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Workshop Series

The on-ramp to the accelerator.

Free, practical workshops for Ventura County small businesses and early-stage founders. No pitch deck required, no cost to attend, and a straight line into the accelerator when you are ready.

The workshop series is where Startup Ventura programming begins. Session dates are being finalized now. Each is a practical, no-fluff session on one part of starting and growing a company, built on Google’s small business curriculum and taught for Ventura County. Come with an idea, a side project, or a business that is already running; every session stands on its own, so you can attend one or work through the whole series.

Workshops are free to attend, funded by the City of Ventura and the community partners behind Startup Ventura. Seats are limited and invitations go out by email first. The series is also the front door to everything else we do: founders who work through it are first in line when applications open for the Spring 2027 accelerator cohort, which adds mentorship from experienced operators, capital connections, weekly Lunch & Learns, and a Pitch Day in front of 25+ investors.

The lineup

Ten sessions. Dates announced soon.

RSVP below and your invitation lands in your inbox the moment each date is set.

  1. TBD

    Get Your Local Business on Google Search and Maps

    Set up and optimize your free Google Business Profile so local customers find you on Search and Maps.

    Online presence
  2. TBD

    Make Your Website Work for You

    What makes a small business website actually work: structure, content, and the basics of getting found.

    Online presence
  3. TBD

    Reach Customers Online with Google

    A practical tour of Google's free and paid tools for putting your business in front of local customers.

    Reach customers
  4. TBD

    Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing

    Identify your best customers and build a simple marketing plan around what they actually need.

    Reach customers
  5. TBD

    Learn the Basics of Google Ads

    How Google Ads works: search campaigns, keywords, budgets, and writing ads people click.

    Reach customers
  6. TBD

    Increase Your Sales with Google Tools

    Practical tools for selling more, online and in person, and the numbers that show what is working.

    Sell online
  7. TBD

    Make Better Business Decisions with Analytics

    Use Google Analytics to understand your visitors and make decisions with data instead of guesses.

    Reach customers
  8. TBD

    Use YouTube To Grow Your Business

    Reach customers with video: setting up a channel, planning content, and what works on YouTube.

    Reach customers
  9. TBD

    Grow Your Business with AI-Powered Tools by Google

    Hands-on with Google's AI tools to save time on writing, marketing, and everyday business tasks.

    Online presence
  10. TBD

    Cybersecurity and Your Small Business

    Simple, practical steps to protect your business, your customers, and your accounts online.

    Security

The Ask

Help keep founder programming free.

Funds the inaugural Spring 2027 cohort. EIN 39-2204612.