A Transformative Collaboration
In 2023, the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center initiated a collaboration with SCORE Orange County, beginning with a four-week pilot program to explore student interest in mentorship opportunities. This collaboration, designed to bring experienced SCORE mentors to campus, aimed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world entrepreneurial challenges.
The pilot’s success led to a formalized program in Fall and Winter 2024, during which 111 mentorship sessions were conducted. The program’s growth underscores its value, providing students with practical guidance, access to resources, and the inspiration to pursue their business ideas with confidence.
“It’s been inspiring to see how this program has expanded,” said Thomas Markel, a SCORE mentor. “The collaboration with UC Irvine has not only brought SCORE’s expertise to students but has also created a lasting impact on their entrepreneurial journeys.”
What Is SCORE?
SCORE is a national organization dedicated to supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs through free, confidential mentoring and educational resources. With a network of over 10,000 volunteer mentors across the U.S., SCORE has been a trusted resource for entrepreneurs for nearly six decades.
SCORE Orange County, a local chapter of this national organization, brings together experienced business professionals with expertise spanning finance, technology, marketing, operations, and more. This collaboration with the ANTrepreneur Center is unique, extending SCORE’s mission into the university ecosystem and providing students with early access to mentorship and professional guidance.
“SCORE’s mentorship model is built on providing actionable, tailored advice,” said Ryan Foland, Director of the ANTrepreneur Center. “What makes this collaboration special is that it introduces students—who are just starting their entrepreneurial journeys—to these invaluable resources, meeting them where they are.”
Impact by the Numbers
The Fall and Winter 2024 mentorship programs demonstrated the power of tailored guidance:
- Total Sessions: 111 one-on-one mentorship meetings.
- Participants: Undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni.
- Average Session Length: 30 minutes.
- Mentor Participation: 10 seasoned SCORE mentors, including:
Bart Moran, Tom Markel, Siva Gogulapati, Jack Johnson, Raman Rajan, Dziyana Aydin, Veer Beri, David Wild, Erick Gonzalez, and Tom Wright.
These sessions addressed a wide variety of topics, from financial strategies and app development to business model refinement and marketing approaches. Students left sessions with actionable advice, greater confidence, and new resources to explore, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Student and Mentor Experiences
For students, the SCORE mentorship program was an eye-opening experience:
- Personalized Guidance: Students received tailored feedback on business ideas and challenges.
- Access to Resources: Mentors connected students with tools like the SBA and other off-campus resources.
- Inspiration Through Storytelling: Mentors shared personal experiences, inspiring students to persevere and think strategically.
“SCORE mentorship is a resource unlike any other,” shared one student participant. “Hearing real-world stories and receiving guidance from experts gave me clarity on my business idea and the confidence to move forward.”
For mentors, the collaboration was equally enriching. Mentors gained insights into emerging technologies and trends while exposing them to the vibrant energy of UC Irvine’s entrepreneurial community.
Mentor Bart Moran shared his thoughts: “It’s incredibly inspiring to meet and talk with such talented and passionate students. Their creativity and drive are a reminder of why mentorship is so important.”
Continuing Office Hours in Winter Quarter
The SCORE mentorship program continued into Winter Quarter 2025 with walk-in office hours available on Tuesdays during weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 from 1:00–4:00 PM at the ANTrepreneur Center. Students, graduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff were all encouraged to take advantage of this invaluable resource.
Mentor hours will also continue in Spring 2025. We encourage students, staff, and community members to stop by and take advantage of this unique, walk-in resource—no appointment needed.
Expanding the Impact: The SCORE Student Ambassador
Building on the program’s success, the ANTrepreneur Center is proud to announce that it has hired Diego Dollero, a Business Economics major with a Minor in Accounting, as the first-ever SCORE Student Ambassador for Winter and Spring 2025. Diego’s involvement in the program began when he saw firsthand how impactful a simple mentorship session could be.
“When I first got involved with the SCORE mentorship program, I didn’t realize just how much impact a single conversation could have,” Diego shared. “I’ve seen students walk into office hours feeling lost, overwhelmed with their ideas, or unsure of their next steps. Then, after just 20 minutes with a mentor, they walk out with clarity, direction, and a new sense of confidence. That’s when I knew this program was special.”
As the SCORE Student Ambassador, Diego’s role is all about making these connections happen. “I’ve helped spread the word about office hours, made sure students felt comfortable approaching mentors, and kept things running smoothly behind the scenes,” Diego explained. “Whether it was reaching out to clubs, coordinating schedules, or gathering feedback, every task had the same goal: making mentorship as accessible and impactful as possible.”
A Vision for the Future
The collaboration between the ANTrepreneur Center and SCORE Orange County has laid the foundation for a thriving mentorship ecosystem. With the addition of Diego as the SCORE Student Ambassador, the program is poised to continue growing, increasing awareness of SCORE’s invaluable resources while empowering UC Irvine’s entrepreneurial community. We also plan to invite other mentors and alumni not affiliated with SCORE to facilitate more connections between mentors and UC Irvine entrepreneurs.
“This program is more than just mentorship,” Foland concluded. “It’s about building bridges—between students and mentors, campus and community, and the present and future of entrepreneurship.”
Learn more about the mentor office hours on our dedicated website page.
Visit the ANTrepreneur Center website to learn more about programming, speaker series, Micro-Internships, funding, and more. You can also learn more about the Center’s collaborations with Blackstone LaunchPad, Tech Coast Angels, Tech Coast Venture Network, OC Startup Council, and SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship. Keep up with the Center’s latest news by following them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And sign up for our monthly newsletter here.