Nazarian College Teams Win Two Tracks at Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition
Two former Bull Ring winners from Nazarian College captured first place in two of the five competition tracks at the Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition on May 8 at the University Student Union.
Hosted by the Center for Social and Technology Entrepreneurship, the event brought together student and recent graduate entrepreneurs from 15 CSU campuses to compete for $200,000 in seed funding. The competition featured two phases, beginning with a trade show-style expo where 30 teams presented their ventures to more than 30 judges. First-place winners from each track advanced to the final round to compete for the grand prize.
CSUN President Erika Beck welcomed competitors, judges and guests attending both in person and online from across the CSU system. The event drew an audience of about 600 participants, including more than 425 viewers who tuned in virtually.
Nazarian College Teams Earn First-Place Honors
Nazarian College teams won two of the competition’s five tracks with each one earning $20,000 in seed funding.
Listabid captured first place in the AI and Digital Technology track for its bidding-intelligence real estate platform that helps online sellers optimize pricing and listing strategies using machine learning. ChronoFlow earned first place in the Service-Based Businesses track with its automated scheduling and workforce-management system.
Following the final round, ELORA from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, was named the competition’s grand prize winner and received $40,000.
Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders Judge Final Round
Each first-place team delivered a timed pitch followed by a question-and-answer session with a panel of judges that included Paul Jennings, a Nazarian College alumnus and founding partner and CEO of Public Communications Services Inc.; Mike Stone, chief investment officer and partner at Sunstone Management Inc.; and Vivian Shimoyama, CEO of Long Beach Accelerator.
College Leaders Highlight Entrepreneurship Success
Chandra Subramaniam, dean of Nazarian College, says hosting the Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition highlighted the college’s growing leadership in entrepreneurship and commitment to providing students with hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
“The competition showcased the remarkable talent and innovation of student entrepreneurs from Nazarian College and across the CSU system,” says Subramaniam.
Joanne Scillitoe, executive director of C-STE and professor of management at Nazarian College, says the college’s dual victories reflect the strength of its expanding entrepreneurship program.
“These awards reflect the investment in mentorship, hands-on learning and entrepreneurial support that our faculty and staff have dedicated to students over the past several years,” says Scillitoe. “Seeing our students succeed in a competition that brings together the best entrepreneurs across the CSU system is a proud moment for our college.”
The Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition was founded through the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at California State University, Long Beach, and is funded by a grant from the Sunstone Community Fund.
California State University, Fresno, will host the next competition May 6-7, 2027.