Thriving with The Center’s Contractors Accelerator

Erick Castro, owner of Kana Subsurface Engineering (KSE), was born in Mexico and grew up in Orange County. At 19, he joined the Army and served in the Iraq war. He was injured in action and was subsequently medically retired. Eric was awarded the Purple Heart, one of the oldest and most respected military decorations awarded to members of the armed forces who have been wounded or killed in service.

After his military career, Erick went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix. When the opportunity to purchase KSE presented itself, he took it!

KSE is a disabled veteran-owned “one-stop-stop” engineering company that specializes in underground utility installation, potholing, and utility locating. They are one of very few companies in California who cover all three specialties.

Recognizing the growing emphasis on green projects in Southern California, Erick decided to apply for The Center’s Contractors Accelerator for Climate Resilience when he saw it on his LinkedIn feed. “We had noticed more opportunities for installing electric charging and hydrogen stations, which align with our expertise,” said Erick. “We knew we wanted to explore this field, and the accelerator seemed like the perfect fit to help us achieve that goal.”

The accelerator helps diverse-owned construction businesses in Southern California access new revenue opportunities, raise capital, and accelerate growth in renewable energy and green infrastructure. It has equipped Erick with vital insights, including researching agency spending and understanding contract incumbents. These learnings have already proven beneficial, allowing his company to strategize more effectively and increase their chances of securing contracts.

“The free knowledge and resources provided by the accelerator have been invaluable,” said Erick. “We’ve learned how to identify opportunities in state and federal projects more efficiently, saving time and honing our focus.”

Within the first few weeks of the program, Erick, armed with valuable new knowledge, applied for and was awarded an On-Call potholing contract with Caltrans District 8 worth $1.5 million. They have also applied for another On-Call potholing contract valued at $3.6 million and are currently awaiting the outcome of their bid.

Erick is grateful for the support and resources provided by The Center. He plans to add electric and hydrogen charging installations to KSE’s specialties in the near future. For anyone considering applying for the next cohort, Erick’s advice is clear, ” Do it. This program is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to grow their business, navigate the complexities of government contracts and learn from experienced professionals who understand the industry inside out.”

The Contractors Accelerator is made possible with the generous support of First Citizens Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, Pacific Premier Bank, CiT Bank, Ally Bank, and Comerica Bank. We’re also proud to partner with CMG Alliance and GRID Alternatives to deliver this program.

To learn more about the Contractors Accelerator, please click here.