RIVERSIDE COUNTY SPOTLIGHTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH RETURN OF INNOVATION MONTH

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Kimberly Wright

Riverside County Office of Economic Development 3403 10^TH Street, Ste 400, Riverside, CA 92501 KiWright@rivco.org

(951) 955-7268

PRESS RELEASE

RIVERSIDE COUNTY SPOTLIGHTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH RETURN OF INNOVATION MONTH

Riverside County, CA (March 26, 2024) – The Riverside County Office of Economic Development is excited to announce the awaited return of Riverside County’s Innovation Month, a dynamic celebration of ingenuity and entrepreneurship, marking its annual occurrence every April since its inauguration in 2017 (excluding 2020).

Riverside County Innovation Month serves as a vibrant tribute to innovation and entrepreneurship, honoring the robust ecosystem that nurtures small businesses. Designed to ignite and sustain the entrepreneurial spirit, Innovation Month bridges innovators and entrepreneurs with workshops, panels, industry leaders, investors, and more. During the month of April, stakeholders countywide will curate a diverse array of events, including regional fast pitch competitions spotlighting local business concepts.

Entrepreneurs and innovators from across Riverside County are encouraged to register for regional fast pitch events, offering a platform to showcase their business or product concepts. Contestants will present their ideas before a live audience comprising business investors, local elected officials, and accomplished entrepreneurs. Winners from the regional events will progress to the Innovation Month’s pinnacle event – the fast pitch finale – scheduled for April 30, 2024, in downtown Riverside, where the top three contestants will claim substantial cash prizes.

Complementing the fast pitch competitions, April will feature a series of Riverside County innovation videos. These videos will spotlight the county’s expansive network of incubators and technology.

hubs, designed to nurture entrepreneurial visions and early-stage ventures. Additionally, select Riverside County businesses pioneering innovation across various sectors, from clean energy to artificial intelligence, will be showcased. Innovation centers stand ready to offer tailored resources supporting the journey of innovation.

Central to this innovation landscape is the University of California, Riverside (UCR), serving as the region’s flagshipinstitution for world-class research and development. The collaborative synergy between the county and UCR, bolstered by cutting-edge living labs and an evolving tech innovationecosystem, positions Riverside County as a premier destination for groundbreaking innovation. Investors, trailblazers, and business creators are increasingly drawn toRiverside County, revitalizing it as an innovation nexus.

The Riverside CountyOffice of EconomicDevelopment cordially invitesthe public to explore our website,www.RivCoInnovation.org, for a wealth of regularly updated contentshowcasing innovation year-round across the county. From biotech to cleantech,visitors will discover insights into Riverside County’s Innovation Incubators and more.A dedicated webpagefor Riverside CountyInnovation Month offers detailed information on participation in these transformative events.

For furtherinformation, please contact us at: bizinfo@rivco.org or (951) 955-8916.

About Riverside County Office of Economic Development:

The Riverside County Office of Economic Development is committed to fostering economic growth,innovation, and entrepreneurship across Riverside County. Throughstrategic partnerships and initiatives, we empowerbusinesses to thriveand contribute to the county'svibrant economy. Visit www.RivCoInnovation.org to learn more.

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