Start-It UP!

Series Overview

Each year, the Smith Center organizes the Start-It-UP! Series with the UP! Club, where student entrepreneurs are mentored to create the perfect pitch for their startup. Students attend a series of workshops to develop their ideas and prepare to present to a panel of judges made up of VCs, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and industry leaders for a chance to win $10,000 in prizes.*  

*Subject to CBE approval and not a cash prize.

Innovation Day

innovation-festival-2024.jpg

Wednesday, May 2, 2024

The biggest tech event in Hayward!

Event Roadmap

roadmap.jpeg

Pitch Decks

Submit Pitch Deck

Ready to elevate your startup?

Show us what you’ve got!

Submit your pitch deck and stand a chance to win $50,000 worth of prizes!  
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to seize the spotlight on Pitch Day!

Start-It UP! Success Story

sophia-romanova-weissman-picture.jpgI 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


turningideastoreality.png

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.

Read the full story.

 

Hydrated Pass
Hydrated Pass
Hydrated Pass
Hydrated Pass

Hydrate Company

Flip Back
Nutrire
Nutrire
Nutrire
Nutrire

Affordable holistic wellness everywhere!

Flip Back
Greenworm
Greenworm
Greenworm
Greenworm

Everyone's a farmer

Flip Back
Surf Pro
Surf Pro
Surf Pro
Surf Pro

Surf, Select, Save, Sort, and See things differently- in your own way.

Flip Back
Epic Motorsports
Epic Motorsports
Epic Motorsports
Epic Motorsports

Quality Motorcycle Gear

Flip Back
Team Up
Team Up
Team Up
Team Up

Redefining the way amateur sports clubs operate and build

Flip Back
SpareSpace
SpareSpace
SpareSpace
SpareSpace

Connecting people and office spaces anytime and anywhere

Flip Back
ChargeShare
ChargeShare
ChargeShare
ChargeShare

Connect users to and accessible, reliable and available EV charging ports

Flip Back
Bonty
Bonty
Bonty
Bonty

A gentle approach to skincare.

Flip Back
CreARTivity
CreARTivity
CreARTivity
CreARTivity

We will help you inspire your inner artist, so you can create life91麻豆天美app masterpieces!

Flip Back
EzTruckin
EzTruckin
EzTruckin
EzTruckin

Helping truck drivers adapt to the technology era.

Flip Back
GIG-E
GIG-E
GIG-E
GIG-E

A next generation gig marketplace that provides an all-inclusive solution for 鈥渙n-demand鈥 employment and economic opportunities.

Flip Back
Hook It UP
Hook It UP
Hook It UP
Hook It UP

Easy way for students to complete tasks.

Flip Back
Iniso
Iniso
Iniso
Iniso

Impacting society not only in Etinan, Nigeria, but in the world at large.

Flip Back
Jest
Jest
Jest
Jest

Ridiculously funny way to expand emotional intelligence and social skills.

Flip Back
Lend-A-Hand
Lend-A-Hand
Lend-A-Hand
Lend-A-Hand

An AI based credit scoring, risk assessment and tracking system that enables POS financing through merchants within minutes.

Flip Back
Mayvenn Hair Artelligence
Mayvenn Hair Artelligence
Mayvenn Hair Artelligence
Mayvenn Hair Artelligence

Dynamic style options with unique tailored results for each user.

Flip Back
PentaRx
PentaRx
PentaRx
PentaRx

Better Data. Better Health.

Flip Back
Play2Save
Play2Save
Play2Save
Play2Save

An affordable monthly subscription for our sustainable toy.

Flip Back
Shelter Tonight App
Shelter Tonight App
Shelter Tonight App
Shelter Tonight App

Providing a dynamic easy to use app in real time connecting available resources for homelessness.

Flip Back
Student Engine
Student Engine
Student Engine
Student Engine

Inspire, engage, achieve.

Flip Back

Smith Center for Private Enterprise Studies

  • 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.
  • VBT 349
  • Hayward, CA 94542
  • Izzet Darendeli Ph.D.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Management The Smith Center Director
  • Phone: (510) 885-3417
  • Email: izzet.darendeli@csueastbay.edu