BizTech Connect: Technical Assistance for Small Businesses
Empowering Small Businesses with Technology & Innovation
Ready to propel your business to new heights? BizTech Connect (formerly TACIES) is your launchpad to scaling success. This 4-session small business boot camp can help you gain the practical tools and strategies you need to expand your reach, increase revenue, and build a sustainable business. Learn how to set business goals, identify new market opportunities, optimize your operations and develop a scalable business model.
Don't let limited resources hold you back. Learn from experienced entrepreneurs and connect with a small business community across Inland Southern California (San Bernardino County, Imperial Valley, Temecula Valley, Riverside County, and Coachella Valley) to accelerate your journey to the next level - all at no cost to you.
What You Will Learn With BizTech Connect
In this 4-session boot camp, you’ll refine your business vision, enhance operational efficiency, and create a solid foundation for growth. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling elevator pitch that communicates your business value, conduct a SWOT analysis to identify strengths and growth opportunities, and develop a targeted market expansion strategy to reach new customers.
We’ll also guide you through the process of improving operational efficiency by streamlining workflows and leveraging technology to scale. You’ll discover how to attract and retain talent, build a high-performing team, and use customer feedback to fine-tune your offerings. Plus, you’ll gain critical financial planning skills—such as creating budgets, managing cash flow, and understanding funding options—that will help you scale sustainably and manage risks effectively.
By the end of the boot camp, you’ll walk away with a clear growth strategy, a roadmap for success, and the confidence to take your business to new heights. This personalized, hands-on learning experience is designed to help you unlock your business’s full potential and position yourself for long-term success in an evolving market.
Meet Your Instructor: Serial Entrepreneur Gioia Messinger
Gioia Messinger is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the technology, consumer, and healthcare industries. She is the founder and Principal of LinkedObjects, Inc., a strategic advisory firm specializing in digital transformation through AI and IoT. Previously, she founded and led Avaak, Inc., now Arlo Technologies (NYSE), pioneering the home video security market.
Gioia serves on several boards, including Guild Holdings (NYSE: GHLD), One Stop Systems (NASDAQ: OSS), Hunter Industries, and Indyme Solutions. Her innovations have sold tens of millions of units and have made significant impacts on their markets, earning accolades such as Time's 50 Best Inventions and the CES Innovation Award. Recognized as one of San Diego's Most Influential People, she has been honored by the San Diego Business Journal, San Diego Magazine, and UC San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering. In 2024, she was featured in Directors & Boards' Directors to Watch and Latino Leaders Magazine's Latinos on Boards lists.
Gioia holds an MBA from UC Irvine and a B.S./M.A. in Computer Engineering from UC San Diego. She is an inventor on 15 patents and is active in the Jacobs School of Engineering’s Dean’s Council of Advisors and UC Riverside’s programs on entrepreneurship and innovation.
In her spare time, Gioia loves to travel and learn about new cultures. She has been to 82 countries and has a few more on her bucket list.
2024 BizTech Connect Program Features
- 6-8 Hours of Personalized Coaching with Industry Experts
- Hands-On Consulting in key business areas
- Narrated Presentations on each consulting topic to guide your application
- Networking Opportunities with fellow business owners and industry leaders
- Annual Survey Participation to track your business growth and technology adoption
1-on-1 Business Mentorship at Your Service
When you join BizTech Connect, you will meet with a professional consultant with experience in your industry. Participants will receive 6-8 hours of personalized coaching to:
- Grasp the basics of essential technologies
- Explore how technology can be implemented to enhance business operations, products, and services
- Strategize on how adopting new technology practices can drive growth, competitiveness, and profitability
Curriculum
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Session 1: Introducing Yourself and Your Business
- Elevator Pitch: Learn how to capture attention and communicate your business's unique value proposition.
- Vision & Mission: Clarify your business goals and objectives for long-term success.
- Capability Statement: Develop a clear statement that highlights your business's strengths.
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Session 2: Foundation for Growth
- SWOT Analysis: Identify your business’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
- Value Proposition & Target Market: Define your value to customers and pinpoint your ideal market.
- Scaling Readiness: Assess your business's current capacity and set clear, measurable growth goals.
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Session 3: Strategic Growth and Operational Efficiency
- Growth Strategies: Explore new markets, expand your product or service offerings, and leverage technology to fuel growth.
- Customer Acquisition & Retention: Develop strategies to attract and retain customers, utilizing feedback for continuous improvement.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamline processes, measure performance through KPIs, and build a scalable business model.
- Team Building: Learn how to attract, empower, and retain talent to support your business's growth.
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Session 4: Financial Planning, Execution, and Growth
- Financial Projections & Metrics: Create budgets, manage cash flow, and understand key financial metrics for growth.
- Scaling Roadmap: Develop a step-by-step roadmap for implementing your growth plans, with a focus on managing risks and mitigating challenges.
- Funding Options: Explore different funding avenues—bootstrapping, investors, loans—to fuel your business's expansion.
Schedule
Applications for the Winter 2025 cohort are now open and will close on December 6th, 2024.
Winter 2025 Cohort Schedule
- January 8th, 2025 5PM - 7PM (In-person)
- January 16th, 2025 5PM - 7PM (Virtual)
- January 22nd, 2025 5PM - 7PM (Virtual)
- January 25th, 2025 9AM - 2PM (In-person)
To apply, please fill out the application below. Please note: You must sign in with your Google account.
Other Areas of Focus
BizTech Connect also emphasizes additional areas that can benefit small business owners looking to strengthen and modernize their operations. These topics offer valuable insights into how technology and innovation can help businesses become more efficient, secure, and competitive. From robotics and automation to data analytics, cybersecurity, and 5G connectivity, these areas provide important knowledge that can equip business owners with the tools they need to adapt to a digital marketplace, enhance operational efficiency, and drive sustainable growth.
Robotics and Automation
Robotics and automation can significantly boost productivity by streamlining operations in logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and more. Integrating these technologies helps businesses reduce labor costs, increase efficiency, and improve output quality. This is especially crucial for businesses in the manufacturing sector (NAICS Code 31-33), where automated systems can provide competitive advantages.
Data Analytics
By leveraging data analytics, businesses can make informed decisions through prediction, forecasting, and diagnostics. Understanding customer behavior, targeting, and acquisition becomes easier when businesses use data to identify trends, optimize marketing strategies, and improve service delivery. Implementing data analytics can lead to higher profitability and a better understanding of market opportunities.
Cybersecurity
In today’s digital age, cybersecurity is vital to protect sensitive business data and customer privacy. Integrating strong cybersecurity practices prevents data breaches, online scams, and fraud. Small businesses must ensure that payment systems, websites, and operations are secure to maintain customer trust and comply with privacy regulations.
5G and Internet Connectivity
With the rise of mobile technology and sensor-based systems, businesses can operate more efficiently in highly connected environments. 5G allows faster data processing and real-time communication, which is particularly beneficial for mobile businesses and those relying on sensor technology. Enhanced connectivity helps businesses stay agile and responsive to market changes, fostering innovation and growth.