Valerie Rivas is an award-winning business strategist, speaker, and advocate for small business growth. With over 20 years in finance and consulting—and more than 15 years serving entrepreneurs and business owners—she founded EVIA to help clients access capital, embrace innovation, and expand through strategic digital marketing.

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EVIA—Empower, Vision, Innovate, Amplify—embodies Valerie’s mission to bridge ambition and action. Through funding solutions, AI-powered technology, and tailored marketing strategies, she equips business owners with the tools to grow with purpose.

Her impact has been recognized at the local and state levels, with honors including:

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• 2024 State of California – Amplifying Latino Voices

• 2023 VSEDC Community Impact Award

• 2023 Bank of America Community Impact Award

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Valerie is also a recognized voice in the media, having shared her expertise on radio stations, television, and most recently being featured in Digital Journal for her entrepreneurial journey. She is a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, capital access, and innovation, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards, dedicating her time to advancing equity and entrepreneurship across communities.

For Valerie, EVIA is more than a business—it’s a movement to help others fund their dreams, innovate fearlessly, and grow with purpose.