In February 2014, we launched Uptima Business Bootcamp to provide entrepreneurs with greater access to hands-on education, mentorship, resources, and community to create thriving businesses. Since then we’ve supported more than 300 individuals to explore, launch, and grow their businesses. And along the way, we’ve hit some pretty amazing milestones.
Launched first accelerator location in Oakland
Held first course for small businesses and startup founders
Held first course for freelancers
Officially became a California cooperative corporation
Named Innovative Newcomer, Oakland Indie Awards
Announced partnership with The Runway Project & Self-Help Federal Credit Union to provide a "Friends & Family" Loan Program to African-American entrepreneurs
Launched Uptima Business Bootcamp Blog
Launched second accelerator location in San Francisco
Ranked #5 on list of Top Bay Area Incubators & Accelerators, San Francisco Business Times
Co-Founder Rani Langer-Croager recognized as a Business Leader by Oakland Chamber's East Bay Women in Business Awards
Uptima was born from our founder’s experiences – growing up in an immigrant family that leveraged entrepreneurial activities and cooperative economics as a means for financial stability, as an investment banker advising businesses at all stages, working on the founding team of a higher education startup, and collaborating with others who had experience in agricultural cooperatives. But mainly, we’re passionate about making the knowledge, language, and processes of starting and growing a business accessible and relevant to our local communities.
One of the unique aspects of our accelerator is access to the Uptima Community Network – a valuable group of mentors, peers, and partners who are here to provide guidance on growing your business, help you stay accountable to your mission, support you through the tough times, and amplify your message.
Our innovative cooperative model lends itself to building this deep community. As a cooperative, the people who go through our entrepreneurship programs, the people who teach and mentor in them, and to a much lesser extent, our investors, have the opportunity to become owners of the accelerator.
There is a lot of talk about how entrepreneurship can build wealth. We believe that, and we saw a way to take it a step further. Through our cooperative structure, we can compound those wealth building activities. Not only do our cooperative members own their businesses, but they own their business accelerator. And through that, they are literally investing in past, present, and future businesses in their community.
We hope to see you at a course, class, or workshop soon, so you can experience Uptima first-hand and see why we’ve created a loyal following of entrepreneurs on a mission to build businesses that make the world a better place.