June 2018
Welcome to our latest newsletter! We had a very busy month that was filled with exciting news! We are proud to have launched our first Kiva Long Beach campaign and to have hosted our first Equity Summit. Please keep scrolling for a recap of May and whats to come in June!
May Highlights
'Everyone In' Economic Equity Summit
The City hosted its inaugural ‘Everyone In’ Economic Equity Summit on May 17 th . The Summit was designed to explore innovative approaches to building a more inclusive economy as part of the City’s  Blueprint for Economic Development . Over 200 local business leaders, community leaders, policymakers, and philanthropic partners came together for a deep exploration of strategies that advance economic equity in Long Beach. View recap of the Summit here.
The First Official Kiva Long Beach Campaign Has Fully Funded!
Local photographer, Tromaine Ellis was able to successfully raise a loan of $5,000 in just one week! Ellis is the first entrepreneur to use the Kiva Long Beach platform to raise the capital that he needs to grow his business. He will use the funds to upgrade his photography and video equipment. Ellis is supported by the World-Famous VIP Business & Creative Media Incubator. He will run his business from VIP’s incubator, which is slated to open in late June 2018. Learn more about Kiva Long Beach here .
Economic Development Director, John Keisler Joins the Mayor on his Go Long Beach Tour
Economic Development director, John Keisler recently joined Mayor Garcia on his Go Long Beach Tour. The two met with small business owners along Anaheim Street to discuss grants and resources that the City offers to help them grow their business. One such program is the Corridor Improvement Program that will give businesses the opportunity to make facade improvements to the exterior of their buildings at no cost. To learn more about our resources please visit , Bizport
Long Beach in the News
Long Beach Business Journal: Local Resources to Develop a Successful Business from the Ground Up
Seyed Jalali, Economic Development Officer (pictured above) was featured in a recent Long Beach Business Journal article which highlighted resources and services that the City provides to business owners. Once a business decides to locate in Long Beach, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free services to assist in the startup process. The City also has several loan programs to assist entrepreneurs in starting or expanding their businesses. Read full story here.
The Real Deal: Small-Scale Investors Flocking to Long Beach Seeking High Returns
Long Beach is the place to invest! Many small-scale, private investors are descending on the coastal sub market because of its appealing returns, CoStar reported. Multifamily investors did nearly $1 billion in sales in Long Beach over the last year, setting a new record for the South Bay city. The sales included almost 450 multi-family homes. Real full story here.
For full list of articles, visit our news archive
Upcoming Events & Workshops
The Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship has partnered with the College of Business Administration to present the 2nd Annual Beach Entrepreneur Boot Camp. Workshops are open to students and members of the community and will include information on start-ups, business plans, marketing plans, financial management and legal structure.

Get the business skills you need to become an entrepreneur with this  FREE  Course!
Learn to master the basics of business ownership and the process of creating a new business venture. Determine whether your idea is a feasible business concept. Find out how to access critical resources. Gain practical knowledge about the entrepreneurial experience, financial management and business planning. 


Make Music Day is an International Festival held in 800 cities each year on Summer Solstice
and this June, Long Beach is joining the party! The festival is a celebration of music that is performed by anyone and enjoyed by everyone. Take part in this amazing community event by hosting a concert at your business!