Riverside County: A Thriving Hub for Innovation and Growth
April 24, 2025
Over the past decade, Riverside County has emerged as a dynamic center for innovation - attracting visionaries, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the nation and the world. With a strong ecosystem of 9 Innovation Centers, University of California, Riverside (UCR), California Baptist University and other academic institutions, 28 cities and unincorporated areas, it is no doubt that the County is experiencing explosive growth in innovation, elevating the economic profile of the County.
In 2023, Riverside County’s population grew to 2,449,909, making it the 4th most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles, San Diego, and Orange County. In the same year, Riverside County’s labor force grew to 1,157,900. With its growing population and labor force, the County is fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship mindset - fundamental to adapt to a rapidly evolving global economy.
Building a Stronger Innovation Landscape
Riverside County is undergoing a significant economic transformation—shifting from its traditional strength in logistics and distribution to becoming a dynamic hub for high-tech manufacturing and innovation. According to data from the California Employment Development Department (EDD), average employment in the Transportation and Warehousing industry declined between Q1 2022 and Q2 2024. Although employment peaked in Q4 2022 and Q4 2023 within this 10-quarter span, the industry ultimately experienced a net loss of approximately 6,439 jobs—an 8.3% decrease.
In contrast, the County is actively fostering growth in emerging sectors such as clean tech, biotech and healthcare, agtech, and advanced manufacturing. These industries are projected to create high-paying jobs, attract top talent, and drive new economic opportunities - ultimately enhancing the quality of life for Riverside County residents.
Supporting these efforts are key incubators and innovation centers, including Riverside ExCITE, Murrieta Innovation Center, Murrieta Genomics, the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE), Coachella Valley iHub, Palm Desert iHub, the Inland Empire Tech Bridge, and the Pass Biz Hub in Beaumont, which is set to open its doors by summer 2025. These centers play a critical role in fostering entrepreneurship, accelerating startup growth, and advancing innovation across multiple sectors.
Riverside County prides itself on being business-friendly and service-oriented. The Riverside County Office of Economic Development offers a variety of programs and initiatives, including the Business & Veteran Assistance NOW Program and International Business and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) initiatives. These services help companies and startups make critical connections and navigate key steps such as site selection, permitting, planning, and workforce development.
The University of California, Riverside (UCR) plays a vital role in the region’s innovation ecosystem. Through initiatives like the Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center (EPIC), SoCal OASIS™ Build to Scale, and the ExCITE Tech Incubator, UCR provides resources and mentorship to help early-stage ventures succeed.
Riverside County’s regional advantages in Inland Southern California are evident through its strategic location, extensive network of freeways and railways, proximity to major ports and airports, and comparatively affordable housing. This robust infrastructure and competitive positioning are gaining global attention.
A recent example is Ohmio, a New Zealand-based company that relocated its headquarters to the City of Riverside earlier this year. Following a grand opening last month, Ohmio is set to manufacture all-electric autonomous shuttles. Ohmio is the first company in the U.S. to build such vehicles from the ground up.
Another exciting addition to Riverside County is Voltu, a tech and innovation company from Argentina specializing in electric power systems and medium-duty trucks. With a strong commitment to cutting-edge technology and sustainable design, Voltu adds to the County’s growing green technology ecosystem.
Both companies have received strong local support and are eager to expand in Riverside County’s thriving innovation landscape - demonstrating the region’s increasing appeal to global pioneers in clean and advanced technologies.
Rising Innovators in Riverside County
Innovation is flourishing across many sectors in Riverside County. Emerging companies and startups are not only driving technological breakthroughs but also creating skilled jobs and economic opportunities that strengthen the region’s economy.
Skorpios Technologies, Inc., a semiconductor leader, has a unique story of relocating its fab operations from Austin, Texas to a new 450,000 sq. ft. facility in Temecula, located in Southwest Riverside County. Moves like this are driving manufacturing growth and economic expansion in the region. This facility will support customer demand for its key technologies such as the Tru-SiPh™ Heterogeneous Photonic Integrated Circuits, Lidar products, and Co-packaged Optics Products - all very important components for smart cities, autonomous cars, robotics, among others.
Jetcruzer is at the forefront of redefining the future of electric aviation. The company’s plan to increase their workforce and build a manufacturing facility at Riverside County’s French Valley Airport in the unincorporated community of French Valley will provide skilled labor opportunities and bring new technology to the area, driving growth and innovation.
“Jetcruzer is committed to providing the aviation sector with a cleaner and more sustainable future. Leading the way in new technologies with zero emissions is our commitment and sends a strong message to the industry that it can be achieved.” says Simon Roads, Chief Operating Officer of Jetcruzer.
Larger aircraft are also adapting sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to help reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and at a significantly decreased cost to the end user. “We are doing our bit to support the global initiatives to be zero emissions by 2050”, Roads added.
SuperFoam Corp, based out of ExCITE Riverside, took first place at University California Riverside’s annual SoCal OASIS™ Pitch Challenge in 2024, winning the $75,000 grant. This startup leads the way in sustainability with their foam products based on a patented formulation. According to Zef Neemuchwala, CEO of Super Foam, “Foam is widely used to protect against impact, yet injuries persist. Our patented foam technology, with its innovative microcell structure, doubles the impact of absorption capacity, setting a new standard for safety.”
Their goal is to establish a cutting-edge manufacturing company that taps into the local technical talent pool, positioning Riverside County as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Burble, Inc., based out of Murrieta Innovation Center in Southwest Riverside County, revolutionizes storytelling. Burble founder Taylor Cole invented the Minimally Defined Immersion (MDI) technology, created to transform storytelling experience for neuro-divergent kids, particularly those with autism. For over 7 years of prototyping, the Burble Story Tent incorporates AI technology, LED lights mapping, and surround sound, promoting infinite creativity through immersive storytelling.
“Humans have gone down a path of prescribed storytelling through heavily detailed writing styles, movies with CGI, VR headsets, and augmented reality spheres for concerts. Burble will become the MDI Story platform open to the world of storytellers to utilize.” said Taylor. For nearly 3 years, Burble had a large-scale story cube installed at the Bourne Youth Innovation Center and held weekly Autism friendly story camps.
With a growing ecosystem of startups, incubators, and industry leaders, Riverside County is solidifying its position as a premier hub for innovation in the region. As more companies choose to establish and expand here, the County continues to attract top talent, foster technological advancements, and create economic opportunities, making it a key driver of future industries and sustainable growth.
Celebrating Innovation in April and Year-Round in Riverside County
Riverside County continues to be a dynamic hub for growth, attracting innovators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from around the globe. As we celebrate Innovation Month this April, the County’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurial spirit is evident through the achievements and expansions of high-tech highlighted throughout this post.
Innovation Month is not only a time to spotlight Riverside County’s incredible progress but also a reminder of the ongoing support for creative minds, forward-thinking businesses, and transformative industries that will drive Riverside County’s economic future. From the incubation of groundbreaking technologies to the creation of skilled jobs, Riverside County remains dedicated to building an ecosystem that fully supports both established companies and emerging startups.
As we continue to celebrate Innovation Month, Riverside County looks forward to the future with optimism, continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible, elevate local talent, and attract global investment - all year long. Riverside County’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation, and the community’s spirit will undoubtedly keep propelling the region toward even greater success and sustainable growth in the years to come.
(Images from Jetcruzer and Burble)
