We founded The Reservoir on a realization: Technology startups focusing on 'rural' opportunities face a gap in support and resources compared to their urban counterparts.
By providing strategic funding, industry connections, and cutting-edge facilities—ranging from state-of-the-art labs to real-world testing grounds—we empower entrepreneurs to bring their visions to life. We help startups using AI, automation and bioengineering to solve critical challenges faced by rural markets—whether it’s agricultural sustainability, improving disaster preparedness, or enhancing resource utilization. Together, we’re creating scalable, tech-driven solutions that stimulate local economies and generate high-quality career opportunities in rural areas, unlocking new growth for long term resilience.
Challenges Facing Rural Innovation
Limited Resources for Growth
Unlike urban hubs, rural areas lack access to top-tier accelerators and incubators, such as Y-Combinator or Skydeck, that could help transform early-stage ideas into viable businesses. Testing facilities are another critical gap—startups rarely have access to fields or labs specifically tailored for their needs, forcing them to test products in real-world conditions prematurely, which can lead to costly and highly visible mistakes.
Lack of Investment in Rural Areas
Less than 1% of California’s venture capital flows outside traditional tech hubs, leaving rural innovators without the funding needed to scale their solutions. This financial disparity limits the ability of startups to access critical resources, further widening the gap between rural and urban innovation ecosystems.
Finding the Right Fit
Many rural startups struggle to find their place in the market. Because of the gap of startups to test fields, many startups create solutions for problems that lack product market fit, while the lack of third-party validation further hinders their ability to gain trust from growers and other stakeholders. At the same time, growers—overwhelmed by startup pitches and discouraged by past failures—have grown increasingly skeptical.
The Solution
Bringing Capital Where It’s Needed Most
Reservoir Ventures is transforming the rural innovation landscape by bringing venture capital to regions historically overlooked by traditional funding sources. By investing in startups with the potential to stimulate local economies and create high-quality jobs, Reservoir Ventures is closing the funding gap and empowering entrepreneurs to succeed where they are needed most.
Building Infrastructure for Growth and Trust
Reservoir Farms serves as a cutting-edge Research and Development facility tailored to the needs of rural startups. This unique resource provides startups with access to testing fields, enabling them to refine their products in a controlled environment before entering the market. Additionally, Reservoir Farms acts as a meeting ground for startups and growers, fostering collaboration and trust through real-world demonstrations. With validation from the Western Growers Association, startups gain the credibility needed to build confidence within the agriculture community, helping to bridge the gap between innovation and adoption.
We OPERATE NONPROFIT INCUBATORS TO SUPPORT AND ENABLE STARTUPS ADDRESS MASSIVE RURAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES OF THE RESERVOIR SUPPORT OUR NONPROFIT MISSION AND OPERATIONS
Join us
Are you a startup in need of support, an investor exploring new opportunities, or a community member driven by a passion for innovation? Let’s connect!