Water, Energy and Technology Center at Fresno State

This summer, we've enjoyed continuing our partnership with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship's Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator, which works to help students explore what it takes to build a business.

Our involvement with the program began with Eric Hadden speaking to students about entrepreneurship, networking, and the importance of building a strong personal brand. We also welcomed Suma Reddy, founder of Gather, who shared her entrepreneurial journey and gave students a firsthand look at how she approaches pitching her business.

As the accelerator continued, Kent Pelisari led a session on prototyping, helping students think through the process of turning an idea into something tangible. We were also excited to have two college student entrepreneurs, Jaiyen Shetty and Kamran Salahuddin, who are working on their new start-up Terra over the summer in one of the WET Center offices, share their experiences and answer questions about their own entrepreneurial journeys.

To wrap up the program, Kent Pelisari and Peggy Cromwell attended the students' final pitch competition to support and congratulate them as they presented the business ideas they had been developing throughout the accelerator. It was exciting to see the creativity, confidence, and growth each team demonstrated over the course of the program.

We're grateful to partner with the Lyles Center each year to help encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs, and we look forward to seeing where these students' ideas take them.

Today's WET Center newsletter highlights our involvement with this year's World Ag Expo, a fantastic event that brings together every corner of the ag landscape.

We had the honor of being a part of F3 Innovate's booth this year, which helped us grow our audience in the entrepreneurship landscape of the Central Valley. Check out the full newsletter here: https://samuelfairbanks.wixsite.com/so/c9PxIST6w?languageTag=en

Subscribe on our website to follow the rest of our 2026 mid-year highlights series.

Important Office Notice:
Our office will have limited staff from June 29 to July 2 and will be closed on July 3 in observance of Independence Day.
With team members taking some well-deserved time off, responses may take a little longer than usual. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July!

Yesterday, Eric Hadden, Director of the WET Center, joined the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Accelerator program to speak with students about entrepreneurship and networking. He shared insights on the importance of building a strong personal brand and reputation, and how those elements can shape the impact a business makes early on.

We also welcomed Suma Reddy, founder of Gather, who shared her entrepreneurial journey with students. She also gave the students her 3-minute pitch so they could see a new perspective on slide decks and presentations

We are proud to support this program year after year as it introduces students to the entrepreneurial mindset and the process of building a venture.

Start, Grow, Stay is made possible through the support of Accelerate California.

The Accelerate California program focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion while helping strengthen regional innovation, business growth, and job creation across underserved communities. The program supports a diverse network of entrepreneurs and helps connect partners throughout the Central Valley.

Through this initiative, we can support innovative entrepreneurs like our pitch competition participants and continue building opportunities for startups and small businesses across the region.

Accelerate California spans all eight counties of the Central Valley, and our goal is to continue bringing Start, Grow, Stay to communities across the region. Last year, we hosted the event in Fresno County, and this year we are excited to bring it to the in Madera County, just minutes north of Fresno off Highway 41.

If you want to learn more about Accelerate California’s mission or see the impact the program is making in the Central Valley, make sure to register for Start Grow Stay 2026 here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/start-grow-and-stay-conference-tickets-1987419396916?aff=oddtdtcreator

🌟 Partner Highlight 🌟

We are excited to spotlight one of our partners making the Start, Grow, Stay Conference possible: the Fresno Asian Business Institute & Resource Center - ABIRC!

Since its startup, ABIRC has provided essential networking for the Southeast Asian Community through programs such as the first Hmong Cohort in the Central Valley, fundraisers for local schools, and partnerships with local non-profit organizations. Their work has extended across ten counties: Fresno, Butte, Madera, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, and Yuba.

We appreciate the opportunity to work with them as we bring founders together to connect, grow, and take courageous next steps in their journeys.

📍 Learn more about our partners and the Start, Grow, Stay Conference: wetcenter.org/sgs
And let us know that you can make it here: https://lnkd.in/gqh-7vzx

🗓️ May 29 @ Buena Vista Event Center
📬 If you have any questions, please reach out. We would love to connect.

Join us for the Start, Grow, Stay Conference. Be part of an afternoon filled with innovation, connection, and opportunity in the Central Valley. Entrepreneurs, students, investors, and community leaders will come together for networking, founder presentations, and live pitch competitions. Celebrate local innovation, make meaningful connections, and support emerging ventures across the region. Selected founders will move forward as our recommendation to CalOSBA for funding, along with mentorship and coaching.

📅May 29, 2026
⏰Doors open at 12:30 PM
📍Buena Vista Center, 14860 CA-41, Madera, CA 93636

Register here: https://lnkd.in/ggDy3uY9