Bitwise Industries

Bitwise is expanding to Toledo, Ohio! Fun fact: Our Co-Founder and CEO Irma Olguin Jr. studied at the University of Toledo! She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Bitwise is grateful for the support we’ve received from community members, Mayor Kapszukiewicz, and the great folks at ProMedica. We are excited to join this amazing community and can’t wait to build incredible things together!

In case you missed it! Check out highlights from our virtual event Transforming the Tech Workforce in America.

As we celebrate Women's History Month, we're highlighting the power of women who are not traditionally recognized. We see you minority women, LGBTQ+ women, and many more groups of women who have not always been given the acknowledgement they deserve. We honor you and every woman, every day.

What exactly is Bitwise? If you’ve ever wondered, we got you covered! Bitwise Industries creates a bridge between humans from marginalized communities and stories of systemic poverty to skills and resources necessary to access opportunities in the tech industry. We also provide paid apprenticeships to students to learn tech skills and connect them to tech opportunities, and build vibrant buildings in underestimated cities to house their work.... Check out our brand new website to learn more! bitwiseindustries.com

LAST CALL! This is your last chance to get tickets to Grab A Drink: St. Patrick’s Day Edition! The Padre Hotel and Quail State are hosting our virtual mixology class on March 19 to show us how to whip up St. Patrick's themed cocktails! Tickets are only $35 and come with a cocktail kit so you can follow along with our hosts. Grab your tickets today! gabstpaddy.eventbrite.com

Bitwise Industries is expanding to Toledo, Ohio! As a company dedicated to building bridges to connect underestimated humans to tech skills, we are excited to work with the great community of Toledo to build incredible things together. We are grateful for the support from community members, Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, and the great folks at ProMedica. Watch highlights from Transforming the Tech Workforce in America to learn more!

Throughout 2020, Bitwise has consulted with experts at the County, State, and Federal levels in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. To prioritize the safety of our team and the communities we know and love, Bitwise Industries will continue to operate on a work-from-home basis through June 30, 2021. This means our facilities will not be open to in-person, public events during this time. We realize our decision not only affects our team, but the greater community that utilizes B...itwise locations for classes, meetups, events, and more. We look forward to being a place for folks to gather, learn, and interact with each other -- when it is safe to do so. We extend our gratitude to those helping us all make it through these challenging times, and we will continue to be an eager partner in supporting the businesses and individuals most affected by this pandemic. For more information, please contact [email protected]

#2020BWReflection It started with a simple message: ‘If you or someone you know is immunocompromised or unable to shop for groceries, we’ll pick up and deliver groceries to you at no cost.’ As companies across the Central Valley and country were closing their doors and bracing for impact, our CEOs were looking for ways to help others. The evolution of that simple message was unknown at the time. Seven months later, we can trace an incredible journey that touches thousands of... people in multiple cities. It’s the story of choosing to take care of each other. Take Care, Bitwise’s original grocery relief effort in partnership with Neighborhood Industries and Central California Food Bank, launched back in March. Since then, Take Care has provided over 1 MILLION MEALS to individuals and families in the Central Valley. Take care was a true team effort. From team members to nonprofits and community volunteers, everyone stepped up to take care of others. Read more about the entire journey here! stories.bitwiseindustries.com #BitwiseStories

#2020BWReflection Irma Olguin Jr., our Co-Founder and CEO, was virtually everywhere this year! She had more speaking engagements than ever and made major headlines. From being featured in Forbes to speaking at P&G's Signal 2020 Conference, Irma’s message of advocating for diversity and inclusion in tech and beyond reached folks near and far. Most recently, Irma was accepted into SOCAP - Social Capital Markets' Game-Changing Founders of Color cohort! The cohort highlights 20 i...nnovative leaders in eight categories, including Art, Culture, and Creative, Education, and Social Impact and Technology, that are driving positive change during this unprecedented time. Tap here to learn more about the amazing individuals in the cohort! socapglobal.com//game-changing-founders-of-color-annual-l/ : Gabriela Hasbun / Forbes

2020 has truly challenged us all. Through life-changing pivots and tons of uncertainty, the past twelve months have affected each of us in a multitude of ways. 2020 also connected us more than ever before. So, as the year comes to a close, we’re spending time looking back on those moments in our #2020BWReflection. Kicking off this reflection is something we miss so much in-person events! In February, our Feel the Fresno Love Art Hop highlighted local artists that celebra...te our city through art. There were amazing live shows featuring the sounds of Hope Garcia and Love and Theft. And, we can’t forget about the epic Geek Night, co-hosted by Ecoü and Shake Energy Collaborative, that showcased how easy it is to live sustainably. They even brought a Tesla into the building! All of this feels like a lifetime ago, and we can’t wait to get back to in-person events once it’s safe to do so. Tell us about your favorite Bitwise event in the comments below!

Have you heard the news? NO PLACE LIKE HOME is back and happening this SATURDAY, November 14th! The Fall 2020 Edition is a space to create meaningful experiences, while supporting local artists and businesses. Hang out at home as the festival experience is brought to you with live-streamed entertainment, speakers, and so much more. Check out the event page for all the details! No Place Like Home Fall 2020 Edition #NPLH2020

"How do you adapt to a world that has suddenly turned upside down, where your day-to-day routines have been thrown out the window, and time feels as though it’s both simultaneously flying by and stumbling to a stop?" Our latest Bitwise Story, "A Team in Quarantine" follows four different individuals in the Bitwise community, exploring their experiences throughout this unprecedented year. From overcoming unexpected challenges to celebrating every little victory along the way, their stories showcase the collective experience of our team during 2020. Click here to read it! stories.bitwiseindustries.com #BitwiseStories

#BitwiseStories | The news story aired that evening and resulted in hundreds of requests. We were being contacted by healthcare and essential workers, diabetics, asthmatics, cancer patients, and so many more. That's when I knew we were on to something. - Derek Payton, Executive Director of Root Access Hackerspace Read more about Root Access’ Face Masks for Everyone initiative in the new Bitwise Story, Behind the Mask, now! stories.bitwiseindustries.com

California is strongest when we come together in support of our friends and neighbors. The state’s first-ever Social Innovation Report provides a snapshot of 2 years of service - by Californians for Californians - and includes a glance at Onward CA's efforts to connect displaced workers to job opportunities during the pandemic. Check out the full report here! bit.ly/SocialInnovationReport2020

With all the heightened emotions of this season, tune into something feel-good like Bitwise Stories. From the experiences of our individual team members, to projects we’ve worked on with community members, we love sharing about the good that happens in our world. We hope #BitwiseStories, a collection of written stories that showcase the heart of Bitwise, brings light and encouragement to you in these uncertain times. Catch up on the THREE new stories at stories.bitwiseindustries.com!

No one belongs HERE more than you. Enough said.

Today’s the day, pals. Your VOICE matters. Your VOTE matters. Now more than ever, #VOTESOHARD! If you’re voting at the polls: Mask up and practice social distancing. Stay in line and cast your vote! If the polls close while you’re waiting in line, you legally cannot be turned away.... Call the Election Protection Hotline for assistance at 1-866-OUR-VOTE See more

It started with a simple message: ‘If you or someone you know is immunocompromised or unable to shop for groceries, we’ll pick up and deliver groceries to you at no cost.’ As companies across the Central Valley and country were closing their doors and bracing for impact, our CEOs were looking for ways to help others. The evolution of that simple message was unknown at the time. Seven months later, we can trace an incredible journey that touches thousands of people in multipl...e cities. It’s the story of choosing to take care of each other. Take Care, Bitwise’s original grocery relief effort, has provided meals to thousands of people across the Central Valley. With help from incredible community partners and a $50,000 grant from ReFED's COVID-19 Food Waste Solutions Fund, Take Care has provided approximately 1 MILLION MEALS to individuals and families since March. Want to hear the full story of how Take Care started? Check out the latest Bitwise story, Taking Care of Others is a Beautiful Thing, live on stories.bitwiseindustries.com! #BitwiseStories

A little #TBT to last year’s EPIC Halloween costumes. Which one's your fav? And, what are you dressing up as this year? We want to know below!

Have you voted yet? There are only 6 DAYS until the most important election of our time. VOTE early, drop off your ballot at an Official Ballot Drop Box, and rock a #VoteSoHard shirt to show your voter pride! Get your shirt at shop.bitwiseindustries.com!... All proceeds from the sale of Bitwise merchandise will be donated to a local nonprofit.

‘LET’S GO!’ is a pump-up phrase you’ll often hear around Bitwise - a way to infuse energy, celebrate hard work, and an encouragement to keep grinding. It’s also a phrase most commonly used by a single person on the Bitwise team, a hype man for anyone and everyone. Chances are if you run into him, he’ll offer up his trademark fist bump and a welcoming smile. It’s almost impossible to not feel capable of just about anything after an interaction with Arturo Ceballos. The latest Bitwise story, Coming Full Circle, details Arturo’s journey from a member of the very first Geekwise Academy Cohort to now leading his own. Check out the entire story here! stories.bitwiseindustries.com #BitwiseStories

Bitwise is thrilled to announce our Co-Founder and CEO Irma Olguin Jr. is speaking tomorrow at Inc. Magazine's 5000 Vision Conference! The #Inc5000 virtual conference features incredible entrepreneurs and innovators, including Daymond John, Alli Webb, Chip Conley, and more, sharing knowledge and advice to survive these unprecedented times and gain insights into the future. See the full list of speakers here! on.inc.com/8X9GhyH

Join our pals at the Central California Blood Center as they host the City of Fresno Blood Drive at Fresno City Hall on October 27th from 8 am - 2 pm. Now more than ever, our community needs to keep each other safe and healthy. Blood donations are a safe and essential way of doing so. The Central California Blood Center is adhering to all US Center for Disease Control measures to ensure the safety and adequacy of the Central Valley’s blood. They are following the latest CDC precautions, such as wearing masks, social distancing, taking temperatures, and sanitizing donor chairs and equipment, to give staff and donors peace of mind to feel safe while donating.

Folks like to say when the going gets tough, the tough get going. These are the creative problem solvers, the innovators, everyday people who find ways to keep going in the midst of difficult circumstances. And right here in our community, we’re watching the story of a tough community get going during the COVID-19 pandemic, using what they have to provide a simple and significant resource to thousands of people. Since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Root Access Hackerspace has provided thousands of pieces of personal protective equipment to our community. Check out the latest Bitwise story, Behind the Mask, to read about the incredible impact Root Access has had on our community. stories.bitwiseindustries.com #BitwiseStories

The countdown is ON! There are 13 DAYS until the election! VOTE early, drop off your ballot at an Official Ballot Drop Box, and #VoteSoHard!