Accelerate Central California | California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

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Welcome To

Visit: Accelerate Central California

Our Mission

Accelerate Central California strengthens the Central Valley’s core industries—food, energy, and agriculture—by connecting them to advanced resources, innovative research, and expert guidance that drive sustainable growth and regional prosperity. The initiative also empowers entrepreneurs and emerging businesses, fostering innovation, job creation, and investment that fuel the region’s economic growth.

We’d love to connect with you!

Located in Fresno

2911 E Barstow Ave

Counties Served

Stanislaus, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Kern

Contact Info

(559) 278-4540

What Innovation
Means to Us

California has always embodied the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. With the Accelerate Central California hub, we’re empowering an entirely new generation of entrepreneurs — many of whom would not ordinarily have access to these resources — to start and scale their businesses. This hub stands as a testament to the region’s commitment to inclusive growth, demonstrating that world-class innovation and economic opportunity can thrive right here in the heart of the Central Valley.

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Meet Our Director

Eric Hadden is the Executive Director of the Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center at California State University, Fresno — the Central Valley’s longest-running business accelerator supporting AgTech, clean energy, food, and water innovations. Under his leadership, the WET Center has engaged more than 500 founders and helped accelerate 86 companies that have raised over $450 million in follow-on funding. Before joining the WET Center, he worked in the water technology industry in business development, sales, and marketing. A lifelong advocate for entrepreneurship and innovation, he brings both industry experience and academic perspective to his work.

Eric Hadden – Executive Director,
Water, Energy, and Technology (WET) Center

Image with yellow background Eric Hadden

Industry Sectors Our Hub Serves

AgTech

Food

Energy

Water Technology

Manufacturing

Signature Programs We Offer

Through our partner network, we offer a variety of technical assistance workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and group training. What sets us apart is our unique ability to connect participants directly with PhD-level faculty experts who bring deep research experience and practical insight to help innovators and entrepreneurs solve real-world challenges and accelerate their growth.

We also host the Start, Grow, Stay Conference, the Central Valley’s premier event focused on strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting business growth, and creating opportunities that encourage founders to start, grow, and stay right here in the Valley.

Partners for Capital Access

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Our partner stack includes Access Plus Capital, a mission-driven lending organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunity across the Central Valley. Access Plus Capital helps entrepreneurs, especially those in underserved and rural communities, start, sustain, and scale their businesses.

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Partners in Our Resource Network

The WET Center at California State University Fresno
The Central Valley Women’s Entrepreneurship Center
Access Plus Capital

The Asian Business Institute
The Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University

Our Signature Events

Valley Ventures Accelerator, a six-week program designed to accelerate AgTech, Energy, and Water companies.
The Start, Grow, Stay Conference is a day-long event that celebrates entrepreneurship throughout the Central Valley. The event features keynote speakers, a fireside chat, and the innovation grant pitch competition.

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