Recognizing that entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of the U.S. and global economies, Cal State Fullerton will host the inaugural Orange County Celebrates Entrepreneurs event on Saturday, Feb. 29, from 1 – 5 p.m. in the Titan Student Union.

Featuring entrepreneurs across many industries, investors, senior business professionals, Cal State Fullerton faculty and staff, and business students, the event will feature three panel discussions looking at various aspects and sectors of contemporary entrepreneurship.

Paul Wasserman ’87 (economics), co-founder of the world’s largest online rebating website, Ebates.com, and UCI Provost Gillian Hayes will provide keynote addresses.

The goal of the event is to help make Orange County a globally recognized leader in innovation and entrepreneurship and to create greater opportunity for people in Orange County and Southern California who want to be involved in creating new businesses.

Attendees will hear from such panelists and moderators as Mike Daniel, director of Lead SBDC; John Bradley Jackson, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship; and Ed Hart, director of the Center for Family Business. Entrepreneurs presenting will include Victor Macias ’09 and Kristoffer Quiaoit of Nui Foods, Bryan Ruef ’20 of 10-8 Systems, Janet Steiner of Thoro Packaging, Don DiCostanzo ’79 of Pedego Electric Bikes, and Michael Sawitz of FastStart.studio.

A collaboration between Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Entrepreneurship, Concordia University and UC Irvine, with sponsorships by Union Bank and Royal Business Bank, the event is free, with free parking available throughout campus.

Register online through Eventbrite.

For more information, reach out to the Center for Entrepreneurship at [email protected] or 657-278-3464.