SPCC_10082024_Exhibit_5_1 — Glendale City Council, October 8, 2024

GlendaleTechStartupGrowthProgram
Presenting:

TheGlendaleGrowthAlliance(Pre)SeedtoScaleGlendaleB2B&B2CDualAccelerators PoweredbyFoundersBoostinPartnershipwithHackerFundandtheAllianceforSoCalInnovation BlakeCaldwellCEOofStartupBoostInc.201NBrandBlvdDowntown,Suite200Glendale,CA91203Email:[email protected]:424-272-7228 July12,2024
SouaVangDeputyDirectorofCommunityDevelopment-EconomicCevelopmentGlendaleEconomicDevelopmentDivision633EastBroadway,Suite201Glendale,CA91206 DearMs.Vang,
WeareexcitedtopresentourproposalfortheGlendaleTechStartupGrowthProgram.Thisinitiative,poweredbyFoundersBoostinpartnershipwithHackerFundandtheAllianceforSoCalInnovation,isdesignedtoenhanceGlendale'sstartupecosystemthroughourGlendaleGrowthAllianceprogram.A(pre)SeedtoScaleapproachwithdualacceleratorsforBusiness-to-Business(B2B)andBusiness-to-Consumer(B2C)businesses.

OurGlendaleGrowthAllianceprogramaimsto:

1. Showcasethelocalstartupcommunityandprovideemergingcompanieswiththetoolsandsupporttheyneedtothrive:LeveragingGlendale’svibrantdowntownanddynamicbusinessenvironment,wewillofferstartupsmentorship,resources,andnetworkingopportunities.2. PromoteGlendaleasaninnovationhub:BycapitalizingonGlendale’sproximitytotopuniversitiesandtechnologycompanies,wewillhighlightthecityasapremierdestinationforinnovationandentrepreneurship.3. Attractandretainadiversepooloftechtalent:Glendale’sculturalvibrancyandconnectivitymakeitanideallocationfortechprofessionals.Theprogramwillactivelypromotetheseattributestoattractandretainskilledtalent.4. Drivelocaleconomicdevelopment:Supportinghigh-growthpotentialstartupswilldriveeconomicgrowth,generatesubstantialrevenue,andcreatehigh-wagejobsinGlendale.

FoundersBoostInc.hasaprovenhistoryofsupportingearly-stagefounderswithoutrequiringpaymentorequity,ensuringinclusivityandaccessforentrepreneursfromallbackgrounds.SinceourlocallaunchinLosAngeles,wehaveexpandedglobally,running90programsacross20ecosystemsandhelpingalumniraiseover$250million.

Partneringwithus,theAllianceforSouthernCaliforniaInnovationprovidescrucialconnectionstoinstitutionalcapital,havingsupported80startupswith$85MininvestmentsthroughitsSoCalVenturePipeline.HackerFund,thenation'sleaderininventioneducation,empowersover60,000inventorsannuallythroughhackathonsandcollaborationswithschools,governments,andtoptechcompanies.

OurGlendaleGrowthAllianceprogrampromisestocatalyzetechnologicaladvancementsandeconomicprosperityinGlendale.Ourproposaldetailshowweplantoachievethesegoalseffectively,leveragingour 2 collectiveexpertiseandresources.

WeareconfidentthatoureffortswillsignificantlyimpactGlendale’seconomiclandscape,fosteringinnovationandentrepreneurship.Thankyouforconsideringourproposal.WelookforwardtotheopportunitytoworkwiththeCityofGlendaletoachieveoursharedvisionofathriving,innovativecommunity.

Respectfully,
BlakeCaldwellCEO,FoundersBoost
3 Qualification,Experience,PastPerformance
EntityName(s):

Primary:FoundersBoostPartner:HackerFundPartner:AllianceforSouthernCaliforniaInnovation Contactinformationforprimaryentity:

BlakeCaldwellCEOofStartupBoostInc.201NBrandBlvdDowntown,Suite200Glendale,CA91203Email:[email protected]:424-272-7228 Typeofentity,yearfounded,andbusinessregistration(ifapplicable):
● FoundersBoostisaDelawareC-Corp,foundedin2017,withanEINof88-1335400.FoundersBoostalsohasa501(c)3arm,FoundersBoostFoundation,fiscallysponsoredbyHackerFund.● HackerFundisa501(c)3foundedin2014,withanEINof47-2485464● TheAllianceforSouthernCaliforniaisa501(c)6organizationfoundedin2017withanEINof82-1726203.TheAlliancealsohasa501(c)3armfiscallysponsoredbyCommunityPartners.

Listofowners,partners,ormembersofprimaryentity:

FoundersBoost:● BlakeCaldwell,CEO● GeneMurphy,Co-Founder● ChrisKay,Founder.

Organizationalhistoryandbackground:

ABOUTFOUNDERSBOOST:TheFoundersBoostprogramwasoriginallydesignedtoaddresstheubiquitouslackofaccessiblesupportforearlystagefoundersinstartupecosystemsnearlyeverywhere.Byremovingtheneedtopayandgiveupcompanyequity,foundersfromallbackgroundscouldbenefitfromasupportnetworkusuallyunavailableorunattainabletothem,anddosowithoutgivingupvaluableequityneededtosucceedinthefuture.Theprogramwasdesignedtobeextremelyefficientwhilemaximizingimpact,andislaser-focusedonprovidingthenecessarysupportforstartupsintheearlystage,activatingnetworksoftalentedvolunteersandsimultaneouslydemonstratingvaluetodrawthesupporttofundtheprograms. 4 FoundersBoostlaunchedlocally,inLosAngeles,andhasasevenyearhistoryofprovensuccessinthisarena.In2017FoundersBoostofficiallylaunchedin4ecosystems,LA,Detroit,Toronto,&Dublin.In2018itaddedNYC,London,andaBlockchainverticalprogram.in2019,Pittsburgh&Chicagojoined.In2020,Kenya,Newcastle,Vancouver,andZambiajoined.Despitetheeffectstheglobalpandemichadonnearlyeveryaspectofindustry,theprogramnotonlypersevered,butexpandedevenfurther,provingboththevalueandtheresilienceofthebusinessmodel.In2021,Austin,Italy,SouthFlorida,&WashingtonDCjoined.In2022,weaddedprogramsforDenver,Netherlands,Turkey,andanAutismfocusedaccelerator.Todate,wehavecompleted78programsinvolving150programleaders,250expertspeakers,and700+mentorswhohavehelpedover1000foundersfrom500+graduatedstartups.

FoundersBoosthasrun14acceleratorprogramsinLosAngelesand90totalacceleratorprogramsacross20ecosystemsglobally.Alumnihavegoneonfromtheircohortstoraiseover$250million.

Dedicatedtoinclusivity,wefirmlybelievethatgreatideasknownoboundaries.Westrivetoleveltheplayingfieldandprovideequalopportunitiesforentrepreneursfromallbackgrounds,regardlessofgender,ethnicity,orsocio-economicstatus.

FoundersBoostStatistics:
● NumberofAlumniStartups:594● NumberofAlumniFounders:1k+● NumberofApplications:7k+● TotalFunding:$250M+● Diversity(Startups):80%(89%inLA)● NumberofCohorts:14● NumberofProgramsRun:91● NumberofYearsRun:7 UnderservedBreakdown StartupsLA StartupsGlobal
BIPOCFounded 55% 53%
BlackFounded 10% 27%
LatinxFounded 20% 8%
POCFounded 45% 28%
WomenFounded 44% 35%
ImmigrantFounded 45% 30%
LGBTQFounded 10% 5%
DisabilityFounded 5% 4%
5 NeurodiverseFounded 0.00% 3%
VeteranFounded 5% 3%
MarginalizedFounded 6.45% 3.80%
Total% 88.71% 79.75%
ABOUTTHEALLIANCEFORSOUTHERNCALIFORNIAINNOVATION:

PartneringwithFoundersBoostistheAllianceforSouthernCaliforniaInnovation(“theAlliance”),a501c6non-profitorganization,whichservesasaregionalsuperconnectorsupportingtheSoCalinnovationecosystem.InMarch2021,theAlliancelaunchedtheSoCalVenturePipeline(SVP)toaddresstheaccessgapforfirst-timefounders,especiallythosefromunderservedcommunities,whoaredisconnectedfromcrucialsourcesofinstitutionalcapital.TheAllianceleveragesourrobuststakeholderrelationshipnetworkdevelopedoverthepastsevenyearstodirectlyconnect“investor-ready”founderstoournationwidenetworkofover200VCsandothersourcesofinstitutionalcapital.Sofar,therigorouslyselectiveprogramhasdirectlysupported80startups(outofthe704applicationsreceived)withtargetedmatchmakingofindividualinvestorintroductions.Theapplicationdatarevealsthat60%ofthefoundersidentifiedasnon-white,32%asnon-male,and34%arefirstgenerationcollegegraduates.Sofar,theSVPmatchmakingprogramhasledto20startupsgettingfundedforatotalof$85Mininvestment.TheAlliancehasalsobeguninvestingoutofanew$5.5MVentureFund(CatalystFund)tofundSoCalVenturePipelinecompaniesandinjusttwomonthssinceitslaunch,hascompletedtwoinvestmentsintoLACountystartupstotalling$500K,withanotherinvestmentimminent.

ABOUTHACKERFUND:

JoiningFoundersBoostandtheAllianceforTheGrowthAllianceprojectwillalsobeHackerFundwhosebeliefisthatartistscreatetoexpress,inventorscreatetosolveproblems,andahackeristheentrepreneurattheintersectionofthetwo.Weinventwaystosavetheworldasanexpressionofourselvesandwhatwestandfor.HackerFundisthenation’sleaderininventioneducationwhereweempowerhackerstohelpthedisadvantaged,educatethecommunity,andprotecttheenvironmentthroughthehackathonmodelandfiscalsponsorship.

AtHackerFund,weserveover60,000inventorsannuallythroughhackathonsthatcollaboratewithschoolsandgovernmentsundertheguidanceofmentorsfrom150+ofthetoptechnologycompaniesintheworldincludingApple,Google,Microsoft,Tesla,SpaceX,Disney,andSnap.Weactivelybuildrelationshipswithfunders–includingangelinvestors,seed-stagefunds,foundations,philanthropists,andventurecapitalists–ensuringwell-attendeddemodaysthatspotlightourinventors.AligningwithUSPTOguidelines,weenhanceSTEM/STEAMcurriculabyintegratinginventioneducationandintellectualpropertyconceptsintoclassrooms,teachingvaluableproblem-solvingskillsthatbenefitstudentsacrosscareerpathsandinterests.Throughour“hackathonmodel”,wedeliverasuiteofworkforcedevelopmentandtrainingprogramsthatremainresponsivetotheevolvingneedsoftechbusinesses,ensuringsustainedgrowthandinnovationinthecommunitiesweservenationwide. 6 Byengagingkeypartnersfromprivate,non-profit,philanthropic,andpublicsectors,wedevelophackathonsandrelatedprogrammingfocusedoncivicinnovation.Wetirelesslyseekgrantfundingfortechnologyeducation,promotelocaldemocracy,andadaptnewtechnologiestomeetcommunityneeds.Additionally,weco-designinventionacademieswithcityandworkforcepartners,connectingstudentstopaidsummerinternshipsandapprenticeshipsinthetechindustry,nurturingthenextgenerationofcivictechnologyentrepreneurs.

KeyPersonnel
ThekeypersonnelfortheGlendaleGrowthAlliancewillbeBlakeCaldwell,EricEide,andJustinBrezhnev.PotentialDirectorsfortheprogram,shouldthegrantbeawarded,areArezuAghaseyorScottWitt.

BlakeCaldwell:Blakewillserveasthemainpointofcontactforthisprogram.HeistheCEOofFoundersBoostandhasarichbackgroundinstartupacceleration,founder,andasaninvestor.Hehasbeeninstrumentalinlaunchingandrunningnumeroussuccessfulacceleratorprogramsglobally.SeeBlake’sresumebelow(AppendixA).

EricEide:EricistheManagingDirectoroftheAllianceforSouthernCaliforniaInnovationandbringsextensiveexperienceinfosteringinnovationandcollaborationwithintheSouthernCaliforniatechecosystem.HehasworkedwithinanLA-basedunicornstartup(Bird)andhasalsoworkedattheU.S.SmallBusinesswherehehelpedoperatethefederal$4.5BSmallBusinessResearchInnovationResearch(SBIR)programacross11federalagencies.Healsospent2yearsconductingfieldworkinIndiatounderstandhowentrepreneursbuildstartupsandstartupecosystemsinemergingeconomies.SeeEric’sresumebelow(AppendixA).

JustinBrezhnev:Justinisafirst-generationAmericanwhosefamilyimmigratedfromtheformerSovietUnion(whatisnowUkraine)whofoundedHackerFundandhasbuiltacareerasoneoftheleadinghackathonorganizersintheworld,havingfoundedtheprolifichackathons,LAHacksforUCLAandHacktechforCaltechandorganizedthelargesthighschoolhackathoninhistory-HSHacksatPaypalTownhall.Heisavisionaryleaderwithapassionforempoweringyounginventorsandtechnologyentrepreneursthroughhackathonsandventurefunding.SeeJustin’sresumebelow(AppendixA).

ArezuAghaseyistheproposedManagingDirectorofTheAccelerator,supportedbyBlakeCaldwellandFoundersBoost.CurrentlytheProductInnovationandStrategyDirectoratCrea,sheleadsproductdevelopmentforstartupsandmanagestechnologyneedsforacceleratorsandVCs.HerexpertiseindigitaltransformationandDesignThinkinghasdrivencorporate-drivenacceleratorsforMetaandWalmartthroughlaunchingprogramsatPlugandPlayLAandbuildingouttheLAstartupecosystem.AtDeloitte,sheidentifiedandimplementedemergingtechnologiesforFortune100clients.APasadenaresident,shehassupportedadtechfirmsinproductdevelopmentandmarketing.Recognizedasa25xhackathonwinner,ArezuhaswoncompetitionssponsoredbyVisa,CapitalOne,BoostVC/Coinbase,CapitolRecords,andMozillaallowinghertostayuptodatewithtechnologyandtakingthem0-1.SeeArezu’sresumebelow(AppendixA).

ScottWittistheproposedsecondaryManagingco-DirectorofTheAccelerator,supportedbyBlakeCaldwellandFoundersBoost.Scottisalong-timeGlendaleresidentandentrepreneurialengineerwithanMBAinmarketingandstrategyandabackgroundintheartsandeducation.Hehelpsfounderstosucceedinavariety 7 ofways:1)PitchCoach:helpfounderstounderstandandarticulatethepotentialoftheirventure,andthencraftandpresentacompellingstorytostakeholders;2)StartupAdviser:providefounderswithuniqueinsights,recommendations,andthought-provokingquestions;3)Consultant/IndividualContributor:hands-onprojectworkinmarketing,productdesignanddevelopment,strategy,operations,andbusinessdevelopment;and4)FractionalExecutive:experiencedseniormanagementresourceonapart-timebasis.Hiscontributionsasanentrepreneurialeducatorincludeacademicsettings(UCLAAnderson,USCKeck,Caltech),accelerators(CleantechOpen,FoundersBoost)andcommunityorganizations(AllianceforSoCalInnovation,InnovatePasadena,SocalBio,andBCLA).AsamentorandcoachhehashelpedfounderstoreachthefinalsoftheCleantechOpen,USC’sMaseehPrize,andTechCoastAngelsQuickPitch.Inthelastfouryearshehasspentover600hoursworkingwithunder-representedfounders.SeeScott’sresumebelow(AppendixA).

RelevantExperience
FoundersBoostFoundersBoosthasrunover90acceleratorprogramsfrom20acceleratorsacrossecosystemsglobally.TheLosAngelesacceleratorlaunchedin2017andisstillthriving,havingcompleteditsmostrecentprograminJune,2024.PleaserefertotheLetterofSupportbyourreferenceforfurtherinsightsintoourabilitytodeliverimpactfulprograms.

FoundersBoostLAAcceleratorProgram:● NameandLocation:FoundersBoostLAAcceleratorProgram,LosAngeles,CA● Ownership,Financing/EquitySources:OwnedandoperatedbyFoundersBoost;financedbycorporatesponsorsincludingProsperaLaw,Google,andBCGx● LaunchDate:2017● CurrentStatus:Ongoing,withthemostrecentprogramcompletedinJune2024● PhysicalSpaceUsedfortheProgram:TheprogramsessionswerehostedatBCGxinElSegundo,featuringa600sqftpresentationroomthataccommodates50peoplewithhybridtechnology,akitchen,andparking.DemoDaywashostedatGoogleVenice,with100attendees(50%investors)intheirlargeconferenceroomwithhostedfoodandbeveragesfromlocalbrands.● TeamMembersInvolved:○ RonLeshem,Co-Director:Responsibleforpreparingandexecutingtheprogram,includingteambuilding,mentorandspeakerrecruitment,founderrecruitmentandevaluation,andprogramanddemodaypreparationandexecution.○ PaulGenberg,Co-Director:SharedequalresponsibilitieswithRon,managingtherestoftheteamandoverseeingprogramoperations.○ JennaFuentes,ProgramLeader:Handledcommunityengagement.○ DennyTian,ProgramLeader:Managedprogramduties,ensuringalltaskswerehandledefficiently.○ LeonardTatum,ProgramLeader:Supportedallaspectsoftheprograminautilityrole’.● ProjectMetricsforSuccess:○ Supported115startups,withnearly90%havingunderrepresentedfounders.○ Startupshavecollectivelyraisedover$100Minfunding.○ Createdover1,000jobs. 8 ○ Generatedwellover$40Minrevenue.

FoundersBoost,inpartnershipwithavarietyofcorporatestakeholders,isactivelyrunningmanyotherlong-standingprogramswhichinclude:Detroit(launched2017),Toronto(launched2017),NYC(launched2018),Kenya(launched2020),Vancouver(launched2020),Italy(launched2021),SouthFlorida(launched2021),Austin(launched2021),WashingtonDC(launched2021),AutismInnovation(launched2022),andNetherlands’EuropeAI(launched2022).

TheAllianceforSoCalInnovationTheAllianceforSoCalInnovationhasspentthepast7yearsworkingtounitetheSouthernCaliforniainnovationecosystemtopromoteandadvancetheregion.TheSoCalVenturePipelineprogram,launchedin2021,hasgrowntobecomeoneoftheAlliance’smostimportantprograms.TheSVPisprimarilyfundedbycorporatesponsorsandtheEDA’sBuildtoScalegranttocoverthefounderoutreachandinvestormatchmakingservices.TheAlliance,inpartnershipwithitsco-GPpartner,PasadenaPrivateFinancialGroup,hasraisedandbeguninvestingfromanewventurefund(TheCatalystFund),whichgeneratesmanagementfeestohelpcovercostsofrunningtheno-costprogram.

TheSVPProgramisoperatedvirtually,butfoundereventsareregularlyhostedinlocalcitiestobringtogetherfounders,investors,andstakeholders,helpfoundersprepareandlearnaboutfundraising,andraiseawarenessaboutthenocost,noequityhelptheSoCalVenturePipelinecanprovide.

TheAlliancealsoregularlyconvenesinvestor-onlyeventsacrosstheSoCalregiontofosterandextendtheinvestorrelationshipstoenabletheinvestorimpactoftheprogram.IncludedintheseoutreachesisanannualinvestorhappyhoureventhostedatCaltech,whichbringstogethertwodozeninvestorsbasedinthetri-cityareathathasbeenheldeachofthelastthreeyears.

TheSoCalVenturePipelinealreadyservesfoundersbasedinGlendaleandthetri-cityareaandwillbeabletoserveandsupportmanymorewiththeawardofthisgrant.Todate,theSVPprogramhasreviewed31applicantsfromtheBurbank-Glendalearea,another31fromthePasadenaarea,andanadditional101fromthenearbydowntownLAarea.FourcompaniesfromtheBurbank-GlendaleareahavebeenacceptedintotheSVPprogramtodate.

AllianceSVPTeammembers:● EricEide,ManagingDirectorisresponsibleformanagingtheoverallSoCalVenturePipelineprogram,theCatalystVentureFund,andliaisingwithcitiesontheireconomicdevelopmentstrategies.EriclivesandworksinPasadena.● DanDavidson,ProgramManagerisresponsibleforventurematchingfounderstofundersandrunningthedaytodayoperationsoftheSoCalVenturePipeline.DanlivesandworksinthePasadenaarea.● JayVelasco,VentureOutreachManagerisresponsibleforsourcingandliaisingwithfoundersandrepresentingtheAlliancetothestartupcommunity.● NimaAshraf,VentureAssociateisresponsibleforsourcingandassessingfounders.NimalivesandworksinGlendaleandwillfocusonsourcingventure-readyfoundersfromGlendaleandtheTricitiesarea. 9 TheAlliancehasavirtualofficeatIndustriousPassarroyo,251S.LakeAvenueinPasadena.ThismembershipallowstheAllianceteamaccesstotheIndustriousGlendale.

HackerFund:HackerFundisa501(c)(3)fiscalsponsorestablishedin2014toempowertechnologiststocreatesocialchange.HackerFundhasworkedwiththeLAMayor’sOfficetosupportentrepreneursinSouthLosAngelesthroughtheinitiativecalledtheVisionLab(https://visionlab.la/)whichisdesignedtoaddresstheinequitiesofthedigitaldividethrough10-weekbusinessideaaccelerators,freeeducationalevents,andhackathons.Thisprogramlaunchedin2022andoperatesfromvenuessuchastheMichelleandBarackObamaSportsComplex,TheMetaphorClub,andBrotherhoodCrusade.

Inadditiontoempoweringentrepreneursthroughacceleratoractivities,wehaveoperatedasanincubatorfornonprofittechnologygroupsthatinclude:HackforLA,ArtificialIntelligenceLosAngeles,TheBurg,andtheS.T.E.A.M.Collective.

Additionalhighlightsarebelow:● WinnerofLA2050GrantCompetitionforS.T.E.A.M.Collectivein2022● Organizedthefirst-everComptonTechweekin2019● PartneredwiththeComptonUnifiedSchoolDistricttobuildtheComptonInnovationCenteratCentennialHighSchool,thefirst-everpublicaccessinnovationspacein Compton.● WasthefiscalsponsorforHackforLAandArtificialIntelligenceLosAngeles,twoofthelargestmembershiporganizationsinLosAngelesthatfocusontheintersectionofcivicengagementandtechnology.● Organizedthefirst-everHacktoberfestin2015inLosAngelesinpartnershipwiththeOfficeofMayorEricGarcetti● Facilitated/mentored/advised100+hackathonsincludingtheRecyclathonfortheLADepartmentofSanitation,theCityofSantaMonica’sHacktheBeach,andthelargest highschoolhackathonofalltime,HSHacks,whichbroughttogether1000+highschoolstudents● OfficialfiscalsponsorpartnerfortheMayor’sCupinpartnershipwiththeOfficeof MayorEricGarcetti Press&Media:https://www.forbes.com/profile/justin-brezhnev/https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/news/2019/08/14/compton-tech-week-offers-freetechnology-workshopshttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/meet-3-latinas-leading-virtual-augmented-realityn656361https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2016/06/10/how-to-inspire-the-nextgeneration-of-programmers/#2399490d3afdhttps://channel9.msdn.com/Blogs/raw-tech/Build-a-Mentor-Army-to-Teach-Students-to-Codethrough-Hacker-Fund 7 10 References
EachofthethreepartnerscollaboratingonTheAcceleratorhavereceivedenthusiasticsupportfromtheirrespectivenetworks.Wewillsubmittheapplicationwithattachmentsthatincludelettersofsupport.Theseattachmentsinclude,butarenotlimitedto,recommendationsfromthebelowindividualswhohaveexpressedtheirinterestinservingasreferencesforthepurposesofthisapplication.

ForFoundersBoost:MoazHamid,ManagingDirector,mvmtventures,415-255-5441,moaz@mvmt.vc.MoazisalongtimementorofFoundersBoostLAandotherprograms.Additionally,asamentorfor20otherstartupsupportorganizations,hecanspeaktothequalityofFoundersBoost.

FortheAlliance:JCRuffalo,VenturePartner,CoveFund,(949)400-7282,jc.ruffalo@covefund.com.JCRuffaloisaninvestorwhohasservedontheAlliance’sEvaluationCommitteeforthepasttwoyears.He,andhispeerinvestors,bothgiveandreceivevaluethroughtheirparticipationandhelpcatalyzeinvestmentsintolocalfounders.PleaserefertodetailinAppendixCformoredetailontheSoCalVenturePipelinestartupreviewprocessandthosewhoarepartofit.

ForHackerFund:RachelKornak,TechEducationManageratCityofLAMayor'sOffice,(248)697-8750,rachel.kornak@lacity.org.RachelKornakisoneofthevisionariesbehindtheVisionLabfortheCityofLAandherteamworkscloselywithHackerFundtocoordinatementorshipopportunities,demodays,andhackathonsthatengagewithinventorsandentrepreneurs.

Partnerships:

FoundersBoost:FoundersBoosthasdevelopedanincrediblenetworkofecosystempartnersbothinLosAngelesandacrosstheglobe.SeeAppendixBforafulllist.

OurInvestmentpartnersinLAincludeTechCoastAngels,PowerhouseCapital,andMorpheusVentures.OuracceleratorpartnersinLAincludeExpertDojoandWelaunch.WehaveaverycloserelationshipwithTechstarsinparticularandwilloftenrunsharedmixersandinformationsessions.Weworkcloselywithmanyco-workingspacescurrentlyandinthepast,includingtheKinn,CrossCampus,CTRLCollective,WeWork,andothers.

FoundersBoosthastwoofficialglobalpartners.WehaveaglobalpartnershipwithMorrow,whichrunsGAN,theGlobalAcceleratorNetwork.Thisprovidesuswiththeabilitytosendourstartupstothemandfortheiracceleratorstosharethosethatmightbeabetterfitforus.WealsohaveaglobalpartnershipwithF6S,whichisatechplatformconnectingstartupstoopportunities.Italsohastheircoreproductofbeinganapplicationmanagementsystem.Aspartofourpartnership,theyreachouttohundredsofstartupsthatfitourcriteriaforeveryprogramwerun,whichtheypriceat$10kperprogram.Theybothalsopromoteourprogramstotheirglobalnetworksonsocialmedia.

TheAllianceforSoCalInnovation:
11 TheAlliancehasanimpressivenetworkofinnovationecosystempartners.Wehavehundredsofstrategicpartnersincludingleadingcorporations,not-for-profitandcommunityorganizations,VCs,andacademicresearchinstitutions.OurBoardofDirectorsandworld-classAdvisoryCouncilincludesdistinguishedlocalcommunityandcorporateleaders,successfulentrepreneurs,LA-basedventureinvestors,andthetopresearchuniversitiesinSouthernCalifornia.Withthehelpofournetwork,weareuniquelypositionedtobeabletoconvenetherightpeopletogethertomakemeaningful,significantintroductionsandultimatelyattractandretainmorecapitalintotheregion.TheAlliancehasspentthemajorityofthepast7yearscreatingallianceswitheachofthecontributingstakeholdergroupsresponsibleforcreatingavibrantinnovationecosystem. ● ForcorporationsandVCs,theAllianceconnectsthemtokeystakeholdersandleaderswithintheSoCalinnovationecosystemforcollaboration,problemsolving,andcommunity.Ofnote,theAlliancewasinstrumentalinpavingthewayforTechstarsandUSC’srecentcollaboration.WehavealsobeenkeyinsettingthestageforafuturedealbetweenMitsubishiElectric’sAnyMileprojectandKaiserPermanente. ● Fortheregion’scommunities,theAlliancestandsupteamsoflocalleaderstodevelopstrategiesthatbuildonlocalassetsandfillgapsintheecosystem;● Fornon-profitandcommunityorganizations,weholdconveningstocollaborateandpromoteeachother’scauses;and● Fortheresearchinstitutesanduniversities,wehosteventsandprogramswhereintheirresearchcanbepresentedtospecificcorporateandVCsinterestedindiscoveringmoreabouttheinnovations.

TheSoCalVenturePipelineprogramgrewoutofthatfoundationofpartnership,andinvolvesseveral 12 differentcollaboratorroles,includingcommunityleads(early-stageinvestors,accelerators,communityleaders,andecosystemorganizations)thatcanmarketandrefercompaniesfromtheircommunitiesaswellasreviewSVPapplications.TheAlliance,throughtheSVPProgramalsohasarobustresourcenetworkforearlystartups.Becauseprogramselectivityisthekeytoretaininginvestorengagement,roughly75%ofthestartupapplicantswillinitiallynotbereadyforVCinvestmentandwillneedfurtherassistancefromecosystempartners.Mentors,nurturersandadvisorshelppreparethesecompaniesforfuturefundingrounds.Partnersinclude:HackerFund,Techstars,SAMPreccelerator,ExpertDojo,Grid110,NSFI-Corps,SpringBoard,805startups,InnovatePasadena,andlocalSmallBusinessDevelopmentCenters(SBDCs),amongothers.

AlsothroughtheSVPProgram,theAlliancehasarichnetworkofover300investorsincludingmarqueeSoCalVCfirmssuchasBonfire,Craft,CrossCut,Greycroft,March,M13,Upfront,andTenOneTen;aswellasnationalorglobalVCs,suchasa16z,Sequoia,VerticalVentures,UnionSquare,etc.(SeeAppendixB).

HackerFund:

HackerFund,thenation’sleadingproducerofhackathons,bringsunmatchedexpertiseandarobustnetworkofpartnershipstotheGlendaleTechStartupGrowthProgram(TSGP).Foundedbytheorganizerofthefirst-evercollegiatehackathonontheWestCoast,HacktechinPasadena,HackerFundhasbeenfosteringinnovationthroughhackathonssince2014.ThispositionsusuniquelytodriveGlendaleTSGPandadvancetheGlendaleTechStrategy.Wehavestrongpartnershipswithlocalcollegesanduniversities,includingGlendaleCommunityCollege,PasadenaCityCollege,Caltech,UCLA,USC,andCalStateNorthridge.Theseinstitutionsprovideasteadystreamoftalentedstudentswhoparticipateinourhackathonsandbenefitfromourinnovation-focusedenvironment.

OurextensivenetworkincludescollaborationswithkeySouthernCaliforniacompanieslikeDisneyandDreamWorks,whichofferuniqueopportunitiesforourparticipantstoengagewithindustryleaders.Localstartupsandinvestmentfundsensurethatinnovativeideasgeneratedduringhackathonshavethenecessaryresourcesandmentorshiptogrow.Additionally,partnershipswithnon-profitsandotherinstitutionsenhancethesupportecosystemforourparticipants,promotingsociallyimpactfulinnovations.HackerFund’srelationshipswithGlendale-basedcompaniesplayacrucialroleinsupportingourinitiatives.Disneyand 13 DreamWorksnotonlyparticipateinourhackathonsbutalsoprovidementorshipandresources.Glendale’sstartupcommunityandinvestmentfundsactivelycollaboratewithustoofferfundingandsupporttoemergingentrepreneurs.

Picturedabove:Thehackathonsabovearewhatwehavesupportedinproduction–HackathonbytheSea(VenturaCountyOfficeofEducation),Hacktoberfest(LAMayor’sOffice),LAHacks(UCLA).

DETAILEDPROGRAMPLANANDAPPROACH:

FoundersBoostFoundation,inpartnershipwithHackerFundandtheAllianceforSoCalInnovation,willestablish,launch,andoperatetheGlendaleGrowthAlliance(“TheAccelerator”)Thisinnovativeprogramaimstosupporthigh-potentialunderrepresentedfoundersfromtheLAregion,attractingthemtotheGlendaleecosystem.Thecoreinitiativerevolvesaroundbi-annualFoundersBoostacceleratorsfocusedonscalabletechstartupsledbyunderrepresentedfounders.Additionally,graduateswillreceivesupporttoentertheAlliance’sSoCalVenturePipeline,providingthemwithfurtheropportunitiesforgrowthandinvestment.

Establish,Launch,andOperatetheStartupGrowthProgram:

FoundersBoostPre-seedStageAccelerators:FoundersBoostwillconducttwoacceleratorcohortsperyear,eachsupporting8pre-seedstagestartupsandapproximately20founders.Thecohortsincludesevenweeksofintensivesupportincludingone-on-onementorshipandweeklyexpert-ledworkshopsfocusingondifferenttopicsforeachworkshop.Thefinalweekofeachacceleratorincludesademodayandglobalinvestorshowcase.

TargetedParticipants:TheAcceleratorwillincludetwonewsectorfocusedacceleratorprogramsthatwillrunbi-annuallyinthecity.OneacceleratorwillhaveaBusiness-to-Consumer(B2C)focus,leveragingGlendale’sstrengthinentertainmentandlifestylesectors,andtheotherwillhaveaBusiness-to-Business(B2B)focus,leveragingGlendale’sstrengthinSaaS.BecauseoftheinherentnatureofthethreeorganizationspartneringinTheAccelerator,themajority14

oftheapplicantsandparticipantswillbehistoricallyunderrepresentedfoundersincludingimmigrant,firstgeneration,BIPOC,non-male,LGBTQ+andsimilarunderservedpopulations.OtherthanthefocusonB2CinoneandB2Bintheother,thetypeofindustrywillnotbelimited.Preferencewillbegiventofounderslocaltothetri-cityareaorthosewillingtorelocatetotheregionpermanently.

AllianceSupport:ThroughtheSoCalVenturePipeline,theAlliancewillassistwithdealflowofstartupsbeingconsideredforeachcohortand,uponcompletionoftheacceleratorprogram,enlistthemostpromisinggraduatesintotheVenturePipelineforpotentialseed-stageinvestment.FordetailsontheSoCalVenturePipeline’smonthlyscreeningprocessandtheinvestorsandexpertswhoareengagedinthiswork,pleaserefertotheAppendixC.

TheAlliancewillhostanannual“FundraisinginToday’sMarket”foundereventfeaturingapanelofPre-seed,Seed,andSeriesAinvestorsintheCityofGlendale.TheeventwillbehostedduringtheannualGlendaleTechWeekinSeptember.TheeventwillbemarketedpubliclyviatheAlliance’smultiplesocialmediachannels,twomonthlyeventsfocusednewsletters,andthroughdirectemailinvitations,whichwillservetopromoteGlendaleanditstechecosystem.Theeventwillattractapproximately50highlyrelevantinnovationexperts,founders,andinvestors.Targetaudiencebreakdownisasfollows:30venture-readyfounders,10investors,afewstaffmembers,ecosystemchampions,andsponsors.TheAlliancehoststheseeventsquarterlyaroundtheSoCalregionandhasaproventrackrecordofproducinghighqualityandsoughtaftereventsfoundersandinvestorswanttoattend.

TheAlliancewillhostanannualVCHappyHourwithatleast24VCs,aswellasthecoreventureteamstafffromCaltechforthepurposeofnetworkingandshiningalightonstartupinvestmentopportunitiesinGlendaleandthesurroundingtri-cityarea.TheAlliancehashostedasimilareventforeachofthepast3yearsandhasaproventrackrecordofturningoutinvestorsforthisevent.

Inparallel,theAlliancewillseektohelpventurereadyfoundersthatarebasedinGlendaleortheimmediatelysurroundingareas,eveniftheyarenotformallypartoftheacceleratorcohortsFoundersBoostoperates.NimaAshraf,AllianceVentureAssociatebasedinGlendale,willfocusonengagingfoundersinthecommunityandconnectingthemtoventureservicesoperatedbytheAlliance,referringthemtoFoundersBoost,HackerFund,andotherrelevantregionalpartnersasappropriate.

RECRUITMENTPROCESS:FoundersBoostreachesfoundersthroughournetworksandthroughpartners.Thisrequiresamixtureofengagingotherswhoworkwithstartupstosharewiththeircommunities,performinginformationevents,socialmediaengagement,pressreleases,anddirectoutreachtostartups.Toensurewereachunderrepresentedfounders,wetargetleadersandcommunitiesthatcansharetheopportunitytoletthemknowweareopentoall.Also,F6Sdirectlyreachesouttohundredsofstartupsonourbehalfaspartofourpartnership.

Wewillalsoruncommunityeventsthatacttopromotetheapplications.Thisincludestwomixerstopromotetheprogram,oftenruninpartnershipwithanotherstartupsupportorganization,likeTechstars.Furtherour 15 partners,theAllianceandHackerFundwillactivelypromotetheprogramandsourcecandidatesforthecohorts.

PROPOSEDCURRICULUMMODEL:

OverviewFoundersBoosthascatalyzedthesuccessofhundredsofstartupsglobally.Wearecommittedtonurturingdiversityandinclusionwithinthestartuprealm,deliveringapivotalsix-weekacceleratorprogramdesignedtoempowerpre-seedandseedstagetechfounders.Ourparticipantsemergeequippedwithvitaltoolstoachievemilestonessuchasinvestmentprocurement,revenuegeneration,orentryintoesteemedgrowthstagestartupaccelerators.

Pre-ProgramPreparationTwoandahalfmonthspriortothefirstsession,theleadershipteamworksdiligentlytosettheprogramupforsuccess. ● Outreach&Marketing:Twoandahalfmonthspriortoinitiation,ourleadershipteamamplifiesawarenessoftheupcomingprogram,targetingpotentialfoundersthroughdiversechannels.● ResourceMobilization:Weenlistexpertspeakersandmentorstocontributetotheprogram,securevenues,establishpartnerships,andgatherallrequisitelogisticalsupport.

ApplicationandAdmissionProspectiveparticipantsmustsubmitapplicationsviaourwebsitebeforeastipulateddeadline.Theselectionprocessinvolvesmeticulousreviewsandinterviewsbyourreviewcommitteetoalignfounderaspirationswithprogramobjectives.

ProgramStructureAfterfoundersareaccepted,theywillundergoanonboardingprocessandthenbeginthecoreprogramming:● WeeklySessions:Sixenrichingsessions,eachthreehourslong,offerfoundersinsightsfromexpertspeakers,pitchdevelopment,andpersonalizedmentorship.● ResourceProvision:Foundersenjoyaccesstoarepositoryofeducationmaterialsandrecordedspeakertalks,alongsideaccesstoover$200kinexclusiveoffersandrebatesfromourpartnersinordertoreducetheirspendingandincreasetheirrunway.

KeyProgramComponents:FoundersBoost’sacceleratorprogrammodelisdesignedasaniterativeweeklyprocessthatallowsthesecompaniestoacceleratetheirlearningandenhancetheirabilitytoreachtheirgoals.Thekeycomponentsofthisweeklyprocessare:1. TailoredMentorshipEachweeklysessionincludestwo1-on-1mentorshipsessionsaimedathelpingfoundershonetheirbusinessmodelstomaximizepotentialandimpact.Foundersgaininvaluableinsightsandconnectionsfromarotatingrosterofseasonedentrepreneurs,industryexperts,andinvestorsfromtheircommunitieswhohavededicatedthemselvestosupportingthenextgenerationofearly-stagebusinesses.Thesementorshaveintimateexperiencewithwhatittakestofoundoroperateearly-stagestartups,whichistheknowledgeneededtoaccuratelyguidethesefoundersforward.Thementorswillencouragethestartupstofocusonspecificgoalsandactivitiesduringtheweekbetweensessions.2. PitchDevelopmentProcessSeeourobjectivessectionforfurtherelaboration.3. FocusTopicsIneachsession,anexpertspeakerwilltalkondifferenttopicskeytoafounder’sjourney.TopicstypicallyincludeCustomerDevelopmentandBusinessModelCanvas,PitchandPresentation,MarketSizing,Product-MarketFit,Fundraising,andVentureFundingandAccelerators.Therearealsospeakersspecifictothesectorspecificprogramming.Thestartupswilladditionallyhavehomeworktodobetweensessionsthatrelatetothatparticulartopic.4. BetweenSessions(OutsidetheClassroom) 16 Betweeneachsession,thefounderswillfocusontheirbusinessandtheindividualizedguidancethey’vereceivedfromthementors.Theywillcomebackthenextweekhavingaccomplishedthegoalssetforthem(whetheritbetointerviewcustomers,meetwithconnectionsintroduced,figureoutpricing,etc.)sothattheycangrowquickly.Additionally,theywillcontinuetoevolvetheirpitchanddeck,improvingtheirabilitytotelltheirstoryandreceivebettersupport.Adedicatedleadmentorensuresconsistentweeklysupport,fosteringacceleratedgrowth.

DemoDay Asaculminationofallthehardwork,DemoDayfunctionsasanopportunityforprogramleaderstobringpotentialinvestors,partners,andcustomerstogetherinoneplacetomeetandcelebratethefounders.Apanelofinvestorswillaskquestions,judgetheevent,andpartakeinaquickpaneldiscussion.It’saninviteonlyeventbringingthestartupcommunitytogether.Typicaldemodaysinclude100attendeeswith50%investors.

GlobalInvestorShowcase ThefinalelementoftheprogramistheVirtualGlobalInvestorShowcase,whichoccursafter DemoDay.Thisshowcaseactstointroducethestartupstoinvestorswhocouldnotattendthelocaldemoday,bothlocallyandfromournetworkofinvestorsglobally.

Post-programSupportThefounderjourneydoesnotendaftertheprogramconcludes,andneitherdoesthesupportavailabletothefounders:● NetworkEnrichment:Aftertheprogramconcludes,foundersjoinanexpansivecommunityofpeers,mentors,andadvocatesfromallFoundersBoostprogramspastandpresent.TheplatformallowsthemtoremaindirectlyconnectedwiththeirlocalprogramandBoostcommunityaswell.Further,therewillbenetworkingandgatheringeventstoprovidein-personconnectionopportunities.

OngoingSupport:Ourdirectorsassistfoundersinnavigatingfutureopportunities,beitwithventurecapitalists,otheraccelerators,ordifferentprograms.Theestablishedmentorandpeerrelationshipsremainalastingprofessionalsupportnetwork.

InadditiontotheongoingsupportbyFoundersBoost,thegraduatesfromeachcohortwillbeencouragedtoapplytotheAlliance’sSoCalVenturePipeline.Whilethereisnoguaranteethatanygraduatewouldbeselectedfortheprogram,theirfamiliaritywithitanditsnetworkofsupporterswouldprovidethemwithanadvantageoverotherapplicants.PleaserefertoAppendixCformoreinformationontheSVPprocess.

PromotingtheRegionandCollaborationwithExistingGlendaleProgramming:ThepartnerswillhighlightGlendaleasaprimelocationfortechstartupsthroughsuccessstories,mediacoverage,andparticipationinregionalandnationaltechevents.WewillengagelocalbusinessesandstakeholderstosupportandparticipateintheprogramandwewillworkalongsideexistinginitiativeslikeGlendaleTechWeekandGlendaleTechonTap.Additionally,wewillcoordinatewithcityeffortstoenhancetheoveralltechecosystemandprovideadditionalvaluetoparticipants.

ByleveragingthecombinedexpertiseofFoundersBoostFoundation,HackerFund,andtheAllianceforSoCalInnovation,thisprogramaimstobecomeoneofthepreeminentinitiativessupportingunderrepresentedfoundersinSouthernCalifornia,drivingeconomicgrowthandinnovationinGlendale.WecandirectlypromoteGlendale’stechinitiativesthrough:● FoundersBoostImpact:Bysupporting8startupsperacceleratorcyclewith7weeksofintensivesupport,followedbyademodayandglobalinvestorshowcase.● TheSoCalVenturePipeline’sImpact:Bysupportingthetop6seed-stagegraduatecompaniesinsecuringinstitutionalcapital.● HackerFund’simpact:Byrunningquarterlyhackathonsandregularworkshopstoengagethe 17 communityandproviderapidprototypingopportunities.

QUANTIFIABLEMETRICS:WewilltrackthepercentageofTheAccelerator’sgraduateswhosecureseed-stagefundingaswellasthenumberofjobscreatedbyparticipatingstartupsinGlendale.WeintendtoalignwithGlendale’sTechStrategytoincreasethenumberoftechstartupsoperatingintheregionandwilltrackthenumberofparticipantsandattendeesinhackathonsandcommunityeventsaswell.

FoundersBoostwillcapturethedetailedmetricsoutlinedbelowatthetimeofapplicationtotheacceleratorcohorts,afterstartups“graduate”fromthecohort,andonanongoingbasiswheneverpossible.● Demographicsaboutfounders● DemographicsaboutStartups● Industry/Sector● CustomerEngagementModel● Location● FundingTotals● JobsCreated Founder’sBoostwillalsocapturethefollowingmetricsbeforeandaftertheprogram,ongoingwheneverpossible,andafter2years,willassessstartupgrowth.● Additionalfunding● Increaseincustomers● Revenueincrease TheAlliancewillcapturedetailedmetricsatthetimeofapplication,reapplication(ifappropriate),andiftheCatalystFunddirectlyinvestsintheSoCalVenturePipelinecompany.Fundingdatawillalsobecollectedquarterlyafteritisannouncedpubliclyorreportedviastartuppublicdatabases,includingCrunchbaseorPitchbook.● Demographicsaboutfounders● DemographicsaboutStartups● Industry/Sector● CustomerEngagementModel● Location● FundingTotals● JobsCreated HackerFundwillmeasurethefollowing:● numberofhackathonparticipants,● numberofhackathonprojects,● totalnumberofportfolioscreated● numberofinternshipssecured● numberofemployersparticipatinginmentorofficehours 18 ● netpromoterscoreofourhackathonprograms● numberofnewinventions● numberofnewfeaturesbuiltforcompanies● numberofnewjobssecuredbyourparticipants● Empowermentwithrespectto:○ Careerreadiness○ Findingajob○ Startinganewcompany○ Findingcapitalforaventure○ Findingcapitalforaninvention Timeline:
19 Location 13OurCurrentOfficeisatRegusSpaceslocatedat201NBrandBlvd.Ithasasquarefootageof2200feetandtheamenitiesincludemeetingrooms,break-outareas,parking,andmore.

Alternatively,wewillinquireaboutthenon-guaranteedofficespacepotentiallyavailablebytheCityofGlendale,asdiscussedinthePre-BidConference.

Weutilizevenuesponsorstoprovidelocationsforthecoreprogram,whichincludesacceleratorsessions,DemoDays,andHackathons.Beingthatwerunourprogrammingintheevenings,orweekendsinthecaseofthehackathons,wearealwaysabletosecurespace.Ifforsomereasonwewereunableto,ourplanistomoveourofficestoWeWorkGlendale,locatedat611NBrandBlvd,whichhasconferenceroomslargeenoughtohosttheacceleratorsessions.Thefullspacehasasquarefootageof51,030andincludesamenitieslikelargeconferencerooms,onsiteparking,nearbytransitoptions,mother’srooms,andmicrokitchens.

Fordemodaysweprefertohavelargereventspacesthatarenotcommontomostco-workingspaces.Forinstance,GoogleVenicewasFoundersBoostLA’sgracioushostin2023&2024.

Budget,Revenue&Sustainability
Inadditiontoplanninganefficientuseofawardedgrantfundingoverthreeyears,wewillidentifyotherfundingopportunitiessuchasprivateinvestments,sponsorships,andin-kindservices.Wewilldiligentlyworktodevelopaplanforcontinuedoperationbeyondtheinitialthreeyears,leveragingsuccessfulprogramoutcomestoattractfurtherinvestment.Notethateachofthepartnersonthisgrantapplication,FoundersBoost,AllianceforSouthernCaliforniaInnovation,andHackerFundhaveproventrackrecordsforsustainingtheirprogrammingyearoveryear.

CorporateSponsorshipAspartofouroutreachstrategy,wefeelconfidentinourabilitytosecurecorporate sponsorshipsandpartnershipopportunitiesforthespace,events,andtheprogram.Thiscanincludetitlesponsorshipoftheofficespace,in-kindsupport/services,annualsponsorshipofevents.Betweenourthreeorganizations,oursponsorsforcommunityprogramshaveincludedMicrosoft,Google,Amazon,Disney,Mitsubishi,andTechstars.

EventRevenueWhilewewanttoensurethatTheAcceleratorremainsfree,wedoseeanopportunitytogeneraterevenuethroughcertainelementsofourprograms.ThiscanbethroughadmissionfeesforeventssuchastheHackathons. 20 PersonnelCo-Director1 $30,000.00Co-Director2 $30,000.00ProgramManager $20,000.00Associate $5,000.00AlliancePersonnel $5,000.00HackathonPersonnel $121,808.00TOTAL $211,808.00 OperationsLegal $15,000.00Insurance $2,000.00Rent $11,195.00Tech $8,400.00TOTAL $28,195.00 AcceleratorProgramsFood&Bev $11,200.00Marketing $7,950.00TOTAL $19,150.00 Hackathon&CommunityRentals $2,500.00Supplies $5,500.00Insurance $1,250.00TOTAL $9,250.00 Alliance
FringeBenefits(benefits&Taxes) $30,452.00Phoneandinternet $600.00 GlendaleIn-personFounderEventw/VCPanel&Networking $6,000.00VCNetworkingevent $2,500.00Software $8,520.00Mileage $185.00Parking $120.00 Total $48,377.00
GrandTotal $316,780.00AskofGlendale $166,666.00
21 22

FURTHERADVANCINGGLENDALETECHSTRATEGY
WebelievewecanfurtheradvancetheCityofGlendale’sTechStrategybybeingawardedbothhalvesofthegrant($1millionintotal),wehavesubmittedasecondbudget,inadditiontotheGrowthProgrambudgetrequired,toprovidesubstantivebasisandreasoningforaccomplishingtheobjectivesoutlinedbelow:
(1)LeverageGlendale’srobusttechnetwork,includingitssoon-to-berenovatedCentralLibrary,oracompanywhoiswillingtoopentheirdoorstohostlocalhackathons.(2)Thecitycancommittopilotingtopinnovationsbasedonideasathackathonsorothertech-centeredevents.(3)Engagekeypartnersintheprivate,non-profit,philanthropic,andprivatesectorstodevelophackathonsorrelatedprogrammingfocusedoncivicinnovation.(4)launchprojectsthatpromotelocaldemocracyandadaptnewtechnologiesfortheCityofGlendale(5)TheGlendaleCentralLibrarycanalsobeaspaceforinnovationforyouth.Beinganaccessiblespace,bothgeographicallyandfinancially,youthwouldgreatlybenefitfromtechnologyclasses,hackathons,andaccesstocodingsoftwareoreducationalprogramstopropelthemintotheworldoftechnology.(6)buildrelationshipswithinvestors–angels,seed-stagefundsandventurecapitalists–sothatdemodayswillbewellattended.(7)supportexistingtechnologypartnershipprogramsbetweenGlendaleCommunityCollege(GCC)andlocalK-12schools,includingtheSTEAMactivitiesGCCiscurrentlyrunningtheGCCScienceCenterandPlanetarium.(8)GCCalreadyrunsapopulardualenrollmentprogram,whichallowshighschoolstudentstotakecollegecoursesforhighschooland/orcollegecredit.WorkforcedevelopmentpartnersmaywishtoworkwithGCCandexplorethepossibilityofofferingdualenrollmentcoursesfocusedontheSTEMfields.TheGlendaleCentralLibrarycanalsobeaspaceforinnovationforyouth.Beinganaccessiblespace,bothgeographicallyandfinancially,youthwouldgreatlybenefitfromtechnologyclasses,hackathons,andaccesstocodingsoftwareoreducationalprogramstopropelthemintotheworldoftechnology.(9)ConnectingpromisingGCCstudentstopaidsummerinternshipsandapprenticeshipsinthetechindustry,nurturingthenextgenerationofGlendale-basedtechentrepreneurs.(a)Collaboratingwithitsvariousworkforcedevelopmentpartners,shouldundertakethefollowingtosupportcontinuingeducationandsupportforitstechworkforce.(b)Supportandmaintainasuiteofworkforcedevelopmentandtrainingprogramsthatareresponsivetotheneedsofthetechbusinesses.(c)Creativelyandproactivelymarketthesuiteofworkforceprogramstotechcompanies,byparticipatingintherecurringTechonTapseries,workingwiththepotentialtechfocusedadvocacyorganization,andothercredibletechvenuesandnetworks.(d)Developasetofmarketingmaterialstomarketworkforcetrainingprogramstotechcompaniesandjobseekers.Thesematerialsshouldsuccinctlydescribethepurposeandbenefitofagivenprogram,aswellasasingularpointofcontactformoreinformation.(e)SupporttheVerdugoWorkforceDevelopmentBoard“BeyondJobs”initiative,aimedatsupportingtech’scontingentworkforce.ThecityandinterestedstakeholdersshouldsupportVWDBeffortsinacquiringprivateorphilanthropicfundingforthisinitiative. 23 (f) Broadlymarketthelowornocostvarioustrainingresourcesavailabletotechcompaniesandjobseekers:TheProfessionalDevelopmentCenteratGCC,StudioArts,GCC’sRoboticsandAdvancedManufacturingFacilities,andothers.

JEWELCITYHACKS
Civicinnovationhackathonthattakesplacetwiceperyear(Fall/Spring)inordertoengagetheentireTri-cityregionwiththeCityofGlendalebeingthecrownjewelofinnovation.Wewillorganizetwocommunity-widehackathonsthatwillfurthertheGlendaleTechStrategy.Photosareprovidedbelowtoshowcasethetypeofinventioneducation,workforcedevelopment,mentorshipandentrepreneurshipengagementthatwilltakeplace:
24 14
25 APPENDIXARESUMES
[email protected]
Professional SummaryInnovativeCEO&Co-Founder ofFoundersBoost withaproventrackrecordinguidingstartupstowardssuccess, angelinvestingwithnotableexits, andfosteringglobal startupecosystems.

ExperienceCEO&Co-Founder, FoundersBoost(2017- now)Anacceleratoroperatinginmultipleecosystemsgloballywithamissiontosupport pre-seed&seedstagecompanieswithouttakingequitybyleveragingpaidpartnershipsandhighlyskilledvolunteers.●Spearheadedthelaunchof20global pre-accelerator chapters, running90programs.●Recruitedandmanagedover 100volunteer programleaderstorunthechapters.●Scaledour abilitytodeliver programssimultaneouslywithasmall teambyoptimizingsupport andleveragingeachprogramtocreateastronger impact for all.●Evaluatedover 7kapplicationsasateamtoselect 600promisingpre-seedstartupsandtheir 1000foundersforour programs, toimprovetheir businessesinpreparationfor aninvestment and/or revenuetrack, with20%raisingor generatingrevenueover $1M.●Cultivatedanetworkofhundredsofinvestorsgloballythat reviewour alumni, helping30%ofstartupstoraiseprofessional funding, totalingover $250M.●Launchedanon-proﬁt arm, inalignment withour ethosofhelpingentrepreneursfor free, particularlythoseofunderrepresentedbackground(80%ofour startupswereunderrepresentedfounder-led), toreceivecharitabledonationsandtarget grant opportunities.●Securedandranprogramsfor corporatepartnersinterestedindeliveringinnovationprograms:○ConsensyswithaBlockchainfocusinNYC(2018).○TWG(acquiredbyDeloitteDigital)withageneral focusinToronto(2017- 2018).○SunderlandSoftwareCitywithageneral focusinNewcastle(2021- 2023).○MultipleHubwithanAutismfocusglobally(2022- now).●Establishedpaidandin-kindpartnershipstopower FoundersBoost, includingwithGoogle, F6S, GAN,Techstars, SVB, Dentons, andcountlessother startupserviceproviders.●Constructedanewfounder-friendlyinvestment agreement securinginvestment rightsandinformationrightsintostartupscomingthroughour program, whichwasfrictionlesslyagreedtobystartupsjoiningour programsthelasttwoyears.

Investor&Advisor, Self(2015-now)AngelandLPinvesting(pre-seed&seed);Startupadvising&mentoring(pre-seedthroughSeries-A)●Angel investedinpre-seedandseedstartupsincludinganotableinvestment inCaper, whichresultedina25xexit viaasaletoInstacart.●InvestedasaLimitedPartner inthreeventurecapital funds.●Personallymentoredand/or advised100+startups, nowcollectivelyvaluedat over $1B.

Founder, TheMoGuard(2014-now)PioneeredtheMoGuard, aninnovativemustacheprotectingcupattachment, capturingauniqueniche(b2c)inNorth 26 AmericaandEurope. Also, wholesale(b2b)asbothapromotional product andacomplementaryofferingwithinfacial haircarebrands' product lines.●Innovatedandmarketedauniqueconsumer product, achievingretail presenceacrosstheUS, Canada, &Europe.●Identiﬁedandcapitalizedonnichemarket opportunities, drivingbrandrecognitionandsales.●EstablishedaB2Bwholesalesegment asapromotional product.●Automatedlogistics&operationstoallowit tooperatenear autonomously, actingasaself-sustaininglifestylebusiness.

Founder, 2332Collective(2016-2019)Amusicproductionandfestival companythat enhancedWest LA'scultural scene. I grewtheﬂagshipevent to10kattendeesandestablishedanagreement tosell thecompany–bothhaltedpermanentlybyCovid.●Orchestratedlarge-scaleevents, establishingaprominent communitypresence.●Theﬂagshipevent wasSamJam, a4year runningsummer musicfestival inVeniceBeachthat hostednearly10,000paidattendees.●BookedlargeactsincludingCapital Cities&Phantogramwhilealsosecuringnational brandsponsorsofthelikesofiHeartRadio&PBR.●CoordinatedneedsofLAcitycouncil, ﬁvecityenforcement departments, recordlabels, artist management,non-proﬁt partners, vendors, andsponsors.●Negotiatedthesaleofthefestival in2020toWinstonHouse, which, alongwiththefestival itself, washaltedandultimatelyderailedbytheCovid-19pandemic.

Director, StartupNextLosAngeles,(2013-2016)Aprogramthat preparedstartupsfor acceleratorsandseedinvestment throughhighqualitymentorship. DevelopedinsideUpGlobal, inpartnershipwithGoogle, thenacquiredbyTechstars.●RantheLAprogramfor 6cohorts, supporting65startups.●WorkedwiththeHQteamtodevelopandevolvethemodel toareﬁnedstateby2016, whichwastheprecursor toFoundersBoost.

Consultant&Entrepreneur(2011-2016)Asoftwaredevelopment consultant for corporatesandbusinessdevelopment consultant for startups. Built &launchedtwotechstartupsandearnedapatent.●DevelopedandlaunchedSwitchYourTix, apeer2peer event ticket swappingsite. Establishedapilot partnershipwithLiveNation. (2011-2012)●DevelopedandlaunchedLarcChat, anaugmentedrealityvideochat startup. Securedapatent onthetechnology[patent &continuationpatent]. (2012-2014)●Consultedcompanieswithsoftwaredevelopment andbusinessdevelopment withamixedequity&feestructure, ultimatelyrewardingmetobecomeanaccreditedinvestor. (2011-2016)●ConsultediCRcowithongoingdevelopment oftheir PACSsuiteofproducts. (2011-2012) LeadPACSSoftwareDevelopmentEngineer, iCRco(2009-2011)LeddevelopmentofPACSradiologysoftwaresuiteusedbyradiologiststodomostoftheirwork.●Ledthesoftwareteamdevelopingprojects, advancinginnovativeradiological imagingsolutions.●Improvedsoftwarereliabilityandeﬃciency, contributingtocompanygrowth.●Ledthesoftwaredevelopmentteamthat developedandmaintainediCRco'sbackendPACSsystemandfrontendviewer, amongaplethoraofothersoftwareproductsandtools.●Alsoactedastheeffectiveproduct manager doingcustomer development. Thisincludedmeetingwithchiropractorstodevelopindustryspeciﬁctoolsthat allowedthecompanyto4xtheir growthinthat segment.

EducationJohnsHopkinsUniversityReceivedamastersinECEwithabiomedical engineeringfocus; ReceivedaBachelorsinSciencewithadoublemajor in 27 ECEandNeuroscience.●MastersinElectrical andComputer Engineering(2006- 2007)●BScinComputer Engineering(2001- 2006)●BScinNeuroscience(2001- 2006) DrexelUniversityCollegeofMedicineI completedcoursesfor the1st year ofmedical school.●Medical SciencesCertiﬁcate(2007- 2008) Skills●StrategicLeadership&CommunityBuilding●StartupEcosystemDevelopment●Angel Investing&VentureCapital●SoftwareDevelopment &Product Innovation●Mentoring&Coaching●StrategicPartnerships&Networking●Diversity&InclusionAdvocacy●Digital Marketing&BrandStrategy●EcosystemDevelopment●E-commerce●Event Production PatentSystemandmethodfor interactiveanimationsfor enhancedandpersonalizedvideocommunications[US9454840B2]. 28 EricR.Eide,Ph.D.Pasadena,CA (415)336-3063linkedin.com/in/eeide [email protected] Innovation,Investment&EconomicDevelopmentProfessional
Aseasonedinnovationleader offeringstrongexperienceinbusiness andinvestment attraction,retention,andP3partnerships,andworking closely with startup founders, investors, and related stakeholders. Ability to run programwith diverse stakeholders andabilitytomanagecross-functionalteams.

SelectCareerHighlights
● Launched$5MVentureFund–Helpedraisefund,honedinvestmentthesis,andrunoperationswithfounders.● Developed&Launchednewventurematchingprogram–sourceandvetover700“ventureready”SoCalstartups,matchingthebesttoanationalnetworkofover250activeinvestorsleading20companiestoraise$85M.● SpearheadedCaliforniastatelegislativeefforttosponsor,draft,andbuildneededsupporttopassbillAB2989-thefirste-scooterregulationsinthecountrythatextendedhelmetuseguidelinesfrombicyclestoe-scooters.● DevelopedLosAngelesMayor’sInternationalExportProgram–end-to-endinternationaltradeprogramdesignedtoenablesmallandmedium-sizedbusinessesmaximizeoverseassales.● LedplantoestablishSpaceX’smanufacturingsiteatPortofLA–workedwithCFOtodefinemanufacturingrequirementsfornewinterplanetaryrocket,facilitatedsiteselectionwithSpaceXandPortstaff,monitored18-monthenvironmentalreviewtobring700newjobstoLAHarbor.● CraftedStateDepartmentoutreachstrategytorepairandadvanceUS-Indiarelationship–followingdiplomaticcrisis,spearheadedoutreachplantargetingUS-basedSouthAsiandiasporapopulations. CoordinatedcommunityeventswithUSdiplomatsandarrangedmediainvolvement.Traderelationsvaluedatover$125B.● Memberofteamthatdevelopedapolicydirectivefor$4.5BearlystageseedfundingSBIRprogram–establishedprogramrequirementsandcreatedactionplanfor11USgovernmentagencieswithspecificfocusonpublicoutreachanddatareportingrequirements. Teamcompletedtheentirepolicydirectivein2months.

ProfessionalOverview
AllianceforSoCalInnovation–LosAngeles,CAManagingDirector 2019–current● LaunchedCatalyst$5MVentureFund,serveonInvestmentCommittee,andrunFundoperationswithfounders● Built,hired,trained,andcoachedAlliance’sCapitalAccessteamtodrivetwonewCapitalAccessprograms.● ArchitectedanewVCEngagementprogram,recruited24VCstojoin,securing$180Kinnewrevenue,andlaunchedSoCalVenturePipelineprogramtoconnectover400+investorstostartupsseekingcapitaltodrivejobgrowth.● LedgovernmentaffairsstrategywithStateandSoCalcountiesandcities,draftedandpitched$500MeconomicrecoveryproposaltoCAGovernor’sstaffandstatelegislators,servedonCAGov’seconomicrecoveryworkinggroup● Drovebusinessdevelopmentactivities;draftedagreements,ledsponsorshipdealsworthover$65K,andsupportedcloseofanother$275Konprojectsdirectlymanaged.● Marketedorganizationat60+speakingeventswithaudiencesupto250;conductedpressinterviews,draftedover10blogarticlesandbi-monthlynewsletter,aswellascontentforwebsitesandpresentations.

BirdRides,Inc.–LosAngeles,CASeniorManagerofGovernmentRelations 2018–2019● Scaledandmanagedgovernmentrelationsteamtoengageandadvocatewithofficialsandstaff,resultedinexpansionintoover100citiesproviding10millionridesinthefirstyearofcompanyoperations● Reviewed,tracked,andcommunicatedgovernmentlegislativeissuesacross13westernstatesandinternationally● LedinternationalexpansioneffortsinCanada,NewZealand,andhelpedlaunchEuropeanoperations● Executedlegislativeefforttosponsor,draftandgeneratesupporttopassCAbillAB2989onscooterregulations● Hostedandpresentedtoexecutiveteamand11Californialegislatorstoestablishfoundationalrelationships;identifiedand 29 liaisedwithmultiplelegislatorswillingtosponsorindustrylegislation● Establishedprojectscopeandmanagedteamofexternalconsultantstodrivepolicyoutcomes,whichcontributedtothecompany’sabilitytolaunchorretainoperationsindozensofadditionalcities CityofLosAngeles,OfficeofMayorEricGarcetti–LosAngeles,CADirectorofInternationalTrade&Investment 2015–2017● Ledsix-personteamresponsibleforincreasingglobalrelationshipswiththeCityofLA,developinginternationalbusinessactivity,facilitatingimportsandexports,andattractingforeigninvestors● Doubledthesizeofthetradeandinvestmentteam;interviewed,hired,andtrainednewteammembers● AdvisedMayoronbusinessandtradepolicies;draftedspeeches,reports,andbriefings. RepresentedMayor’sofficeonbusinessandinvestmenttopicsandspokeatover50eventswithaudiencesofupto700● EnsuredalignmentwithMayor’spolicywithothercitydepartments,suchasthePortofLosAngeles,LosAngelesWorldAirport,DeptofTransportation,Dept.ofPlanning/Building&Safety,andTourismandConventionBureau● InitiatedprojectwithSpaceXtocreatemanufacturingfacilityatLAPortwith700jobs(leaselatercanceled) U.S.DepartmentofState,BureauofSouthandCentralAsia–Washington,DCAdvisorforStrategicPartnerships 2013–2015● CraftedandledU.S.domesticstrategytoadvanceforeignrelations;supportedturnaroundofU.S.-Indiarelations● DevisedandexecutedAmbassadorledtradedelegationsresultinginmultimillion-dollardeals;advisedambassadors,seniorofficials,andlegislatorsonpolicygoalsandtradeopportunities. Draftedpressguidanceandtalkingpoints ForeignAffairsOfficer–EconomicandStrategicUnits 2012–2013● ManagedbroadportfolioswithinthebilateralU.S.–Indiarelationshipincludinginformationcommunicationtechnology,cyber,intellectualproperty,scienceandtechnology,environment,space,andsmallbusinessinitiatives● Liaisedwithfederalagencies,WhiteHouseofficials,andstatestoensureU.S.policygoalswerecoordinated U.S.SmallBusinessAdministration,OfficeofInvestmentandInnovation–Washington,DCInnovationandTechnologyAnalyst 2011–2013● Memberof6-personteamresponsibleforwriting$4.5billionSmallBusinessInnovationResearchprogramdirective● Launched,managed,andscaledprogramSBIRoutreachtoaccelerators,universities,andbusinesses Education
UniversityofMichigan–AnnArbor,MI Ph.D.inSociology2011Research:Economicdevelopment;industrialpolicy;innovation;public-privatepartnershipsDissertation:“IndustrialUpgradinginIndia’sInformationTechnologyEnabledServiceIndustry” UniversityofCalifornia–SantaBarbara,CA B.A.inSociology1999GraduatedwithHighHonors;MinorinGlobalPeaceandSecurity 30 JUSTINBREZHNEV633½IndianaAvenueVenice,CA90291310.963.9976|[email protected]

SUMMARY
JustinBrezhnevisanentrepreneur,activist,andnonprofitconsultantwhosince2014hashelpedraisemillionsofdollarsforsocialimpactfromcommunityfoundations,corporatesponsors,andphilanthropicinvestors.Hiscommunity-drivenprojectshavebeenfeaturedintheUCLADailyBruin,BusinessRockstars,theMicrosoftDeveloperNetwork,andtheJewishJournal.HisworkhasalsoreceivedendorsementfromLosAngelesMayorEricGarcetti,CAStateAssemblymembers,andmembersofCongress.

SKILLS●Sales:Products&Services●Content&ProposalWriting●CustomerDevelopment●FinancialBudgeting●GrantResearch&Writing●MarketAnalysis●NonprofitBookkeeping●Canvassing●PhoneSolicitation●PublicSpeaking ●Translationto/fromRussian●LegalResearch●FundDevelopment&Fundraising●ProjectManagement●DigitalMarketing EDUCATIONUCLA,CommunicationStudies,‘14●CommunityOrganizing●GoldenKeyHonorsSociety-Top4%inGraduatingClass●HonorsCollegeGraduate PROFESSIONALEXPERIENCEA1ManagementGroupLosAngeles,CAFounder&Manager(August2016-Present)●Ledentrepreneurialworkshops&keynotespeechesthatserved15,000+studentsintheUS.●Createdcustomersuccessprogramsfornonprofitsengagingthe20,000studentsinMayorGarcetti’sHIRE-LAYouthProgram●Managedteamsof5engineersandprocuredhardwaretechnologytoproducearealitytelevisionshowpilotforCBSinpartnershipwithFreemantleMedia.●Designed“EntrepreneurialCommunication”coursecurriculum&seminarsthathavebeenutilizedbytheUCLADepartmentofCommunicationStudies,GBAdeInovacaodeBrazil,andTEALSK12.●TrainedtechnicaltalenttowriteproposalsandsalescontentyieldingincontractbidsfromFortune500companies.HackerFundLosAngeles,CACofounder&ExecutiveDirector(October2014-Present)●RecruitedthefoundingBoardofDirectorsandraisedinitialphilanthropicseedcapitalfromcorporatesponsorsincludingMicrosoft,IBM,andGoogle.●Implementedacomprehensivefiscalsponsorshipprogramthatincubated10+projects●Developedfundraisingstrategyplaybooksandonlinedonormanagementsystemsthatgrewsmall-memberdonorbasebymorethan1000%between2015and2016.●Designedthefirst-everComptonInnovationCenterandComptonTechweekinpartnershipwiththeComptonUnifiedSchoolDistrictandComptonCityCouncilin2019.●Managedapre-approvedgrantfiscalsponsorshipprogramthatworkedinpartnershipwiththeCityofLosAngelesandCityofSantaMonica,empowering200+technologists.StartupSportsLosAngeles,CACofounder(August2014-Present)●Implementedriskmanagementandlegalprotocolsacrossallcompany-relatedevents,includinganexecutiveplaybookforsafetymeetings,emergencyactionplans,insuranceprocurement,andmemberwaiverdesign.●Deliveredannualcorporatesponsorshipstrategyandsolicitationmaterialsforsalesteams.●Designedcustomer 31 successmeasuresthatincreasedsubscriptionmembershiptoover90companiesinLosAngeles.●Producedwebsitecontentandmarketingcopyforallfliers,annualreports,andsocialmediamarketingcampaigns.●Hiredandmanagedafieldteamthatnowoperatesleagueeventsyear-roundCTRLCollectiveLosAngeles,CACofounder(September2014-2016)●Compiledbusinessplanandpitchdeckmaterialsthatraised$500,000inseedcapitaltofundthefirstfacility,andmorethan$1MMinfollow-oninvestorcapitalfortheexpansionintomultiplecities.●Devisedsalesstrategyandmanagedtheteamthatsoldouteveryofficespaceinthefirst26,000square-footfacilityinPlayaVistabeforelaunchday.●Inventedthecoworkingmodelusedbythecompany:“80-20impactrule”thathasledtoacommunityof1000+entreprenuersacross4facilitiesbetweenLosAngelesandDenver.●Designedlogoandbrandingforwebsiteandmarketingmaterials.●Builtfoundingteamtoconductaninitialmarketanalysisandcreateacustomerdevelopmentplan.

COMMUNITYAFFILIATIONSDynamoSportsClubinBeverlyHills-“InternationalMixedMartialArts&Self-DefenseAcademy”Founder&Sensei(2006-Present)BeverlyHillsHighSchoolCTE-“CareerandTechnicalEducationinBeverlyHills”AdvisoryBoardMember(2015-2016),Part-TimeTeacher(2018-2019)Hacktech-“TheFirstMegahackathonontheWestCoast”FoundingBoardMember(2014)LAHacks-“TheOfficialHackathonofUCLA”FoundingBoardMember(2014)BruinEntrepreneurs-“ThePremierEntrepreneurshipOrganizationatUCLA”FoundingBoardMember(2014) AWARDS● Forbes30under30-Education(2022)● JewishJournal30under30(2017)● CertificatesofAppreciation-MayorEricGarcetti(2017),CongresswomanMaxineWaters(2015) ● 32 AREZUAGHASEY+1-628-800-2219Pasadena, [email protected]/in/arezua

EDUCATION
UCBerkeley
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Master’sinInformationManagement Systems
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Bachelor’ inAppliedMathematics: Civil andEnvironmental Engineering ● CertificateinEntrepreneurshipandTechnology

AWARDSANDRECOGNITIONS
25XHackathonwinner focusingonleadershipandtechnologyinnovationwithhighlightsbelow:
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ApplauseAwardbyDeloitte: 5+ApplauseAwardsfor exemplaryclient serviceandfirmcontributiondemonstratingfocusedleadershipindevelopingandexecutingsuccessful enterpriseimplementations. ●
Women’sInitiativeLeadershipandTopPerformer byDeloitte: RecognizedWomen'sInitiativeLeader withtop10%performanceachievement,showcasingabilitytomanagediverseteamsandprojectsusingleadershipskills, contributingsignificantlytothefirm'sbusinessgrowth. ●
1st PlacebyBoostVC: Bitcoinblockchainvisualizationtool providingcryptocurrencyeducationtonewusersof blockchaintechnologies; receivedentryintoBoostVCAccelerator Batch1andwinning5Bitcoin. ●
1st PlacebyCapital One: 30dayfinancial challengestool for hiddensavingsopportunitiestoincreasesavingsabilitiesandmeet financial goalsintuitively. ●
2ndPlacebyMeta: 'Save' featurefor newsfeedpoststhat ledtoproduction. ●
2ndPlacebyVisa: Communitysavingsplatformfor LATAMmarkets.

TECHNOLOGYPUBLICATIONS
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Mobile Learning Utilizing AugmentedReality, Online Maps, andPhysical Maps. ● Statistical Study onEmotional Impacts of SoundandHaptic Sensors for Wearables. ● TheDevelopment of TheDesignExchange.org: Connecting DesignProblems andMethods. ● Better DataGovernance =Better DataTesting Deloitte Eminence Publication.

THOUGHTLEADERSHIPSPEAKINGENGAGEMENTS
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MissiontoMarswithDTI: Presentedondeeptechinvestment approaches. ●
GoingGlobal SerieswithSVB: Addressinghowstartupscanscaleglobally. ●
WebSummit Qatar 2024: Openingremarksonimportanceof international corporateinnovation. ●
StartupSummer Festival byPlugandPlay2022: FeaturedonFOXLAfor hosting500+forumfeaturingcityleads, investors, startups, andFortune500s. ●
PlugandPlayLAWomen’sMonthShowcase: Plannedcorporatepanel andfemalefounder showcaseenablingnetworkingandmentorshipoutcomes.

CERTIFICATIONS
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ScrumMaster, CertifiedSAFeAgilist, SAFePracticeConsultant.

CORESKILLS
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AgileMethodologies: ScrumMaster, Sprint Planning, RequirementsGathering, UsabilityTesting, A/BTesting, WorkshopFacilitation, SteeringCo/ExecutivePresentations. ●
SoftwareApplicableLanguages: MySQL, Python, HTML/CSS, JavaScript, R, Matlab. ●
TechnologyTools: Salesforce, Tableau, Figma, Axure, Hubspot, MixMax, Monday.com, Airtable, Canva, Notion, Microsoft Office(Excel, Powerpoint,Word), Confluence, Jira.

EXPERIENCE
Product InnovationandStrategyDirector, CreaIncJuly 2023–Present SanFrancisco, CA|UnitedArabEmirates (UAE) ●
Buildprocessesandassemblethetechnologystackfor portfoliomanagement functionsfor venturecapital, accelerator, andstartupecosystemfirms. ●
Definemission-critical strategicinitiativesfor enterpriseAI/MLstartups, enhancingproduct/servicediversificationinUSandEMEA. ●
SpearheadCRMimplementationandmanagerelationshipsacross300+partners, facilitatingsuccessful salespipelineandnegotiationprocesses. ●
Conduct duediligenceandSPVinvestmentsinB2Banddeeptechstartups.

CorporateInnovationPartner SuccessSenior Manager, PlugandPlayFebruary 2022–May 2023Sunnyvale, CA 33 ●
Launchedandmanaged2corporate-sponsoredaccelerator services, driving$1M+contract renewalswithFortune500clientssuchasMeta. ● Led20dealflowsbetweenstartupsandcorporatepartnersandfacilitatedsuccessful pilotsalignedwithpartner’stechnologyneeds. ●
Managedprogrammanagement processprovidingstartupswithtailoredmentorshipandstrategicguidancegoingfrom0-1. ●
Championedandexecutedbrandawarenessfor thefirmbyeducational andpartnershipeventswith500+attendeestobuildnetworkandcommunityamongsttheLAstartupecosystem, resultinginincreasedinvestment referrals.

TechnologyManager - Product Lead, DeloitteConsultingLLPAugust 2015- February 2022SanFrancisco, CA ●
Directedproduct development, credibilitybuildingandpresentationswithexecutivestakeholders(VPsandhigher) andengineeringteams(USandIndia),managingproject goals, andresourceandfinancial modelingfor $10M+RFP/Contract for digital transformationprojectswithFortune100clients; focusingonemergingtechnologiesandend-to-endimplementation. Notable highlights:
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Fortune1Client: Product owner responsiblefor requirementsgatheringbasedoncurrent stategapanalysisanddesignedproduct roadmapforconsolidatedITprocurement systemimpacting5keymarkets. ●
Fortune10Client: Product leadfor redesignof claimsprocessing, enrollment andbillingplatformsfromIBMMainframelegacysystemstocustomsoftwaredevelopment leadingproduct strategyandroadmap. Conductedmarket research, leddevelopment sprints, testingandpresentedtoleadership, resultingin$5Msavingsinfrauddetection. ●
Fortune45Client: Product leadfor dynamicsystemrefactoringandredesigninitiativefor Multifamilyinvestment briefs, drivingthedevelopment andexecutionof acutting-edgereal-timesetupanddeployment process; Achieved25%reductionintimeandacceleratedapproval rates. ●
Fortune100Client: Datagovernanceleadfor MedicareAdvantagedataconversionfromlegacysystemstovendor solutionadheringtoCMSmandateswithon-timedelivery. ●
StateClient: Systemintegrator spearheadingtheenterprisestrategyfor astatewideSAPERPimplementationacrossimpacting70businessprocesses. Ledcross-functional teamsof 80+businessanalystsandengineers, includingexternal vendors, achieving25%adoptionincreasewithin9months. ●
FirmInnovationInitiative: Identifyandpresent blockchainusecasestoinsurtechexecutivepartnersandclient leadership, drivingstrategicdecision-makingfor statementsof work(SOW) for R&D/innovationwork.

Product MarketingManager, OpenXMay 2015- August 2015Pasadena, CA ●
Identifiednewfeaturerecommendationsfor implementationintoProgrammaticGuaranteedproduct basedonanalysisof publisher needs, industry/marketconditions, andcompetitiveintelligence.Product MarketingStrategist, NissanMay 2015- August 2015Sunnyvale, CA ●
Pilotedandlaunched'NissanDiscoveryCenter' Go-To-Market strategyfor LEAFEV, targeting$16Mrevenuepotential intheU.S. andJapanbybringingtestdriveexperiencestocustomer-focusedeventsandattractions. 34 ScottD.WittWittVentureDevelopment
AnentrepreneurialengineerwithanMBAinmarketingandstrategyandabackgroundintheartsandeducation.Mymantra:Startwiththecustomer,andworkback … Ihelpfounderstosucceedinavarietyofways:● PitchCoach:helpfounderstounderstandandarticulatethepotentialoftheirventure,andthencraftandpresentacompellingstorytostakeholders● StartupAdviser:providefounderswithuniqueinsights,recommendations,andthought-provokingquestions,● Consultant/IndividualContributor:hands-onprojectworkinmarketing,productdesignanddevelopment,strategy,operations,andbusinessdevelopment,● FractionalExecutive:experiencedseniormanagementresourceonapart-timebasis I’vespentdecadesin-the-trenchesworkingwithacademicsandtechnologiststocommercializetheirinventions.InstartupsI’mthe‘techsavvybusinessguy’whoteamsupwiththebrillianttechnologist.Myexpertiseinthetimelesspatternsofsuccessandfailurethatstartupsexperienceisbasedontheoryandpractice.

Mycontributionsasanentrepreneurialeducatorincludeacademicsettings(UCLAAnderson,USCKeck,Caltech),accelerators(CleantechOpen,FoundersBoost)andcommunityorganizations(AllianceforSocalInnovation,InnovatePasadena,SocalBio,andBCLA).AsamentorandcoachI’vehelpedfounderstoreachthefinalsoftheCleantechOpen,USC’sMaseehPrize,andTechCoastAngelsQuickPitch.InthelastfouryearsI’vespentover600hoursworkingwithunder-representedfounders.

APPROACHWithmoststartups,myinitialfocusisensuringthatfoundersarethinkingstrategicallyabouttheirmarket,sotheycanbuildauniqueproductthatcustomerswanttobuy.Withaclearmarketstrategy,wecantellagreatstoryaboutthebusinesstopotentialinvestors,employees,andcustomers.ThenIcanassistinbuildingagreatcustomer-centricproductandasolidbusinessthatsuccessfullymarketsandsupportsit.Ideally,wegrowandrefinethebusinesswithtoolslikecontinuousimprovement.

EXPERIENCEAsaboundaryspanner,myprofessionalexperienceisbroadandvaried:● Rolesincludeengineering,marketing,sales,design,support,andmanufacturingandoperations,● Industriesincludemedicalimaging,entertainment,publictransit,andsmartbuildingsystems,● Companiesincludegaragestartups,universityspinoffs,aSiliconValleypioneer,andseverallargemulti-nationalcorporations, EDUCATIONMBA-UCLAAndersonSchool.Ifocusedonwhytechstartupsfail(mistakesinthemarket)andwhattheycandoaboutit.Iwastheleadteachingassociatefortheheadoftheentrepreneurshipprogram.

BSEE-UniversityofWisconsin,Madison.Itrainedasacomputerandbiomedicalengineer,studyingelectricalengineering,computerscience,andtechnicalwriting.Iworkedasarecordingengineer,aTAintheschoolofmusic,andasasailinginstructor.

Mybackgroundintheartsincludeswriting,music,theater,anddesign,andtheyarefrequentlyappliedtomyworkwithstartups. 35 APPENDIXBNetwork/Partners
AllianceforSoCalInnovationCorporatePartners:

AllianceforSoCalInnovationAcademicandResearchPartners:
36 VCsFoundersBoost:AspireTechFundNewYorkAngelsPasadenaAngelsFundsGaingelsTCAVentureGroup(LA)TechCoastAngelsTiEGlobalAngelsTiESoCalAngelsKWAngelFund2045VenturesSolCapitalAccelepriseAccentureAcequiaCapitalA16ZAdaselGlobalPartnersLLCAnqaVenturesBluVenturesCaesarVenturesEarlybirdDigitalEastFundForumVCAnthemisAntlerArrowheadInnovationFundGFRFundGoingVCBCGDigitalVenturesGreenSkyVenturesHangar75VenturesInclu3ionVentureJoyancePartnersBlue9CapitalMavenVenturesBotristaMicroVenturesBrightlaneVenturesMuckerCapitalClocktowerTechnologyVenturesConneticVenturesRockstartSEVENTUREPARTNERSSiliconRoadVenturesStandUpVentures StartfastVenturesSunwayCVCWedbushVenturesAdvaitaCapitalAGTVenturesAmplifyLAAnthemVenturePartnersAscendVenturesBAMVenturesBessemerVenturePartners’SteelDAOFrameworkVenturePartnersBisonVenturesFRONTIERVENTURECAPITALFusionLABOLDCapitalPartnersG7CrescentaGlobalVenturesCrosscutVenturesGlobalFoundersCapitalErezCapitalGreenShoresCapitalEverythingMarketplaces&MarketplaceCapitalGVCPartnersHalogenVCHarmonicEquity,LLCInnoventCapitalK1InvestmentManagementLaconiaCapitalInnobridgeCapitalManagementLUMOLabsJJLakeMoonshotsCapitalMorpheusVenturesMuseCapitalKaporCapitalKBPartnersKiwiTechNurtureVenturesOrbitStartupsOriginVenturesPowerhouseCapitalPropel(x)SmartGateVCMaCVCSVBMiLACapital TruStageVenturesUnicornVenturePartnersVamosVenturesWatertowerVenturesMVMTVCAmericanFamilyVenturesNewfundCapitalOCVDiversityVentureCapitalHarlemCapitalPlug&PlayVenturesLighterCapitalloeb.nycReinventureCapitalNewarkVenturePartnersRTPSeedRumbleVenturesSolideaCapital&HomeRoom(YCW22)SlipperyRockVenturesSynchronyVenturesTowerResearchVenturesViceVenturesWolfeResearchSwitchVCTaleVenturePartnersGeorgianTenOneTenTheVentureCityTheWXRFundInformationVenturePartnersInoviaCapitalTransLinkCapitalUpfrontVenturesValorVenturesVDoshVentureCapitalVoicePunchVCRelayVenturesWavemakerThree-SixtyHealthSBIInvestmentBDCCapitalSproutFundYaletownVenturePartnersSteamworkVenturesLvlUpVenturesOutlanderVCStruckCrypto 37 VCsAllianceforSoCalInnovation:
3LCapital6thManVentures75&Sunny8VCAcademyInvestorNetworkACMEAcreVenturePartnersActOneVenturesAdAstraVenturesAgilityCapitalAlignedClimateCapitalAllroundCapitalAlmaLifeSciencesAlphaEdisonAmasiaAmboyStreetVenturesAmplifyAmplifyCapitalAnamikaVenturesAndreessenHorowitzAngelsPartnersAnkhImpactVenturesAnkonaCapitalAnthemVenturePartnersAnthosCapitalAnzuPartnersArdenRoadInvestmentsAugustCapitalAustinCapitalPartnersBCapitalBAMVenturesBankTechVenturesBaronDavisEnterprisesBasisSetVenturesBeaconRosePartnersBenchmarkBessemerVenturePartnersBioRockVenturesBlackDiamondVenturesBlingCapitalBlue9CapitalBlueBearCapital,LLCBlueprintEquityBonfireVenturesBoschVenturesBrewerLaneVenturesBridgescaleCapitalPartnersBrilliantFuture(UCIFund)BullpenCapital BusinessLegalPartnersCalibrateVenturesCamdenAssetManagement,LPCanaanCapitalGroupCapitalResearchGlobalInvestorsCedarsSinaiHealthVenturesCedars-SinaiCerraCapVenturesCityrockVenturePartnersCivilizationVenturesCleanBusinessInvestmentSummitClimaxVenturesClocktowerCoastBioVenturescoastgroupenterprises.comColorCapitalComcastVenturesConnectVentures(CAA)CorazonCapitalCoreInnovationCapitalCorrelationVenturesCoveFundCraftVenturesCrosscutVenturesDallasVentureCapitalDangerousVenturesDigitalisVenturesDreamersVCElementzVenturesElevationVenturesEmbarkVenturesEmergenceCapitalEmergingVenturesFundEniacVenturesEntradaEvokeAdvisorsExpaExpertDojoFaroutFelicisffVentureCapitalFifthWallFikaVenturesFinCapitalFirstRoundFlareCapitalForerunnerForesiteCapitalLLC FoundationCapitalFounder'sFundFoundersCapitalPartnersFoundryGroupfpcventures.comFreeFlowVenturesFullCycleFusionXVenturesGenerationSpaceGeorgianPineInvestmentsGlasswingVenturesGlobalFoundersCapitalGoodGrowthCapitalGoogleVenturesGothamGalVenturesGreatscaleVenturesGreycroftGreyhawkCapitalGreylockGriffinGamingPartnersGroup11HalogenVenturesHeritageGroupHinesInterestsLimitedPartnershipHMCINQHouseofVenturesHustle&TrustVenturesHyperthermVenturesIdealabIlluminaVenturesImpulsumCapImpulsumVenturesIncludeVenturesIndexVenturesInnoventCapitalGroupInspovationVenturesInterlockCapitalIVPJacksonSquareVenturesJavelinVenturePartnersJLLSparkGlobalVenturesJMIEquityJumpCapitalJUMPInvestorsK5VenturesKairosVenturesKaiserVenturesKBPartnersKDTVentures 38 kernvg.comKeshifVenturesKillCapitalKingRiverCapitalKWCapitalPartnersLadderVenturesLDRVenturesLearnCapitalLegendaryVenturesLightspeedVenturePartnersLockheedMartinCorporationLongleyCapitalLudisCapital*Nocrunchbaseprofile*LumiraCapitalLuxCapitalManagementLLCm13MaCVenturesMagnifyVenturesMandalaSpaceVenturesMantisVCMarchCapitalPartnersMarcyVenturePartnersMarkIVCapitalMarsBioMavenMCJCollectiveMCTMDBCapitalHoldingsMEDAAngelsMedTechInnovatorMindtheBridgeMiramarDigitalVenturesMiromaVenturesMitsubishiElectricUSMomentVenturesMoodoosInvestmentsMoonshotsCapitalMorpheusVenturesMuckerCapitalMuseCapitalMvmtMVPFUNDSNautilusVenturePartnersNavigateVenturesNEANeutronStarAssetsLLCNewmanCapitalNewtypeVenturesNexCubedNextGenVenturePartnersNorwestVenturePartnersNumenorVenturesObjective OCVPartnersOkapiOutcomeCapitalOverturePalmDriveCapitalLLCPasadenaAngelsPearVenturesPelionVenturePartnersPismoVenturesPlassaCapitalPLGVenturesPlugandPlayPlusCapitalPowerPlantPartnersPritzkerGroupPrivateerSpacePropelBioPartnersQualcommVenturesQubitsVenturesQuestVenturePartnersRainfallRedTreeVentureRedpointRegenerationVCRenegadeCapitalRezVenPartnersRidgeVenturesRivervestRogueCapitalRusheenCapitalPartners,LLCSalesforceVenturesSamsungNextVenturesSantaBarbaraAngelAllianceSantéScienceScopusVenturesSection32SequoiaCapitalOperationsLLCSerpentinePartners,LLCSerraVenturesShareVenturesShastaVenturesSlauson&CoSmartgateVCSmashCapitalSmashVenturesSnocapVenturePartnersSocialLeverageSoftBankSolardisHealthVenturesSomaCapitalSouthQuadLLCSperoVentures StageVenturePartnersStepStoneGroupStoryHouseVenturesStruckCapitalSunstoneManagementSupplyChangeCapitalSusaVenturesSwayVenturesSwitchVenturesT2VenturesTaihoVenturesTakedaTCGTechCoastAngelsTechHoldingTechnologyCapitalPartnersTechstarsTenOneTenTGMThe22FundTheCapitalGroupThielCapitalThinLineCapitalThink+VenturesThresholdVenturesTIMEBioVenturesTIOBioventuresTouchdownVenturesTownHallVenturesTrousdaleVenturesLLCTVCCapitalTwoBearCapitalUluVenturesUnlockVenturePartnersUntappedVenturesUPPartnersUpfrontVenturesUrbanInnovationFundUTAVenturesVamosVenturesVertexVenturesVerticalVenturePartnersVeteranFundVibrantVenturesVidaVenturesVivaBioInnovatorVivoCapital,LLCVoLoEarthVenturesWatertowerVenturesWaveEdgeCapitalWavemakerWavemaker360HealthWaverleyCapital 39 WedbushVenturesWellcapVenturesWestlakeVillageBioPartners WestwaveCapitalWillowGrowthPartnersWonderVentures
WorkLifeVenturesXFactorCapital
ACCELERATORSAllianceforSoCalInnovation:AmplifyLAArtcenter'sTheDesignAcceleratorBraidTheoryCalPolyHotHouseAcceleratorCedarsSinaiAcceleratorExpertDojoFounderInstituteGrid110Hub101InternationalBusinessAcceleratorLaunchpadLALongBeachAcceleratorLosAngelesCleantechIncubatorMAcceleratorMasterMindsOCStartupAcceleratorWorkshopsMatterlabsMuckerLabOctane'sLaunchpadPledgeLASabioLAStarburstAcceleratorStartEngineStartupUCLAStubbsAlderton&Markiles,LLPPrecceleratorTechStarsSDSUTechStarsUSCTechStars-LAUniversityLabPartnersUntappedUSGBC-LosAngelesNetZero EducationPartnersHackerFund:UCLAUSCLACCCaltechPierceCollegeElCaminoCollegeGlendaleCommunityCollegePasadenaCityCollegeLosAngelesValleyCollegeWestLACollegeSantaMonicaCollegeLATTCComptonCollegeLAUSDLAHacksHacktechHackSC 40 AppendixC:HowtheAlliance’sSoCalVenturePipelineWorks
FounderOutreachFoundersdiscovertheSVPprogramviamultiplepathwayssuchasdirectreferralsfromadiversesetofpartners(detailedbelow),attendingpubliceventswehostorco-hostwithpartners,throughmarketingoutreachsuchassocialmedia(linkedinandtwitter) andthroughourtwomonthlynewsletters(+5kemailaddresses).Further, westaff afull-timededicatedOutreachManagerwhobuildsrelationshipswithpartnersandattendseventsthroughouttheregiontomeetfoundersandpromotetheSVPprograminthecommunity. TheAlliancehostsandorganizesfounder-focusedeventsinavarietyofformats.Since2022,theAlliancehasproducedseveninpersonfounder-focusedeventsfeaturingexpertsspeakingontopicssuchas“FundraisinginToday’sMarket”and“InsiderInsightstotheVentureCapitalProcess,”attractingatotalof300attendees.

SVPApplicationandScreeningProcessSincelaunchingtheSoCalVenturePipelinealittleoverthreeyearsago,wehavereceivedover705applicationscompletedbySoCal-basedfoundersviaouronlineportalwhichrequiresthedisclosureofdetailedinformation,includingDEIdata,similartoapplyingtoaprestigiousacceleratorprogram.Theapplicationdatarevealsthat60%ofthefoundersidentifiedasnon-white,32%asnon-male,and32%arefirstgenerationcollegegraduates.ThisdiverserepresentationoffoundersseekingaccessisbothareflectionofthevibranttalentpoolthatresidesinSouthernCaliforniaandourintentionaloutreachtotraditionallyunderrepresentedcommunities.

Eachapplicationreceivedgoesthroughastagedvettingprocesstoensurethatthestartuphasreachedthestageintheirlifecyclewheretheyareattractivetoinvestors.SelectivityandcurationiscrucialtoretainVCinterestinthecompanieswesubmit.IfVCsconcludethatthecompanyintroductionstheAllianceofferedwerenotventurereadyorafitfortheirfund’sinvestmentthesis,theywouldstoprespondingtoouroffersofconnectionandwewouldlosetheabilitytoadvocateforthestrongstartupfounderswhoreallydeservethefunding.

ThreeStagesofReviewtoGetAcceptedintoSVPBeforeConsiderationofDirectInvestmentbyCatalystFund

1. StaffReview: ThefirstreviewisdonebyAlliancestaff whowillchecktoensurethattheapplicationmeetsthebasiccriteriasuchastheyaregeographicallybasedinoneofthesixSoCalcounties(Ventura,SanBernardino,Riverside,LosAngeles,Orange,SanDiego)andhaveevidencetheyarematureenoughtobetakenseriouslybyaninvestorsuchashavingsometractionorasolidbusinessmodel,forexample.Eachmonth,thestaff selectsthetop12startupapplicationsreceivedtobereviewedbytheEvaluationCommitteewhichmeetsonceamonth.

2. EvaluationCommittee: Thesecondreviewisdonebyagroupofinvestorsandstartupexpertswhomeetvirtuallyonceamonthtoreviewthetop12companiesandcollectivelyagreeonarankorderofthetop5companiestoadvancetothenextround(theSelectionCommittee).Startupswhodonotgetchosenforthenextroundofreviewareoftengivensomefeedbackonthecommittee’srationale.

3. SelectionCommittee:SeasonedinvestorsandsubjectmatterexpertsarethelastlineofqualitycontrolandhavethefinaldecisiononwhichstartupsarereadytobeintroducedtomatchingSeedorSeriesAinvestors.The5startupsareinvitedtoattendthemonthlyvirtualcommitteemeetingtodelivera5-minutepitchfollowedbyQ&Awiththecommitteemembers.Aftercarefuldeliberation,the 41 committeedecideswhetherthestartupshouldbeacceptedintotheprogramformatchmakingwithinvestors,orpotentiallyreferredtolocalresourcesformentoringandadvicesothattheymayremedyanyissuesandre-applyinthefuture.LiketheEvaluationCommittee,thisfeedbackisdeliveredinformallybacktothefounderalongwiththeyes/nodecision.

4. CatalystFundInvestmentCommittee: ThefundleveragestheAlliance’sSVPcapitalmatchingprogram,investinginfounderswhosecurealeadinvestmentfromaninstitutionalVCthatcommitsatleast20percentinapricedseedorseriesAequityroundroundandmeetsotherfoundationalinvestmentcriteria.TheCommitteemeetsmonthlytoreviewqualifieddealsandmeetwithfounders.TheCommitteeiscomposedoftworepresentativesfromeachofthetwoGeneralPartnerentities,TheAlliance&PasadenaPrivateFinancialGroup,allbasedintheTricitiesarea,andaformerVCwhoisbasedinLaCanada.

EvaluationCommitteeMembers:● MikePanesis, ExecutiveDirector, StevenDorfmanCenterforInnovation&Entrepreneurship,CaliforniaLutheranUniversity;experiencedangelinvestor(SantaBarbara&VenturaCo.)● YashChopra, SeniorAssociate,PlassaCapital(LosAngeles)● JoshResnick, Co-Founder&GeneralPartner, OpenSkyVentures;FounderandCEO,Sugarfina,PureImaginationBrands;experiencedangelinvestor(LosAngeles)● ScottWitt, startupadvisorwithdeeptech/healthindustryexperience(Glendale/LACounty)● J.C.Ruffalo, VenturePartner, TheCove(OrangeCounty)● Jeff Bocan, Partner, Okapi(Orange&LACounties)● PatHwang, Partner, HeedfirstVentures&PresidentofTCAVentureGroup-OC(OrangeCounty) SelectionCommitteeMembers:● ReneeLaBran, BusinessAdvisor, Investor, DirectoratIdealab,Sambazon,TomboyX,andStateBarofCalifornia(EastLA)● Krisztina(Z)Holly, VenturePartner, GoodGrowthCapital(WestLA)● IvánMarkman, 20yearsasstartup/scaleupexecutive(Yahoo,etc),15yearsasstartupadvisor, AngelinvestorinData,AI,cleantech(WestLA)● MarkdiTargiani, SVP, StartupServices,BancofCalifornia(BayArea)● JadeTran, SVP, TechnologyBanking&VentureLending,BancofCalifornia(WestLA)● Kenji(Ken)Funahashi, Partner, WilsonSonsiniGoodrichRosati(WSGR)(EastLA)● DavidBailey, Partner, KPPB(OC&LA) CatalystFundCommitteeMembers:● AndyWilson,ExecutiveDirector, AllianceforSoCalInnovation● EricEide,ManagingDirector, AllianceforSoCalInnovation● CraigColbath,COO,PasadenaPrivateFinancialGroup● SimonReeves,SVP, PasadenaPrivateFinancialGroup● ReneeLaBran,BusinessAdvisor, Investor, DirectoratIdealab,Sambazon,TomboyX,andStateBarofCalifornia 42 Friday,July12th,2024
TotheCityofGlendale,
Thisletterofrecommendationisbasedonmyovertwodecadesofexperiencewith theventureecosystemandmyexperienceworkingwithFoundersBoostsince2017.

IhighlyrecommendBlakeCaldwellforhiscommitmenttoentrepreneurshipandthe communitythathehashelpedbuild,shape,andgrowintoaglobalnetwork supportingentrepreneursallovertheworld.

FoundersBoostisuniqueinitsapproachtocommunityandecosystembuilding, whichdiﬀerentiatesitfromotherprogramswhereImentorandteach.After supportingover20diﬀerententrepreneurshipprogramsandcohortsglobally, FoundersBoostremainsuniqueinthefollowingaspects:

1. FoundersBoostistheonlyprogramthatteachesmentorshowtodeliver greatsessionsandprovidevaluablefeedbacktoentrepreneurs.

2. Mostearly-stagestartupsjoinaprogramtocompletetheirbusiness modelsanddevelopanunderstandingofwhat’sneededtoachievethenextlevelof success.FromdayoneatFoundersBoost,you’llnoticethatmostentrepreneursare stillﬁndingtheirbusinessdirection.However,byweek7oftheprogram,wementors areveryproudoftheprogressandsigniﬁcantaccomplishmentsofthese entrepreneurs.ThissuccessiswhyIhavereturnedtomentor14cohortsofLos Angelesprogramsandthreemorefromdiﬀerentregions.

3. I’vebeenvolunteeringtomentorandteachwithover20diﬀerent organizations,includingsomeofthebiggestprogramsrunningtoday.Unfortunately, Ioftenmeetentrepreneursfromtheseprogramswhofeelover-mentoredyethave nothingtoshowforallthetimetheyspent.Thisisacommonshortcomingofmany programsthatfocusmoreonquantitythanqualityofresults.
2024©mvmtventuresLLC

4. PerhapsthemostuniqueaspectofFoundersBoostisthelasting friendshipsandsenseofcollaborationformedbetweenmentorsandfounders,as wellasamongmentorsandamongfounders.Thiscollaborationleadstoeﬀective problem-solvingandthedevelopmentofahealthyecosystemwhere entrepreneurshipcanﬂourish.

LookingbackatalltheyearsIspentmentoringwithFoundersBoost,IbelieveIama bettermentorthankstotheexperienceIgainedandthelessonsIlearnedfromother mentors.Thisistheonlyprogramwherementorsandmenteesgrowandlearn togetherinatruecommunity.

IwholeheartedlyrecommendFoundersBoostandBlakeCaldwell.Ilookforwardto what’snextandtocontinuingtomentor,support,recommend,andjoinfuture cohorts.

#1008466v1<ACTIVE> - Letter re: Glendale Accelerator (7.11.24)

July 11, 2024

Startup Boost Inc.

Blake Caldwell
12832 Short Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90066

Dear Mr. Caldwell:

Re: Commitment to Sponsor the Glendale Accelerator Program

We are pleased to formally commit to sponsoring the proposed Glendale Accelerator Program (the “Program”), an initiative aimed at fostering innovation and supporting early-stage startups through accelerator programs in Glendale. Prospera Law is an elite venture-focused corporate law firm in the greater Los Angeles area. As a dedicated partner, Prospera Law is enthusiastic about contributing to the success and growth of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Glendale. We are pleased to commit to the following support, should Startup Boost Inc. be selected as the provider of the Program.

1. Financial Support. Prospera Law will provide financial sponsorship amounting to $20,000 per year for the duration of the Program. This funding will be allocated towards operational costs, program development, and resources essential for supporting participating startups.

2. Pro-bono Support for Program Operations. Prospera Law will offer pro-bono support valued at $15,000 per year to assist with contracts, document review, and legal and structuring advice for the Program.

3. Pro-bono Support for Program Startups. Prospera Law will provide pro-bono legal guidance and work valued at $55,000 per year for the startups participating in the Program. This support will cover a range of legal services essential for early-stage companies.

We anticipate that our sponsorship will help create a robust support system for startups in Glendale, fostering innovation and driving economic growth. Based on our past sponsorship experience with FoundersBoost, we expect similar successful outcomes, including significant funding raised by startups, job creation, and revenue generation.

We look forward to collaborating closely with Startup Boost Inc. and other stakeholders to achieve these goals.

Our commitment will span one year, with the full intent to continue support on an ongoing basis.

For any questions or further discussions, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or by phone at (424) 239-1929.

We are excited to embark on this partnership and contribute to the thriving startup ecosystem in Glendale.

Thank you for considering our commitment. We look forward to working together to make the Glendale Accelerator Program a resounding success.

Sincerely,

Benjamin A. Wiles, Esq.

Partner, Prospera Law LLP
BlakeCaldwell
CEOofStartupBoostInc.
201NBrandBlvdDowntown,Suite200
Glendale,CA91203
Email:[email protected]
Phone:424-272-7228
July4th,2024
DearBlake,
WeareveryexcitedtobesupportingtheGlendaleGrowthAlliance.Weshallbeproviding $50,000.00throughin-kindvolunteersupporteachyearforthenextthreeyearsinsupport oftheacceleratoryouareproposingtoproducefortheCityofGlendale.Ournetworkof volunteersincludestechnologistsfrom150+companiesincludingDisney,Google,Microsoft, Tesla,andSnap.

Thisvolunteerssupportwillbeassistinghackathonprogamdevelopmentthatwill accomplishthefollowinggoals:
●ShowcasetheGlendalestartupcommunityandprovideemergingcompanieswiththe toolsandsupporttheyneedtothrive:LeveragingGlendale’svibrantdowntownand dynamicbusinessenvironment,wewillofferstartupsmentorship,resources,and networkingopportunities.
●PromoteGlendaleasaninnovationhub:BycapitalizingonGlendale’sproximityto topuniversitiesandtechnologycompanies,wewillhighlightthecityasapremier destinationforinnovationandentrepreneurship.
●Attractandretainadiversepooloftechtalent:Glendale’sculturalvibrancyand connectivitymakeitanideallocationfortechprofessionals.Theprogramwillactively promotetheseattributestoattractandretainskilledtalent.
●Drivelocaleconomicdevelopment:Supportinghigh-growthpotentialstartupswill driveeconomicgrowth,generatesubstantialrevenue,andcreatehigh-wagejobsin Glendale.

Withgratitude,
JustinBrezhnev
Founder&ExecutiveDirector
mail:4130OverlandAve.CulverCity,CA90230|email:[email protected]|phone:213.785.7382|www.hacker.fund

Glendale City CouncilOctober 8, 2024

Glendale City Council
October 8, 2024