FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Yolanda Fintschenko, Executive Director, i-GATE Kelly Bowers, CEO/President, 3VCF
(925) 784-3597 (925) 337-3672
yolandaf@igateihub.org kbowers@3vcf.org
– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
i-GATE & Three Valleys Community Foundation Launch Strategic Grant Program
to Build Economic Security in Tri-Valley
Livermore, CA — November 6, 2025 — i-GATE, the Tri-Valley’s leading innovation hub, announced the launch of the i-GATE Fund in partnership with Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF). We are raising money for this grant program fund designed to strengthen economic security and health outcomes for the Tri-Valley region, directly addressing priorities identified in the 2025 Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
Economic Security: A Community Health Priority
The 2025 CHNA, produced by Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, highlights economic stability as a critical driver of community health. The report calls for collaborative solutions to address disparities in income, employment, and opportunity—factors that directly impact health and well-being for Tri-Valley residents.
A Regional Response: Empowering Innovation and Opportunity
The i-GATE Economic Development & Entrepreneurship Grant Fund is an agency fund, hosted and managed by 3VCF, that provides funding for competitive, merit-based grants to startups at the Pre-seed, Seed, and Series A stages. By supporting companies in Artificial Intelligence, Life Sciences, Frontier Tech, and Women’s Health, the program aims to create new jobs, attract investment, and build a resilient local economy.
How the Program Works
- Strategic Partnership: 3VCF fiscally manages the grant funds, while i-GATE administers the program, ensuring efficiency and regulatory compliance.
- Transparent, Merit-Based Awards: Grants are awarded through a public call for proposals, reviewed by a committee of investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs selected by the i-GATE chief executive, in consultation with 3VCF.
- Focused Impact: Funding may be used to offset facility infrastructure upgrades or expansion costs and to hire local interns, supporting startups that contribute to regional innovation and economic growth.
Program Benefits
- Trusted Partners: Links an established startup ecosystem creator and local philanthropic community foundation.
- Efficient Fund Management: Streamlined processes enable focus on program execution and startup support.
- Community Impact: Fosters local innovation and supports the growth of science-based startups in the Tri-Valley.
- Unique Donor Value: Offers donors a direct role in economic development, differentiating from traditional philanthropy models.
Eligibility
Startups must be located in the Tri-Valley and align with i-GATE’s mission to support science-based entrepreneurship.
To Donate
Visit https://threevcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1531 to donate to the i-GATE fund.
Quotes
“By partnering with Three Valleys Community Foundation, we’re creating a powerful engine for economic development and innovation in the Tri-Valley,” said Yolanda Fintschenko, PhD, Executive Director of i-GATE. “This fund is a direct response to our region’s health assessment, helping promising startups scale, create jobs, and strengthen our community’s economic security.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate with i-GATE on this initiative,” said Kelly Bowers, Ed.D., CEO/President of Three Valleys Community Foundation. “Our shared commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and fostering innovation will help build a vibrant, resilient economy for the Tri-Valley. Together, we are investing in the future of our community.”
###
About i-GATE Innovation Hub
i-GATE Innovation Hub is a non-profit organization focused on increasing economic prosperity through entrepreneurship in the Tri-Valley. i-GATE provides startup incubation resources through Daybreaks Labs and connects the regional innovation ecosystem through the Startup Tri-Valley initiative. To learn more, visit https://igatehub.org.
About Three Valleys Community Foundation (3VCF)
3VCF serves as a philanthropic anchor dedicated to enhancing the Tri-Valley region and beyond through inclusive leadership, thoughtful funding, informed local giving, and collaborative action. 3VCF partners with local donors to support impactful organizations and projects that address the most pressing needs of our community. Through our “Give Where You Live” philosophy, we mobilize resources, amplify local impact, and cultivate partnerships that make a lasting difference. To learn more, visit https://3vcf.org/
###
Photo 1: 3VCF Board Chair John Sensiba greets i-GATE Executive Director Yolanda Fintschenko during a 3VCF Leadership “fieldtrip” to Daybreak Labs; Photo 2: 3VCF Board member Judy Lloyd, 3VCF CEO Kelly Bowers pictured with i-GATE Executive Director Yolanda Fintschenko. Photo 3: 3VCF Co-Founder Susan Houghton, 3VCF CEO Kelly Bowers, i-GATE Executive Director Yolanda Fintschenko, 3VCF Board member Judy Lloyd, and 3VCF Board Secretary Denise Watkin take a group photo in their lab coats after their guided tour.
