In October of 2025, Riccianne “Chi” Rey joined the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center as new Program Lead. To welcome and introduce Chi, ANTrepreneur Center Director Ryan Foland sat down with her to learn more about her experience as a founder and what she hopes to accomplish at the Center.
More than 300 pitch conversations. Over 50 judges. One Demo Day designed for learning, not verdicts. This article shares the most common themes from judge feedback at the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center’s AI Innovation Course Demo Day to help early-stage founders learn faster and pitch with greater clarity.
In this interview, UC Irvine student entrepreneur Alen Yaco shares the story behind ROID AI, a fitness-focused social network powered by artificial intelligence. From teaching himself how to code and overcoming repeated App Store rejections to building an evidence-based health platform that helps users, trainers, and coaches connect in one place, Alen reflects on persistence, accountability, and the realities of launching a startup as a solo founder while still in college.
Turning an idea into something real requires action, not perfection. Drawing from Y Combinator lessons, this article explores why fast execution, early user feedback, and rapid iteration matter more than planning, and how students can use UC Irvine resources to build momentum and learn what truly works.
The UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center expanded its Maker Room through an in-kind donation of two advanced 3D printers from Stuart McClure. The new equipment increases rapid prototyping capacity, supports hands-on learning, and strengthens product development resources for student innovators.
The UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center exists to support students who are curious about entrepreneurship, innovation, and building ideas into real-world ventures. With the support of campus collaborators and Corporate Circle members, the Center delivers experiential...
Just weeks after opening, UC Irvine’s new Santora Pitch Lab has already delivered its first major win. Senior Tyler Maher took first place at the 2025 Titan Fast Pitch Competition, showcasing how focused pitch training and practice can help student founders stand out and succeed.
The UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center partnered with University Advancement’s Chancellor’s Club to host Innovation & Illumination, a Shark Tank–style showcase connecting donors with student founders. The event highlighted student pitches, the Santora Pitch Lab, and the power of philanthropy in supporting early-stage entrepreneurship at UC Irvine.
The UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center is launching Product Development Office Hours in collaboration with Invento Design to support students building physical products. This new offering gives student founders access to experienced product design guidance, helping them navigate early decisions and move ideas closer to reality.
Early-stage startup ideas rarely come from brainstorming. They come from noticing real problems in your own life. This article breaks down how great founders spot insights, why small ideas can become huge, and how UCI students can use campus resources like the ANTrepreneur Center and the Santora Pitch Lab to begin their startup journey.