2023 Recipients
In 2023, the Dorfman Incubator Grant program awarded a total of $155,000 to five early-stage Ventura County–area companies focused on clean technology, water sustainability, healthcare supply chains, real estate technology, and renewable energy storage.
- Environmental Market Services: designs, administers, and supports locally tailored water markets to help regions manage groundwater sustainably while balancing agricultural, urban, environmental, and regulatory needs. Founded by Matthew Fienup, a School of Management faculty member.
- InvoCure: an online medical marketplace and supply chain solution that helps healthcare organizations streamline procurement, reduce vendor complexity, control inventory, and improve operational efficiency through custom technology and nationwide fulfillment partnerships. Founded by Cal Lutheran alumnus Brian Malchow. InvoCure is a repeat grant recipient.
- PlotSign: a platform modernizing the signage industry through improved standardization and transparency. Founded by Cal Lutheran alumnus and Hub101 member Zach Dunn.
- Rivida (formerly HortiTech): leveraging NASA-derived water filtration technology to purify agricultural wastewater by extracting ammonia and converting it into reusable nitrogen fertilizer, helping farmers reduce freshwater use, lower fertilizer costs, and improve long-term farming resilience. Co-founded by Cal Lutheran alumnae Andrea Brimmer and Emma Sweeney. Originally started by Brimmer and Caroline Brook who met at the European Innovation Academy, and joined by alumnae Zaria Opara
- Wayside Energy: creating a recyclable, modular, and rigid single piece injection molded battery pack system with a unique geothermal cooling system that is industry leading in price, reliability, safety, and performance while being cheap and simple to manufacture. Founded by Cal Lutheran alumnus, James Werbe.