Special Events
Meet the VC
Every Other Month | Design & Innovation Building, Room 208
The Office of Innovation and Commercialization's Meet the VC is an incredible speakers series that is your invite to meet a seasoned Venture Capitalist (VC) and gain insider knowledge on funding your startup. Don't miss out on being part of this exciting dialogue.
Industry Office Hours
Weekly | Entrepreneurship Center, Room- See Reception
Need expert advice? Each week the Entrepreneurship Center holds office hours with industry professionals who can advise you on various topics related to navigating the startup world. Make an appointment ahead of time or if time permits, drop by. See who is coming in next?
Innovation at the Edge Speaker Series
Every Other Month | Design & Innovation Building, Room 208
Occurring the first Thursday of every month, our Speaker Series is your invitation to hear from visionary leaders, pioneering entrepreneurs, and creative minds as they converge to nurture your entrepreneurial spirit.
PAST EVENTS
Invest in Cures San Diego 2025
February 20 | Design and Innovation Building
Come together with researchers, clinicians and investment professionals from leading foundations to discuss cutting-edge approaches to supporting and funding breakthrough therapies with the aim of revolutionizing rare disease treatment.
SBIR Virtual Workshop
February 20 | Online
Join the Department of Navy SBIR Info Session! This session is tailored for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and researchers who are starting an innovative company and are exploring various funding sources.
Lean Lecture: Venture Finance Fundraising Fundamentals
February 13 | Rady School of Management - Otterson Hall/ MPR2
Attend this event with Venture Capitalist Bhargavi Vijayakumar to learn how to attract investors at the seed stage by building a compelling story and pitch, identifying the right investors, and understanding what early-stage investors look for in a startup.
Patents & Pizza
February 12 | Room 473, Design & Innovation Building
Curious about the world of patents and intellectual property? Join us for a slice of insight at Patents & Pizza, an engaging and informal gathering where community members can chat about all things patents while enjoying a slice of pizza—on us!
Lean Lecture: Optimizing for Luck
January 30 | 2S117 Otterson Hall - MPR2
Join Larry Gilbert at "Optimizing for Luck" and learn how to leverage your luck to build your venture.
Harvard Case Study: DropBox – Lean Startup
January 16 | 2S117 Otterson Hall - MPR2
Join Edward Hughes and dig into the "lean startup" by walking through the Harvard Business School Case Study on Dropbox.
Patents & Pizza
November 13 | Fourth Floor Landing, Design & Innovation Building
Curious about the world of patents and intellectual property? Join us for a slice of insight at Patents & Pizza, an engaging and informal gathering where community members can chat about all things patents while enjoying a slice of pizza—on us!
Tech Transfer Unlocked- LaunchBio Event
November 7 | BioLabs in BioVista, San Diego
Join us for a fireside chat with a panel of experts to discuss how tech transfer offices bridge academia and industry, drive innovation, support startups, and foster strong partnerships. Learn how tech transfer professionals help founders navigate commercialization challenges and build valuable networks.
SBIR Info & Advising Session
October 2 | The Basement, DIB Room 151
Offered quarterly, The Brink SBDC and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) at UC San Diego are facilitating a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Info and Advising Session. This current session is designed for researchers, faculty, and entrepreneurs who are either in the process of starting or considering launching an innovative company. No prior knowledge is necessary. Remote participation is welcome. Next dates include January 29 and April 23, 2025. Registration will open 6 weeks prior to the start of the event.
Innovation Day 2024
September 24 | Petco Park
The San Diego Innovation Sector is taking over Petco Park this September. Co-sponsored by UC San Diego, Innovation Day is the perfect opportunity to experience cutting-edge technologies and science that are leading our region into a bright future.
Translating Drug Discovery Research with Ono Pharma
September 20 | Design & Innovation Building, Room 208
Join us for a special event hosted by Ono Pharmaceutical, and explore the latest advancements in technology, drug development, and partnerships that are shaping the future. This event showcases UC San Diego’s role as a destination campus for innovation, partnership, and industry engagement to advance cutting-edge technologies.
Omnibus vs. Targeted Solicitations: Finding the Best Funding Opportunities
September 11 | Online
Are you a biomedical innovator who is interested in obtaining funding to jump start their business and de-risk their innovative biomedical technologies? If so, check out this exciting event. This webinar by XLerateHealth will feature resources for biomedical entrepreneurs and cover SBIR/STTR funding, highlighting the differences between "omnibus" and targeted funding opportunities.
Meet Matt Forbeck: Booksigning & Live Discussion
July 26 | UC San Diego Bookstore, Design & Innovation Building- The Basement Room 151
Meet the Legends Matt & Marty Forbeck in person and get your books signed and questions answered in person. This is a wondeful opportunity to discuss their works and gain insights into his creative process of interactive fiction! There will also be a live and livestreamed discussion lead by MAVERiC Studios X-Roads host, Sam Olsen. Matt and Marty Forbeck will be joined by other industry experts as they delve into the future of storytelling and interactive fiction.
Dive into Game Worlds with Matt Forbeck
July 25 | Park & Market
Celebrate 50 years of a live tabletop role-playing with a Shotguns & Sorcery Actual Play Event, Live on Stage led by Matt Forbeck with special guest Marty Forbeck. Witness firsthand the creativity and spontaneity that define Forbeck's storytelling mastery mixed with the magic of next generation XR provided by MAVERiC Studio and Origami Air Co. After, enjoy a community cosplay mixer and get up close and personal with the artists, authors and “magineers” that make it all happen.
SDIC 7th Annual Innovation Showcase
May 22 | TSRI Scripps Research Auditorium
Unlock the opportunity to spotlight your startup or research at the 7th Annual Innovation Showcase on May 22, 2024, hosted by the San Diego Innovation Council (SDIC). Held at the prestigious TSRI Scripps Research Auditorium, this event offers a platform for entrepreneurs and researchers from San Diego’s top academic institutions and innovation ecosystem to connect with investors, industry leaders, and potential partners.
Ready to take part in this influential event? Visit the 2024 Innovation Showcase website to register and submit your application. Whether you’re pitching a groundbreaking idea or presenting a poster on emerging technology, the Innovation Showcase is the perfect venue to make your mark.
Founding Biotech: Lessons from the Journey
April 25 | Design and Innovation Building
Hear from a panel of San Diego biotech company founders about their journey to company formation and through the trials of running a startup.
SBIR Info & Advising Session
April 24 | The Basement, DIB
Join us for an SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) Info and Advising Session to learn everything you wanted to know about SBIR funding. This workshop, offered in partnership between The Brink SBDC and the Office of Innovation and Commercialization (OIC) at UC San Diego, is designed for researchers, faculty, and entrepreneurs who have started or are thinking of starting an innovative company. No prior knowledge is necessary. Lunch will be provided.
WOW Festival
April 4-7 | UC San Diego
Campus
La Jolla Playhouse’s celebrated annual WOW Festival is a four-day celebration of immersive, interactive and breathtaking experiences from local, national and international artists. Free for everyone to attend from April 4 – 7, WOW Festival is presented in partnership with UC San Diego and takes over locations all around the campus, including a building performance and an immersive experience at MAVERiC Studio.
Federal Resources and Funding to De-risk Biomedical Technologies
February 22, 2024 | JLABS @ San Diego (Conference Center next to lobby)
The All-Federal panel will provide the audience with a guided tour of their respective agency programs. Each panelist will provide a briefing of how their program is positioned to partner with stakeholders, and educate the audience on upcoming funding opportunities.
Innovation Day 2023
September 14 | Petco Park
The San Diego Innovation Sector is taking over Petco Park on September 14th. Co-sponsored by UC San Diego, Innovation Day 2023 is the perfect opportunity to experience cutting-edge technologies and science that are leading our region into a bright future.