Start-Up Santa Barbara Event Draws Hundreds of Entrepreneurs

Is the next high tech innovator right here in Santa Barbara? This weekend, the 3-day “Start-Up Santa Barbara” think tank gave entrepreneur an opportunity to brainstorm new ideas and meet with established local innovators with the hope of developing the next big thing in the high tech world.

Over 150 of the brightest minds were busy at work for Day 2 of Start-Up Santa Barbara, a high-tech incubator for innovators and entrepreneurs. Jeff Simon, a recent UCSB Bren School graduate, said “Start-up weekends are really great. People come together and share ideas and work on things in a very short period of time.”

The goal of the networking event is to inspire, educate and empower future entrepreneurs and allow them to share ideas, form teams and launch start-ups. Hannah Anderson, a recent UCSB graduate, said “Santa Barbara is a great place to grow.Everyone wants to help you out and everyone seems willing to help.”

Santa Barbara is one of the fastest growing cities for venture capital investment in the nation with over $250 million dollars invested in 2012. Kyle ashby, who organized the Start-up Santa Barbara weekend, said “Santa Barbara has an amazing start-up history, everyone loves the lifestyle, and there have been several companies that have had success in the area, which makes other VC’s want to get involved here.”

This weekend marks the 3rd time the Seattle based group has organized a Start-Up Weekend in Santa Barbara, with enthusiasm growing each time. The weekend culminates on Sunday night when participants will present their ideas and prizes and awards will be handed out. Simon said “The entrepreneurial community is just a great community to be a part of. Very creative people who just want to get out there and help do the right thing.”