For Immediate Release
May 29, 2024
Economic Development Contact: Jennifer Coronado
Email: JCoronado@GlendaleCA.gov
Phone: (818) 548-2005
City Media Contact: Stephanie Mkhlian
Email: SMkhlian@GlendaleCA.gov
Phone: (818) 548-4424
City of Glendale Releases Request for Proposal Seeking Operators to Lead Startup Growth Programs to Further Accelerate Local Tech Industry
Glendale, CA - Since the adoption of the Glendale Tech Strategy in 2017, the City of Glendale has implemented highly effective programs focused on advancing its local startup and innovation ecosystem.
The most recent opportunity, a $1 million grant procured by Senator Anthony Portantino, was received from the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) to continue supporting the development of tech-focused initiatives. The request for proposal (RFP) invites qualified respondents to submit a proposal for the operation and program management of a tech startup accelerator, incubator, startup studio, or similar tech-Startup Growth Program to be located in the city. The grant funding of $1 million will be awarded to the top one or two applicants.
“This RFP is a powerful opportunity to attract more high growth startups to Glendale. We’ve been focused on contributing to and building out an ecosystem that creates, attracts, and retains a diversity of tech jobs and tech talent in Glendale,” said Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development. In 2019, as a result of an initial $1 million grant from GO-Biz to fund a startup accelerator, the City of Glendale supported the launch of two tech-focused programs: Hero House and KidsX.
“Hero House and KidsX have successfully nurtured a pipeline of startups in the region. They have set the stage for what we can accomplish with this new level of funding. Now, we can build upon their success by broadening the support structure available to founders and startup teams. Introducing additional growth programs will make for a healthier, more attractive, and more vibrant innovation hub,” said David Crawley Delgado, Senior Economic Development Coordinator.
According to the RFP, successful applicants should have a track-record of success, strong industry network and partnerships, a plan for financial stability beyond the initial grant, and defined and relevant core curriculum/service alignment with the City's Tech Strategy. The submission deadline is June 28, 2024, at 5:00 PM. More information can be found here.
“Accelerators, as well as our other growth programs, create a positive impact beyond the individual companies that they support as they uplift the entire regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. The success of our City’s Tech Strategy will ensure a vibrant local business community, amplify the City’s contribution to SoCal’s reputation as a tech hub, and highlight Glendale as an attractive home for tech companies and talent,” said Soua Vang, Deputy Director of Economic Development.
Beyond Glendale’s healthy start up culture, many well-known tech-related companies continue to grow in the city, such as LegalZoom, Age of Learning, Service Titan, DISQO, Evite, Dot818, Beyond Limits, and others, as well as established brands such as the Walt Disney Company and DreamWorks, demonstrating the diversity of the region’s business community.
This grant is strong addition to Glendale’s ongoing work to strengthen the tech community within the City and the broader region. Through networking events such as Tech on Tap, Investors on Tap, and others, inter-city collaboration through initiatives such as Upstart Valley and #EarlyStageLA, and partnerships with the drivers of the innovation ecosystem within SoCal, Glendale is quickly becoming recognized as a core part of the SoCal innovation ecosystem.
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About Glendale: Glendale is one of the largest cities in Los Angeles County, with a population of 200,000+. Glendale is a thriving cosmopolitan city that is rich in history, culturally diverse, and a bustling downtown that is home to many corporate headquarters and tech giants, two first-class regional shopping malls, and a walkable Arts & Entertainment District with endless fine dining opportunities. Visit ChooseGlendaleCA.com for more information about Economic Development in Glendale or connect on X, Instagram, and Facebook @ChooseGlendale
