The UC Davis Center for Entrepreneurship is a Center of Excellence at the Graduate School of Management. We are a nexus for entrepreneurship education and research--and a springboard for entrepreneurial ventures--on the UC Davis campus.  

At the Center, we bring science, engineering and business students and faculty together with experienced entrepreneurs, investors and corporate leaders in an environment that blends effective theory with hands-on participation and solution-driven innovation. The Center provides students from business, science and engineering with the necessary skills, resources and network support to turn their ideas into action. Whether for profit or social benefit--or both--the C4E programs enable students to envision a better world and make it a reality.

UC Davis

With total research funding in excess of $505M, UC Davis is one of the world's foremost research and teaching institutions. Areas of expertise include engineering, agriculture, clean energy, environmental sustainability, nutrition, life sciences, medical diagnostics, veterinary medicine and pharmaceuticals.   

Educational Programs

Business Development Fellows

 The Business Development Certificate is a year-long program comprised of 5 course at the Graduate School of Management. The program is for UC doctoral students and post-docs to learn to commercialize their research; meet with investors and other entrepreneurs; and develop their initial business plans.

Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy (GTEA)

 The Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy is a one week workshop that brings researchers from across the country together to learn to commercialize their green tech research; meet with investors and other entrepreneurs; and develop their initial business plans. The workshop is held at the Tahoe Center for Environmental Sciences in June of each year. 

UC Entrepreneurship Academy (UCEA)

 The UC Business Development Intensive is a one-week workshop for UC researchers to learn to commercialize their research; meet with investors and other entrepreneurs; and develop their initial business plans. The workshop is held September of each year.

Food+Health Entrepreneurship Academy (FHEA)

The Food+Health Entrepreneurship Academy is a one week workshop that brings nutrition researchers from across the country together to learn to commercialize their research; meet with investors and other entrepreneurs; and develop their initial business plans. The workshop will be held on UC Davis Campus in Feb 23-27 2009 in partnership with the Foods for Health Initiative.     

School of Medicine Business Development Intensive

 The School of Medicine Business Development Intensive is a 3-day workshop for UC Davis School of Medicine clinical faculty and researchers to learn to commercialize their research; meet with investors and other entrepreneurs; and develop their initial business plans.

Research Programs    

Innovation & Entrepreneurship Research

 The Center for Entrepreneurship will sponsor Research Fellows engaging in innovation management, innovation strategies, and regional economic development with a particular emphasis on innovations in sustainable technologies and practices. These different research programs will be listed in a separate and forthcoming document. 

Center Programs

Energy Efficiency Technology Impact Summit

 The Energy Efficiency Center Technology Impact Summit brings new ventures that advance energy efficiency in front of California Utilities and PUC and CEC officials. The intent is to attract potential presenters, undertake due diligence, and build critical relationships between the start-ups, venture capital investors, the state, and its major utilities. 

Sustainable Enterprise Speakers Series

 The Center for Entrepreneurship + Davis NetImpact Sustainable Enterprise Speakers Series brings experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and others to UC Davis and the Graduate School of Management to share their perspectives and experiences and to meet students and other members of our community.

Andrew Hargadon, Ph.D.

Faculty Director, Center for Entrepreneurship

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Management

530.752.2277

Wil Agatstein

Executive Director

530.752.9397

Nicole Starsinic

Associate Director

530.574.6531