Events

The City of Irvine hosts events to support and empower our thriving business community. These gatherings provide opportunities for business owners to connect, learn, and grow through collaboration and access to valuable resources. Explore our events to see how we can help your business thrive.

Upcoming Events

Small Business Capital and Growth Conference 
Friday, June 5 | 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
Irvine Civic Center

Join us for the Small Business Capital and Growth Conference — Irvine and benefit from dynamic breakout sessions, one-on-one matchmaking opportunities, and exciting strategies to grow and scale your business.

Register for free or use code CityOfIrvine.

Learn more

The Sustainability Transition: Green Business Strategies for the Future
Tuesday, August 11 | 9–11 a.m.
Quail Hill Community Center

Sustainability is becoming both a business imperative and a competitive advantage. This forum will highlight practical strategies to improve environmental sustainability while increasing efficiency, reducing costs, strengthening brand value, and supporting long-term growth. Attendees will hear from industry leaders, the Green Business Program, and City representatives on how sustainable practices can deliver measurable business benefits. Just starting to explore green business practices or looking to strengthen existing efforts? Join us for practical insights and actionable takeaways for businesses of all sizes.

Learn More and Register

Economic Development Past Events

2026

Breaking Barriers: Streamlining Business in Irvine
Thursday, April 23 | 9–11 a.m.
Los Olivos Community Center

City leaders and local experts gathered to present a forum on navigating regulatory processes, with practical insights into business licensing, planning, and permitting. Attendees learned about Irvine’s Navigator Program — a concierge-style, case-management service designed to move projects forward efficiently.

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Disaster Preparedness Workshop for Small Businesses —  April 9, 2026

The Greater Irvine Chamber, in collaboration with the City of Irvine, hosted a free Outsmart Disaster: Business Disaster Preparedness workshop.

This hands-on session helped business owners and managers prepare for emergencies, protect employees and assets, and maintain operations during disruptions. Participants completed guided planning exercises and received a Certificate of Completion.

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Start Smart: Launching Your Childcare Business — March 23, 2026

In collaboration with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, the City hosted a hands-on workshop designed to support aspiring childcare providers in launching successful and compliant businesses. Participants were guided through key steps, including navigating licensing requirements, creating safe and nurturing environments, and building sustainable business models. The session provided practical tools and insights to help attendees take confident first steps toward opening their childcare businesses.

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SBDC Small Business Clinic — January 22, 2026

On January 22, 2026, at the Quail Hill Community Center, the City hosted a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Small Business Clinic, providing hands-on support to local entrepreneurs through personalized, one-on-one consultations. Over the course of the evening, 16 businesses received tailored guidance from SBDC advisors, addressing topics ranging from business planning to operations and growth strategies. Participating businesses represented a diverse mix of industries, including translation services, healthcare, and advertising, reflecting the breadth of Irvine’s small business community. The clinic underscored the City’s ongoing commitment to delivering practical, accessible resources that help businesses overcome challenges and move confidently to their next stage of growth.

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From Startup to Scale Innovation Forum — January 15, 2026

The City’s From Startup to Scale forum was a strong success, bringing together more than 100 attendees for a thoughtful and engaging discussion on innovation, growth, and collaboration in Orange County. The event featured distinguished industry and academic leaders, including Johannes Rott, Vice President of Plug and Play; Joshua Dominic, Founder and CEO of Dreamstar Lines; Paul Choi, Head of Operations for DreamTrans LLC; and Dr. Ian Williamson, Dean of UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business.

As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to fostering a thriving innovation ecosystem, the forum highlighted how Irvine continues to serve as a launchpad for emerging companies and a hub for scaling businesses in Southern California. By connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and academic institutions, the event underscored Irvine’s role in driving regional economic growth, supporting job creation, and strengthening the community’s collaborative spirit. Panelists offered practical, real-world insights that resonated with attendees and helped spark new relationships and ideas that will continue to shape Irvine’s future economy.

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2025

SBDC Demo Day & Pitch Competition — December 2025

On December 12, the City hosted the LaunchPad Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 2025 Demo Day and Pitch Competition, presented in partnership with Octane OC and the Orange County Inland Empire SBDC. The event featured ten innovative start-ups, five in the MedTech track and five in the Technology track, each pitching live before an audience of investors, entrepreneurs, and regional innovation leaders, with cash prizes provided by Octane OC.

Two Irvine-based startups, Lidavex Inc. and Summit Technology Laboratory, were named winners in their respective categories, each receiving $5,000 in non-dilutive funding to support their next stage of growth. The Demo Day highlighted the strength of founder-led innovation and the impact of regional collaboration in advancing Irvine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and supporting the development of technologies that drive economic opportunity and improve lives.

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Business Leaders Series — November 2025

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GovCon RECON — November 2025

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OC Workforce Solutions Mobile Unit — September, October, and December 2025

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SBDC Small Business Clinic — August 2025

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Business Executives and Owners Forum — June 2025

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SBDC Small Business Capital and Growth Conference — June 2025

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 SBDC Small Business Clinic — March 2025

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