Startup 360

Startup Newsletter

CNSI issues a monthly e-newsletter to help UCSB-affiliated startups learn about key events, programs and opportunities, as well as interesting reads. To subscribe to our newsletter, sign up below:

To view previous issues, explore the archive.

Quarterly Startup Mixers

CNSI hosts quarterly startup mixers, at rotating locations, to help UCSB-affiliated founders meet each other and other key community stakeholders to develop a strong local network. Mixers are announced through our monthly newsletters and CNSI Incubator tenants will receive automatic calendar invites.

Facilitated Access to Regional Events

CNSI coordinates UCSB startup participation in several regional pitch and/or investor events, including Born in CA, Angelcon, the Pacific Coast Business Times’ Innovation Awards Startup Village, and various startup showcases.

Innovate & Elevate: A Core Competencies Series

CNSI hosts a core competency seminar series to expose startups to the nuts and bolts of various operational and strategic subjects. Topics include human resources, intellectual property and corporate law, SBIR funding, the funding landscape, and more. Core competency talks are announced in our startup newsletter and CNSI Incubator tenants will receive automatic calendar invites.

Pitch 360

CNSI Pitch 360 supports UCSB-affiliated startups that are about to engage in fundraising and would benefit from objective feedback. Startups present their pitch to a small group of experienced, local investors. The investors then provide feedback, both verbally and through a comprehensive evaluation sheet, to help the startup understand the strengths and weaknesses of the pitch in its current format. To request a Pitch 360 session, contact Sherylle Mills Englander (englander@ucsb.edu).

Propel Internships

The state of California has provided CNSI with funding to promote STEM workforce development. With this funding, CNSI has established the Propel Internship program, which provides a fellowship to community college, UCSB undergraduate, or UCSB graduate students who intern at a California-based STEM startup. The internship lasts for up to 12 weeks, at no cost to the company. See the CNSI Propel page for additional details.

Mentor-In-Residence

CNSI is proud to host Jonathan Gartner as our Mentor-in-Residence. Jonathan has deep business experience and is an active angel investor. He is available to meet with both tech startups and UCSB researchers in the CNSI Incubator Lounge to offer guidance and networking support. To make an appointment access his calendar, or contact him at jonathangartner@ucsb.edu.

Engineering Consulting

CNSI is thrilled to host David Bothman who can provide expert advice on a variety of engineering and design challenges. David Bothman is the founder of CNSI's Innovation Workshop and has worked in UC laboratories and workshops since 1975. David brings a wealth of experience in scientific instrument design, manufacturing technologies, and laboratory management. He is available to discuss options for designing and building prototypes, campus engineering resources outside of CNSI, or how to hire undergraduate assistants. To set up an appointment, please contact Dave at bothman@ucsb.edu.

Pitchbook Access

CNSI maintains a subscription to the Pitchbook database, a cross-relational database that is the gold standard for tracking investors, deals and companies, as well as strategic market reports that can be utilized to help support UCSB-affiliated startups.

AWS Activate and Mathworks

CNSI maintains relationships with both AWS and Mathworks that provide startups with discounts and credits. AWS credits are available to all UCSB-affiliated startups.

Curated Service Provider List and Investor Connections

CNSI maintains a list of service providers, including attorneys, real estate agents, accountants, and regulatory consultants, among others, that have a track record of working successfully with UC-affiliated startups. If we don’t have what you are looking for on our list, we can poll UCSB startups for their recommendations!

CNSI also maintains strong relationships with a variety of local and national investors.