ChicoSTART brought back GrowTECH FEST 2025, on November 6th and 7th. The event was expanded to a dynamic two-day format, making a distinct impact on Chico and the North State by utilizing two of the region’s most iconic locations to accelerate the North State entrepreneurial ecosystem: Sierra Nevada Big  Room and Downtown Chico. 

The two-day conference was strategically split to maximize attendee experience, staying overnight in Chico and make a local impact. On Day 1 the  main program was anchored at the Big Room at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. kicked off with the Mayor of Chico, Kasey Reynolds, followed by industry talks,  panels, and keynotes.  While Day 2, was dedicated to intimate workshops, specialized in marketing, Ai, product market fit experimentation, and taking entrepreneurs through the experience of the "power of pause”. 

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