At UC Irvine, the ANTrepreneur Center is the campus’s hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, encouraging students to learn, build, and launch ideas that shape the future. To support this mission, the Center constantly expands and innovates by offering new tools and resources to guide students along their entrepreneurial journeys.
This pioneering spirit is the driving force behind the ANTrepreneur Center’s newest upgrade, the Santora Pitch Lab. Made possible through the vision and generosity of longtime UC Irvine supporters Kathleen and Mark Santora, the Santora Pitch Lab will be a transformative space featuring modular studios, immersive displays, professional recording equipment, and AI-powered feedback tools designed to help students move their ideas from inspiration to execution.
A packed audience of over 200 attended the ANTrepreneur Center 2025 Fall Kickoff. Photo credit: William Alvarez, OVPTL Communications
On October 2, 2025, the ANTrepreneur Center hosted its Fall Quarter Kickoff, where the Santoras joined Director Ryan Foland to unveil their plans for the Lab, and held an official groundbreaking ceremony. Speaking to an audience of over 200 students and community members, Mark Santora shared:
“The Santora Pitch Lab is going to be a gathering place and a community that will help students hone their skills and equip them to understand and address the concerns and motivations of their target audience. The Santora Pitch Lab will be a place to help, direct, motivate, and inspire your sales persuasion skills.”
“Our hope is that the Santora Pitch Lab opens doors for students from every background to build confidence, clarity, and community. Years ago we invested in a training center that strengthened bodies. Now we are investing in a space that strengthens minds and messages. The Santora Pitch Lab is about preparing students to perform when it matters, because when students learn to communicate well, they learn to lead,” said Kathleen Santora.
Santora Pitch Lab: Vision and Mission
First proposed in 2024, the Santora Pitch Lab was born from a vision to transform startup growth and professional communication at UC Irvine. It will serve as a launchpad for students, founders, and community mentors, expanding the ANTrepreneur Center’s reach across campus and beyond. Whether it’s a student exploring AI for the first time, a founder practicing their pitch, or a community mentor offering guidance, the Lab will serve as an invaluable resource that empowers the ANTrepreneur community.
The Lab will provide equitable access to all UC Irvine students, with targeted outreach for underrepresented groups. By engaging students early in their academic careers, the Lab will help the next generation of innovators develop their pitching, communication, critical thinking, and AI-driven creativity.
Integrating Cutting-Edge Technology for Maximum Impact
Once completed, the Santora Pitch Lab will provide access to collaboration spaces and a range of technologies, acting as an immersive classroom that will create the perfect environment for pitch practices, hybrid events, idea showcases, brainstorming, guest speakers, investor presentations and community gatherings. It will be a hub where students, mentors, and industry partners collaborate to create breakthrough solutions.
Larry Wilk, Faculty Director of the ANTrepreneur Center, shared his excitement about the new facility, saying:
“I’m thrilled to see this space come to life as a catalyst for cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus. With its interactive content, collaborative environment, and focus on communication skills, the Santora Pitch Lab will serve as a vital connector for UC Irvine’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by driving innovation, creativity, and community building.”
He noted that this vision aligns with the ANTrepreneur Center’s new strategic plan, which aims to position UC Irvine as a top school for entrepreneurship.
ANTrepreneur Center Director Ryan Foland speaks at the ANTrepreneur Center Fall 2025 Kickoff. Photo credit: William Alvarez, OVPTL Communications
Key features of the Lab will include:
- Modular Studios: Presentation and recording areas, a flexible workshop room, a shared event space, and more that will have the ability to operate independently or together for maximum flexibility.
- Immersive Displays: Touch screens and tech-enabled spaces that will simulate presenting to large audiences or potential investors.
- Professional Recording Equipment: Tools and equipment that will allow students to capture and review pitches for refinement.
- AI-Driven Evaluation: Tools like Yoodli.ai and Google AI Studio that will provide AI feedback on presentation skills.
- Showcase Space: Space for discussions and creative events that will highlight technology, AI, culture, and entrepreneurship.
“The Santora Pitch Lab will be the first of its kind, representing the type of novel ingenuity that makes a strong impact on investors and supporters,” says ANTrepreneur Center Director Ryan Foland. “We expect the Lab to draw attention from our existing partners while also attracting a new wave of interested parties who will want to support not only the ANTrepreneur Center but the UC Irvine campus as a whole.”
The Santora Legacy
Kathleen (left) and Mark Santora (right) prepare to cut the ribbon announcing the new Santora Pitch Lab. Photo credit: William Alvarez, OVPTL Communications
Kathleen and Mark Santora’s relationship with UC Irvine is one of enduring commitment and significant contributions. Their involvement has profoundly influenced the university’s landscape and has left a lasting impact on its students, programs, and facilities.
From their support of UCI Athletics to their leadership roles on key university boards, the Santoras believe in the power of education to create opportunity. One of the most notable contributions from the Santoras is the Santora Elite Training Center (SET Center), a state-of-the-art facility that opened in Fall 2013. This 8,500 square-foot weight room has been instrumental in elevating UC Irvine’s athletic programs. By providing advanced resistance training, speed development, conditioning, and flexibility workouts, the SET Center has enabled UC Irvine’s 350 Division I student-athletes to train year-round and become stronger, faster, and better prepared for competition.
The SET Center has also played a critical role in the rehabilitation of injured athletes, offering access to non-impact exercise machines and cardiovascular equipment that ensure a safer and more effective recovery process. This facility has not only enhanced the physical performance of UC Irvine’s athletes but also attracted external organizations such as the Los Angeles Rams, who have utilized the Center during their summer training.
The Santoras’ involvement in UC Irvine extends beyond the SET Center. Their active participation in the UC Irvine Foundation Board of Trustees, the Undergraduate Success Leadership Advisory Board, and the Chancellor’s Club highlights their dedication to student success and institutional growth. Their contributions are driven by a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives and create future leaders.
Looking to the Future
Construction of the Lab is now under way, with a projected completion date in 2026. To generate even more buzz, Kathleen Santora announced that she and her husband will celebrate the grand opening of the Lab by awarding the inaugural Santora Pitch Prize.
“The ANTrepreneur Center is always growing and evolving, and there’s no limit to what we can accomplish when we have the support of incredible people like the Santoras,” says Foland. “Our future is brighter than ever, and we encourage UC Irvine students and community members to join our journey and make the most of everything we do and will have to offer.”
Want to support the ANTrepreneur Center’s vision for the future? Contact Duane Rohrbacher at duane.rohrbacher@uci.edu to learn more about partnership and sponsorship opportunities.
Visit the UC Irvine 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.