Biomass Business Competition

WHAT:

A high-stakes pitch event for entrepreneurs ready to build the future of the Sierra bioeconomy.

WHO:

This competition is open to individuals and teams with innovative biomass-based business ideas, including:

Aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs and startups
Existing businesses looking to launch or expand a biomass-related product or service
Forestry, agriculture, and bioeconomy professionals with a market-ready concept
Innovators working on biomass utilization, processing, products, or services

WHEN:

Thursday | March 26, 2026

2:00PM - 5:00PM

WHERE:

Mother Lode Job Training Community Room

197 Mono Way, Suite B, Sonora, CA 95370

WHY:

With the State of California naming the bioeconomy as a priority sector for the Sierra Region, Central Sierra Economic Development District and Mother Lode Job Training are advancing regional goals to grow a strong, sustainable biomass-based economy. The Biomass Business Competition is one way we’re helping spark new ventures, support local innovators, and strengthen the future of the Sierra bioeconomy.

ABOUT THE COMPETITION

The Central Sierra Biomass Business Competition is an exclusive opportunity for eight innovators ready to turn bold biomass ideas into real, investable ventures. Competitors will deliver a 10–15 minute pitch to a panel of local industry, workforce, and economic leaders from across the Sierra Region. Judges will score each pitch on core criteria (see more below) to determine the winner. This competition is designed to amplify emerging and existing businesses working to transform forest and agricultural biomass into high-value products or solutions. Whether you’re developing a new concept or expanding an existing venture, this is your chance to gain visibility, validate your idea, and compete for support that can accelerate your path forward.

HOW JUDGING WORKS

Pitches will be evaluated by a panel of local industry, workforce, and economic leaders from across the Sierra Region. Judges will score each venture using a balanced rubric that considers innovation, feasibility, market potential, sustainability, clarity of presentation, and alignment with regional bioeconomy goals. This process ensures that every applicant is assessed fairly and consistently, with an emphasis on real-world viability and regional impact. The judges’ decisions are final, and finalists may be asked to provide brief follow-up information to support scoring or award decisions.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO APPLY

All applications are due by the end of the day, March 16, 2026. Selected businesses will be notified by March 19, 2026.

Basic Information

Your full name, email, and phone number
Your city and county
Your business or organization name (if you have one)
A website or social media link (optional)

Business Stage

Clarity on whether you’re in:
- Idea / concept stage
- Early-stage startup
- Existing business expanding into biomass

Your Biomass Concept

A short description of your idea or business
The type(s) of biomass you expect to work with (forest, agricultural, mill residuals, mixed, unsure)
A brief explanation of the product, service, or solution you’re proposing

Regional Impact

A short statement on:
- The problem or opportunity you aim to address
- Why this matters for the Sierra Region

Optional Uploads

Any supporting materials you’d like to include, such as:
- Pitch deck
- Diagrams or photos
- Business plan or concept notes
- Prototype or demo descriptions
  (Uploads are optional, but helpful.)

Remember: there are only eight innovators will make the final cut, show us your strongest pitch in the application!

So, what're you waiting for?

Sign Up to Pitch Your Business

Click the link below to fill out your registration form to be considered for the competition.

HOSTED BY

The Central Sierra Economic Development District serves Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties by driving economic development, infrastructure planning, and community resilience. CSEDD also participates in broader initiatives and grant-funded projects that extend beyond its core service area to support economic development outcomes.

Mother Lode Job Training (MLJT) supports employers and job seekers across Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, and Mariposa counties by strengthening the region’s workforce and helping businesses grow. Through its Business Services department, MLJT provides no-cost hiring support, customized recruitment, upskilling and training programs, work experience opportunities, and connections to regional talent pipelines. MLJT also leads and supports industry partnerships to align workforce strategies with employer needs. As a co-host of the Biomass Business Competition, MLJT helps ensure that innovators and entrepreneurs have access to the workforce, training, and business development resources needed to grow new ventures and support a thriving regional economy.

The LEAF (Land, Energy, Agriculture, Forestry) Partnership serves as a co-host of the Biomass Business Competition. LEAF brings together regional leaders, industry partners, workforce stakeholders, and innovators to strengthen the Sierra’s bioeconomy and support sustainable land-based industries. Through strategic coordination and shared investment in emerging ventures, the partnership works to accelerate solutions that create economic opportunity while enhancing forest health, agricultural resilience, and long-term regional sustainability.

Funding Sources

This event is funded in part through the CAL FRAME Program, administered by California Land Use and Climate Innovation with funds contracted through the Mariposa Resource Conservation District and CLERE Inc.

Contact

Questions? Contact Sophia Kaufman at skaufman@mljt.org