November 6 & 7 in Chico, CA
Celebrating and Elevating the Entrepreneurial Spirit in the North State. Join us for two days of keynotes, idea generators, workshops, and community — an inspiring event packed with networking, expert talks, and hands-on sessions. Connect with founders, investors, and innovators shaping the future of the North State startup scene, and spark your own entrepreneurial journey. Don’t miss out — your future starts here.
Mark Your Calendar
Keynotes, workshops, and connections with the North State’s startup community.
Learn more about the experts joining us on stage.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c1866ee9b5a5e0f196953d_Michael%20Parrish-Dudell.jpeg)
Michael Parrish DuDell is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and bestselling author of the official Shark Tank business books. Ranked among Amazon’s top business authors, he helps global brands and leaders build future-focused organizations.
Session Slide Deck![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c0ab6f8acdf7fe869dde58_Joe%20Blanton.jpeg)
Joe Blanton is a commercial real estate advisor, restaurateur, and Marine Corps veteran. As Founder of Stone Real Estate, he helps restaurant brands expand nationwide, combining hospitality expertise with decades of real estate experience.
Session Slide Deck![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68caf4cb3146a060d4e7cc36_David%20Bland.png)
David J Bland is an author, speaker, and advisor in Northern California. He founded Precoil to help leaders grow through experimentation and co-authored Testing Business Ideas, a bestseller in 20 languages. He lectures at Stanford, Harvard, and Yale.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c0ae5af87dd74c8ac34a22_Ben%20Winter.jpeg)
Ben Winter is Vice Chair of Transfer Flow Inc., a leading fuel system and fabrication manufacturer. With over 40 years in trucking, he drives growth and innovation while serving as Chair-elect of the National Truck Equipment Association.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68e0136b5f2a4726ea5cc577_Mike%20Larocco.jpg)
Michael Larocco is Director of Engineering at Transfer Flow Inc., with 15+ years in fuel system design and manufacturing. A CSU Chico Mechanical Engineering graduate, he leads a team of six, overseeing product development, regulatory compliance, and sustainable innovation.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c0aec4542598fbd97daf7e_Thomas%20Hall.jpeg)
Thomas Hall is Executive Director of CleanStart, helping launch startups in clean energy, water, ag-tech, and grid resilience. With experience at Clean Edge and degrees in finance and economics from CSU Chico, he bridges innovation and policy.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c83fd7c9a340c90550b1d5_Leslie%20Cornick.jpeg)
Leslie A. Cornick, PhD, Provost at CSU, Chico, is a nationally recognized higher ed leader and marine scientist with 20+ years of academic leadership, advancing STEM, DEI, research innovation, and building strong industry partnerships.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c0af6a84571f5407d3586c_Josh%20Metz.jpeg)
Josh Metz is Executive Director and co-founder of the DART Initiative, building an innovation ecosystem in the Monterey Bay region. He previously helped bring Joby Aviation to Marina Airport and advises agencies and universities on economic development.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c0b0c13cc4d0737afcf26f_Chris%20Harp.jpeg)
Chris Harp is COO and Partner at Matson & Isom Technology Consulting, where he leads operations and service delivery. Since joining in 2009, he has advanced through roles from consulting to leadership, focusing on strong teams and scalable systems.
Hear bold student pitches as they showcase their current ventures and future business ideas.
STUDENT WINNERS
1st: Change LLC
2nd: Clean Nest
3rd: Rescue Eats
Where North State innovators take the stage and compete for the startup idea! This year the audience gets to cast a vote for their favorite.
STARTUP WINNERS
1st: Ponderosa.ai
2nd: LilyPay
3rd: Strived.io
Learn more about the leaders of the breakout workshops sessions.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c18a0a0a3c6229b2765c36_Kathryn%20Redman.jpeg)
Kathryn and Michael Redman are co-founders of Half a Bubble Out, a consulting firm helping leaders build businesses with profit and purpose. Authors of Fulfilled and hosts of the HaBO Village Podcast, they inspire growth, culture, and legacy.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c18a14bd3ff14401bf2802_Michael%20Redman.jpeg)
Kathryn and Michael Redman are co-founders of Half a Bubble Out, a consulting firm helping leaders build businesses with profit and purpose. Authors of Fulfilled and hosts of the HaBO Village Podcast, they inspire growth, culture, and legacy.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c18ad11f223cb30b6a50ae_Cameron%20Law.jpeg)
Cameron Law is Executive Director of the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, where he works to make Greater Sacramento a hub for startups. With experience in venture capital and social ventures, he’s a dedicated ecosystem builder.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c18b27db40a48908a31e3f_JDM.jpeg)
JDM (Josh David Miller) is the co-founder of Traction Lab, where he helps early-stage startups launch faster and grow smarter through venture science. He also leads The Right Box, advising post-seed founders on sharper experiments and clearer signals. A strategist, mentor, and co-host of the Zero to Traction podcast, JDM brings a candid, no-nonsense approach to guiding entrepreneurs on their path to growth.
![<subject>[headshot] image of a customer (for a web development agency)</subject>](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/68700ff70fc46bf0a9d93246/68c18bc1d62dfb2763dd8804_Kyle%20Nelson.jpeg)
Kyle Nelson is the co-founder of The Solo Retreat Company, where he designs custom retreats that help entrepreneurs and leaders step back, slow down, and realign with what matters most. His work blends structure, solitude, and the proven R.E.S.E.T. Framework to create space for breakthrough clarity and focus.
Recognizing the organizations whose sponsorship makes this year’s event possible.
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Relive the highlights that made last year unforgettable
Snapshots from previous years
For entrepreneurs, investors, small business owners, students, policymakers, and community leaders — GrowTECH FEST is two days of keynotes, workshops, and networking to spark ideas and accelerate growth.
