Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

🎉 Week 1 of the Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator is complete!

Over the past week, our student entrepreneurs have been hard at work transforming ideas into business concepts. From forming teams and developing elevator pitches to building their Value Proposition Canvas and Lean Canvas, students have taken important first steps in their entrepreneurial journey.

💡 This week, participants:
✅ Developed and presented AI-generated elevator pitch videos
✅ Explored customer needs through the Value Proposition Canvas
✅ Learned about expenses, pricing, and revenue models
✅ Built the foundation of their business using the Lean Canvas
✅ Connected with local business leaders and a featured entrepreneur
✅ Collaborated with teammates during office hours and mentorship sessions

One of the highlights of the week was hearing students confidently present their ideas and watching them refine their concepts through feedback, creativity, and teamwork.

As we wrap up Week 1, we’re excited to see these young innovators continue developing their ventures and preparing for the challenges ahead.

🚀 The future of entrepreneurship is bright!

A big thank you to Eric Hadden and the Fresno State Water, Energy and Technology (WET) Center for spending time with our Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator students this week. Eric shared valuable insights on entrepreneurship, emphasizing that starting a business often requires taking risks, but those risks can be managed through proper planning, preparation, and understanding your market.

We also appreciate entrepreneur Suma Reddy for sharing her story, experience, and pitch with our young entrepreneurs. Opportunities like these give students a chance to learn from people who have turned ideas into reality.

Thank you for investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs and helping inspire what’s possible. 🚀

✨ 2026 Craig School of Business Staff Appreciation Luncheon ✨

Today we gathered to celebrate the incredible faculty and staff who help make the Craig School of Business such a special place. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and commitment to student success. Here’s to another year of growth, collaboration, and achievement!

🚀 Day 1 of the Summer Entrepreneurship Accelerator is officially in the books!

Today, our student founders kicked off their entrepreneurial journey by meeting their teammates, building connections through icebreakers, and forming startup teams. They explored the Accelerator roadmap, learned key entrepreneurial concepts like the Elevator Pitch and Value Proposition Canvas, and got hands-on experience using Artificial Intelligence tools to strengthen their ideas.

The afternoon was filled with team collaboration, mentorship, and office hours as students began refining their concepts and preparing for tomorrow’s challenge.

🔥 Tomorrow, each team will put their new skills into action as they use AI-powered tools to help develop and pitch their ideas.

We’re excited to watch these young innovators turn ideas into impact over the coming weeks!

🚀 Calling All Young Engineers! 🚀
Get ready for a week of hands-on STEM adventures with the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship! Students will build, create, test, and innovate while exploring exciting careers in engineering, design, invention, and problem-solving.

🔧 What campers will do:
• Build hands-on STEM projects
• Explore STEM careers through daily role-play challenges
• Work in teams to solve real-world problems
• Design, test, and improve creative solutions
• Develop teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills
• Make new friends while having fun learning

📅 Camp Sessions:
• Session 1: July 13–17, 2026
• Session 2: July 20–24, 2026
• Session 3: July 27–31, 2026

⏰ Time: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Currently available to Fresno Unified 2nd and 3rd grade students.
✨ Imagine. Create. Build. Innovate.

Register through FUSD Expanded Learning and scan the QR code on the flyer for more information!

Innovation Day 2026 was a success!

As the culminating event of our THINK Program, Innovation Day brings together 3rd–6th grade students from across Fresno Unified School District to tackle exciting, career-based STEM challenges for a chance to win the grand prize.

This year, students were inspired by the incredible Engineering Expo showcases from Edison High School and AIMS, where they experienced firsthand how engaging and fun STEM can be!

Each grade level faced its own unique challenge, and it was amazing to watch students collaborate, think critically, and develop innovative solutions in their own way.

A huge thank you to our students, teachers, volunteers, and partners who helped make this event possible. Another unforgettable Innovation Day is in the books, and we’re already looking forward to making next year even bigger and better!

🚨 CALLING ALL YOUNG ENGINEERS!

Students will learn about various careers and engage in problem-based learning using the Engineering Design Process to build solutions using a variety of materials.

Register 2nd and 3rd grade students with FUSD Expanded Learning using the link below!

https://www.fresnounified.org/departments/ccr/expandedlearning/summercamps

Seats are filling and we need YOU in the room.

Join us for the Pay It Forward Luncheon featuring Gary Watahira as he shares his journey from City Hall to the dojo and what leadership really looks like across two worlds.

If you’ve ever thought about leadership, growth, or leveling up your path… this is your moment.

April 28
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Resnick Student Union

Link in bio! Register today!

A tremendous thank you to the legendary, Grammy-winning musician Larry Gittens for speaking at our March 2026 Pay It Forward Event!

It was a pleasure listening to his story and experiences in the music industry while working with fellow musicians like Kool & the Gang and Stevie Wonder.

In case you missed it, a recording of the event will be uploaded soon to our YouTube channel, . You’ll also find our previous Pay It Forwards in a playlist as well.

We hope to see you at our final PIF of the semester on April 28!

Today’s the day.

Pay It Forward featuring Larry Gittens 🎺
Grammy Award–winning & nominated musician.

Join us for a conversation about creativity, entrepreneurship, and building a career in music.

11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Resnick Student Union

Register now — link in bio.