City of Tracy & OIC launch pitch events for local entrepreneurs
Published on July 31, 2026
TRACY, Calif. — The City of Tracy, in partnership with Open Innovation Centers, is launching a series of Tracy Pitch Events to support local innovators, aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage business owners.
The events will provide participants with opportunities to develop their ideas, receive guidance, connect with business and technology resources, and compete for cash prizes and potential proof-of-concept funding.
Who the Program Is For
The Tracy Pitch Events are primarily intended for new and early-stage entrepreneurs with zero to two years of business operations, including:
- Individuals with a new business or product idea
- Aspiring entrepreneurs who have not yet launched a business
- Business owners who have been operating for two years or less
- Individuals who are restarting or relaunching a business
- Early-stage business owners who need additional support developing an idea or growing their business
- Innovators interested in turning a concept into a viable product, service or business
Individuals do not need to have a completed business plan or polished presentation to attend the initial information and preparation session. Anyone interested in learning more about entrepreneurship, innovation or the pitch event process is encouraged to attend.
The pitch events will be offered through the Open Innovation Centers Incubator.
How the Pitch Events Work
Three pitch events will be held between September 2026 and March 2027. At each event, 10 selected entrepreneurs will present their ideas to a panel of participating business and technology partners.
Each pitch event will include a $2,500 cash prize pool, with the top five participants receiving $500 each.
Through partnerships with Amazon Web Services and participating Amazon Web Services partners, selected participants may also be considered for proof-of-concept funding, including:
- First place: Up to $25,000 in partner proof-of-concept funding
- Second place: Up to $10,000 in partner proof-of-concept funding
- Third place: Up to $5,000 in partner proof-of-concept funding
Proof-of-concept funding may help eligible entrepreneurs test, develop or demonstrate a proposed product, service or technology-based business idea.
Entrepreneur Preparation and Selection Sessions
Open Innovation Centers will host two in-person sessions in Tracy before the first pitch event.
Entrepreneur Drop-In and Information Session
Monday, August 10, 2026
1 to 5 p.m.
Tracy Transit Center, Room 104
50 East Sixth Street, Tracy
Anyone interested in entrepreneurship or innovation is invited to stop by, work on an idea, ask questions and learn what it takes to qualify for the Tracy Pitch Events.
Pitch Event Selection Session
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Tracy Transit Center, Room 104
50 East Sixth Street, Tracy
Entrepreneurs will present their ideas for consideration and possible selection as one of the 10 participants in the first Tracy Pitch Event.
Tracy Pitch Event Schedule
September 18, 2026
Participating partners include Amazon Web Services, Cloud Kinetics, the Small Business Development Center and the California Innovation Hub.
December 11, 2026
Participating partners include Amazon Web Services, Emumba, Minify Technologies, the California Innovation Hub and the Small Business Development Center.
March 18, 2027
Participating partners include Amazon Web Services, the California Innovation Hub, the Small Business Development Center and an additional Amazon Web Services partner to be announced.
Whether someone is exploring a new idea, preparing to launch a business, restarting a previous venture or seeking support during the first two years of business operations, the Tracy Pitch Events will provide an opportunity to strengthen their concept and connect with resources that can help move it forward.
Tracy’s innovators and entrepreneurs are invited to come out and show us what they’ve got.
Registration
To learn more or register, visit www.openinnovationcenters.com and select the Tracy Pitch Events information on the homepage.
Participants may also register directly at https://tinyurl.com/TracyPitchEvents.