Entrepreneurship may be the lifeblood of the economy, and the next generation of entrepreneurs are celebrated and supported in style at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics with the annual SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship event.
Since 2020, CSUF and other Southland universities have given students the opportunity to pitch their concepts to an industry panel in exchange for scholarships (Business Titans took second and third place out of nine participating teams), learn about the latest entrepreneurial trends, and network with venture capitalists and organizations.
More than 1,000 attendees turned out on Saturday, March 9, for the event, a new record for participation.
“CSUF and our collaborating universities are dedicated to making a difference in our region by fostering economic growth and addressing societal challenges,” says Travis Lindsay, co-founder of Titan Angels LLC, a venture capital firm connected with the Center for Entrepreneurship.
“The SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship event highlighted the importance of education and community outreach in creating a positive impact. It’s crucial to understand that economic impact involves the contribution to the local economy, while societal impact focuses on addressing social issues and promoting inclusiveness.”
As always, the 2024 event involved numerous sponsors in the Southern California startup community, particularly NorthSTAR and RevHub.
Emblematic of the college’s commitment to AI-focused education and outreach, Dean Stoecker, chairman of the board of directors and founder of accounting automator Alteryx Inc., was the closing speaker, emphasizing the need for today’s startups to leverage data to make informed decisions and stay competitive in the contemporary landscape.
Business double alumnus and supporter of CSUF entrepreneurship education George Wright, dean of the business school at the Irvine campus of Concordia University, was remembered at the SoCal Entrepreneurship event. Wright passed away suddenly just five days before at age 69.
“Honoring our esteemed alumnus George Wright, hearing from big names in the industry such as Dean Stoecker and seeing the next generation of entrepreneurial talent. There are just so many highlights of the 2024 SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship event. It was such a privilege to be part of this,” says Dean Sri Sundaram, who spoke at the event. “We at the College of Business and Economics are a leader in startup education as well as social enterprise development and supporting underrepresented populations. This event really puts all of these foci together.”
From emotional intelligence to knowledge of the legal landscape to an emphasis on doing good while doing well financially, the Center for Entrepreneurship is dedicated to holistic startup development.
“For today’s business students, the message is clear: To thrive in the future entrepreneurial envionment, it’s essential to develop skills in inovation, critical thinking and collaboration,” says Lindsay. “The SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship event serves as a reminder of the endless possibilities that await those who are willing to embrace change and take bold steps forward.”
For more on entrepreneurial education at CSUF, read more of our articles on entrepreneurship.
