What ChicostArt does

ChicoSTART is a 501(c)(3) California nonprofit operating as the North State Entrepreneurial Hub from a single physical headquarters at 430 Broadway Street in Downtown Chico. It serves as one of only 13 state-designated Accelerate California: Inclusive Innovation Hubs under CalOSBA, with programmatic and geographic reach spanning 20+ Northern California counties in which 97% are rural communities. The organization's core offerings fall into four categories: (1) Physical infrastructure — flexible co-working at $20 to $500 per month with multiple tiers (Start Desk, Start Member, Grow Member, Thrive Member); (2) Programs — Accelerate California iHub, GrowTECH industry partnership, 1 Million Cups (Kauffman Foundation-powered weekly forum), NEXT GEN Incubator for founders 18+, and the Technical Assistance Program (TAP); (3) Event programming — anchored by the annual GrowTECH FEST conference (7th annual scheduled for October 8–9, 2026), the largest entrepreneurial conference north of Sacramento; and (4) Capital deployment — Innovation Grants (over $300,000 in the first round via CalOSBA/IBank) and 30 SEED 2.5 microgrants at $5,000 each, funded through a partnership with the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: ChicoSTART does not develop software products, AI models, or APIs. It integrates curated third-party resources for its members, including AWS Activate (up to $100,000 in cloud credits), Grow with Google workshops, and an OpenGrants portal for grant discovery. Operational tools include a content website, email newsletter, social channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X), YouTube hosting event highlights, and the 1 Million Cups national platform.

Revenue is generated across five streams, with no software licensing or transactional fees: (a) Corporate partnerships and sponsorships at $2,500 to $50,000 per year across tiered packages (Launch, Start, Grow, Thrive, Accelerated, Powered By, Foundation), anchored by Tri Counties Bank, Mechanics Bank, and Half a Bubble Out; (b) Co-working subscription memberships at $200 to $500 per month for recurring workspace revenue; (c) GrowTECH monthly memberships at $50 to $75 per month; (d) Event sponsorship packages for GrowTECH FEST ranging from $2,500 (MVP) to $10,000 (Powered By); and (e) tax-deductible donations through the 501(c)(3) structure at $100, $250, $500, and $1,000 preset levels. The GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, with direct membership and program enrollment as secondary intake. The organization is led by Executive Director Eva Shepherd-Nicoll with a small team (1–10 employees) supported by Heather Ugie (Marketing & BizOps), Cassidy Corboline (Marketing & Special Projects), Nataly Chavez (Program Coordinator), and Grant Rooney (Grants Analyst).

Name

ChicostArt

Legal name

ChicoSTART

Website

https://chicostart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ChicoSTART is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrepreneurial hub based in Chico, California, providing co-working space, mentorship, programs, and grant funding to entrepreneurs and small businesses across 20+ rural Northern California counties through its state-designated Accelerate California iHub designation and 40+ partner ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurial Support Services / Startup Incubator & Co-working

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Business Incubators & Accelerators (EDAMAHAC), Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Venture Creation Centers (EDAHAHAH)

Keywords

• Entrepreneur support services
• Co-working space
• Startup incubation
• Innovation grants
• Small business development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships: Annual partnership packages ranging from $2,500 to $50,000 per year, with tiered recognition levels (Launch, Start, Grow, Thrive, Accelerated, Powered By, Foundation) providing brand exposure, event access, and ecosystem positioning.
2. Event Sponsorships (GrowTECH FEST): GrowTECH FEST sponsorship packages from $2,500 (MVP) to $10,000 (Powered By), offering brand recognition, admissions, and marketing benefits tied to the annual entrepreneurial conference.
3. Co-Working Memberships: Flexible workspace memberships including day passes ($20), monthly plans ($200-$500), and dedicated office space, providing recurring revenue from entrepreneurs and startups using physical infrastructure.
4. GrowTECH Memberships: Monthly membership tiers ($50-$75/month) providing access to community events, workshops, Slack channels, and GrowTECH FEST event tickets for entrepreneurs and companies.
5. Donations & Charitable Support: Tax-deductible donations through a 501(c)(3) organization, with preset giving levels ($100, $250, $500, $1,000) supporting the North State entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

ChicoSTART is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entrepreneurial hub that operates Downtown Chico co-working space, runs programs (Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub, GrowTECH, NextGen Incubator, TAP, 1 Million Cups), administers grants (Innovation Grants, SEED 2.5 Microgrants), hosts the annual GrowTECH FEST conference, and curates digital resources (AWS Activate, Grow with Google, OpenGrants) for entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across 20+ Northern California counties.

Product overview

ChicoSTART is a 501(c)(3) non-profit entrepreneurial hub organization that operates as a unified programs-and-services platform rather than a software product company. The core offerings include the Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub (one of 13 state-designated hubs serving 20+ rural counties), the GrowTECH industry partnership program, 1 Million Cups weekly entrepreneur forum, and Co-Working workspace services with multiple membership tiers. Supporting programs include the NEXT GEN Incubator for young entrepreneurs aged 18+, the Technical Assistance Program (TAP) for 1:1 advising, and the SEED 2.5 Microgrant and Innovation Grant programs for funding. Event programming centers on the annual GrowTECH FEST conference. Additional resources include AWS Activate access, Grow with Google workshops, OpenGrants portal, and an Entrepreneurial Toolkit series. These programs collectively provide resources, mentorship, workspace, and funding to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and thrive throughout Northern California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• GrowTECH: An industry-led partnership fostering careers, culture, and community in the North State's entrepreneurial ecosystem, hosting events and connecting founders, businesses, and community members.
• GrowTECH FEST
• Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub
• NextGen Incubator
• Technical Assistance Program (TAP)

Products and services

• Co-Working Workspace Flexible physical workspace in Downtown Chico offering tiered memberships (Start Desk day pass, Start Member $200/month, Grow Member $300/month, Thrive Member $500/month, Team Pods) with amenities including high-speed WiFi, conference rooms, private phone booths, 24/7 access, complimentary coffee/tea, and a startup resource library. Designed for solo founders through established teams.
• Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hub One of 13 state-designated CalOSBA innovation hubs cultivating inclusive entrepreneurship across 20+ rural counties in Northern California, providing equitable access to resources, capital, and network for diverse and underserved communities.
• GrowTECH Industry Partnership Program An industry-led partnership program connecting entrepreneurs, partners, and innovators to build careers, culture, and community in the North State's entrepreneurial ecosystem through events, mentorship, monthly memberships ($50-$75), and regional collaboration.
• NEXT GEN Incubator Incubator program for founders aged 18+ to accelerate innovative ideas into reality through mentorship, curriculum, and dedicated workspace. Includes Youth Innovators Lab component for ages 16-18. Fall 2026 cohort scheduled to begin August 2026.
• Technical Assistance Program (TAP) CalOSBA-funded program providing 1:1 confidential advising, technical assistance, and training to help startups and small businesses start, grow, and thrive, with explicit focus on access and opportunity for underserved businesses in the North State.
• 1 Million Cups Chico A national Kauffman Foundation-powered weekly forum where entrepreneurs present their ideas, receive feedback from the community, and connect with peers, mentors, and supporters.
• GrowTECH FEST Annual Conference The largest entrepreneurial conference north of Sacramento, held annually in Chico, CA. Two-day event with keynotes, workshops, networking, and startup competitions. Sponsorship packages from $2,500 (MVP) to $10,000 (Powered By); 2-day passes available. The 7th annual event is scheduled for October 8-9, 2026.
• Innovation Grants Grants awarded through Accelerate CA (CalOSBA and IBank) to early-stage companies for proof of concept, R&D activities, prototype development, and pre-commercialization. First round totaled over $300,000 across North State awardees.
• SEED 2.5 Microgrants Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development grant program providing underserved and rural entrepreneurs with entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and $5,000 micro-grants via a partnership with California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce across 18 North State counties. 30 microgrants awarded in 2026.
• AWS Activate Credits Program Through its AWS Activate Provider relationship, ChicoSTART gives member startups access to free tools, expert guidance, content, and up to $100,000 in AWS credits for cloud infrastructure, machine learning, IoT, databases, and emerging technologies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $300,000 in innovation grants distributed to North State startups
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Tri Counties BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTri Counties Bank serves as an Accelerated By partner and startup sponsor, providing banking resources, workshop presentations on fraud prevention, and financial support for North State entrepreneurs. The bank also sponsors the GrowTECH FEST Luncheon.
• Mechanics BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMechanics Bank is a Powered By and Thrive sponsor, providing financial support for ChicoSTART programs and the Next Gen Incubator. They are a Growth Partner for North State entrepreneurs.
• Half a Bubble Out (HaBO)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerHalf a Bubble Out is a Thrive sponsor and provides workshop content including the '7 Levels of a Successful Business' framework and marketing guidance. They host the HaBO Village Podcast and are a consistent programmatic partner.
• California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalOSBA designated ChicoSTART as one of 13 Accelerate California Inclusive Innovation Hubs, providing state-level recognition, funding pathways, and direct linkage to GoBIZ and the Office of the Small Business Advocate for North State founders.
• California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CAHCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the SEED 2.5 grant to provide entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and $5,000 microgrants to underserved and rural entrepreneurs, with outreach across 18 North State counties.
• AWS (Amazon Web Services)coreTechnology or IntegrationChicoSTART is an AWS Activate Provider, giving member startups access to free tools, expert guidance, and up to $100,000 in AWS credits for cloud infrastructure, machine learning, and emerging technologies.
• Grow with GooglecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver free virtual workshops and webinars for entrepreneurs, small businesses, students, job seekers, veterans, and justice-impacted communities on topics including e-commerce, digital marketing, and professional skills. Many sessions available in Spanish.
• OpenGrants.iocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicoSTART's OpenGrants.io Portal provides access to a comprehensive database of US grant funding, connecting entrepreneurs with expert consultants, grant writers, and matching tools to search, apply, and manage awards.
• Kauffman Foundation (1 Million Cups)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner1 Million Cups Chico is powered by the Kauffman Foundation, providing a weekly forum for entrepreneurs to present ideas, receive feedback, and connect with peers and mentors in the national entrepreneurship network.
• UC DavisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUC Davis serves as an Ag Innovation iHub Partner, bringing agricultural research and extension resources to support ag tech startups in the North State ecosystem.
• Butte CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerButte College provides physical space (Create Space makerspace), student engagement, and educational pathways for entrepreneurs in the Butte County region.
• RidgeStartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRidgeStart is an Accelerated By Partner serving the Paradise region, expanding ChicoSTART's reach to communities impacted by the Camp Fire and providing local entrepreneurial support.
• Indian Valley Innovation HubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndian Valley Innovation Hub serves as a ChicoSTART CA Accelerate Partner, extending inclusive innovation resources to the Indian Valley region.
• Advancing ModoccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdvancing Modoc is a ChicoSTART CA Accelerate Partner introducing iHub resources to Modoc County, supporting rural entrepreneurs in California's northeast corner.
• Siskiyou WorkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSiskiyou Works serves as a ChicoSTART CA Accelerate Partner, bringing entrepreneurial resources to Siskiyou County in northern California.
• Glenn GrowscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlenn Grows is a ChicoSTART CA Accelerate Partner extending resources to Glenn County entrepreneurs and small businesses.
• Granite City CoworkingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGranite City Coworking partners with ChicoSTART to provide entrepreneurial support services in the Granite Bay area.
• No Hands CoworkingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNo Hands Coworking is a ChicoSTART iHub2 partner providing physical workspace and entrepreneurial support in the region.
• Monterey Bay DARTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicoSTART signed an MOU with Monterey Bay DART to build innovation ecosystem connections across regions.
• Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSierra Nevada Brewing Co. hosts the GrowTECH FEST at their Big Room venue and represents the iconic North State entrepreneurial success story alongside ChicoBag, Klean Kanteen, and Lundberg Farms.
• Butte County Office of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerButte County Office of Education co-sponsors Biz Kidz Chico, a youth entrepreneurial event encouraging children to create, innovate, and start businesses.
• Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CSU Sacramento)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCarlsen Center partners with ChicoSTART, providing workshop speakers and connecting the Sacramento region innovation ecosystem to GrowTECH FEST.
• CleanStartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleanStart helps launch startups in clean energy, water, ag-tech, and grid resilience, and partners with ChicoSTART on ecosystem events and programming.
• DART Initiative (Monterey Bay)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDART Initiative builds innovation ecosystems in the Monterey Bay region and has partnered with ChicoSTART through an MOU for regional ecosystem collaboration.
• Startup GrindminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStartup Grind is a global community for entrepreneurs, and ChicoSTART hosts or promotes Startup Grind meetup events in the North State region.
• FoundriminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundri presented the 'Leveraging AI: What's Possible and What's Practical' workshop at ChicoSTART's Strategy and Innovation Workshop Series.
• Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGO-Biz oversees CalOSBA and has awarded ChicoSTART Technical Assistance Program (TAP) funding to expand consulting and training for underserved North State small businesses.
• Norcal SBDCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorcal SBDC (Small Business Development Center) provides business consulting, finance center services, and business planning resources accessible to ChicoSTART entrepreneurs.
• Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGEN Global connects ChicoSTART to the worldwide entrepreneurship network and supports Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations in the North State.
• Chico Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChico Chamber of Commerce is a community partner, connecting local businesses to ChicoSTART resources and supporting regional economic development initiatives.
• City of ChicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Chico partners with ChicoSTART to support Downtown Chico economic development and position the city as a regional innovation hub.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chicostart530
• Facebookfacebook.com/Chicostart
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicostart
• Instagraminstagram.com/chicostart

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ChicostArt