The fifth annual Startup Investment and Community Capital (SICC) Expo was held on Thursday, September 23, 2021. The SICC Expo is the Monterey Bay region’s premier startup investment conference, providing viewers with a unique opportunity to watch startups pitch, exhibit, and network with top-tier investors, regional banks, and alternative sources of funding
This year’s SICC Expo attracted over 235 entrepreneurs and investors who participated in the day-long series of company presentations and discussion panels. In addition to these speakers and panelists, 16 innovative companies pitched their businesses to panels of 15 investors. The SICC Expo provided businesses, investors, and the larger Monterey Bay business community a forum for pathways to funding local and regional startup business projects.
College of Business Dean Dr. Marylou Shockley said “This year’s SICC Expo attracted participants from around the world to pitch their ideas, and provided investors an opportunity to learn about opportunities to invest in new ventures. Participants included venture capitalists, women, and people of color seeking to grow their business ideas.”
The SICC Expo is a collaboration between the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development at CSU, Monterey Bay, the startup investment community, and Slow Money Monterey. (Due to COVID-19, this year marks the second time the Expo has been held online).
The audience was comprised of attendees from across the globe, including:
- Entrepreneurs and Startup Companies
- Angel and Venture Capital Investors
- Lenders and Other Sources of Startup Capital
- Partners in the Monterey Bay Startup Ecosystem
- Students of Entrepreneurship and Startup Finance
- Community Leaders
Sponsors of the 2021 SICC Expo include:
- Solare
- Union Bank
- The Pearl Works
- White Summers
- Bank of America
- UC Santa Cruz
- Economic Development Administration
- Pinnacle Bank
- Cal Coastal SBDC
- 21CM Digital Marketing
- Wild Plum Cafe and Bakery
The Expo website, expo.siccmonterey.com will host recordings of the keynote address, panel discussions, pitch sessions, and information about the companies that pitched and sponsors that supported the event.
SICC Expo is organized by the CSU Monterey Bay Institute for Innovation and Economic Development.
