We are all capable of being an entrepreneur, in some form or another, if we apply the right tools and empower the creator inside us.

—Sana Karimi | B.A., Sociology and Psychology | Director of School Partnerships, Center for Mindfulness and Human Potential

We can change the world with time and effort, regardless of the challenges that need to be overcome.

—Reece Guyon | B.S., Chemical Engineering | Associate Optical Field Engineer, LightRiver Companies

Growth Mindset >>> Solutions

Innovation and entrepreneurship is about much more than launching companies. It represents a mindset that:

• Seeks solutions where others see obstacles.
• Builds uncommon collaborations where others work alone.
• Compels action when others are frozen by uncertainty.

Get Inspired: Join us and ...

• Discover how you can harness the power of innovation to solve big problems
• Understand the core concepts of innovation: creativity, commitment, entrepreneurship
• Grow the initial skills to identify a problem that is worth solving
• Begin to develop your entrepreneurial mindset

You do not have to have an entrepreneurial idea or project that you are currently working on. 

Innovate Together

The academy includes lectures, talks by guest entrepreneurs and industry experts, and individual and small-group activities. Come prepared to engage and grow through discussions, teamwork, and the energy and experience of meeting fellow Aggie Innovators from across campus.

Innovation can stem from the motivation to fix a problem that no one else has thought to fix.

Allisa Tran | B.S., Biotechnology | Associate Product Manager, Illumina

• ACADEMY PROGRAM

• DAY 1 | Saturday

  Time	Session
  10 a.m.	Introduction and Welcome
  10:15 a.m.	On Innovation: Creativity, Commitment and Entrepreneurship
  11:15 a.m.	Innovation Exercise #1
  12:15 p.m.	Lunch (provided)
  12:45 p.m.	Uncertainties and Identifying, Defining and Solving Problems
  12:45 p.m.	Wrap up and Assignment

  DAY 2 | Saturday

  Time	Session
  10 a.m.	Reconvene and Opening Discussion
  10:15 a.m.	Innovation Exercise #2
  11 a.m.	Recognizing and Validating Technology, Market and Business Uncertainties
  11:45 a.m.	Building an Entrepreneurial (Network) Mindset
  12:30 p.m.	Lunch (provided)
  1 p.m.	Making A Pitch: The Who, What and Why
  1:45 p.m.	Wrap up and Path Forward
  2: p.m.	Optional Office Hours/Informal Discussions

Apply now

Moving Forward

The academy will introduce you to the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape at UC Davis and beyond. You'll learn about coursework and extracurricular activities such as the Big Bang! Business Competition, Little Bang! Poster Competitions, EQUIP, PLASMA and more can help you take your entrepreneurial experience to the next level.

I discovered the importance of staying open to learning new things and being receptive to new opportunities that come my way.
—Shail Trivedi | Mechanical Engineering Major

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.

Questions

Contact Karen Harding-Davis | UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Note: Support for the Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Academy is provided by Blackstone LaunchPad Powered by Techstars.

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