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Client FAQs

How can Start Up help me?
Who is eligible?
What is the cost?
Where are classes held?
When do training classes begin?
How can I sign up?

Donor FAQs

Why should I donate to Start Up?
What is Start Up's mission?
What kind of businesses does Start Up support?
How will my donation be spent?
What is Start Up's annual budget?
Are donations to Start Up tax-deductible?
Who are some of Start Up's supporters?
Who are Start Up's community and corporate partners?
Does Start Up have an endowment?

1. How can Start Up help me?

Start Up helps prospective entrepreneurs and business owners with all aspects of starting and operating their own business, including all of the following: developing a business plan, marketing, accounting, and applying for funding. Start Up's comprehensive training program, offered in English and Spanish, will provide you with the knowledge you need to have a successful business. Start Up clients also benefit from business workshops, mentoring from successful Bay Area entrepreneurs, and networking opportunities. Visit our Programs & Services section to learn more.

2. Who is eligible?

Participants must be at least 18 years of age and English or Spanish speakers. Although our target community is East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, California, we accept clients from throughout the Peninsula and the Bay Area. There are no income requirements to enroll in Start Up's classes, and both prospective entrepreneurs and current business owners are eligible for our services.

3. What is the cost?

Our goal is to make our training affordable for everyone regardless of their income level. Training fees vary by course and are assessed on a sliding scale basis. Some training is free. For more information on training costs, please attend a monthly Information Session.

4. Where are classes held?

Training classes are held at Start Up and at Opportunities Industrialization Center West (OICW), in Menlo Park, CA. Click here for directions to OICW.

5. When do training classes begin?

Start Up currently conducts several training cycles per year, both in English and in Spanish.  Please attend our monthly Information Session to learn more about the current training schedule.

For a schedule of all current events, view Start Up's Event Calendar.

6. How can I sign up?

For information about enrollment, attend our monthly Information Session held the first Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. (English).

Para información sobre inscripciones por favor asista a nuestra Sesión Informativa.  Estas sesiones son en el primer jueves de cada mes a las 7:00 p.m. (Español).

Contact us:

email: info@startupepa.org
Phone: (650) 321-2193

Donor FAQ's

By contributing to Start Up, you will give back to the community by helping Start Up foster entrepreneurship in the economically disadvantaged areas of the Peninsula, and will help to minimize the "economic divide" that exists between these areas and other Silicon Valley communities.

Start Up operates on a lean budget of just over $500,000 that it raises each year. We rely on the donations of individuals like you to provide the financial support needed to fulfill our mission and commitment to the community.

For more information about how your investment in Start Up will impact the programs and services we offer our clients and the community, visit our Program Services page.

What is Start Up's mission?

Start Up trains and supports entrepreneurs who have limited access to resources to help them create prosperity for themselves and their communities.
 

What kind of businesses does Start Up support?

Start Up clients own and operate a number of successful enterprises. Most of these start out as home-based, part-time income supplement streams but may go on to be full-time self-employment resources for the entrepreneurs and their employees.

How will my donation be spent?

Over 75% of contributions are applied directly to client service provision.

What is Start Up's annual budget?

Start Up operates on a very lean annual budget of just under $400,000.

Are donations to Start Up tax-deductible?

Yes. In accordance with the Internal Revenue Service, a gift to East Palo Alto Micro-Business Initiative/d.b.a. Start Up is deductible within the guidelines provided by law and is not related to any goods or services provided by Start Up for such gift. For tax purposes, Start Up's Federal Employer Identification Number is 77-0366059.

Who are some of Start Up's supporters?

Start Up has received generous support from a number of individual, corporate, and foundation supporters. Please see our list of Partners.

Who are Start Up's community and corporate partners?

Start Up relies heavily upon collaboration with corporate and community organizations. Please see our list of Partners.)

Does Start Up have an endowment?

No. Start Up seeks funding to raise its annual budget.