A pilot summer incubator program – appropriately named the Hot House – is currently underway housing approximately 10 early-stage companies run mostly by Cal Poly students.

Local developer and angel investor Clint Pearce donated 2,500 square feet of vacant office space for the summer at 142 Cross St., near Idler’s, to partner with the university's entrepreneurship efforts. The purpose of the Hot House is to provide community support for the start-ups in the hope that some of them put roots down locally, Pearce said.

Local mentors and advisors are providing business and industry expertise to the entrepreneurs.