BLUETECHVALLEY NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Some BlueTechValley North Coast Supported Ventures

Jersey Scoops — Farm-fresh ice cream from Ferndale’s Foggy Bottoms Boys dairy. ($125,000 winner)

**GridIQ** — Wildfire prevention technology using smart sensors to monitor power lines and detect faults in real time. ($55,000 winner + $5,000 BTV)

**GroundedAI** — Advisory firm helping businesses adopt AI.($10,000 winner)

History and Future

BlueTechValley (BTV) was established in 2011 as a statewide innovation cluster with a mission to accelerate the growth of water, energy, and agriculture-oriented companies across California. In far Northern California, BlueTechValley Northern California (BTVNC) served as the regional hub for that mission, championing resilient Agriculture, Water, and Energy innovation in a part of the state defined by its rich natural resources, coastal ecosystems, and rural entrepreneurial spirit, connecting local ventures to the tools, networks, and expertise needed to grow and thrive.

That regional energy gave rise to the AWEsome Business Competition, a homegrown effort supporting far Northern California entrepreneurs working at the intersection of agriculture, water, and energy. After a successful inaugural competition in 2020, the team listened closely to community feedback and kept growing. In 2024 another business competition was launched which expanded and improved on the first, on this iteration the AWEsome usiness compeition expanded to include more business types.

What began as a focused AWE competition expanded to include other innovative sectors, then evolved further through a coalition of regional partners into something much larger: StartUp Humboldt, a full-scale entrepreneurial incubator and competition offering up to $200,000 in milestone-based funding, mentorship, and education to help ventures launch, scale, and stay rooted in the region. This evolution reflects years of listening and growing, always in service of the people and projects that make Northern California so unique.

AWEsome Business Competition Winners

The AWEsome Business Competition grew out of Blue Tech Valley as a competition for far Northern California entrepreneurs working in resilient Agriculture, Water, and Energy ventures, the AWE of AWEsome. It has since evolved into the Startup Humboldt Competition.

2020 Winners

Fungirofoam (First Place): Fungirofoam uses mycelium to turn waste building products into new building products. The company took first place in the 2020 AWEsome Business Competition, winning $3,000 plus 20 hours of consulting.

High Rez Wood (2nd Place): High Rez Wood is a Native American-owned wood company creating heirloom-quality items that reclaim the spaces they reside in. The company took second place in the 2020 AWEsome Business Competition, winning $1,000 plus 15 hours of consulting.

Garzob (3rd Place): Garzob makes energy-efficient LED grow lights with an integrated fan. The company took third place in the 2020 AWEsome Business Competition, winning $500 plus 10 hours of consulting.

Earthseed Laboratories (Audience Choice): Earthseed Laboratories is an abolitionist-feminist retreat center and medicinal herb farm. The company won the Audience Choice award in the 2020 AWEsome Business Competition, taking home $250 plus 5 hours of consulting.

2024 Winners

The Fenns (First Place): The Fenns upcycles serving trays into jewelry. The company took first place in the 2024 AWEsome Business Competition, winning $3,000 plus SBDC mentorship.

The California Pot Company (2nd Place): The California Pot Company makes ceramic irrigation pottery in Humboldt. The company took second place in the 2024 AWEsome Business Competition, winning $1,500 plus SBDC mentorship.

Humboldt Cardboard Shredders (3rd Place + Audience Choice): Humboldt Cardboard Shredders is a local cardboard up-cycling service. The company took third place and won the Audience Choice award in the 2024 AWEsome Business Competition, winning a combined $1,250 plus SBDC mentorship.

Start Up Humboldt Competition 2026 Final Pitch Contestants

Jersey Scoops: Jersey Scoops is a pasture-to-pint, lactose-free ice cream producer founded by Ferndale farmers and brothers Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton, sixth-generation dairy farmers known locally as the Foggy Bottoms Boys. The company advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition and took the top prize, winning $125,000 to fund wholesale expansion into the Bay Area.

GridIQ: GridIQ builds smart power line monitoring systems designed to catch wildfire risk before it becomes a wildfire and to improve grid reliability across the region. Founded by Aren Page, the company advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition and went on to take the runner-up prize, winning $55,000 plus an additional $5,000 from Blue Tech Valley in recognition of its alignment with energy innovation.

LAF Systems: LAF Systems is developing a modular system that transforms local organic food waste into nutrient-rich living soil products, filling a critical infrastructure gap while keeping resources circulating within the regional economy. LAF Systems was awarded $15,000 as the top Microventure track winner at the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition, with support from Blue Tech Valley.

Grounded AI: Grounded AI, founded by Marie Doce, is an advisory and strategy firm helping local small businesses adopt AI in practical, responsible ways grounded in regional values rather than tech industry trends. The company advanced as a Microventure track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition and won $10,000 in funding.

Throat Punch Ice Cream: Throat Punch Ice Cream is a bold craft ice cream brand building a distinctive retail presence through creative flavors and local partnerships. The company advanced as a Microventure track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition and won $5,000 in funding.

Rhizome Wellness Collective: Rhizome Wellness Collective is an LGBTQ2S+-focused mental health collective expanding access to affirming care while training and employing local clinicians. Founded by Dylan McClure, LCSW, the company advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition.

DERA Analytics: DERA Analytics is a software platform helping owners of clean energy assets — solar, batteries, and EV fleets — optimize their systems and avoid costly grid curtailment. Founded by a Cal Poly Humboldt graduate, the platform aims to serve tribal communities, community choice aggregators, and transit authorities across the region. DERA Analytics advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition, supported by a partnership that includes Blue Tech Valley.

ForestScapes: ForestScapes, founded by Joe Snipes, is a wildfire mitigation and forest health company reducing hazardous vegetation and lowering wildfire risk across the region. The company advanced as a Microventure track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition.

Pepper Inflatable Technologies: Pepper Inflatable Technologies builds next-generation inflatable rescue craft on patent-protected technology. The company advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition.

Sunken Seaweed: Sunken Seaweed is a Humboldt Bay-based regenerative aquaculture company growing Pacific dulse, sea lettuce, and nori into sustainable food products — requiring no freshwater, arable land, or pesticides. Founded in 2017, the company aims to position Humboldt Bay as the West Coast center for regenerative seaweed farming. Sunken Seaweed advanced as a Scale Venture track finalist in the inaugural Startup Humboldt Competition, supported by a partnership that includes Blue Tech Valley.

Bolstering Energy, Water, and Agricultural Entrepreneurs in Northern California