UCI ANTrepreneur Center x SCORE Orange County Collaboration
Unlock Personalized Guidance to Build Your Business
Meeting with experienced SCORE mentors provides real-world business advice, helping you shape your ideas into a viable plan. With a team of over 100 mentors from various industries, you’ll have access to seasoned professionals who understand the challenges of starting and growing a business.
Why Should You Stop By?
Startups fail for many reasons, but the most common reason is not finding a market need—58% of startups face this challenge. Meeting with a SCORE mentor can help you refine your product and ensure you’re solving the right problem from the start. Don’t go at it alone—get expert feedback to avoid common pitfalls.
Build Connections That Last
SCORE mentors don’t just give advice—they open doors. With walk-in office hours every Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, you can meet industry veterans who will connect you to valuable networks and tools. Whether you’re just starting or scaling, their guidance is invaluable for your success.
What is SCORE Orange County?
SCORE Orange County is a chapter of the national SCORE organization, dedicated to helping small business owners and entrepreneurs. With over 100 experienced mentors across various industries, SCORE provides free and confidential business advice to those looking to start, grow, or manage their businesses. From one-on-one mentorship to a wealth of online resources, SCORE has a track record of empowering entrepreneurs to succeed.

Walk-In Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Starting this quarter, students can meet with SCORE mentors in-person during weekly walk-in office hours at the UCI ANTrepreneur Center. Every Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, you’ll have the chance to get personalized advice on your business ideas. No appointment necessary—just walk in and speak with mentors who have decades of experience in industries like tech, real estate, finance, and more.

Meet the SCORE Mentors

BART MORAN
About Me: As an experienced entrepreneur, I support aspiring and established business owners in numerous ways which include business financing, work-life balance, business plan development, market strategies, government contracts, sales tactics, and partnership considerations.
Areas of Expertise: Entrepreneurship, assembling the right team, hiring practices, sales channels (direct sales, distribution, rep), business operations, partnerships, key employee retention, building a winning company culture, customer service, and selling a business.
Fluency: English

JACK JOHNSON
About Me: I can help you in the following ways: assess and provide feedback on your financials; Buy or sell a business; bid, win, and negotiate Federal contracts; Operate a customer service business; feedback on your business plan
Areas of Expertise: Accounting & Finance, Business Plan, Government Regulations
Fluency: English

DZIYANA AYDIN
About Me: I help organizations meet goals through expert proposal development and strategic support. I provide operational guidance, process improvement, and innovative solutions with a focus on best practices and results-driven teamwork.
Areas of Expertise: Budgeting, Business Plan, Business Structure, Contracts, Customer Service, Government Contracting, Human Resources, Management & Operations, Social Media, Strategy Development, Technology, Websites, Work/Life Balance
Fluency: English

TOM WRIGHT
About Me: I can help turn your high-tech ideas into profitable products with 40 years of experience in semiconductor, computer, medical, communications, aviation, and industrial sectors. My expertise spans sales, technical support, and AI technology, working with clients from startups to multinational tech companies.
Areas of Expertise: Accounting & Finance, Budgeting, Communications Tech, Contracts, Hardware & Equipment, Management & Operations, Marketing Strategy, Product Development, Sales, Software & Applications, Technology
Fluency: English

RAMAN RAJAN
About Me: I counsel businesses on getting better at using tech to solve issues and improve performance. With many years of experience utilizing software tools to improve operations, sales, marketing, and other enabling functions, I can help you with better decisions on what is right for you and how best to make it work for you. I have consulted with businesses on data analytics, RPA and AI for many years and am able to provide practical guidance on what is feasible and best for your needs – for you to address problems, drive growth and stay ahead of competition.
Areas of Expertise: Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, Financial Literacy, Marketing Strategy, Sales, Software & Applications, Strategy Development, Technology, Websites
Fluency: Bengali, English, Hindi

VEER BERI
About Me: I can help clients in the areas of International Export/Import Expansion, Sales Marketing, Business Start-ups, Business Plans and Business Turnaround.
Areas of Expertise: Business Plan, Customer Service, Import & Export, Marketing, Strategy Development
Fluency: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu

ERICK GONZALEZ
About Me: I’m excited to support entrepreneurs in realizing their dreams. With 21 years in financial services, I specialize in product development, go-to-market strategy, sales management, B2B, account management, digital marketing, customer retention, budgeting, risk management, and global team management. My expertise also covers project management, compliance, pricing strategy, and software tools.
Areas of Expertise: Financial Services – Product Development & Planning; Sales Management, Business Development; B2B; Project Management; International Expansion & Management; Team Management & Resource Optimization; Budgeting; Credit Management & Operations
Fluency: English, Portuguese, Spanish

SIVA GOGULAPATI
About Me: I can help clients with business plans, information technology (IT) solutions, information systems tools and software development, product development, workflow management, team building, project management, Human Resources (HR) and recruiting.
Areas of Expertise: Business Plan, Customer Service, Product Development, Software & Applications, Strategy Development, Technology
Fluency: English

JOE CURIEL (Virtual Meetings)
About Me: With over a decade spent in business lending and credit counseling, I specialize in assessing loan applications and guiding clients through credit improvement and financial planning. My experience as a banker and certified counselor allows me to help clients strengthen their business plans and improve their chances of loan approval. I also support businesses in creating financial strategies for sustainable growth.
Areas of Expertise: Accounting & Tax Services, Professional Services
Fluency: English, Spanish

DAVID WILD
About Me: I can help optimize your sales pitch and marketing strategy. With 30+ years at Hasbro, I launched major product lines like Marvel, Nerf, and Star Wars across all distribution channels. I’ve worked with top marketing partners like Disney and developed successful products for retailers like Costco and Amazon. Currently, I mentor CSUF entrepreneurship students on business consulting projects.
Areas of Expertise: Advertising, Branding, Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, Import & Export, Management & Operations, Marketing, Marketing Strategy, PR/Media, Product Development, Sale, Social Media, Strategy Development
Fluency: English

STEVE MACHUA
About Me: I have over 35 years of experience in the tech industry up to the senior executive level, from scaling a startup company and taking it public, to leading worldwide operations for a multi-billion dollar enterprise. I enjoy applying my knowledge on new challenges and have a passion to help entrepreneurs make their vision a reality.
Areas of Expertise: Strategy Development, Business Planning, Product Development, Supply Chain & Operations, P&L/Cash Flow, Technology Hardware, Team & Organization Building, Customer Service, Continuous Improvement.
Fluency: English

Why You Should Attend
- Get Real-World Advice: These mentors have started, scaled, and exited successful businesses. Now they’re here to help you do the same.
- Direct Access to Expertise: Get one-on-one feedback on your business challenges and ideas without needing an appointment.
- Flexible Support: Whether you’re just starting with an idea or are already working on your business, our mentors can help you refine, pivot, and grow.

Ready to Take Your Idea to the Next Level?
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with seasoned entrepreneurs and industry leaders. Join us for walk-in office hours every Tuesday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, and let’s start building your business!
Boost Your Business with Expert Training
Explore SCORE’s library of free, online webinars and courses to gain the skills needed to grow your small business. From marketing strategies to business planning, SCORE offers live and recorded sessions led by industry experts. Learn at your own pace, with courses tailored to every stage of your business journey.
Latest News From the ANTrepreneur Center
Side Hustler Stories: Interview with Daniyal Rauf of OC Tutors
UC Irvine’s ANTrepreneur Center hosted the Side Hustle Challenge to empower students to turn passions into ventures. In this installment of Side Hustler Stories, Ryan Foland interviews Daniyal Rauf, a Biomedical Engineering student, about his STEM-focused tutoring business, OC Tutors, and his journey as a student entrepreneur.
Announcing the Choi Family Endowed ANTrepreneur Center Scholarship: Empowering the Next Generation of Innovators
UC Irvine proudly introduces the Choi Family Endowed ANTrepreneur Center Scholarship, thanks to alumni Carol and Eugene Choi. This initiative offers $3,000 awards to students demonstrating entrepreneurial spirit, particularly in family businesses. Carol Choi states, “We hope to reduce financial burdens and foster entrepreneurial talents
SJF Repair Center Launches at UCI ANTrepreneur Center: Fostering Sustainable Innovation
The SJF Repair Center, launched in collaboration with the UCI ANTrepreneur Center and Sustainable and Just Future at UCI, provides students with tools and resources to repair and upcycle clothing. This initiative fosters sustainability, promotes a circular economy, and equips students with valuable skills through workshops and hands-on learning opportunities.