We invite the SF State family and extended community at large to join us each year for diverse thought, inspiration, and celebration of Entrepreneurship at SF State. This annual symposium was founded with the mission to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit, develop entrepreneurial skills and strengthen the entrepreneurial network between SF State, our local communities, and industry.
Join us for a full day of discussions, conversations, and networking opportunities with leading entrepreneurs and innovated thinkers from all industries and organizations. In addition, finalists from the 5th Annual Innovation Pitch Competition will present their pitches for over $10,000 in prize money at the Symposium. Come see what the newest entrepreneurial ideas are out of SF State!
This year’s theme will focus on how we can better enable under-privileged individuals and communities to innovate and bring their entrepreneurial dreams to a successful realty. Our aim is to inspire our 2022 attendees to ‘pay it forward,’ and help enable the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship can be a powerful path to social mobility, and financial security and independence. Together, let’s find ways to bring the entrepreneurial dreams of our communities to fruition.
REGISTER NOW!
- When: Friday, May, 6th, 2022
- Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. PST
- Location: Online Livestream from SF State
Eugene Sivadas – Dean, Lam Family College of Business
Sybil Yang – Faculty Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative
How did a Journalism major end up building a video streaming platform, raise millions in seed funding, and exit to a buy out within a couple of years after graduation? Well, it takes long walks in the quad, cool roommates, and a whole lot of passion. Sit in on our conversation with Lan Paje as we explore what enabled him to innovate from his campus dorm room.
In 1967, Amelia Ceja immigrated to the US from Mexico to join her father, a farmworker in the Napa Valley. Through hard work, activism, family and grit, Amelia and her family bought their first plot of vineyard in Carneros in 1980. Today, Ceja Vineyards covers over 115 acres in the Napa and Sonoma Valley, and produces over 7,000 cases of wine a year. As President of Ceja Vineyards, Amelia continues to advocate for farmworker justice; women for leadership positions in the wine industry, and Mexican-American entrepreneurship. Join us in conversation as we discuss what enabled her entrepreneurial path, and how she leaves the door open and encourages the next generation.
Everyone wants to open a restaurant. The essence of hospitality, comfort and familiarity of food and the dream of community draws tens of thousands of entrepreneurs every year. Evan Kidera co-founded Senor Sisig – a concept that has grown from a single food truck to a multi-unit fast casual staple of the Bay Area. Now Evan’s paying it forward as a mentor to Toriano Gordon at Vegan Mob. Join us in conversation, to learn more about what it takes to find, give, and effectively receive entrepreneurial mentorship.
Host – Nara Jeong, Assistant Professor, Management at SF State
Judges Panel:
Each year, we invite aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and enterprises across the SF State student body to pitch their concepts to a panel of industry experts, investors, and rainmakers. Come watch this year’s pitch competition finalists as they vie for seed funding. Audience participation includes a chance to choose a fan favorite concept to receive extra funding.
Host – Lupe Ramos, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Advising, Lam Family College of Business
By day, Lupe helps the students of the Lam Family College of Business pick the right classes and graduate on time. But she is also an expert in artisan tequilas and tequila cocktails! Come join the fun as we learn a little about how to choose it, drink it, and appreciate it. BYOT!
Awards – Nara Jeong, Assistant Professor, Management at SF State
Closing – Sybil Yang
After a judges’ deliberation, the results of the 5th Annual SF State Pitch Competition will be announced. Find out which entrepreneurial concepts will take home a combined $10,000 in seed funding this year!
MUFG Union Bank Foundation’s mission is to make philanthropic investments that expand access to economic opportunity in low- and moderate-income communities specifically in the areas of affordable housing, community economic development, education, human services and the environment.
The Lam Family College of Business welcomes persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. If you would like reasonable accommodations for this event, please contact Sybil Yang at iefp@sfsu.edu as soon as possible so your request may be reviewed.
