The Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship

Published August 28, 2025

The Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship (KITE) has partnered with communities throughout Kern County to offer a business fundamentals program called CO.STARTERS Core for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to start or grow a successful venture. KITE is launching the fifth CO.STARTERS Core cohort in the Kern River Valley on Tuesday, September 9.

CO.STARTERS Core is a 10-session, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn business ideas into action. Drawing on the experiences of successful entrepreneurs and startup veterans from around the globe, CO.STARTERS guides creative small business owners through lean, effective business modeling methods in a simple and intuitive way, while connecting them to a supportive community of peers and mentors. Rather than treating a venture like a large corporation and writing an overly detailed business plan, CO.STARTERS participants are encouraged to build and test their models first. In the process, participants receive real-time customer feedback, update their models to meet customer needs, and avoid creating businesses based on incorrect assumptions. The CO.STARTERS core program has reached more than 350 communities worldwide, impacting more than 25,000 businesses.

KITE first launched the program in the Kern River Valley in partnership with Kernville Cowork in the spring of 2022, successfully running four cohorts with their support. When entrepreneurs began the program, only 24% felt they knew how to start and lead their ventures. By the end of the 10 weeks, 95% of participants reported feeling confident in launching and running their businesses. Each cohort also saw significant growth in participants’ ability to market and sell their product or service, understand business financials, and plan their next steps. Many also shared that CO.STARTERS’s collaborative approach helped them learn more effectively and receive valuable feedback. As we move forward, we’re excited to continue serving the region by operating out of the KRV Bridge Connection—bringing the program to a centrally located community in the Kern River Valley.

KITE sees the launch of new CO.STARTERS cohorts in outlying communities as being essential to their mission of supporting entrepreneurs throughout Kern County. “With limited or nonexistent support organizations situated in rural areas of Kern County, founders residing in these communities are often unaware or unable to access the support services located in Bakersfield. By partnering with these under-resourced communities with an intentional business education cohort, we [KITE] strategically build collaboration throughout the county and influence county-wide business viability,” says Danielle Patterson, Director of the SeedCore Foundation. “Our focus is to help build up the capacity within these communities and increase the awareness of long-term technical assistance that is available to Kern County founders”.

The eleven-week CO.STARTERS cohort will kick off on September 9. The cost is $200 per participant, and registration is open now at https://www.gokite.org/program/co-starters-core/. “I graduated from the CO.STARTERS Cohort in 2023 and experienced firsthand how powerful the program can be for turning ideas into action,” says Catlin Payne, the facilitator for the upcoming CO.STARTERS Core cohort. “As a facilitator, I want to foster curiosity, confidence, and community among local entrepreneurs. If you have an idea — even a small one — this is a great place to start and see what’s possible.”

Community organizations and leaders within the Kern River Valley are encouraged to connect with KITE to get involved in supporting the program, as well as the entrepreneurial community that is emerging around it. Interested parties can contact KITE at [email protected] or complete the volunteer form on the website above.

Small businesses remain one of the fundamental economic drivers for local economies and job creation, but these smaller-scale startups have not received the same level of support as their high-growth counterparts. CO.STARTERS aims to narrow that gap. “If you look beyond Silicon Valley and New York, there are countless communities that are full of talented entrepreneurs, but they lack the organized community support they need to thrive,” said Enoch Elwell, CO.STARTERS Founder. “CO.STARTERS provides a structure for these communities to achieve their economic growth goals and gives them an easy way to build the connections they are already trying to grow.” To learn about KITE’s CO.STARTERS regional program or sign up, go to https://www.gokite.org/program/co-starters-core/.

About the Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship (KITE)
KITE is a network of professionals who recognize the importance of Entrepreneurship in our community. KITE is here to create a strong foundation for entrepreneurs in Kern County, so that you have the guidance and resources to answer your questions and solve your problems as you’re starting and growing your business. The Kern Initiative for Talent and Entrepreneurship is a project of the SeedCore Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. For more information, please visit https://www.gokite.org.

About FINSYNC
FINSYNC is a financial technology platform connecting US-based businesses with partnered banks and credit unions. Their financial network offers a range of services powered by FINSYNC software to streamline and strengthen business operations. FINSYNC unites financial professionals and entrepreneur support organizations to create a thriving ecosystem where businesses can flourish. In 2024, FINSYNC merged with CO.STARTERS, an international organization that helps individuals and communities thrive through entrepreneurship by equipping them with strategy, tools, and relationships. The hallmarks of the CO.STARTERS approach to entrepreneur support are investment in the individual, peer learning in a community context, and simple and relatable tools. From the beginning, CO.STARTERS has pioneered a community-based approach to economic development, and has played a leading national role in increasing small business success and growing entrepreneurial ecosystems. For more information, please visit https://www.finsync.com/