Ryan Foland, Director of the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, has been recognized as a nominee for the prestigious Rocky™ Founders Choice Award. Known for driving innovation and fostering authentic entrepreneurship, Ryan empowers founders by helping them build fundable ventures. Through impactful programs, mentorship, and sustainable startup initiatives, Ryan has made a significant impact in the startup ecosystem, supporting students and entrepreneurs across Orange County and beyond.
UC Irvine’s ANTrepreneur Center proudly announces Professor Larry Wilk as its new Faculty Director. With extensive experience at The Walt Disney Company and UC Irvine’s Paul Merage School of Business, Professor Wilk aims to foster student entrepreneurship through new initiatives, including the Venture Capital Immersion Program and the “Into the Metaverse” course.
At the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, we celebrate entrepreneurs like Payal Lohia, a UC Irvine alumna, digital innovation expert, and founder of HHQueen. With nearly 20 years of experience driving growth for major companies, Payal shares her entrepreneurial journey, her passion for giving back to the UC Irvine community, and her advice for aspiring student entrepreneurs. From launching her own startup to leading alumni chapters, Payal exemplifies the power of innovation, resilience, and community.
UC Irvine’s ANTrepreneur Center introduced the Side Hustle Challenge in Spring 2024, equipping students with essential skills for building their own businesses. Discover how UCI student Arek Haddadian launched his side hustle, EtherParts, and how the program supports student innovation.
UC Irvine’s Master of Software Engineering program welcomes Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba, a standout basketball player with a passion for technology. Discover how she balances her dual pursuits of athletics and software engineering while setting new goals for her future beyond the court.
UC Irvine’s Side Hustle Challenge empowers students to turn passions into real ventures. In this Side Hustler Stories interview, Ryan Foland, Director of the ANTrepreneur Center, talks with Tanis Sarbatananda, an Informatics student who is building a unique musical content creation brand. From music production to expanding his brand into sports and fitness, Tanis shares his journey and vision for the future.
Ryan Foland, Director of the UCI ANTrepreneur Center interviews engineering graduate Avantika Singh about her AI-driven startup, WellnessU. Learn how she navigated startup challenges and used AI to enhance student wellness.
“Arjun Dabir, UCI student and founder of Zotsites, shares his inspiring entrepreneurial journey from the AI Innovation Challenge to founding a platform that helps students access campus resources. Now, he returns as the keynote speaker for this year’s AI Innovation Challenge Kickoff.”
These adjustments should help with SEO, focusing on key terms such as “AI Innovation Challenge,” “UCI student entrepreneurs,” and “Zotsites,” which are likely to attract search engine traffic related to UCI entrepreneurship and student innovation.
UC Irvine students developed Sentinel, a driver-conscious AI dashcam, through a series of competitions that refined their idea. The team’s persistence led to multiple victories, proving the value of embracing the process of competing and learning. Discover how their journey offers key lessons for student entrepreneurs.
Ryan Foland, the dynamic Director of the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, has been nominated for the prestigious Orange County Business Journal Innovator of the Year Award. Known for his visionary leadership and impactful initiatives, Ryan has played a pivotal role in fostering entrepreneurship and innovation at UC Irvine and throughout the broader Orange County community. This nomination highlights his dedication to building a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem and his influence beyond the university, where he continues to inspire the next generation of innovators.