By Gavin J. Quinton
Glendale News-Press
The cities of Glendale and Burbank recently joined forces to promote a regional technology partnership. Now formally branded as Upstart Valley, the regional duo seeks to offer supportive services to startups, entrepreneurs and the tech industry at large, and encourage them to settle down locally.
On Thursday, the cities launched an open house at Media Studios in Burbank, where there was a discussion on the state of the banking industry after the Silicon Valley Bank collapse, followed by an expert panel dialogue on emerging Upstart Valley tech trends. The event concluded with a networking mixer and resource expo for entrepreneurs.
As efforts to attract employers, talent and investment in the region become more competitive, city officials believe collaboration among neighboring communities is the best way to stand out in a crowded market. Officials say Burbank and Glendale have a unique position because of the cities’ advantageous location within the greater Los Angeles region, joint populations of approximately 300,000 residents, thousands of profitable high-tech jobs and an expanding ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurialism.
“The goal of a Glendale-Burbank partnership is to position the region as a thriving innovation ecosystem,” said Upstart Valley spokesperson Sandra Rodriguez. “Our region has long been a hub for technology, startups and media. By launching the Upstart Valley brand identity, we hope to increase awareness of the abundant resources and opportunities available in the region and to attract new investment and businesses. Upstart Valley will showcase our unique strengths, positioning us as a top destination for entrepreneurs and investors alike.”
Similar regional partnerships have proven successful for Southern California cities. The “Silicon Beach” regional partnership — made up of cities along the coast from Los Angeles International Airport through Santa Monica — has seen a boom of startups setting up shop along the beach because of their proximity to potential corporate partnerships, including major players like Amazon, Apple and Sony and easy access to the airport.
Glendale and Burbank hope to leverage their proximity to the Hollywood Burbank Airport, along with the existing presence of media giants such as Warner Bros. and Disney to attract startups to the valley.
“The purpose of our kickoff event [was] to show everyone that we are an entrepreneurial hub,” Burbank Economic Development Manager Mary Hamzoian told the News-Press. “We are an ecosystem. We are the media capital of the world. Burbank has over 1,000 media companies. Glendale is also home to some entertainment and a lot of financial tech and medical technology companies.”
Both cities have programs dedicated to providing resources and case management to flowering businesses. Specifically, Glendale has two commercial accelerators, physical sites for businesses to come and receive program management. Burbank offers similar services on a virtual basis.
Hamzoian encourages any budding businesses to check out Upstart Valley to learn more about setting up in the region, and to gain access to exclusive resources the cities offer.
“The launch event [was] a way for people to come and network and learn about what we have to offer,” Hamzoian said.
For more information, visit the website upstartvalley.com.
First published in the April 29 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
