Ontario, CA – December 10, 2025 – In a celebration that radiated with entrepreneurial energy and community pride, the City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program honored ten determined business owners who completed an intensive 10-month journey of growth, strategic planning, and capital preparation. The graduation ceremony at AmPac Business Capital’s collaboration center on Inland Empire Boulevard showcased not just the end of a program, but the launching point for ten powerful business stories being written in the heart of the Inland Empire.
A Dynamic Day of Pitches, Presentations, and Promise
From 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, the room pulsed with anticipation as graduates stepped up to present their business pitches—each a five-minute testament to months of intensive work, strategic refinement, and unwavering determination. These weren’t just presentations; they were declarations of entrepreneurial intent from business owners ready to scale, compete, and make their mark.
“Today marks not just the end of a program, but the beginning of ten new success stories in our community,” said Brian Kennedy, Jr., who served as Master of Ceremonies for the event. “Each of these entrepreneurs has shown tremendous commitment to building something meaningful, and Ontario is stronger because they chose to invest their talents here.”
The ceremony brought together city leaders, program mentors, proud family members, and fellow entrepreneurs—all gathered to witness the culmination of a strategic planning business development program with a capital preparation emphasis that has become a model for entrepreneurial support in Southern California.
The Graduating Class: Ready to Scale
The City of Ontario program recognized ten exceptional entrepreneurs who completed the rigorous 10-month, 10-session strategic planning incubator:
- Bill Cortus
- Michael Garcia
- Miguel Gonzales
- Eddie Pasillas
- Phillip Vega
- Osbaldo Acosta
- Kevin Gonzalez
- Alba Castro
- Jessica Lopez
- Betty Carlos
Each graduate delivered powerful business pitches that demonstrated the comprehensive knowledge they gained through the program—from financial clarity and organizational structure to strategic planning and capital readiness. The diverse range of businesses represented showcased the entrepreneurial breadth emerging from Ontario’s dynamic business ecosystem, from innovative service companies to retail ventures poised for growth.
The Power of Strategic Partnership
The program’s remarkable success stems from a collaborative approach that brings together the best resources the region has to offer. The City of Ontario, AmPac Business Capital, and Bright Business Project have created an entrepreneurial ecosystem that goes far beyond traditional business training—it’s a comprehensive support system designed to turn business dreams into bankable realities.
Karla Tavera from the City of Ontario emphasized the municipality’s deep commitment to fostering economic growth through entrepreneurship. The city recognizes that supporting local entrepreneurs isn’t just good policy—it’s essential to building a resilient, prosperous community where residents can build wealth and create opportunities right in their own backyard.
Following in the footsteps of AmPac’s successful Leap 2 Launch Entrepreneur Development Program—which has already graduated cohorts through an 18-month intensive journey—the City of Ontario program delivers focused, high-impact support specifically designed for entrepreneurs at the strategic planning and capital preparation stage of their business journey.
Words of Wisdom and Celebration
The ceremony featured special remarks from Florin Dimeiu of Bright Business Project, whose insights from years of working with entrepreneurs resonated deeply with the graduating class. His words reminded everyone that entrepreneurship requires more than just a great idea—it demands persistence, adaptability, strategic thinking, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path gets challenging.
“The real test begins now,” Dimeiu shared with the graduates. “You’ve built the foundation, refined your strategy, and prepared for growth. What happens next is up to you—and we’ll be here supporting you every step of the way.”
The Certificate Ceremony: More Than Paper
As Brian Kennedy called each graduate forward to receive their certificates and awards, the significance of the moment was palpable. These weren’t just diplomas—they represented hundreds of hours of work, countless iterations of business plans, difficult strategic decisions, and the transformation from business owner to strategic business leader.
The ceremony included individual photo opportunities, allowing each graduate to capture this milestone moment with family, mentors, and fellow entrepreneurs. The collaboration center buzzed with congratulations, networking conversations, and the excited energy of people who have just crossed a major threshold in their entrepreneurial journey.
Building on AmPac’s Entrepreneurial Growth Support Expertise
The City of Ontario program builds on AmPac Business Capital’s proven expertise in entrepreneurial support. Since 2005, AmPac has provided over $2 billion in financing, supporting the creation of more than 7,000 jobs across California, Arizona, and Nevada. This track record demonstrates that when technical assistance is paired with access to capital, entrepreneurs achieve sustainable, scalable growth.
The City of Ontario program focuses specifically on strategic planning and capital preparation—recognizing that business owners need intensive support in positioning their ventures for growth capital and scaling opportunities.
The Impact: Beyond Individual Businesses
While the graduation celebrates ten individual entrepreneurs, the ripple effects extend far beyond these businesses. Each graduate represents:
- Jobs created and sustained in the Ontario community
- Families supported through entrepreneurial success
- Innovation and diversity in the local business ecosystem
- Role models for future entrepreneurs watching and learning
- Economic resilience through locally-owned, strategically-managed businesses
With AmPac Business Capital having facilitated over $2 billion in financing and supported the creation of more than 7,000 jobs since its founding, the organization understands that supporting entrepreneurs isn’t charity—it’s community investment with measurable returns.
The Journey Continues
For these ten graduates, December 10, 2025, marks not an ending but a new beginning. They leave the program equipped with:
- Strategic business plans refined through intensive feedback
- Financial clarity and capital readiness
- Peer networks of fellow entrepreneurs
- Ongoing access to AmPac’s entrepreneur ecosystem
- The confidence that comes from completing a rigorous program
- Connections to resources, mentors, and potential funding sources
As the celebration concluded, the message was clear: graduation from the City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program isn’t the finish line—it’s the starting gun for the next phase of growth.
Your Turn: Join the Next Cohort
The City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program continues to accept applications from business owners ready to take their ventures to the next level. If you’re an entrepreneur with an operating business who’s ready for strategic planning, capital preparation, and intensive growth support, this program could be your launchpad.
Program Highlights:
- 10-month strategic planning business development program
- Capital preparation emphasis
- 10 comprehensive sessions (2 hours each)
- Held Wednesdays, 1-3 PM
- Small cohort size for personalized attention
- Access to AmPac’s full entrepreneur ecosystem
- Partnership with City of Ontario and Bright Business Project
- Proven track record of graduate success
For more information about the City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program and how to apply for the next cohort, contact AmPac Business Capital!
Don’t just dream about scaling your business—take the strategic steps to make it happen. The next graduating class could include you.
About the City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program
The City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program is a strategic planning business development incubator with a capital preparation emphasis, designed to support local business owners ready to scale their operations. Through partnerships with AmPac Business Capital and Bright Business Project, the program provides intensive strategic planning support, financial clarity training, capital readiness preparation, and networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs position their businesses for significant growth in today’s competitive marketplace.
About AmPac Business Capital
AmPac Business Capital (AmPac Tri-State CDC, Inc.) is the only faith-based SBA 504 lender in the nation and is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Since 2005, AmPac has provided over $2 billion in financing, supporting the creation of more than 7,000 jobs across California, now also serving Arizona, and Nevada. Through programs like Leap 2 Launch and the City of Ontario Entrepreneurship Program, AmPac demonstrates that technical assistance paired with capital creates enduring entrepreneurial impact.