This saying resonates with planners and low-risk takers and had always seemed to serve me well.

I started my UC Davis online MBA just as the pandemic hit and the world reeled. Risk was everywhere. By the end of my first academic quarter, life and planning were at a standstill, except for Zoom. I was worried about the future and even considered leaving the program. The fear of not knowing what might lie beyond the jumping off point had me doubting myself.

Meet an inspiring changemaker for a better world. UC Davis alumnus Benjamin Wang, founder of NeVap, is featured in UC Davis Magazine for his efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wang won the 2014 Big Bang! Business Competition for his innovation of a breathing tube that minimizes the potential for infection. Read the article >

Payam Zamani arrived in the U.S. as a 16-year-old refugee with just $75 in his pocket. Years later he founded One Planet Group and was ranked one of the country’s top CEOs in 2020.

The competition drew students and alumni from across UC Davis, as well as from colleges and universities throughout California. Together, the Big Bang! and Little Bang!

2020 Big Bang! award winner PHIXED Systems advanced as a top 8 finalist in Blackstone Launchpad's annual pitch competition, StartUp Grind, a convening of leaders in technology and big brands at the forefront of innovation. for the chance to win $50,000 in prizes. PHIXED Systems is an advanced analytics platform technology for bio-manufacturing. Read the blog >

Christy Serrato, founder of Pair Anything, discusses how her platform can engage wine consumers with a digital experience, becoming even more relevant during COVID-19. Pair Anything won $10K in our 2019 Big Bang!. Read the article >

Origin Materials is going public in $925 million SPAC merger with Artius Acquisition Inc. John Bissell, founder/co-CEO of Origin Materials, participated in the 2008 UC Davis Big Bang! with technology for producing recyclable and sustainable materials.  

Our senior program manager, Niki Peterson, was featured on the All Things Napa radio show on KVON-AM - 1440 AM 96.9 FM. Peterson talks about our institute approach to innovation and entrepreneurship—and opportunities to get involved, including the UC Davis Big Bang! and the Think. Do. Discover speaker series. Listen to the show >

Christy Serrato, founder and CEO of Pair Anything, was featured on the All Things Napa radio show on KVON-AM - 1440 AM 96.9 FM. Pair Anything won $10K in the 2019 UC Davis Big Bang! for its platform to help wineries connect with customers beyond the tasting room by guiding them on wine and food pairings. Listen to the show >