We had an exciting 2018 that opened new directions for the IBA. Thanks to our friends and partners, the IBA had...

• 50% women-owned businesses (60% since 2014),
• 58% minority-owned businesses (45% since 2014),
• a new Blockchain accelerator, hosted at the Blackstone Launchpad at USC. -- two companies fly in from the East Coast to participate
• funding events for IBA companies: one VC investment, one company accepted into Quake Capital accelerator, one acquisition offer
• government awards: a NASA iTech Award finalist, one company selected by the FDA as a technology partner in controlling opioid abuse
• two IBA grads return to present at IBA workshops
• with USC and USAID, cosponsor a hackathon to address international refugee issues 
• ten LA accelerators participate in our luncheon for federal innovation grants for LA startups

We are looking forward to an even more event filled 2019:

• Accelerator cohorts:
  • Silicon Valley - Blockchain for Global Growth
  • USC Marshall - Blockchain for Global Growth
  • LA/Silicon Beach - AI & FINTECH cohorts
• Virtual accelerators:
  • Blockchain for Global Growth to allow companies from around the world to participate virtually
• Online Courses:
  • Six Critical Steps for Global Growth, which features content modules designed to give companies from anywhere in the US or around the world access tostate-of-the-art strategies for cross-border business combined with one-on-one business coaching (done virtually) from industry experts 
• InboundLA
  • A soft-landing package for foreign companies setting up operations in LA