Insights & Updates

DigiFest® Temecula Returns for Its 10th Year — April 24–26 at JDS Studio

The Inland Empire’s flagship celebration of digital media and creative innovation is back, and this year marks a milestone: a full decade of DigiFest® Temecula. From April 24 through 26, 2026, JDS Studio in Temecula will host three days of screenings, keynotes, live performances, and curated experiences featuring local Temecula Valley wine, spirits, and cuisine.

Produced by JDS Creative Academy — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing education, inclusion, and workforce development through the arts — DigiFest has grown from a regional film festival into a multidisciplinary gathering that draws content creators, entrepreneurs, and entertainment industry professionals from around the world. The festival spans film, video, music, animation, design, and digital media, with a through-line of celebrating storytelling in all its forms.

This year’s lineup is a strong one. Featured speakers and guests include voice acting legend Wendee Lee (Cowboy Bebop, Akira, Sailor Moon), actor Colin Egglesfield (Melrose Place, Something Borrowed), Broadway’s Justin Guarini (Wicked, American Idol Season 1), Glee’s Sam Larsen, rapper and entrepreneur Curtis Young, Emmy-winning writer Rob Kutner (The Daily Show), and marketing strategist Kim Walsh Phillips.

Why it matters for our community: DigiFest is exactly the kind of homegrown institution that makes Inland Southern California’s creative economy worth investing in. For founders, creatives, and ecosystem builders in our network, it’s three days of high-caliber programming, real networking, and a reminder that world-class talent is happening right here in Temecula.

Murrieta Innovation Center Re-Opens as a Hub for Regional Growth

Grand Re-Opening: April 22, 2026

The City of Murrieta is doubling down on innovation with the grand re-opening of the Murrieta Innovation Center on April 22, 2026—a renewed commitment to supporting entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses across Southwest Riverside County.

Originally established to foster local economic development, the Innovation Center is evolving into a more dynamic, resource-rich environment for founders at all stages. With updated programming, expanded partnerships, and a focus on practical business support, the Center aims to provide mentorship, education, and access to the networks that help companies grow and scale.

What makes this reopening particularly meaningful is its role within the broader regional ecosystem. Murrieta sits at a strategic intersection of talent, affordability, and accessibility—making it an ideal location for early-stage companies looking to build outside of traditional coastal hubs while still staying connected to the larger Southern California market.

The refreshed Innovation Center signals a continued shift toward distributed innovation—where multiple cities across the Inland Empire are actively investing in their own entrepreneurial infrastructure, creating more entry points for founders and more opportunities for collaboration.

Riverside County Steps Forward with Innovation Month and Ecosystem Growth

Riverside County continues to build momentum as a growing hub for innovation, bringing together entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and public leaders through initiatives like RivCo Innovation. Anchored by the County’s Office of Economic Development and a broad coalition of partners – including UC Riverside and regional colleges – this effort highlights the depth and diversity of innovation happening across the Inland Empire.

At the center is Innovation Month, an annual, countywide series of events designed to connect founders with resources, networks, and capital. From regional pitch competitions to workshops and ecosystem gatherings, the initiative creates a pathway from early-stage ideas to real-world commercialization.

What stands out is the intentional coordination across cities, institutions, and industry. Riverside County is not just hosting events – it is actively building an integrated innovation ecosystem, spanning sectors like clean energy, healthcare, and advanced technology.

For founders and partners across Southern California, this is a signal worth paying attention to. As local ecosystems become more connected and visible, opportunities for collaboration, funding, and regional growth continue to expand.

SoCal Startups Take the Stage in Silicon Valley

On April 22, 2026, the momentum building in Southwest Riverside County will extend well beyond the region as the Murrieta Innovation Center partners with Angel Launch to showcase its top life science startups at the Silicon Valley HealthTech Summit.

This event brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders around some of the most important trends in healthcare and biotech—from precision medicine and genomics to AI-driven diagnostics and medical devices. Startups from the Murrieta Innovation Center will present directly to angel investors, venture capital firms, and corporate partners, creating a critical bridge between Inland Empire innovation and Silicon Valley capital.

More than just a pitch event, the summit highlights a broader shift: regional ecosystems are no longer isolated. High-potential companies are emerging from places like Murrieta and gaining visibility on national stages, accelerating both funding opportunities and strategic partnerships.