Cities invest in economic development programs for many reasons, including enabling job creation and strengthening the economic base of their communities. One increasingly important part of many cities’ economic development strategies is entrepreneurial development. Entrepreneurial development programs support high-potential local businesses through startup and growth phases, leading to job creation and increased business success rates.
In the Coachella Valley, the cities of Palm Springs and Palm Desert have invested significantly in entrepreneurial development through the establishment of iHubs: physical spaces where entrepreneurs can work side-by-side under the same roof. iHubs function similarly to coworking spaces, but with the addition of long-term mentoring for companies in targeted high-growth sectors.
To celebrate Riverside County Innovation Month, and to allow local leaders to learn more about the startups that benefit from investment in entrepreneurial development, CVEP hosted Meet the Entrepreneurs at the Palm Springs and Palm Desert iHubs. These get-togethers were a unique opportunity for city officials to meet the people behind the companies that CVEP mentors and assists. Elected officials in attendance included Palm Springs Mayor Grace Garner, Palm Desert Mayor Kathleen Kelly, Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Karina Quintanilla, and Palm Desert City Councilmember Evan Trubee.
Companies represented at the events included Moducan Corporation, Hello Computer Inc., Few & Far, Raise Your Glass, theCALENDAR, EcoCulture Manufacturing, DoubleLock Healthcare, Inc, Qwiktarp, and the Greater Palm Springs Film Alliance.
Because a supportive local community is so important to startup companies, events like Meet the Entrepreneurs play a substantial role in business success. Stay tuned in the coming months for personal stories that will allow you, as a reader, to meet the entrepreneurs, too. And if you’re new to the area – or even if you’ve been here for a while – and want to get involved in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, check out our calendar of events.
