Coast Central Credit Union is proud to announce a $25,000 sponsorship of the StartUp Humboldt Competition, reinforcing the credit union’s long-standing commitment to strengthening the business community and supporting economic vitality across the communities it serves.
This sponsorship reflects Coast Central’s belief that thriving local businesses are essential to strong, resilient communities. Supporting entrepreneurs and fostering innovation has long been woven into the fabric of the credit union, aligning directly with its cooperative mission of people helping people.
“Supporting the StartUp Humboldt Competition is a natural extension of who we are as a credit union,” said Fred Moore, President and CEO of Coast Central Credit Union. “At our core, we exist to lift people up—individuals, families, and businesses alike. When we invest in entrepreneurs who are building solutions and creating opportunity locally, we’re putting the credit union philosophy of people helping people into action.”
The inaugural StartUp Humboldt Competition is investing $200,000 in high-potential startups, pairing milestone-based funding with expert mentorship and advanced business training. This comprehensive approach is designed to help businesses launch, grow, and scale their ventures—while creating good-paying jobs and driving sustainable economic growth throughout Humboldt County. Applications for the StartUp Humboldt Competition are currently being accepted through January 25, 2026.
From Coast Central’s perspective, the StartUp Humboldt Competition represents an innovative and dynamic effort to identify and nurture the region’s most promising entrepreneurs. By supporting local founders at critical stages, the initiative helps turn bold ideas into viable businesses while strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Coast Central’s investment is more than financial support—it’s a powerful vote of confidence in local entrepreneurs and the future of our regional economy,” said Wil Franklin, Director of the North Coast SBDC and Co-Founder of StartUp Humboldt. “Having a mission-driven, member-owned institution step forward as a partner reinforces what this initiative is all about: collaboration, access to opportunity, and building pathways for bright business minds to succeed right here in the North Coast.”
StartUp Humboldt serves as an Innovation Hub, uniting leading regional organizations dedicated to workforce development and entrepreneurial growth. Consortium members include Cal Poly Humboldt, College of the Redwoods, Norcal SBDC, the North Coast SBDC, Institute for Entrepreneurship Education, BlueTech Valley, and Lost Coast Ventures, creating a powerful collaborative network designed to support business success at every stage.
“As a member-owned financial institution, we strive to be a leader in championing an entrepreneurial culture of growth,” added Moore. “By investing in the StartUp Humboldt Competition, we’re helping ensure our local economy remains vibrant, innovative, and positioned for the future.”
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About Coast Central Credit Union
Coast Central Credit Union is the largest member-owned financial institution in the area, with over $2.2 billion in assets and operating 11 Member Services Branches throughout Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties, including McKinleyville, open six days a week, and Bayshore Mall, open seven days a week. Members have access to a network of 30,000 free CO-OP ATMs nationwide. Individuals and businesses in the three counties may bank at Coast Central by visiting coastccu.org/join. Guided by our mission of being the values-driven partner uniquely rooted in uplifting YOU, Coast Central Credit Union provides exceptional financial services to its more than 80,000 members. More information is available at coastccu.org, facebook.com/coastcentral, @coastccu on Instagram, and by calling (707) 445-8801.
About StartUp Humboldt
StartUp Humboldt is an innovation alliance dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship and job creation across California’s North Coast. The organization supports founders through mentorship, business education and access to capital, helping transform high-potential ideas into sustainable local companies. Its flagship initiative, the inaugural StartUp Humboldt Competition is offering access to $200,000 in milestone-based funding, expert-led training and individualized advising to help innovators launch and grow their businesses locally, strengthening Humboldt County’s economy. Learn more and apply at https://startuphumboldt.org/thecompetition/