Welcome Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers

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Turn Specialization into Commercialization

You've dedicated so much time and effort to your academic pursuits, and now you can learn how to bring your research to the market. Many Institute programs are specifically helpful for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who are looking to go beyond the lab and library to develop innovative thinking, leadership skills, and business knowledge.
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Build Community and Skills

Explore the Leaders for the Future and the Business Development Fellowships

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Leaders for the Future Fellowship

The Leaders for the Future Fellowship is open to UC Davis Master’s and Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers in all disciplines who are interested in developing leadership, innovation and business skills while engaging in an experiential project or applied experience outside academia. Develop practical skills that enable you to stand out as a job candidate, communicate with impact and collaborate effectively on teams. Build your network and celebrate your successes as a member of a supportive interdisciplinary cohort.

Learn more

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Business Development Fellowship

Open to UC Davis Master's, Ph.D., and postdoc students in all majors and disciplines, the Business Development Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to learn alongside MBA students while developing business knowledge and exploring entrepreneurship opportunities. Through the fellowship, students will explore the commercial potential of their research, develop skills needed for a career in industry, and make lasting connections.

Learn more

Get Competitive

Enter a business idea into the Ideas, Little Bang! and the Big Bang! competitions to gain constructive feedback and a chance to win awesome prizes

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Change starts with an idea

The Ideas Competition is an opportunity to test your initial ideas for products, services, or businesses that you believe will make a positive impact. An entry-level competition open to all UC Davis students, winners will receive a $250 gift card—a great way to start your entrepreneurial journey, or prepare for the Little Bang! Pitch+Poster Competition!
Learn more about the Ideas Competition
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A little pitch can go a long way

The Little Bang! Pitch+Poster Competition challenges you to think about the business model of your idea and communicate during a night of pitching. Open to to all currently enrolled students at the high school, community college, undergraduate, or graduate level. Test your idea, gain entrepreneurial skills, and compete for your chance to win $1,000!
Learn more about Little Bang!
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Want to win big prizes?

The Big Bang! Business Competition is a multi-round competition, culminating in a lively awards ceremony where over $100,000 in prizes are awarded to winning ventures. Perform customer calls, develop comprehensive pitch decks, and develop your venture through constructive feedback from mentors and judges.
Learn more about the Big Bang!
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Develop Your Entrepreneurial Skills

Designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs, Big Bang Workshops are held on Zoom with topics covering venture law, pitching, basic finance structures, and more.
View all workshop topics here

It is not required to compete in each competition consecutively. You may enter in any of the competitions with the same or different ideas (as long as the individual competition rules and requirements are met). However, the deliverables, structure, and feedback received through each competition is designed to effectively guide you through the steps of turning your idea into a viable venture and is therefore highly recommended to enter the same venture through Ideas, Little Bang! and Big Bang! Competitions. 

UC Entrepreneurship Academy

Gain the knowledge and networks to identify, develop, and validate the market potential of your research or idea

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UC Entrepreneurship Academy Foundations

A half-day session introducing the key concepts covered in the comprehensive, annual UC Entrepreneurship Academy.

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National Labs Entrepreneurship Academy

An intensive commercialization program for researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Lab and Sandia National Labs

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Speakers & Events

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Kickoff with a Bang!

Kickoff the Little Bang! and Big Bang! Competitions with a night of celebration and connections. Meet with mentors, past participants, and institute staff and enjoy light refreshments.

Learn More
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Think. Do. Discover. Speaker Series

The Think. Do. Discover. Speaker Series brings notable innovators and changemakers to campus to share their stories and engage with students.

Meet Previous Speakers
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Big Bang! Awards

Celebrate the hard work of all the Big Bang! Teams and find out who is taking home a $12,500 sector prize and the $25,000 first prize!

RSVP for the Awards on May 19

Want to get in touch? 

Have a couple pressing questions? Reach out to a member of the Institute team or come by our office!

Contact Us