Springboard

Springboard is a free program that is open for enrollment to innovation companies in the Southern California region.  All enrollees are eligible for feedback on their innovation as well as discounts to more than 60 entrepreneur education programs and access to major networking events with hundreds of industry leaders throughout the year.

Select innovators and entrepreneurs are selected to participate in CONNECT’s coaching program to help the company prove their business model and develop a compelling commercialization strategy.  Some companies will develop an effective investor pitch as part of the process. Companies accepted into the program will meet with a group of industry experts who will provide recommendations on steps necessary to prove the business model.  Expert business advisors are then assigned to coach the company throughout the process.   Business advisors are seasoned, C-level executives  who have experience in growing companies and raising capital.

Coaching can last from several weeks for more mature companies to up to several months for early stage start-ups.   Coaching includes feedback from financial, marketing, legal and commercialization experts as well advice from industry and the opportunity to dry run presentations and pitches.

Those companies that are considered suitable and ready for investment by angels, venture capital and/or corporate investors will participate in the Springboard Capital Competition.  The Competition includes judging by industry leaders, and presentation opportunities at CONNECT’s Deal Network program, Capital Roadshows, CONNECT’s Rock Stars of Innovation and the San Diego Venture Group Summit.

Additional resources for entrepreneurs can be found here. 

Pick your category:

Healthcare Innovation

Start – April 2013
Deadline – May 2013

Healthcare Innovation is open to companies with innovative technologies and/or solutions to help lower the cost and improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare. Companies are eligible that can reduce the amount of time patients are hospitalized, track health status wherever patients are, reduce medical errors, care coordination, disease management, improve outcomes, create efficiencies and more. All companies producing components or complete solutions are eligible.

Productivity, Connectivity & Delivery Solutions

Start – June 2013
Deadline – July 2013

Productivity, Connectivity & Delivery Solutions is open to companies with mobile productivity tools and applications, mHealth, remote monitoring, smart home/home automation, energy monitoring, cloud computing and storage, cyber security, digital accessories, social media, entertainment solutions and more!

Life Sciences

Start – August 2013
Deadline – September 2013

Life Sciences is focused in the areas of instrumentation, diagnostics, bio-markers, microbiology, molecular biology, therapeutics, pharmaceuticals and other life sciences specialties.

Digital Life

Start – October 2013
Deadline – November 2013

Digital Life is open to companies with electronics, mobile communications devices, digital imaging, Web 3.0, applications, gaming, media, entertainment, cyber security business and more! All companies that contribute to the way we live digitally are eligible for enrollment.

“The Springboard program was essential to creating a successful pitch for
our business plan, and the personal coaching we received from Springboard staff
and volunteers helped us achieve immediate responses from funding sources.
I absolutely recommend this program to anyone who wants to get maximum exposure
and expertise for their venture. I highly commend Springboard staff for this excellent program.”

“Academic faculty attempting to start a company must go through an interesting,
but steep learning curve to understand the business of startups. CONNECT was
invaluable in both educating me about this process and helping me to create a
presentation suitable for this very different audience. My springboard
presentation also introduced me to a range of different people
who began the critical networking necessary for the start of my company.”

Program Contact: