The UCI ANTrepreneur Center is proud to announce that its Director, Ryan Foland, has been nominated for the inaugural Rocky™ Founders Choice Award, presented by the Tech Coast Venture Network (TCVN). This award celebrates individuals who have made a significant impact by helping founders become fundable and by building thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems.
“It’s time we give Founders a voice in recognizing the people who are making an impact within our community,” said Tony Crisp, Interim President of TCVN.
Voting is open until December 6, 2024! Cast your vote for Ryan by visiting the TCVN voting page.
Supporting College Entrepreneurs at UCI
At the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, Ryan focuses on helping college students transform ideas into actionable businesses. Through initiatives like the AI Innovation Challenge, the $ide Hustle Challenge, and the collaboration with Y Combinator to develop a startup course, Ryan continues to connect students to essential resources, mentorship, and funding opportunities.
The ANTrepreneur Center offers one-on-one consulting, free legal help, and access to state-of-the-art tools such as 3D printers, software certifications, and other cutting-edge resources.
Ryan also launched the Self-Starter Micro-Internship Program at the ANTrepreneur Center, providing students with opportunities to gain real-world experience while earning money. The program now boasts over 3,000 students on the platform, with more than 100 students completing paid micro-internships, totaling over $80,000 in earnings. These short-term, project-based opportunities not only help students develop essential skills but also connect them with industry professionals, bridging the gap between education and career readiness. This initiative reflects Ryan’s commitment to empowering students with practical experience to complement their academic learning.
Under Ryan’s leadership, students have gained the skills and confidence to pitch to investors and launch successful startups and side hustles.
Reaching Younger Generations
In addition to supporting college students, Ryan extends his efforts to younger generations. He co-organized the Gifted And Talented Institute (GATI) Summer Program, which brings hundreds of high school seniors from around the world to UCI to develop business ideas. Ryan also volunteers with University Lab Partners’ MIRE Program, which introduces students to entrepreneurship through real-world challenges in collaboration with CHOC.
Additionally, this year he partnered with Harbor View Elementary School in Newport, to organize a Shark Tank-style event for middle school students.
Bridging Local and National Communities
Ryan is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs both locally and beyond. In Orange County (OC), he co-organizes Irvine Tech Week, serves on the executive board of Southern California Celebrates Entrepreneurship, and runs OC Tech, one of OC’s largest meetup groups,
Ryan’s efforts also extend beyond UCI and Orange County. He is a startup advisor at Expert Dojo, one of Los Angeles’ largest accelerators, helping founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journeys. On a national level, Ryan has spoken at conferences like VentureWell 24 and the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) to share best practices in supporting founders and building startup ecosystems.
These efforts highlight Ryan’s ability to connect diverse communities and expand opportunities for collaboration.
Recognized Leadership
Ryan’s nomination for the Rocky™ Founders Choice Award™ highlights his ability to empower first-time founders by helping them communicate more effectively, embrace authenticity, and focus on what truly matters in building their businesses. His efforts have helped countless entrepreneurs become more fundable and confident in their ventures.
This nomination adds to a series of recognitions for Ryan’s contributions. Earlier this year, he was nominated for the Orange County Business Journal Innovator of the Year award, and he received a Sustainability Award from the United Nations Association of Orange County for his work promoting sustainable startups.
Ryan’s leadership exemplifies a deep commitment to creating opportunities for founders and fostering innovation within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Author, Advisor, and Storyteller
Ryan is also the author of the acclaimed book Ditch the Act, which guides entrepreneurs in building authentic, relatable personal brands. His upcoming book series, Getting Your SHIP Together, will debut with ShowmanSHIP, a creative guide to public speaking inspired by Ryan’s love for sailing. When he’s not working with founders, Ryan can often be found on the water, sailing or working on his boats.
Cast your vote for Ryan Foland by December 6, 2024, and celebrate his contributions to the entrepreneurial community!
Visit the TCVN voting page to vote today.
