Professional Development Grants
UCSB I+E offers mini-grants to current graduate students and postdocs in need of funding for professionalization activities through the Individualized Professional Skills (IPS) program and the CNSI Propel program. Together, this programming aims to meet the interests of our campus and local community and to include the variety of support and perspectives that enhance diversity of thought, background, and expertise among innovators. Find out how to apply for IPS funding: https://www.gradpost.ucsb.edu/ips-program
Contact: Arica Lubin, Emily Cotter, Sherylle Mills Englander
UCSB Innovation + Entrepreneurship Stories
In addition to opportunities to mentor students, trainees, and faculty in entrepreneurship through seminar and campus engagements, in-person networking, and mentorship exchanges, we have also worked to produce a series of short advice films from our local entrepreneurs, many of whom are UCSB alumni. Through this story project, entrepreneurs share their stories of entrepreneurship and offer advice to current and future entrepreneurs.
Contact: Arica Lubin
Venture Program
Technology Management's New Venture Program engages motivated students at the undergraduate as well as graduate level and across academic disciplines to pursue entrepreneurial education alongside their current studies. Through hands-on instruction and industry mentorship, students learn to create and launch a startup business.
To stay current on information and fall events, join the New Venture Competition project site by first logging into Gauchospace (UCSBNetID required) and searching for the New Venture Program 2023.
G2 Summer Launchpad
The G2 Summer Launchpad is a nine-week program designed to extend the runway for high-potential teams from UC Santa Barbara. The program serves as a valuable transition from the academic environment to the real world, and prepares teams for legal incorporation, raising capital, market launch, and operating and growing a business.
Contact: Dave Adornetto
SEED-MVP
SEED-MVP, a proof of concept program, was launched through the Eco-Entrepreneurship program at the Bren School to fund select, focused, small-scale prototypes and pilot projects designed to gather data on customer demand and insights. The program’s goal is to increase a team’s confidence in launching a venture and to pave an easier road for early stage investment. SEED-MVP is focused on campus entrepreneurs who have completed UCSB’s entrepreneurship programs, and who are taking on the challenge of developing new markets. The program also aims to expand UCSB’s focus on serving underrepresented women and social impact entrepreneurs. To date, grants have been issued to five startups.
Contact: Emily Cotter
Innovators Circle
The Innovators Circle at UCSB is a campus-wide gateway to a community of entrepreneurs and innovators who collectively pool their talent, networks, and capital to support one another, the university, and an ecosystem dedicated to elevating innovation.
Contact: Mehgan Tanner
Startup Support
CNSI maintains contacts with angel and venture capital investors, accounting and law firms and many other startup-related service providers. Contact Sherylle Mills Englander or Tal Margalith
CNSI also publishes a monthly newsletter for startups and budding entrepreneurs, covering events, news, and newly available resources. Signup to receive the newsletter
I+E 101 Video Gallery
The I+E 101 series is designed to educate and encourage students and postdocs to develop their interests in innovation and entrepreneurship at UC Santa Barbara. By providing inspiration from alumni, access to relevant campus resources, and expertise from a variety of distinguished professionals, this series centers around professional development and innovation while offering guidance to aspiring and ambitious entrepreneurs.
