Spring Into Entrepreneurship: Join UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center’s $ide Hustle Challenge!
Turn Your Passion into Profit at UC Irvine!
According to a Bankrate survey, it’s estimated that nearly 39% of U.S. adults have a side hustle. Prospects reports that 30% of students are working a side hustle alongside their academic commitments. Gen Z Insights reports that over 1 in 3 students have a side hustle.
Whether it’s selling nutritional supplements, or making and selling hair oil, students at UC Irvine are finding creative ways to earn extra income. This spring, the ANTrepreneur Center is giving you the platform, resources, and mentorship to start your side hustle. Even if you’ve already started, participating in the $ide Hustle Challenge can help take your hustle to the next level!
What is the $ide Hustle Challenge?
Launched in Spring 2024, the $ide Hustle Challenge was created to support students who have small businesses, run creative gigs, or want to develop entrepreneurial side projects. Unlike traditional startup competitions, this Challenge is designed for students who may not see themselves as entrepreneurs but are actively pursuing ways to generate income—like through giving piano lessons, selling 3D printed products, tutoring, building AI platforms, producing music, or monetizing their social media presence.
The ANTrepreneur Center recognizes that not every student wants to launch a full-scale startup, but many are already engaging in business activities that demonstrate creativity, problem-solving, and hustle. This Challenge provides mentorship, resources, and a platform to help students grow their side hustle into a sustainable business.
Last year’s event was a huge success, with numerous students participating and showcasing a variety of businesses ranging from handmade crafts to digital marketing services. This year, we’re bringing back the Challenge with even more opportunities to learn, network, and make money doing what you love!
How It Works
Participating in the Side Hustle Challenge is simple:
- Sign up using the interest form: Interest Form
- Attend the Kick-Off Event: RSVP on CampusGroups
- Join a series of workshops and mentorship sessions to help refine and scale your hustle.
- Check in with mentors and fellow participants throughout the Challenge.
- Showcase and sell your product or service at the $ide Hustle Marketplace at the end of the Challenge!
Why Should You Join?
Whether you want to launch a new side gig or improve your existing side hustle, this Challenge will equip you with the skills and confidence to succeed. Here’s why you should participate:
✅ Hands-on Learning: Gain practical experience in business, marketing, and sales.
✅ Networking Opportunities: Connect with successful entrepreneurs, mentors, and fellow students.
✅ Skill Development: Learn how to identify a profitable niche, create a marketing strategy, and manage finances.
✅ Resume Booster: Stand out to future employers by showcasing your initiative and entrepreneurial mindset.
✅ Make Money! The Challenge isn’t just about learning—it’s about turning a profit while in college!
“College is a great time to start something—be it a startup, a capstone or research project, or the almighty side hustle. You can read things in a book or watch things on video, but it’s when you actually take action and start something that the real learning happens. This type of experiential learning is what we’re all about at the Center—giving students an opportunity to start something and supporting them to see where it goes.” — Ryan Foland, Director, ANTrepreneur Center
Event Schedule
📍 Kick-Off Event
- 🗓 Date: April 4, 2025
- ⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- 📍 Location: ANTrepreneur Center
- 🎟 What to Expect: Meet mentors, connect with fellow participants, and get inspired!
📍 Workshops & Check-ins
📍 Final $ide Hustle Marketplace
- 🗓 Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
- 📍 Location: ANTrepreneur Center
- 🎟 What to Expect: A live event where participants showcase and sell their products and services! We invite the UC Irvine community and off campus community to come meet the students, and hopefully buy products and services.
Student Success Stories: Real Hustles, Real Results
Last year’s Side Hustle Challenge had a lasting impact on participants, helping them gain confidence, build their brands, and even turn their passion into a steady income. Here’s what some of them had to say:
“I learned so much valuable information, got access to important resources, and most importantly, it gave me the motivation to keep working on my side hustle throughout the quarter.”– Previous Participant
“The $ide Hustle Challenge was a fun and low-stakes way to test out my business idea. I got to meet other student entrepreneurs, learn from mentors, and even make some money!” – Previous Participant
“Selling at the Final Marketplace was an incredible experience. I not only made sales but also gained valuable feedback from real customers. I’m excited to keep growing my brand.” – Previous Participant
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
“The Spring Side Hustle Challenge has become a cornerstone of what we do at the Center—taking what students are passionate about and giving them the training, tools, mentorship, and resources to turn that into functioning businesses. We’re not judging students by their ideas; we’re helping them believe that they can do anything they set their minds to. If last year is any indication of what’s to come, we’re going to see incredible creativity, innovation, and real-world problem-solving.” — Stefani Rios, Program Coordinator, ANTrepreneur Center
Don’t wait—this is your chance to turn your creativity into cash!
Whether you have an idea or just a passion, this is the perfect opportunity to make money, gain experience, and connect with a community of student hustlers.
🔗 Sign up today: Interest Form
🌐 Learn more.
Spring into entrepreneurship this quarter—your side hustle starts NOW! 🚀
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.