Collaboration Honors Women & Student Entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara

The gala awards event will honor eight women, who exemplify what it means to be a successful entrepreneur, as well as the student winners of a business plan competition, the New Venture Challenge, which takes place May 4, put on by Santa Barbara City College’s Scheinfeld Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. This collaboration is designed to celebrate entrepreneurship at all levels in Santa Barbara County. Both the women and student winners will receive their awards at the May 11 dinner.

Susan Johnson, president of NAWBO-SB Foundation, said the partnership with the Scheinfeld Center is a great opportunity for both organizations.

“We know that women-owned businesses are one of the key drivers in the economic recovery,” Johnson said. “We had nearly 70 women nominated for our Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards this year, so it was not easy for our independent judges to select winners in the eight categories. At the same time, we believe it is important to support future entrepreneurs, which is why the proceeds from our Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards Dinner go toward prizes for the student winners of the Scheinfeld Center’s New Venture Challenge.”