UCLA Ventures

Yesterday was a powerhouse of ideas, insights, and networking at Exit Hours and our Founders Mixer at UCLA! 🎉

At Exit Hours, we dove deep into Gumshoe Ventures founder Joshua Lee's experiences in corporate, VC and as a 9x founder, equipping entrepreneurs with insight into navigating their own startup journey. The event also featured a pitch by Damoros, an all-in-one watch trading platform. Special thanks to Gumshoe Ventures for partnering with us to create such an empowering space.

Later, our Founders Mixer brought together an energetic crowd of startup enthusiasts, sparking conversations that we know will turn into future collaborations (or maybe even the next big venture!) Thank you Baker Hostetler, UCLA Anderson Easton Center and Venture Accelerator for sponsoring the event! Huge kudos to UCLA Anderson, CNSI and UCLA TDG for hosting as well.

For founders looking to continue their growth, here are key UCLA resources to explore:
✨ Venture Accelerator @ Anderson — A transformative cohort-based program for early-stage startups and their founders
🔬 CNSI— A hub where interdisciplinary research translates into market-ready solutions
🚀 I-Corps at UCLA — Program created by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2011 to facilitate the transition of academic research to market.
💼 UCLA Ventures— Supports UCLA-affiliated startups, faculty, students, staff and alumni via a variety of programs that serve innovators at all stages of development

Big thank you to everyone who joined us! Let’s keep building, supporting, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. If you missed this one, stay tuned—more to come soon! 🚀✨

🌟 Curious about how Bruin Founders can help you launch and scale your startup? Or are you burning to guide the next generation of founders?

🐻 Join our Executive Director, Brija Johnson, in an info session on March 11 to learn about Bruin Founders - UCLA's year-long executive mentorship program!

💌 Applications for startups are open till March 31, and applications for mentors are accepted on a rolling basis.

🔗 Register for the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gTM3XxQe. We hope to see you there!

Join Us for the Next Exit Hours Event: Where Founders Meet, Learn, and Grow!

🚀 Exciting news— we are partnering with Gumshoe Ventures to host an event for UCLA’s founders, investors and community builders! Whether you’re navigating a new idea, or the legislative process of starting your own business, this is the space to learn from those who’ve been there before.

🌟 Past sessions have featured deep dives into fundraising strategies, growth challenges, and exit planning—giving founders a roadmap to scale smartly. If you're building, investing, or just curious about startup life, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with a community that truly supports entrepreneurs at every stage.

📅 When: February 26, 2025, Wednesday, 10am-1pm PST
📍 Where: UCLA
🎟 RSVP: https://lu.ma/csf8n3ni Spaces are limited!

Pack your umbrellas and join us at Day
This Thursday 2/13 with 100% chance of . Don't miss Keynote Speaker Glen MacDonald Distinguished Professor and climate expert. Details https://bit.ly/3PReTny UCLA Sustainability UCLA Anderson School of Management

🚀 Calling Experienced Founders & Investors! 🚀

Bruin Founders, UCLA’s year-long executive mentorship program for Bruin entrepreneurs, is seeking Mentors-in-Residence to guide UCLA entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their ventures.

Your role:
✨ Provide one-on-one mentorship on fundraising, scaling & strategy
✨ Lead workshops & seminars on key startup topics
✨ Leverage your network to connect founders with investors & industry experts
✨ Collaborate with UCLA Ventures & a thriving startup community

Why join?
✅ Impact the next generation of founders
✅ Expand your network within UCLA’s startup ecosystem
✅ Flexible, part-time role with a stipend

If you're a seasoned entrepreneur or investor passionate about mentorship, apply now to shape the future of UCLA innovation! You do not have to be UCLA-affiliated to apply. 🔗 https://forms.gle/Pbr48rFfiGajR9bL8

🚀 Calling all UCLA founders! 🚀

Bruin Founders is UCLA’s premier year-long executive mentorship program designed to help startups—stealth to Series B—scale with dedicated mentorship, workspace, and a thriving alumni network.

💡 What you get:
✅ One-on-one advising from a Mentor-in-Residence
✅ Access to a collaborative workspace with top founders
✅ Exclusive networking & community-building opportunities

📌 Who should apply?
- UCLA alumni, faculty, staff, or students
- Teams with at least one dedicated full-time member
- Startups that have completed a UCLA incubator or accelerator program

🔗 Ready to take your venture to the next level? Apply now and join a community of founders shaping the future! https://forms.gle/GNd9kQdyVYhJ6DQv9

🚀

📣 Bruin Founders, UCLA Ventures’ executive mentorship program, is now accepting startup and mentor applications!

🌟 For Startups: Are you a UCLA student, alumni, faculty, or staff with a groundbreaking idea? This is your chance to transform your vision into reality with the support of expert mentors, valuable resources, and a dynamic community of entrepreneurs. Apply here: https://forms.gle/GNd9kQdyVYhJ6DQv9

🌟 For Mentors: Do you have industry experience and a passion for guiding the next generation of innovators? We’re looking for mentors in all sectors to support our next cohort. Apply here: https://forms.gle/Pbr48rFfiGajR9bL8
*Note: Mentors do not have to be UCLA-affiliated

📆 Stay tuned for our upcoming info session to learn more about the program!

Happening this Wednesday! RSVP now: https://lu.ma/nocc6120

📣 Calling all BioInnovators 📣

Join us at the panel: Empowering Early-Stage Female BioInnovators in Los Angeles! Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned innovator, or simply passionate about advancing equity in STEM, this is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring leaders, and grow within the LA biotech ecosystem.

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 5th, 2025
🕒 Time: 4pm – 6:30pm
📍 Location: CNSI Magnify Building, Lobby + Auditorium, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024
👉 RSVP: https://lu.ma/nocc6120

🌍💡 Excited to share this amazing initiative! Whether you're an innovator, entrepreneur, or advocate for the planet, this is a great opportunity to connect, learn, and be inspired. 🌱✨

We just published the for Day
Check it out and Make sure to register today! https://bit.ly/3PReTny

📣 Calling all BioInnovators 📣

Join us at the panel: Empowering Early-Stage Female BioInnovators in Los Angeles! Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, seasoned innovator, or simply passionate about advancing equity in STEM, this is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from inspiring leaders, and grow within the LA biotech ecosystem.

📅 Date: Tuesday, February 5th, 2025
🕒 Time: 4pm – 6:30pm
📍 Location: CNSI Magnify Building, Lobby + Auditorium, 110 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024
👉 RSVP: https://lu.ma/nocc6120

Calling MSI students, faculty, and alumni entrepreneurs… The SEISMIC Accelerator is now accepting applications!

Powered by global aerospace and defense innovation catalyst Starburst in partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), America's largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community, SEISMIC is a 6-week program built to support entrepreneurs originating from minority serving institutions (MSIs) who are developing technologies critical to the United States' National Security.

By connecting talented entrepreneurs from MSIs with defense customers, technical resources, and growth capital, SEISMIC builds new pathways for diverse founders to succeed in the defense technology sector.

Learn more and apply for the inaugural cohort, which is set to kick off in April 2025: https://bit.ly/4iiIbse