
Through HUMANBULB's partnership with Electrify California for 2025, we are able to provide up to 250 SEDI* entrepreneurs throughout California with no-cost programs to help them thrive in the Climate Tech, CleanTech & Sustainability** sectors (any business contributing to California’s Green Economy). Programs will be virtual to accommodate participants throughout California.
By signing up, you will have access to the following provided by HUMANBULB at no-cost:
25+ Different Workshops (programs will be run on an ongoing, rotating basis so participants will have more than one opportunity to participate in any workshop(s) they are interested in)
1:1 consulting/advising & office hours
Special Guest Speaker Sessions with Investors and Industry Experts
Networking & Pitching Opportunities
Curated Resource Pages
This program has complete flexibility so you can attend just one event/activity or every event/activity!
Workshops:
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Startup World Cup Info & Application Assistance Session
Unlock the doors to global startup success with the Startup World Cup! This session provides an inside look at the competition, its benefits, and the application process. Learn how to craft a compelling submission, position your startup for success, and take advantage of expert guidance to maximize your chances of securing a spot in this prestigious competition.
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Crafting a Winning Pitch Deck – Keys to an Effective Startup Pitch
Your pitch deck is the key to capturing investor interest. In this interactive session, discover how to structure your slides, craft a compelling story, and highlight what investors care about most. Walk away with a polished pitch deck that makes your startup stand out.
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Mastering Investor Q&A – How to Prepare & Respond with Confidence
Investors will challenge your assumptions—are you ready? This session helps you anticipate tough questions, refine your responses, and navigate high-stakes conversations with clarity and confidence.
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Live Pitch Practice & Expert Feedback
Put your pitch to the test in a real-world setting! This hands-on session provides live pitching opportunities with immediate feedback from seasoned investors and industry experts. Walk away with actionable insights to refine your delivery and increase your chances of securing funding.
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Developing Your 20-Second Handshake Pitch
First impressions matter—especially in networking and fundraising. This session helps you craft and deliver a compelling 20-second elevator pitch that clearly communicates your startup’s value and captures investor interest.
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From Idea to Startup: Evaluating Startup Ideas
Is your startup idea viable? This session guides you through proven frameworks to assess and validate startup concepts, helping you identify potential risks, market fit, and long-term feasibility before you invest time and resources.
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Differentiating Your Idea to Develop Your Unique Value Proposition
What makes your startup unique? This session helps you articulate your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) by identifying what sets you apart from competitors and how to effectively position your brand for long-term success.
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Effective Competitor Evaluation
Understanding your competition is key to building a sustainable startup. In this session, learn how to conduct thorough competitor research, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and leverage insights to carve out a winning market position.
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Developing a Scalable & Defensible Business Model
Investors look for startups with a strong foundation. This session explores how to design a scalable and defensible business model that supports long-term growth while protecting your startup from competitors and market shifts.
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Unscalable Tasks That Helped Founders Build Unicorn Companies
Some of the world’s most successful startups began with unscalable efforts. This session explores unconventional, hands-on strategies that early-stage founders used to gain traction, build customer loyalty, and eventually scale their companies into industry giants.
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Designing Scalable Operations and Distribution Models
Growth is only as strong as the systems that support it. This session provides insights into developing efficient, scalable operations and distribution models to ensure your startup can expand smoothly.
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Drafting & Strengthening Your Value Proposition
A clear and compelling Value Proposition is the backbone of every successful startup. This session walks you through crafting a statement that resonates with customers, differentiates you from competitors, and drives engagement.
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Creating Roadmaps, KPIs, and Milestones to Demonstrate Traction
Early-stage investors want to see progress. This session covers how to set measurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), develop effective roadmaps, and establish clear milestones to showcase traction and keep your startup moving forward.
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Angel Investors – How to Find the Right Investors
Angel investors can provide more than just capital—they bring mentorship, industry connections, and strategic insights. This session explores how to identify, approach, and secure funding from the right angel investors for your startup.
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Venture Capital – How to Find the Right Investors
Not all VC firms are created equal. This session helps you research, connect with, and pitch to the venture capitalists who align with your startup’s vision, stage, and industry focus.
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Grant Funding for Startups
Non-dilutive funding can fuel your growth without giving up equity. This session introduces various grant opportunities, provides tips for crafting compelling applications, and helps you position your startup for successful funding.
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Crowdfunding for Startups
Turn your network into your investors! This session breaks down how to leverage crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo to raise capital, engage early adopters, and validate your product before launch.
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Identifying and Segmenting Your Market
A clear understanding of your target audience is crucial for success. This session walks you through defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), segmenting your market, and tailoring your messaging to attract the right users.
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Calculating Market Size
Investors want numbers that support your vision. This session explains how to calculate your Total Addressable Market (TAM), Serviceable Available Market (SAM), and Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) to showcase your startup’s potential.
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Conducting Customer Interviews
Customer insights are key to building a product that people love. This session provides step-by-step guidance on conducting effective customer interviews, uncovering pain points, and validating your product-market fit.
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Acquiring Your First Customers
Your first customers can make or break your startup. This session explores low-cost, high-impact strategies to acquire early adopters, generate referrals, and build momentum that fuels long-term growth.
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Obtaining & Running Pilot Projects
Pilot projects help validate your startup before scaling. This session covers how to secure pilot customers, design effective testing programs, and leverage results to refine your offering and attract investors.
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Sales Training for Startups
Sales is the lifeblood of any startup. This hands-on training session equips you with essential sales techniques, negotiation tactics, and customer engagement strategies to close more deals and grow your revenue.
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Developing Go-To-Market Strategies
A strong Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy is critical for launch success. This session covers market positioning, pricing models, customer acquisition channels, and distribution tactics to ensure your startup enters the market with impact.
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Building the Personal & Business Network You Need for Startup Success
Success isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you know. This session dives into strategic networking for founders, helping you build relationships with investors, mentors, industry peers, and key decision-makers. Learn how to leverage your connections for funding, partnerships, and growth while developing a strong personal brand that attracts the right opportunities. Whether you're an introvert or a natural networker, this session will provide actionable techniques to expand and strengthen your professional ecosystem.
What Participants Are Saying About HUMANBULB:
“Great program to help start-ups make significant connections to raise capital.”
“HUMANBULB provides uniquely valuable personalized support and feedback to entrepreneurs in every space. By bringing in guest speakers who are deeply knowledgeable about different parts of the startup lifecycle, combined with the core curriculum, the accelerator prepares new founders and expands on the knowledge that later-stage founders may already have.”
“Honored to be surrounded by such talented, engaged and knowledgeable resources. Impressed with the quality of speakers and personalized attention.”
“This program has introduced me to so many new people that are all passionate about entrepreneurship. I have also learned about a variety of different ways to raise money for a startup, as well as get connected with…angel investors and venture capitalists. This program has really helped open my eyes about areas I didn'teven think to consider when starting my own company”
“HUMANBULB has taught me to think bigger and to think ahead. The HUMANBULB team has opened my mind to a new level ofunderstanding on who we are as a brand, what we bring to the table and what the future may hold.”
“Great mentors, speakers, and a wonderfully built curriculum”
“The program's facilitators have helped us rethink our go-to-market strategy simplifying the approach to reach end customers. It has been really great meeting with other cohort members cross-pollinating ideas and gaining the personal support to maintain a healthy mental state.”
“Human Bulb's content, small groups discussions, and guest speaker lineup all come together to form a strong curriculum perfect for anyone wanting to go about building a business the right way.”
“Participating in this program has been a transformative experience for me. It helped me to better identify the product market fit and provided valuable skills and knowledge. I am grateful for the positive impact it's had on my personal and professional journey.”
“The HUMANBULB team has exceeded my expectations! Throughout my experience I have felt supported while also have been encouraged to push past my comfort zones, which has helped me and my fellow teammates to grow.”
“I want to express my gratitude for the comprehensive support and resources provided by HUMANBULB. It's been a fantastic experience”
“HUMANBULB has provided me with the structure, support, and space to fully explore my startup idea.”
“I have been able to learn so much through HUMANBULB, and I have gained the confidence and knowledge to be able to start my Business.”
“HUMANBULB’s program has been very valuable for my personal growth. The connections I made with my fellow entrepreneurs and all the great speakers, opened doors I never imagined. So thankful for all the networking opportunities.”
“The level of support, mentorship, and access to resources was great. Highly valued all the support and encouragement. Thank you”
“HUMANBULB has not only been helping shape our business but also given us great understanding in the depths of business financials, pitching and the proper steps in setting a foundation for success.”
“The office hours were extremely valuable.”
*Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs (SEDI), which includes individuals whose access to credit has been historically diminished due to:
Membership in a group subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society.
Gender.
Veteran status.
Limited English proficiency.
Disability.
Long-term residence in an environment isolated from the mainstream of American society.
Membership in a federally or state-recognized Indian Tribe.
Long-term residence in a rural community.
Residence in a U.S. territory.
Residence in a community undergoing economic transitions (including communities impacted by the shift towards a net-zero economy or deindustrialization).
Membership in an underserved community.
Businesses located in or serving Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Investment Areas.
**Climate Tech, Clean Tech and Sustainability sectors, include any businesses contributing to California’s green economy, examples include but are not limited to:
Safety and Emergency Response Solutions
Advanced Manufacturing and Technology
Energy Solutions and Consulting
Electric Vehicles and Supply Equipment
Sustainable Agriculture
Renewable Energy
Waste Management and Recycling
Water Conservation and Management
Green Building and Construction
Sustainable Transportation and Logistics
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

