Events
Thursday, May 8th | 12:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Hosted at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, East Bay
In partnership with the Hayward Chamber of Commerce and East Bay SBDC
Join us for a full day of inspiration, innovation, and impact at one of the Bay Area’s most dynamic entrepreneurship events! Whether you're a student with a bold idea, an entrepreneur ready to pitch, or a professional eager to connect with tomorrow’s changemakers — this is the event for you.
Opening Plenary: Technology & Leadership
Kick off the festival with a high-energy keynote on how innovation and leadership are evolving in today's tech-driven world.
Fireside Chats: Future Trends in Key Industries
Gain insider insights from industry leaders as they discuss the future of
- Retail: Where commerce meets experience
- Food: Innovations reshaping how we eat
- Manufacturing: From automation to sustainability
Start-It UP! Success Story
I can confidently say that the Smith Center's Start-It-Up! Series and pitch competition changed my life. Half a year prior to this Series, with the help of a team, I designed a card game that expands emotional intelligence, soft skills, and improves the quality of in-person communication. Playtesters loved it and there was a need for it in this world, but I didn't establish any plans to bring it to market because there was nothing giving me that direction and push. Then came the Start-It-Up! competition.
The Start-It-Up! Series gave me the opportunity to turn a passion project of mine into a career upon graduation. Participating in the workshops and winning second place in the competition fueled my ambition to dedicate my all to this product. I received fantastic mentorship from the Smith Center directors, Christian Roessler and Izzet Darendeli, and advisor Tim Wat. They genuinely cared about the success of our startup idea and provided constructive, practical feedback.
The workshops guide you in developing a business around your idea through an accelerated process which is challenging yet rewarding. We accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. The opportunity to conquer a challenge like this simply isn't possible in a typical classroom setting. The pitch competition was the highlight of my student experiene.
Sophia (Romanov) Weissman, CEO of Jest
Past Finalists
Start-It-UP! offers students at Cal State East Bay a place to collaborate, innovate and support each other's aspirations; whether that is creating their own start-up or working with a team to realize theirs.
