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Entrepreneurship at the CSU

As part of its mission, CSU aims to promote an academic environment where creative works, innovation, and entrepreneurship are encouraged and supported.

Many CSU campuses have centers, institutes or spaces for innovation that provide resources such as incubator space, access to angel funding, scholarships, awards, maker spaces, training and platforms to commercialize intellectual assets.

Listed below are links to a number of CSU innovation and entrepreneurship centers at various campuses. Many of them encourage students and faculty to transition their research to early stage companies. The centers provide tools, training, and infrastructure that help grow concepts into financially stable, high growth enterprises. Services and programs include mentorship, peer-to-peer roundtable discussions, advisory board formation, training to pitch ideas, networking opportunities, and access to various entrepreneurial events in the community.

Chico

Chicostart strives to enrich Northern California's entrepreneurial ecosystem and provide startups with the resources they need to support budding entrepreneurs in a variety of innovative spaces.

Learn About Chicostart

Dominguez Hills

The Innovation Incubator at CSU Dominguez Hills offers programs for startups, existing businesses, and the community with a focus on social entrepreneurship.

Learn About the Innovation Incubator at CSUDH

Fresno

The Water and Energy Technology Incubator is a collaborative venture between the university, industry and public agencies providing modern technology and an educational learning lab for businesses specializing in water, irrigation, and clean energy.

Learn About the Water and Energy Technology Incubator

Fullerton

The Center for Entrepreneurship serves as an outreach center and support organization of entrepreneurial initiatives by enlisting entrepreneurial volunteers to support learning in the classroom and in the field.

Learn About the Center for Entrepreneurship

Humboldt

The College of Natural Resources and Sciences Core Research Facility (CNRS) is a resource providing training and experimental research experience as well as insight and advice to help individuals achieve their research project goals.

Learn About (CNRS)

Long Beach

The John and Helen Apostle Incubator supports entrepreneurs from both the campus and Long Beach community in their creation of innovative businesses enriching the local economy.  

Learn About the Apostle Incubator

Los Angeles

The Cal State LA BioSpace promotes a thriving bioscience ecosystem in the heart of Los Angeles by supporting startup ventures with resources and knowledge spurring regional economic development.

Learn About Cal State LA BioSpace

Monterey Bay

The iiED focuses the resources of CSU Monterey Bay, other regional educational institutions, successful entrepreneurs, and other regional resources to build and support the Monterey Bay entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Learn About (iiED)

Northridge

The CSUN Innovation Incubator offers students comprehensive and tangible feedback on their mature ventures, including mentorship from professionals with a real-world understanding of the start-up experience.

Learn About the CSUN Innovation Incubator

Pomona
Innovation Orchard

The Innovation Orchard serves as a creative outlet by providing an open-space environment where individuals and startup companies can ideate, create, and collaborate.

Learn About the Innovation Orchard

Pomona
Student Innovation Idea Lab

The iLab facilitates student, staff, and faculty endeavors by creating a space that invites collaboration and mentorship while building community encouraging imagination and creation.

Learn About iLAB

Sacramento

The Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship provides approachable and accessible entrepreneurial education, community, and support to enable startup founders of all backgrounds to explore and launch their businesses.

Learn About the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

San Bernardino

The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (ieCE) at CSUSB provides entrepreneurs and small business owners with innovative programs and educational resources needed to support their entrepreneurial journeys.

Learn About (ieCE)

San Diego
Lavin Entrepreneurship Center

The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center at San Diego State University serves students, entrepreneurs and business leaders through its entrepreneurial curriculum, workshops, internships, resources, and events. 

Learn About the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center

San Diego
ZIP Launchpad

The Zahn Innovation Platform Launchpad is an on-campus incubator that supports students, staff and researchers from all majors and departments in launching startup companies.

Learn About ZIP Launchpad

San Francisco

The Institute for Innovation offers resources such as an incubator space, access to angel funding, scholarships, and a platform to commercialize faculty and student intellectual assets through patents and other means.

Learn About the Institute for Innovation

San José

The Office of Innovation nurtures a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship by growing industry collaboration, creating meaningful impact from SJSU innovation, and increasing the number and quality of SJSU-affiliated startup companies.

Learn About the Office of Innovation

San Luis Obispo

The Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship helps students acquire the tools and develop the skills needed to create economic and social value throughout the world. 

Learn About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

San Marcos

As the nexus for innovation in the community, the Innovation Hub is a physical space where students can come together with faculty and industry to solve complex social problems.

Learn About the Innovation Hub