4th Sector Innovations - Ontario

Fourth Sector Innovations’ purpose is to bring the power of innovation and entrepreneurship to for-profit, nonprofit and government organizations. Our approach to exploring and realizing meaningful value is built on a comprehensive system architecture, powerful core principles and a robust operations and resource kit for execution. Their mission is to provide a network of safe, engaging and impactful spaces that enhance collective opportunity and advancement through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center

The Youth Innovation Center is the City of Riverside’s newest community center. With state of the art equipment and a mission to help propel Riverside into an innovative tomorrow, the center will offer both free and fee based activities with a focus on youth. Their mission is to provide opportunities to visitors by introducing them to professionals and services that will promote and enhance learning to increase the likelihood of life-long success.

Blackstone Launchpad

Blackstone LaunchPad powered by Techstars delivers resources, mentorship, and opportunities for entrepreneurial skills training through a network of university campuses. The program, which had expanded to all UC campuses in fall 2019, offers tools and resources for budding entrepreneurs seeking to build their technical startup skills and create new businesses. UCR activities included a speaker series, workshops, networking events, and one-on-one mentoring. Its most intensive program is known as the Startup Bootcamp, offered in winter and spring quarters with 15-20 students each session.

Cal Baptist University (CBU)

California Baptist University (CBU) is one of the top private Christian colleges and universities in Southern California. CBU offers bachelor's, master's and credential residential programs in Riverside, San Bernardino and online. The Bourns College of Engineering is growing rapidly in terms of both students and facilities. In its first year, they have started work on new labs and classroom space and have received numerous gifts and grants including a grant from the National Science Foundation. The University is considering the addition of an incubation program as part of the Engineering College, although it is in the early stages of planning.

California State University - San Bernardino (CSUSB)

CSUSB is a Cal State San Bernardino is listed among the best colleges and universities in the western United States. Many CSUSB programs have earned specialized national and international accreditation, including the business program, which was the first in the Inland Empire to gain AACSB Accreditation at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. The university has an innovation lab and also a new Master of Science in Entrepreneurship & Innovation degree.

California Air Resources Board (CARB)

Relocating CARB to the region provides a range of opportunities beyond bringing with it up to 500 high-paying jobs. It also brings with it the potential for strategic companies to relocate to the region, and for the emergence of support companies to deliver value added services to CARB and to strategic companies aligned with CARB.

Cleantech San Diego

Cleantech San Diego is a member-based trade organization that positions the greater San Diego region as a global leader in the cleantech economy and smart cities movement. As a nonprofit organization, Cleantech San Diego is uniquely positioned to support the cleantech industry by fostering collaborations across the private-public-academic landscape, leading advocacy efforts to promote cleantech priorities, and encouraging investment in the San Diego region. Michael Ford is the Inland Empire Program Manager for Cleantech San Diego. Its members include more than 100 local businesses, universities, governments, and nonprofits committed to advancing sustainable solutions for the benefit of the economy and the environment.

The Creat’R Lab

The Creat’R Lab is a multi-faceted learning space designed for the UCR community to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The lab offers workshops, collaborative events, and equipment for personal use including 3D printing, basic hand tools, electronics, and associated software. The Creat’R Lab is located on the first floor of Orbach Library at the UCR campus.

The Palm Springs Innovation Hub (iHub) [CVEP] iHub - Indio Campus iHub - Palm Desert Campus

The Palm Springs Innovation Hub (iHub), managed by the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership, is a state-designed business incubator funded by the city of Palm Springs and Wells Fargo. The iHub focuses on early-stage business in the fields of renewable energy, health and medicine, and digital technology. The Palm Springs iHub also offers the Palm Springs Accelerator Campus – designed to mitigate start-up risks and increase the probability of business prospering and growing into the future.

Epic SBDC

UC Riverside’s EPIC SBDC provides individualized support to early stage tech entrepreneurs and companies in the Inland Empire to grow their businesses at no cost. Services include specialized consulting, training programs and workshops, access to capital and SBIR/STTR assistance. EPIC SBDC has a pool of seasoned professionals who serve as Entrepreneurs in Residence to provide business consulting to help you launch or grow you company.

ExCITE

ExCITE is Riverside’s startup incubator for high tech, high growth science and technology startups by providing co-working space, networking, workshops, and access to mentors. Located in Downtown Riverside, ExCITE is a partnership between the City, the County, and UCR. This unique partnership brings together campus and community resources to position entrepreneurs for success.

The Highlander Venture Fund

The UCR Highlander Venture Fund just launched in 2017 and recently provided its first investment in 2020. The HVF is a $10M venture capital fund that intends to invest in campus and regional startups. The fund directly applies to innovation that correlates with a vertical market such as healthcare, energy, environment, and other areas of expertise at UCR. More information can be found through contacting Scott Brovsky, Director of EPIC SBDC scott.brovsky@ucr.edu.

The Inland Empire Entrepreneur Network

The Inland Empire Entrepreneur Network is a dynamic partnership of businesses, colleges, and entrepreneurial-minded people in the IE. We love where we live and want to bring the best ideas, services, and products to our communities! California is home to 4.1 million small businesses, which represents 99.8% of all businesses in the state. And the California Community Colleges are the largest provider of workforce training in the nation, offering more than 200 Career Education programs. Please see our partner colleges below for information on their available programs and classes. We also invite you to join the Harness community for exclusive resources including internship opportunities, local job postings, mentors, and more. Discover innovation and entrepreneurship in the Inland Empire!

The Inland Empire Tech Bridge - at Norco

The Inland Empire Tech Bridge is anchored by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona Division and will serve as a regional hub of innovation for the Navy command and local partners in academia, nonprofit and private industries. This synergistic network will seek to find faster, better solutions to warfighter challenges while stimulating local economic growth and development.

March JPA

March Air Force Base was converted from an active duty base to a Reserve Base in 1996. The decision to realign March AFB resulted in approximately 4,400 acres of property and facilities being declared surplus and available for disposal actions, as well as joint use of the airfield. The base had contributed an estimated $500 million annually to the regional economy, and the regional economic loss with this transformation was immediately recognized. The March JPA is planning and implementing new uses for currently vacant lands, reuse of existing facilities, and joint use of the airfield facilities for the development of an air cargo facility. The March JPA is planning and implementing new uses for currently vacant lands, reuse of existing facilities, and joint use of the airfield facilities for the development of an air cargo facility. Overseen by Executive Director Dr. Danielle Kelly, the long-term economic gains in the form of developing a civilian air cargo center, and the growth and development of an employment center to account for 38,000 jobs are projected.

Mind and Mill Startup Accelerator

Mind & Mill focuses on helping early stage startups. They assist startups by giving them access to the Mind & Mill co-working space, weekly meetings with mentors, funding, and assistance in finding additional funding sources once an MVP is achieved.

Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Eagle MakerSpace

The Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) Eagle MakerSpace is a collaborative workspace where making, learning, exploring, and sharing all happen. The MakerSpace is a place of entrepreneurial adventure that develops creative design and critical thinking skills. The MakerSpace provides makers access to 3D printers, computers, software, a laser cutter, hand tools, and biotech equipment. Virtual Reality (VR) is coming soon. Makers learn how to solve complex problems, how to respond to change, how to manage time requirements, and how to persevere. Historically we have served MSJC students, and we are currently expanding our network of makers to include K-12 students, small business, and community members. For additional information, please contact Dr. Hal Edghill (hedghill@msjc.edu, 951-639-5355).

Murrieta Genomics Incubator

Murrieta Genomics is a genomic sequencing business incubator that is based in Murrieta, California and was founded in 2017. The firm supports startups in life sciences, agriculture, veterinary medicine and forensic sciences. Murrieta Genomics offers dedicated bench space to fledgling companies at close to no cost, helping them to define their business model and validate their science, and then invest in the companies that “graduate” the incubator.

Norco College

According to interim Dr. President Monica Green, Norco College has more courses, programs, technologies and capabilities than they have students to fill them. Owing partly to lack of awareness of these programs, Norco College seeks to attract organizations who need customized certificate programming for employees.

National Science Foundation I-Corps Program (INNOVA'R Workshops)

The NSF I-Corps Program is a quarterly program designed to train incoming entrepreneurs and aid in developing their skills for product commercialization. The program provides opportunities for mentorship, business skills, networking, and funding. It is provided by the Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center (EPIC).

Office of Research and Economic Development at UC Riverside (OASIS)

The Office of Technology Partnerships is located at the University Office Building. OASIS provides opportunities to advance sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion. The office ultimately aims to better connect and leverage R&D, workforce development, and community engagement in the following areas: agriculture technology, natural resource management (including the future of the Salton Sea), sustainability, and clean logistics.

The Proof of Concept Grants

For faculty with innovative technology that have commercial/business potential, the Proof of Concept Grants can provide up to $50,000. This is funded by the UCR Research and Economic Development Office and distributed annually to 5-8 faculty. The grant invests in prototyping and translational experiments to bring the product closer to commercialization. More information can be found by contacting Brian Suh brian.suh@ucr.edu.

The Innovation Lab - City of Riverside

The goal of the Innovation Lab is to eliminate barriers for innovation and create a unique space and atmosphere for employees in which risk taking is encouraged, and everything is geared towards spurring creativity and nurturing new ideas. The Innovation Lab, staffed with subject matter experts, will provide support in developing and testing employees ideas that are presented to the Innovation Lab team.

The Inland SoCal Link iHub - Riverside County

California is home to the largest innovation network in the country, with 15 designated Innovation Hubs (iHubs) stretching from San Diego to Redding and covering some of California’s most vibrant economic sectors. The state-designated iHubs stimulate partnerships, economic development, and job creation around specific research clusters. The iHubs leverage assets such as research parks, technology incubators, universities, and federal laboratories to provide an innovation platform for startup companies, economic development organizations, business groups, and venture capitalists.

The Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Social Impact - University of La Verne (Coming soon)

The center will provide entrepreneurial training for several learning cohorts each year and integrate academic and hands-on approaches to job creation and long-term career support, with a special emphasis on underserved communities in the region. The center will be located in Ontario, where the University of La Verne already has a presence through its College of Law. The new Lewis Center will complement the city’s Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art business facility, and enable the university to expand its innovative educational outreach to the surrounding community.

SBIR/STTR Resource Center

SBIR/STTR Resource Center, developed in partnership by EPIC SBDC and The Office of Technology Partnerships, provides UCR faculty and regional small businesses with support towards innovative research proposals and building partnerships. The resource center offers a network of learners and experts, in depth reviews for business proposals and mentorship towards producing viable commercialization plans.

Southern California Energy Innovation Network by i6 - Cleantech San Diego

Through the i6 Regional Innovation Strategies grant, Cleantech San Diego received $1.5 million to scale up the capacity of the Southern California Regional Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN) program and support clean energy startups located in Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The University of California, Riverside, is supporting the program with in-kind matching, office space and logistical support for the Inland Empire.

University of California Riverside (UCR)

The University of California at Riverside offers a range of programs and facilities aimed at supporting entrepreneurship. The vision of the university is to establish UC Riverside as the partner of choice connecting the university, industry and the community. To accomplish this, the university has built a framework to support the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at UC Riverside and have worked to integrate the operation of their corporate and strategic partners and technology commercialization teams. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, the Office of technology partnerships encompasses Technology Commercialization, Corporate & Strategic Partnerships, and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. UCR seeks to catalyze the translation of University research and discoveries to the private sector and to provide opportunities for the faculty, students and community at large to explore entrepreneurial endeavors. The structure of the Office as one integrated unit, allows it to be highly effective in interacting with the private sector and the internal stakeholders as they aim at seeking collaborations with the private sector.

The Wet Lab - UCR

UCR’s Wet Lab Incubator is the first of its kind in the region. It is available for local residents and companies looking to foster new developments in the life sciences, agriculture, biotech and medical technology fields. In addition to using the lab’s workspaces and its state-of-the-art equipment, tenants will have access to other scientific facilities on the campus and can interact with faculty members. Mentoring and access to capital for these efforts come from the UC Riverside Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center Small Business Development Center. The lab was funded by federal and state grants, as well as from internal funds from the university.