4 students doing marshmallow challenge

UC Entrepreneurship Academy

September 14-17, 2021 | Applications open in early August

The UC Entrepreneurship Academy helps students, postdocs and faculty in all academic disciplines and fields gain the knowledge and networks needed to identify, develop and validate the commercial potential of your research or idea.

Prepare to Make a Difference

The UC Entrepreneurship Academy offers:

  • An opportunity to explore and communicate the market opportunities of your research and ideas.
  • Hands-on workshops to guide you through the steps necessary to address the technical, business and market validation of your idea.
  • Lectures, discussions and interactive activities led by UC Davis faculty and leading investors, industry executives and entrepreneurs.
  • Mentoring sessions to focus your approach and hone your pitch.
  • Develop a network of professionals who can help mentor and connect you as you move forward with your career or new venture.

UC Entrepreneurship Academy Ipek Bahceci sitting on a chair in a dark room with sunlight
İpek T. Bahçeci | Ph.D. Candidate | Political Science

Entrepreneurship is a mindset, or a transferrable skill, that can improve all existing practices, including our own lives. I learned that facing and reducing uncertainties efficiently and effectively at each step is key to ongoing development.

Innovate Together

The four-day academy will take place in-person at the UC Davis Alumni Center, with lectures, talks by guest entrepreneurs and industry experts, and individual and small-group activities. Participants should come prepared to engage and grow through discussions, teamwork, and the energy and experience of meeting fellow Aggie Innovators from across campus.

Meet Your Instructor

Joe DiNunzio is the executive director of the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and an assistant adjunct professor at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management. He is a senior executive with three decades of creative, technical and business leadership creating new ventures and building successful organizations.

The academy also features sessions with guest entrepreneurs and other business leaders and industry experts.

UC Entrepreneurship Academy Amir Bolandparvaz in the lab wearing ppe using a pipette in a fumehood
Amir Bolandparvaz | Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering 20 | MBA 20

Implementing an idea is just the beginning of building a successful company. Establishing connections, building teams and persistently pushing forward are instrumental in growing a company. 

  • APPLY TO THE ACADEMY
  • The academy is open to UC Davis upper-division undergrads, graduate students (master's and doctoral), postdocs and faculty in all fields. There is no charge for UC Davis participants to attend the academy. We may accept non-UC Davis participants by invitation only.

    Applications for the September 2021 academy will open in early August.

    Questions? Please contact Senior program Manager Niki Peterson

  • THE PROGRAM
  • DAY 1
    Time Session Location/Speaker
    8:00 a.m. Coffee, Tea + Refreshments Buehler Alumni Center
    UC Davis
    8:30 a.m. Introduction and Course Overview Professor Andrew Hargadon
    Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    9:00 a.m. Innovation Exercise Joe DiNunzio, Executive Director
    Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
    9:45 a.m. Break  
    10:00 a.m. On Innovation Andrew Hargadon
    11:00 a.m. Making the Leap and Prep for Tomorrow Joe DiNunzio
    12:00 p.m. Lunch

    Buehler Alumni Center
    Outdoor Patio

    1:00 p.m. Intellectual Property Vicky Lee
    DLA Piper
    2:00 p.m. Innovation Exercise Joe DiNunzio
    3:00 p.m. Break  
    3:15 p.m. Defining the Problem Joe DiNunzio
    4:00 p.m. Elevator Pitches Joe DiNunzio
    DAY 2
    Time Session Location/Speaker
    8:00 a.m. Coffee, Tea + Refreshments Buehler Alumni Center
    UC Davis
    8:30 a.m. Elevator Pitch Exercise Joe DiNunzio
    9:15 a.m. Market Validation: From Lab to Market Joe DiNunzio
    10:15 a.m. Break  
    10:30 a.m. Business Validation Joe DiNunzio
    11:30 a.m. Lunch Buehler Alumni Center 
    Outdoor Patio
    12:30 p.m. Technology Validation Joe DiNunzio
    1:30 p.m. Venture Canvas Exercise Joe DiNunzio
    2:30 p.m. Individual Work Time On Your Own
    3:45 p.m. Mentoring Session Virtual, Zoom
    DAY 3
    Time Session Location/Speaker
    8:00 a.m. Coffee, Tea + Refreshments Buehler Alumni Center
    UC Davis
    8:30 a.m. Innovation Exercise Joe DiNunzio
    9:15 a.m. Network Growth Mindset Joe DiNunzio
    10:15 a.m. Break  
    10:30 a.m. The Team, Milestones and Resources Andrew Hargadon
    11:30 a.m. Lunch Buehler Alumni Center 
    Outdoor Patio
    12:30 p.m. Path Forward Panel TBD
    1:45 p.m. Develop Your Pitch – Compete to Present On Your Own
    6:00 p.m. Deadline to Submit Your Pitch Canvas Learning Site
    DAY 4
    Time Session Location/Speaker
    8:00 a.m. Coffee, Tea + Refreshments 1213 Gallagher Hall
    UC Davis
    8:30 a.m. Plenary Pitch Session 1213 Gallagher Hall
    UC Davis
    10:30 a.m. Next Steps + Graduation Joe DiNunzio
    11:30 a.m. Networking Lunch Gallagher Hall Foyer

    Note: To obtain maximum benefit from the academy, we encourage participants to attend all sessions.

  • MOVING FORWARD
  • The academy will introduce you to the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape at UC Davis and beyond. You'll gain the tools to take your entrepreneurial experience to the next level.

    Big Bang! Business Competition
    Little Bang! Poster Competitions

    Visit the Davis Entrepreneurship Network website for a complete list of related events, resources and other opportunities at UC Davis.

  • CALL FOR MENTORS
  • An integral part of the academy experience is the opportunity for participants to engage with industry professionals. If you are interested in serving as a mentor for participants at this academy—and/or at one of our other entrepreneurship academies—please click here >