GEM Talks discuss entrepreneurs and their journeys

GOLETA, Calif. – The Gem in GEM Talks stands for Goleta Entrepreneurial Magnet and these talks are a magnet for young people learning about starting businesses.

On Wednesday audience members learned from the likes of Teledoc Health fellow Yulan Wang, Crossnokaye co-founder Jesse Crossno and Authenticate co-founder Rita Mounir.

The talks that are a partnership with UCSB and the City of Goleta took place at Good Space Coworking in Goleta..

The space opened at the start of the pandemic and managed to survive.

The founder wants to connect people with good ideas to venture capital and mentoring.

Mike Silverman said, "We regrouped a little bit and we are going forward with a series on entrepreneurship, we believe that bringing people together to cross pollinate ideas and really excite each other is the best way to get ideas moving forward."

Romi Kadri, an MIT grad and venture capitalist from Capella VC said starts up can start here and stay here.

"We have an incredible ecosystem of professionals that have come out of larger companies whether it is Sonos, Appfolio, Linkedin and Raytheon you name it, said Kadri, "We really have that basis of an eco-system that you have in Silicon Valley or New York or these bigger markets."

People from the community and the city had a chance to network beforehand.

UCSB senior Olivia hunt said the talks have helped her learn to all kinds of questions.

The speakers shared how they turned ideas into products with viable business plans.

Wang hopes they strive for what Eleanor Roosevelt called "infinite patience and never ending persistence."

Local entrepreneurs may apply for up to $5,000 dollars from the GEM Startup Assistance Program.

They plan to hold more events like this one.

For more information visit www.goodspacecoworking.com.