How Nazarian College Builds Entrepreneurs

At Nazarian College, entrepreneurship is more than classes, case studies or the isolated competition—it is a structured pipeline that helps students progress from early-stage ideas to funded ventures.

Since its launch in 2024, the Center for Social and Technology Entrepreneurship at Nazarian College has grown rapidly, uniting foundational programs and strengthening legacy events, such as the Jeff Marine Bull Ring New Venture Competition and the Fast Pitch Competition.

The center, known as C-STE, is built on initiatives that date back more than 10 years:

• Entrepreneurship Minor and Concentration—Combines academic coursework with mentorship from experienced entrepreneurship and business leaders
• New Venture Competitions, including Bull Ring and Fast Pitch–Provides students with a platform for their ideas, gain exposure to investors and compete for seed funding
• CSUN I-Corps and the Innovation Incubator—Helps student entrepreneurs move ideas from concept to real-world startups

By integrating these programs, C-STE operates more efficiently and nimbly, expanding its capacity to introduce new opportunities and community connections that support students and aspiring entrepreneurs within the Los Angeles area.

Most recently, C-STE hosted the Sunstone CSU Startup Launch Competition, an event that brought together student and recent graduate entrepreneurs from 15 CSUs to compete for $200,000 in seed funding. Teams featuring Nazarian College students captured first place in two of the competition’s five tracks, earning a combined $40,000 in seed funding.

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.

The pipeline extends beyond students. Through Launch Angelenos, delivered in partnership with the Urban Poverty and Business Initiative, the Valley Economic Alliance and CSUN’s Office of Community Engagement, C-STE provides training and resources to entrepreneurs who may lack access to traditional networks and capital.

“Launch Angelenos offers a special opportunity for entrepreneurs who might not have access to resources, training or networks,” says Joanne Scillitoe, executive director of C-STE and Paul Jennings Chair in Entrepreneurship at Nazarian College. “We are building a strong ecosystem for innovation and community empowerment here in Los Angeles.”

C-STE’s impact is also extending its reach globally through its partnership with the University of Notre Dame and UPBI, serving as the official UPBI partner in Los Angeles for initiatives connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We’re proud that our partnership with the University of Notre Dame and UPBI, with funding support from the Coca-Cola Company and collaboration surrounding the 2026 World Cup, enables C-STE to scale Launch Angelenos and bring business training and new opportunities to Los Angeles entrepreneurs,” says Scillitoe.