SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2026

Empowering Student Entrepreneurs

SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship 2026 sparks innovation, fosters collaboration, and drives growth by connecting entrepreneurs, students, business leaders, and investors in Southern California’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Register Now!

SCCE-26

✦

SCCE-26 ✦

What to Expect

✓ Free Admission & Parking
✓ Live Student Fast Pitch
✓ 3 Expert-Led Panels

✓ Exhibitor Showcase
✓ Awards & Raffles
✓ Orange County Tech Week

Program

VIP LUNCHEON (INVITE ONLY)

12:00 - 12:45 PM

ATTENDEES CHECK-IN

12:30 - 1:00 PM

WELCOME

1:00 - 1:20 PM

FIRESIDE CHAT

1:20 - 1:40 PM

EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE

1:30 - 5:30 PM

LAUNCH PANEL

1:50 - 2:30 pm

GROWTH PANEL

2:40 - 3:20 pm

EXIT PANEL

3:30 - 4:10 pm

LIGHTnING PITCH

4:20 - 5:30 pm

AWARDS & CLOSING

5:30 - 6:00 pm

Register Now!

Fireside Chat
Entrepreneurship rarely follows a straight path. In this Fireside Chat, serial entrepreneur and investor Clarence Wooten shares lessons from building, scaling, funding, and supporting innovative companies throughout his career. Attendees will hear firsthand insights on entrepreneurship, technology, investing, and the experiences that have shaped his journey.
Speaker:
- Clarence Wooten, Founder & CEO,
  CoFounder.AI
Moderator:
- Mario Reza, Interim Director, Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, Chapman University
Launch
Entrepreneurs create businesses that solve problems. The Launch Panel explores developing products and services, finding early adopters, building teams, securing funding, and adapting when plans encounter reality. Attendees will learn how entrepreneurs have successfully launched a business or two (or more!).
Speakers:
- Bill Beverly, Co-Founder, Evolectric
- Dailin Hu, Founder, SafeLab AI Engineering
- Karen Caswelch, Co-Founder, bridgED manufacturing
Moderator:
- Cynthia West, Speaker and Author, CynthiaWestPhD.com
Growth
Entrepreneurs build companies that thrive. The Growth Panel explores scaling operations and teams, expanding into new markets, raising capital, and adapting as businesses evolve. Attendees will gain insights into the decisions, opportunities, and tradeoffs entrepreneurs face as they take their companies to the next level.
Speakers:
- Joshua Lee, CEO & Co-Founder,
  Gumshoe Ventures
- Marlene Mardirossian, Founder, Drop Socials
- Woo Kim, Founder, LynkMe.Co
Moderators:
- Wade Martin, Director, Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, CSU Long Beach
- Kevin Meredith, Innovation Obsessor, 4th Sector Innovations
Exit
Entrepreneurs turn successful companies into lasting value. The Exit Panel explores acquisitions, succession, public markets, and other paths entrepreneurs can pursue as their businesses mature. Attendees will learn how entrepreneurs prepare for and navigate an exit, and what they have learned from the journey.
Speakers:
- Ashley Fairon, Managing Director, Western Alliance Bank
- Dick VerWayne, Certified Mentor, SCORE Orange County
- Ritu Arora Thakur, CEO and Founder, Smart Tech Inc.
Moderator:
- Karl Hoenecke, Dean, School of Business and Economics, Concordia University Irvine

Directions & Parking

Directions to Concordia University Irvine
CU Center - 1530 Concordia, Irvine, CA 92612

Mention SCCE event to the Gate Attendant
Gate House 2 on Ridgeline Dr. is closed due to a 5K Run until 11:30 AM.
After 11:30 AM, you can enter Gate House 2 on Ridgeline Dr. , continue on Concordia Rd. until you see Main Lot on your left.
If you’re coming from Gate House 1 on Turtle Rock Dr, continue up on Concordia Rd, pass the West Lot, pass the Baseball field, and proceed to the Main Lot on your right.
Park any where in the Main Lot and walk towards the CU Center.

Parking

Parking is free on this day and a permit is not required.
The best parking for this event is the Main Lot.
Address on Maps: 1530 Concordia, Irvine, CA 92612
Please note: For Exhibitors and Vendors arriving before 11:30AM, go straight to the West Lot for parking, and we recommend bringing a wagon or dolly to carry your things to the event venue.

The SCCE George W. Lightning Pitch Competition is a fast-paced, high-energy experience for current college students and recent graduates (within one year of graduation) who are ready to put their entrepreneurial ideas to the test. With multiple pitch rounds of increasing complexity, participants will challenge their creativity, strategic thinking, and storytelling skills—all while presenting their ideas to a live audience.

Through engaging pitches and valuable feedback, entrepreneurs will refine their message, strengthen their storytelling, and build confidence. Winners will have the opportunity to receive cash prizes and valuable entrepreneurial resources, including expert guidance, professional services, business development opportunities, and tools to help turn ideas into action!

George W. Wright Lightning Pitch

Applications Are Closed!

Join us at SCCE-26 to watch the competition unfold and see who comes out on top!

Register Now!

Past Winners

2025

1st place winner ($1,000):
Jonathan Alvarez, Soft School
2rd place winner ($750):
Danny Nguyen, Leksa
3rd place winner ($500):
Helina Herrera, Chaux
2024

1st place winners ($1,000):
Thinh Q Ho, LabMate
Truong Dat Thanh Pham, LabMate
2rd place winner ($750):
Adrian Vasquez, TalonLocks
3rd place winners ($500):
Alan Cortez, Bag/Get
Rohan Kunchala, Bag/Get
2023

Winner ($1,000):
Rachel Littell, Gotta Go Foods LLC