Dec. 21—Yuba County is partnering with the Sacramento Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to launch a business startup program, officials announced on Dec. 8.
Small business owners will have the opportunity to participate in free entrepreneurial education and a chance at $10,000 through the business incubator program Yes to Startups.
This free, online training series offers fundamental business education resources, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs starting or growing new businesses in Yuba County. The series will culminate in a pitch competition where participants will receive start-up funding grants of up to $10,000, officials said.
"Yuba County is a great place to start a business," Business Engagement Manager Rachel Downs said in a statement. "We have strong communities that love to shop small and support the local economy, and we're proud to create new opportunities for the area's entrepreneurs to thrive."
Yes to Startups will be taught by an SBDC business advisor and will focus on writing a business plan, including financial projections, market research, and pitching to funders, officials said.
"This program provides an innovative way for entrepreneurs to grow their business and help them to develop a winning pitch to access funding," said SiewYee Lee-Alix, director of Sacramento Valley SBDC, in a statement. "We are looking forward to watching business owners pursue their dreams and to continue supporting them."
Applications for Yes to Startups are available on sacramentovalleysbdc.org/yestostartups and will be accepted until Jan. 14, 2024. To participate in the program, legal business entities must be registered or plan to register in Yuba County. The six-week series will take place virtually on Tuesdays starting Jan. 30, 2024, through March 5, 2024.