LONG BEACH, CA [Feb. 3, 2026] — Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is proud to announce The Education Series: For Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses will celebrate its landmark 10th year of empowering the local business community. Sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, this free 7-week workshop series returns to Downtown Long Beach to provide essential training, mentorship, and financial opportunities to local innovators.
The series begins on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, and continues every Saturday through March 28, 2026. Sessions take place from 9 AM to 12 PM* at Studio One Eleven (245 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, CA 90802) and cover topics such as marketing, accounting, and strategy.
Now in its 10th year of service, the workshop series has become a cornerstone for economic development in Long Beach. Targeted specifically toward existing Downtown businesses looking to expand and aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to launch their first startup, the program bridges the gap between a business idea and a sustainable reality.
Program Highlights & Incentives:
- Professional Certification: Participants who complete all seven workshops will be awarded a formal certificate of completion from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.
- PitchFest Competition: Graduates will be eligible to compete in PitchFest on March 28, 2026 (must complete six out of seven workshops).
- Grant Funding: Through the support of sponsors like Wells Fargo, PitchFest participants will have the opportunity to receive grant funding to be applied directly toward their business growth.
“Reaching our 10th year is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Long Beach,” said Stephanie El Tawil, DTLB Alliance Economic Development & Policy Manager. “With the sponsorship from Wells Fargo, we are able to keep this program free of charge, ensuring that every business owner, regardless of their current stage, has access to the high-level education and capital needed to thrive in our downtown core.”
Event Schedule & Location:
- Dates: Saturdays, Feb 7 – March 28, 2026
- Time: 9 AM – 12 PM*
- Location: Studio One Eleven, 245 E. 3rd St., Long Beach, CA 90802
- Cost: Free to attend.
Total series attendance is not mandatory unless participating in the PitchFest competition. We encourage business owners to sign up for workshops that are most beneficial to their success.
The Entrepreneur and Small Business Education Series is a collaborative initiative by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, California State University’s Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and Wells Fargo Bank.
For more information or to register for the series, please visit the webpage here or contact StephanieE@dtlb.org.
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About: The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) is a nonprofit, community-based organization whose mission is to cultivate, preserve and promote a healthy, safe, and prosperous Downtown. The DTLB Alliance is recognized as the voice of Downtown Long Beach by the City of Long Beach and the State of California. By balancing the interests of the residents, as well as businesses, the organization creates tangible progress by way of vested interest and solidified partnerships across local, municipal, and commercial lines. For additional information, visit www.downtownlongbeach.org and follow on Facebook @downtownlongbeach, on “X” (formerly Twitter) @dtlballiance and Instagram @dtlballiance.
*This press release was updated on 2/5/26 to reflect the updated workshop time of 9 AM to 12 PM.