolving innovation economy, it needs forward-thinking leaders with access to knowledge and expertise who understand the importance of taking risks, of carefully calibrating regulations, and basing decisions on facts.”

If you are startup interested in resources to help you grow your business, apply for your free membership. Corporations or organizations interested in providing unique offers to startups, visit Become a Partner. Startup California is interested in posting companies on the official website who want to provide products, services and resources to startup companies in California. 

About Startup California

The Startup California works in tandem with Startup America Partnership. Our statewide focus is on enhancing the connections between the local California ecosystem and to other Startup America regions across the country. Startup California will focus on breaking down silos across communities and uniting entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other California leaders, to work in concert to increase the number and scale of new high-growth firms to create economic growth and quality new jobs in the state. For more information, visit the Startup California website: www.startupcal.org.

About the Startup America Partnership

The Startup America Partnership is a growing national movement of thousands of founders, experts and resources providing startups access to the corporations, investors, and services they need to grow. Launched at the White House in early 2011, the Partnership brings together startups and local champions from around the country focused on creating successful networks for young high-growth companies to thrive. AOL co-founder Steve Case chairs the Partnership and the Kaufman and Case Foundations are its founding partners. American Airlines, American Express OPEN, Dell Inc., Intuit Inc., Microsoft and NYSE Euronext are corporate sponsors. For more information on the Partnership, visit www.s.co.

Contact:

Bob Maples 
Maples Communications, Inc.
949-276-7119
bmaples@maples.com