Fresno State will receive $4.36 million through California Jobs First to establish The Forge, a new innovation and commercialization hub designed to help entrepreneurs and emerging companies build, test and grow their businesses in the Central Valley.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Jobs First Council announced the investment Aug. 26 as part of $48.5 million awarded across eight economic regions and 33 counties to support job creation and regional economic growth.
The Forge investment is part of more than $10.4 million awarded to a coordinated portfolio of Central Valley manufacturing projects developed with the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance and other education, workforce and economic development partners.
“We are deeply grateful to Governor Newsom and the California Jobs First team for this significant investment in Fresno State and the Valley,” said President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “For too long, entrepreneurs and emerging companies from our region have had to look elsewhere for the specialized facilities, technical support and connections they need to grow. The Forge will help change that. We want innovators to start here, build here, manufacture here and create jobs here.”
The Forge will support startups in advanced manufacturing, robotics, automation, ag-tech, biotech and related fields, including ventures launched by Fresno State faculty, staff and students. It will provide entrepreneurs with access to specialized resources, technical expertise and connections to industry, investors and other regional partners. Partners include the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance, Plug and Play, F3i, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, the cities of Fresno and Clovis, and Central Valley Community Foundation.
“This investment gives Fresno State an opportunity to build something the Central Valley has needed for a long time: a place where entrepreneurs can move from an idea to a prototype, from a prototype to a customer, and ultimately from a startup to a growing company,” said Dr. Ram Nunna, special assistant to the president for strategic partnerships and dean of the Lyles College of Engineering, who led development of The Forge and the effort to secure funding.
Fresno State’s Water, Energy and Technology Center will become part of The Forge, building on the university’s existing startup support and expanding its capacity to serve entrepreneurs and emerging companies.
