Long Beach Accelerator kicks off Tech Week to shape Southern California’s business future
Connecting investors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, the event advances LBA’s long-term work to grow emerging technology companies and expand economic opportunity
LONG BEACH, Calif., September 28, 2026—Long Beach Accelerator (LBA) today kicked off Long Beach Tech Week (Sept. 28 - Oct. 1), an annual event that draws innovation and investment leaders from key industries to help shape California’s business future and expand economic impact. Tech Week connects emerging technology companies with the capital and industry expertise needed to bring new technologies to market, supporting business growth and job creation across the state.
“Long Beach and our region have the industries, innovation and talent to shape California’s economic future and make a global impact,” said Vivian Shimoyama, CEO of Long Beach Accelerator. “By connecting emerging tech companies with the investment, expertise, and partnerships their businesses need, we’re helping entrepreneurs and investors grow businesses whose impact will extend far beyond their industries to the jobs people hold, the communities they call home, and the technologies they use every day.”
Long Beach Accelerator helps early-stage technology companies grow by engaging investors and experts, and working with public, private and educational partners to bring resources and investment to Southern California. With a focus on the region’s critical verticals of logistics, transportation and supply chain; aerospace and space technology; energy and sustainability; entertainment/creative; and healthcare technology. LBA has supported more than 2,000 small businesses. Through the LBA’s AI adoption initiative, financial acumen business education, business advisory services, and a team of expert advisers, entrepreneurs get the boost to take their businesses to the next level of growth.
Long Beach Tech Week brings that year-round work into an annual forum where investors, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs can explore funding opportunities, get access to contracting opportunities, build business relationships, and engage in the economic growth opportunities with the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic games. Planning partners include The City of Long Beach; the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach; and Sunstone Investment Group. Tech Week connects entrepreneurs with expertise and networks across industry verticals and gives access to resources. Funding forums, entrepreneurial panels, and visionary thought leaders in conversation about solving the greatest problems with technology solutions provide opportunities to move toward investments and business partnerships beyond the event.
“When entrepreneurs build and grow businesses here, they create career opportunities for students and graduates, develop technologies that help industries advance, and bring new jobs to our community.” said Dr. Wade Martin, Director at the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach. “The work we’re doing with the Long Beach Accelerator helps connect education, builds a pipeline of skilled workers, accelerates entrepreneurial ventures, engages students in understanding business strategy, and builds access to capital through our Capital Corner.”
During Long Beach Tech Week, the LBA Investors & Founders Summit will recognize four leaders whose work spans global trade, space technology, venture investment and business growth.
The LBA 2026 honorees include:
Visionary of the Year
Dr. Noel Hacegaba, CEO, Port of Long Beach
Trailblazer of the Year
Carrie Marshall, CEO/Co-Founder, Rebel Space Technologies
Investor of the Year
Joshua Y. Lee, Managing Partner, Gumshoe Ventures
Founder of the Year
Ethan Glass, CEO, OCRA
The 2026 Visionary of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has a global vision, blazes trails for others, and opens doors of opportunity. The LBA is honored to recognize Dr. Noel Hacegaba for his global vision for the Port of Long Beach to get to net ‘zero emissions’, work to attract businesses and investment as economic drivers for our region, and initiatives he is implementing to get small businesses access to training and contracting opportunities with the Port of Long Beach.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization dedicated to creating new economic opportunities through innovation and entrepreneurial leadership,” said Port of Long Beach CEO Dr. Noel Hacegaba. “I am thrilled to accept this award on behalf of the entire Port of Long Beach team, including our Harbor Commissioners, as we work in complete alignment to build the Port of the Future™ and create a supply chain that benefits the community, the workforce and the economy.”
Investing in their community, the LBA opened the new Long Beach Accelerator Tech Hub Center in downtown Long Beach at the Kickoff of Long Beach Tech Week 2026. The Center is supported by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Honorable U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. The LBA Tech Hub Center is a place for thought leaders and key investors to engage with public and private partners, and emerging growth technology companies to support business growth that results in economic development and impact.
For more information about Long Beach Tech Week, visit www.LongBeachTechWeek.com.
For more information about Long Beach Accelerator, visit www.LBAccelerator.org.
About Long Beach Accelerator
Long Beach Accelerator (LBA) grows emerging technology companies through business and management education, advisory services, and connections to investors and industry partners, and potential access to capital. Working with public, private and educational organizations, LBA supports business growth and economic opportunity in Southern California. Through the LBA’s AI adoption initiative, financial acumen business education, business advisory services, and team of expert advisers; entrepreneurs get the boost to take their businesses to the next level of growth.
LBA is the founder and host of Long Beach Tech Week and the annual LBA Investors & Founders Summit. Learn more at www.LBAccelerator.org
Media contact
Vivian Shimoyama, CEO, Long Beach Accelerator
Vivian.Shimoyama@LBAccelerator.org