SDSU Announces a New Minor in Entrepreneurship
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center in conjunction with the Management Department in
the College of Business Administration at San Diego State University (SDSU) has recently
announced the launch of the Minor in Entrepreneurship program for all undergraduate
students across the campus. Now, students with any major can choose the minor and
get access to the entrepreneurial key principles and essential disciplines that will
help them in future entrepreneurial endeavors.
The program will be available to students of all majors starting in Fall 2013.
College of Business Administration
The Freshman Learning Communities at SDSU for Entrepreneurship
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center in collaboration with the SDSU Residential Learning
Community (RLC) is actively encouraging freshmen to get an early start on their entrepreneurial
path. Over the years, the RLC has been helping students with common college majors
and interests to live, study and take classes together. Bernhard Schroeder, the Lavin
Center Director of Programs, crafted the Journey into Entrepreneurship Program, aimed
to unite freshmen entrepreneurs at SDSU. The program has two branches, one of which
is led by Alex DeNoble, the Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center,
and Michael Cunningham, Dean of College of Business, teaching students the fundamentals
of innovation and creativity in entrepreneurship. The second branch of the Journey
into Entrepreneurship Program is guided by Bernhard Schroeder, offering leadership
principles along with the introduction into what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
SDSU RLC      Michael Cunningham     Alex DeNoble     Bernhard Schroeder
Lavin VentureStart Competition 2012 Winners Announced
The Lavin VentureStart Competition is an on-campus business plan competition that
is designed to encourage and identify outstanding student business ideas from all
seven colleges at SDSU. It is supported by Mr. Leonard H. Lavin, Founder and Chairman
Emeritus of the Alberto-Culver Company. Over the years, Mr. Lavin has been the voice
of inspiration to all aspiring entrepreneurs. In the past month, the Center featured
five finalist business plans in diverse industries ranging from the hi-technology
field to beverages. The judging panel included Yukon Palmer, the founder and CEO of
FieldLogix; the Lavin Center's board members Doug Wall, the CEO and Chairman of PureForge
and Peter Shaw, the Managing Director of Shaw Management Advisors, Int'l LLC.
The Fall 2012 winning teams included:
First Place: Epsilon Micro Devices,
Second Place: EDUswap
Third Place: FindCart
The Lavin VentureStart Program      VentureStart Spring 2012 Recap
The Lean Model Competition 2013
This year, students from California and Baja California universities will compete
in the LeanModel™ Competition, hosted by the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center at SDSU.
The LeanModel™ competition is a two-day start-up event, designed to assist and support
student based start-up companies and reward them for solid business model identification
and close customer contact. A distinguished panel of entrepreneurs, angel investors,
venture capitalists and C-Level executives will judge their pitches and critical elements
of the start-ups LeanModel™. The participants will have opportunities to compete for
financial prizes and in kind awards.
This year, this inaugural event will be held on March 14-15, 2013 on the SDSU campus.
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center      LeanModel™ Competition
Larry & Madeline Petersen Scholarship for Entrepreneurship Students
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is honored to announce the launch of a new scholarship
for SDSU students enrolled in the entrepreneurship specialization or entrepreneurship
minor. The Larry and Madeline Petersen Scholarship will provide substantial support
to the upper division, full-time students, encouraging them to pursue their entrepreneurial
dreams and learn how to transform their ideas and inventions into profitable businesses.
“It is the right thing to do and the right time to do it,” Mr. Petersen said. “The
students should be able to control their own destiny in their professional lives.
That is why it is so important for them to start gaining entrepreneurial skills while
they are in college. With the new Minor in Entrepreneurship, it will allow the students
from all seven colleges at SDSU to learn the entrepreneurial skills they need to compete
in a changing world.”
Mr. Larry Petersen graduated from SDSU with the Master's degree in Marketing. He is
a Founder and President of LP Marketing, a sales and marketing organization in California
for major consumer and professional electronics manufacturers. Mr. Petersen is also
a founder of Bayview Distributing and Bayview Development. Mr. Petersen and his wife,
Madeline, have been supporting and nurturing the Center's young entrepreneurs throughout
the years. With their joint effort, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center will be able
to give the next generation of entrepreneurs not only the knowledge, but also a financial
boost.
Larry Petersen
ALEX DENOBLE JOINS THE USASBE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is proud to announce the election of Professor Alex
F. DeNoble, the Executive Director of the Center, to the board of the United States
Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE)! USASBE is the largest
professional and academic organization in North America dedicated to entrepreneurship.
It unites universities, business schools, non-profit organizations, for-profit companies
and the public sector to create a mutually beneficial business network. Each year,
USASBE holds conferences in selected cities across the US to provide a global network
to support and encourage business development through the entrepreneurial research
and education.
USASBE     Alex DeNoble
SDSU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DEAN AND ALUM GET SPECIAL RECOGNITION
This year, Dr. Michael Cunningham, Dean of the College of Business, and Jenny Amaraneni,
the CEO and co-founder of SOLO Eyewear, were recognized by San Diego Magazine in their
special feature on 50 People to Watch in 2013. The Lavin Center congratulates Jenny
and Dean Cunningham for being chosen for their significant accomplishments that led
to the honor to be among fifty the most influential San Diegans worth watching in
the upcoming year!
Dr. Cunningham became Dean of the College of Business at San Diego State University
(SDSU) in 2011. He earned his Bachelor's degree in marketing and business management,
Master's degree in graphic communications and his Ph.D. in administration, leadership
and technology. Prior to becoming dean, he was a successful entrepreneur and founder
of Cunningham Graphics International. Dean Cunningham is known for developing the
financial literacy laboratory in conjunction with Wells Fargo, driving the naming
of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and bringing in the toastmasters degree available
to all business students on campus.
Jenny Amaraneni founded SOLO Eyewear with two other SDSU Business school graduates
in 2011. They started this venture with a $1,000 loan and the passion for improving
the vision of people the world over. Since launching, the company has provided over
2,400 cataract surgeries to those in need based on eyeglass purchases.
50 People to Watch in 2013     Dean M. Cunningham     SOLO Eyewear
ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDENTS GO GLOBAL IN BARCELONA
Recently, most SDSU students went home to family and friends during the winter break.
Not sixteen undergraduate students who travelled all the way to Barcelona, Spain to
take a Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship course led by Bernhard Schroeder, Director
of Lavin Center Programs. This intensive 3-credit course was taught over a three week
period (December 27th to January 15th, 2013) near the University of Barcelona campus.
Housed in the downtown Barcelona area, students utilized the public transportation
system, local markets and street vendors to really see life on an everyday basis for
most Spanish natives. In addition, the students met with and interviewed four local
entrepreneurs who included a French restaurant, local tour company, cooking school
and a Montserrat winery. This course was made possible through collaboration with
the College of Business, College of Extended Studies, Office of International Programs
and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center.
Bernhard Schroeder      The Lavin Center Programs      College of Extended Studies
SDSU STUDENT AND FACULTY MEMBER AWARDED BEST PAPER AT SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
style="float:left; margin-right:10px;width:150px; height:120px;" alt="SDSU STUDENT
AND FACULTY MEMBER AWARDED" /> Erin Chmelik and Martina Musteen were awarded the Best
Paper in Social Entrepreneurship at the 2013 USASBE Conference on January 12. Erin,
a MBA graduate from SDSU, co-authored her work "Measures of Performance in the Context
of International Social Enterprise" with Dr. Martina Musteen, a Management professor
in SDSU's College of Business Administration. Erin's main research was focused on
typologies of international social ventures and their measurement techniques in current
business literature.
Erin Chmelik obtained her Bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications,
and has recently earned her MBA degree with emphasis on International Business. Currently,
Erin is residing in Denver, Colorado, and looking for exciting international development
or social entrepreneurship opportunities.
Dr. Martina Musteen earned her Ph.D. from University of Kansas and is currently an
Associate Professor at San Diego State University College of Business Administration.
Her research interests include internalization process of entrepreneurial firms, offshoring,
foreign modes of entry, social entrepreneurship and corporate reputation. Dr. Musteen
is an active member of the Academy of Management, Academy of International Business
and Strategic Management Society. At SDSU, she is one of the active scholars engaged
in the International Social Entrepreneurship Initiative (ISEI).
USASBE     Dr. Martina Musteen      College of Business
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TO SUPPORT ZAHN CENTER
The Zahn Center for Technological Innovation at SDSU'S College of Engineering has
been working closely with the College of Business and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center
to provide mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students working on start-up endeavors.
This semester, Dr.John Francis, a Management professor at SDSU, will be advising student
teams residing in the incubator for the duration of the Spring 2013 semester. He will
provide leadership in market research, business model viability and marketing strategies.
Dr. John Francis is an Associate Professor of Management for the College of Business.
He possesses Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration from the University
of Montevallo and Samford University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Memphis.
His areas of expertise include business policy, international management and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Francis focuses on turnaround strategies for declining firms, acquisitions, start-ups,
international mergers and foreign market entry strategies.
Zahn Center     College of Engineering      Dr. John Francis
THE LAVIN CENTER OFFICIAL DEDICATION EVENT
On February 15, 2013, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center hosted a ribbon-cutting event
to dedicate the official renaming of the Entrepreneurial Management Center (EMC) at
San Diego State University (SDSU).We have renamed the Center to honor the incredible
entrepreneurial journey of Dr. Leonard H. Lavin, founder of the Alberto Culver Company.
The Ceremony was attended by more than 75 people including Dr.Lavin, SDSU President
Elliot Hirshman, College of Business Dean Michael Cunningham, the Lavin Center Executive
Director Alex DeNoble, SDSU Professor Emeritus Dr. Daryl Mitton, past EMC directors
Dr. Sanford Ehrlich and Carmen Bianchi, Past CBA Dean Dr. Gail Naughton and influential
San Diego entrepreneurs including Brian Devine, Jim Sinegal, Irwin Zahn and Jim Morris.
Alberto Culver     President Elliot Hirshman     Dean Michael Cunningham
EXPERT IN DESIGN THINKING VISITS SDSU
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center was honored to host Dr. Alex Bruton, an expert in
design thinking and product innovation, on February 21, 2013. Dr. Bruton led a morning
session entitled "Infusing Design Thinking into the Classroom" for SDSU faculty, explaining
the value and significance of the learning environment as an incubator for future
entrepreneurs. "We consider a design thinking approach to teaching and learning for
the conception, design, prototyping, testing, pitching and innovation of new venture
concepts," he said. Later in the day, Dr. Bruton discussed the importance of "Employing
Design Thinking in Product and Business Model Innovation" with the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Students and teams at the Zahn Center Incubator. "Innovation is about the real deal:
the imaginatively-driven, transdisciplinary, hard core, yet practically-relevant mindsets
and tools youthful people require in order to take in and change the world," he believes.
Dr. Alex Bruton is currently an Associate Professor at Mount Royal University and
the president of TheInnographer.com. Dr. Bruton has a strong technical background
to accompany his keen, bright-eyed management skills. He possesses a Bachelor's in
Engineering, a Master's in Business Administration in Innovation and Marketing and
a PhD in Engineering from the University of Calgary, Canada. In 2009, Dr. Bruton was
selected as one of Mount Royal's first ten Teaching and Learning Scholars, and led
a team that reassembled the cross-campus curriculum now offered in the new entrepreneurship
minor at his university.
Alex Bruton     The Innographer      Zahn Center     Entrepreneur Society
ENTREPRENEUR DAY AT SDSU BRINGS STUDENT START-UPS
On March 12, 2013, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center will host its annual Entrepreneur
Day. It unites current and former SDSU students to show how hard work and determination
can produce successful companies. Thousands of students, community members and guests
will gather together in an Entrepreneurial Village on Campanile Walkway to support
Aztec entrepreneurs. A "Meet the Entrepreneur" tent will allow students to meet and
interact with founders of local companies. This year, Craig Stevens, Tanya Hertz,
Tom McElroy and Kevin Gelfand will be in our list of distinguished entrepreneurs.
Community members and guests are welcome to check out our alum vendors, including
Volcom, ShakeSmart and Rubios.
Entrepreneur Day will be held on Tuesday, March 12 2013 from 10am to 2pm on Campanile
Walkway at SDSU. This event is free and open to public. Please contact Pamela Johnson
for more information at 619-594-2162 or [email protected].
Entrepreneur Day      Mar West Real Estate      Volcom      SOLO Eyewear
A NORWAY RESEARCHER STUDIES INNOVATION AT SDSU
The Management Department in the College of Business Administration and the Lavin
Entrepreneurship Center are pleased to welcome Dr. Tatiana Iakovleva, an Associate
Professor at the University of Stravanger, Norway. Dr. Iakovleva will be visiting
SDSU for one year as a guest researcher to gain international experience in innovation
and entrepreneurship. Also, she will observe the activities and operations of the
Zahn Center Business Incubator, Entrepreneur Society and the Lavin Center. She intends
to gather first hand innovation experience and bring a new approach back to the Center
for Innovation Research at the University of Stravanger in Norway.
Dr. Tatiana Iakovleva is an Associate Professor teaching courses related to Organizational
Behavior. She possesses Master's degrees in Business Administration and International
Industrial Management as well as a PhD degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
She started working as a Senior Researcher in Nordland Research Institute in 2006,
closely focusing on entrepreneurship and regional innovation. In 2008, Dr. Iakovleva
joined Stravanger University as an Associate Professor. She was affiliated with the
Stravanger Center for Innovation Research in 2009, and has been initiating and conducting
research projects on entrepreneurial intentions and small business growth and performance.
Dr. Iakovleva's areas of expertise include entrepreneurial orientation, women-led
enterprises and commercialization of innovations.
Dr. Tatiana Iakovleva     University of Stravanger      Norland Research Institute
THE "UNDERCOVER BOSS" VISITING SDSU
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and San Diego State University (SDSU) were excited
to welcome Mr. Stephen Cloobeck, CEO of Diamond Resorts International, on March 28th,
2013. Mr. Cloobeck shared his experiences in the service and hospitality industries
and explained how to build an international brand from scratch. He gave entrepreneurial
insights to the Lavin and Hospitality and Tourism Management students. “The most important
asset for the business is human capital; without it there is no company and no brand,”
he said. Mr. Cloobeck also emphasized the practical facets of learning. He believes
that “oftentimes, it is not only what you study, it is on the job training and internships
you accept to learn the most.” Later that day, Mr. Cloobeck visited the Zahn Center
Incubator and met with several teams, then led a class on Management and Organizational
Behavior. He discussed the difficulties and differences between establishing a company
and fixing an existing company.
Mr. Stephen Cloobeck is the Founder and the CEO of Diamond Resorts International Holdings,
LLC. He purchased and reorganized Sunterra Corporation into Diamonds Resorts International
in 2007. Currently, it is one of the largest hospitality companies in the world and
has a network of 200+ vacation destinations and resorts located in 28 countries across
the globe. Mr. Cloobeck is the only CEO who appeared on the CBS TV show “Undercover
Boss” twice, and has stated that “the show was the most miraculous journey a CEO can
take.”
Diamonds Resort Int.     Undercover Boss    
MEETING OF THE CLUSTER MINDS AT SDSU
SDSU was honored to host the inaugural annual “Meeting of the Cluster Minds” on Tuesday,
February 26 and Wednesday, February 27, 2013 in Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
This event was organized and sponsored by the San Diego Office of the Small Business
Administration (SBA) and the San Diego Regional Innovation Cluster (SDRIC) at SDSU.
The main purpose of this two-day gathering was to share best practices, accomplishments,
information, and experiences at each of the eight clusters from across the US. The
objective was to maximize the sphere of influence, leverage the capability and resources,
and introduce new companies and technologies to the cluster participants.
“Meeting of the Cluster Minds” was extremely beneficial to SDRIC and the San Diego
community because it created opportunities for development of partnerships with companies
from across the nation, it connected different industries within the US to advance
their high-technology innovations in governmental and commercial market places. This
year, there were representatives from eight clusters, the representatives from the
SBA local and Washington DC offices, and the US Department of Defense. The 23rd Administrator
at the SBA, Karen G. Mills, participated in an interactive discussion and provided
constructive feedback to the cluster companies.
As the principal partner and administrator of the SDRIC program, SDSU’s College of
Business Administration and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center provide valuable mentoring,
marketing studies, assistance in investment decisions, and networking with governmental
customers. The SDSU Faculty and graduate students are actively engaged with the projects.
The SBA and SDRIC encourage students to utilize their knowledge and acquire cutting-edge
working experience by working on market research and business development projects
for the cluster companies.
SBA      Karen G. Mills     SDRIC
LEANMODEL COMPETITION SPRING 2013 RESULTS
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and SDSU are excited to announce the 2013 LeanModel
winners! The LeanModel Competition is a new competition that recruited student teams
from California and Baja California Universities to SDSU where they got a chance to
present their business ideas for financial and in-kind rewards. This year, the two-day
competition was held on March 14th and 15th. Fifteen teams from eleven universities
participated in this event. This year’s finalist panel of judges included Larry Petersen,
the founder of LP Marketing, Brian Ramphal, the founder of Ramphal and Associates,
Inc., and Doug Wall, the co-founder of PureForge.
Congratulations to the following teams!
Overall LeanModel Competition Awards:
1st Place – Bosse Tools (Loyola Marymount University)
2nd Place – Luna Light (Cal Poly San Lois Obispo)
3rd Place – Epsilon Micro Devices (San Diego State University)
Show Stopper Awards:
Mr. Eco (Cal Poly San Lois Obispo)
Bosse Tools (Loyola Marymount University)
Joboiz Inc. (San Diego State University)
Pitch the Investor:
Bosse Tools (Loyola Marymount University)
Luna Light (Cal Poly San Lois Obispo)
Blue Igloo (University of California, Irvine)
LeanModel     Loyola Marymount University      Cal Poly     UC Irvine
STUDENT ENTREPRENEUR AT SDSU
Pieter van Niekerk is a Bioengineering Undergraduate student at SDSU. His main research
focuses are Lab-on-a-Chip and Neuro Probe Microtechnologies. Recently, Pieter and
two other SDSU students, Tanja Muetze and John Waynelovich, founded Epsilon Micro
Devices, an innovative technology company that strives to provide the micro fluidics
industry with low cost, alternative techniques and equipment. Epsilon Micro Devices
won the Lavin Venture Start competition in December, 2012, and went on to win 3rd
place in the LeanModel Start-up Competition in March 2013.
Pieter’s experience as a swim instructor and as a lifeguard has provided him valuable
people skills and financial resources to get through his college years. He now spends
most of his days in the lab, where he is employed as the lab manager and where he
continues to love developing micro electromechanical systems.
VentureStart Competition     LeanModel
NIKA Water Founder Visits SDSU
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center was privileged to host serial entrepreneur Jeff
Church on April 29, 2013. Mr. Church is the founder of NIKA Water Company, a social
enterprise that donates 100% of its profits to improving sanitation conditions around
the world. NIKA has completed its projects in Sri Lanka, Kenya, Nicaragua, Uganda
and other developing countries. He is also the CEO of Suja Juice, an organic juice
company that combines cold-pressed juice with natural nutritional components. Mr.
Church first met with the Lavin Entrepreneurship students to talk about his ventures
and experiences he gained as part of the L. Robert Payne Lecture Series. He argued
the importance of equity as he stated: “Young people do not understand the value of
equity and tend to pay more attention to the bonuses; but you do not want to repeat
your home run, you want to know the value of the equity you have established and utilize
it thoughtfully.” Mr. Church was then the guest speaker at the L. Robert Payne Speaker
Series held at the Fowler Athletics Auditorium at San Diego State University (SDSU).
His lecture focused on social entrepreneurship and the idea that a passionate entrepreneur
can create a venture not only for his own benefits, but also for all those in need.
He also explained the benefit of creating a personal business. Mr. Church holds that
“pure startup is absolutely different from buying a business; it is better because
creativity is always better,” he believes.
Robert Payne Lecture Series     Jeff Church     NIKA Water
Tower Paddle Boards Founder Meets with Lavin Students
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center was honored to welcome Mr. Stephen Aarstol, the
founder and the owner of Tower Paddle Boards, on Friday, April 12, 2013. This young
company has been labeled a “top 10” by the ABC TV show “Shark Tank.” Mr. Aarstol met
with the Lavin students and discussed the difficulties the entrepreneur faces when
establishing a new company, especially the difficulty in raising capital. “Nowadays,
raising money is extremely difficult,” he said. “You should utilize every opportunity
to promote your company; for me, “Shark Tank” was not only a great investment pitch,
it was also a chance to expose the business to 7 million viewers.” Mr. Aarstol spoke
about what he had to do to grow his online start-up into a multi-million paddle board
retailer within only 3 years.
Mr. Stephen Aarstol decided to launch a stand up paddle board (SUP) company, after
a paddleboard session in La Jolla Shores in 2010. Less than a year after opening the
online store, Tower Paddle Boards was selected to be on ABC’s TV show “Shark Tank”
to pitch to their panel of investors. During the show, Mark Cuban, the owner of Dallas
Mavericks and Landmark Theaters, offered him a deal to invest $150,000 for a 30% stake
in Tower Paddle Boards with the 1st right of refusal to invest in any future business
ventures of Mr. Aarstol. Tower Paddle Boards made $1.7 million in sales last year,
and is expecting to reach $4 million in 2013.
"Shark Tank" on ABC     Mark Cuban     Tower Paddle Boards     Stephen Aarstol
Domain Associates Gives SDSU MBA Students an Investment Insight
On April 10, 2013, Domain Associates, LLC held its April monthly meeting in the Parma
Payne Goodall Alumni Center on the SDSU campus. SDSU MBA students enrolled in the
graduate class “Managing a Growing Firm,” taught by Alex F. DeNoble, Professor of
Management in the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the Executive Director
of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, had a unique opportunity to witness the venture
capitalists’ decision making process and obtain unique experience from listening to
the partners’ conversations. The students learned first-hand about cram-down deals,
crossover investment strategies and the importance of private investments in public
equity (PIPE) from Domain Partners.
Domain Associates, founded in 1985, is a venture capital firm with a focus in life
sciences and biotechnological companies. It has $2.4 billion in capital under management
and has grown 240+ life-sciences companies over the last 28 years. Among the most
well-known portfolio companies are Align Technoligy Inc. (Invisalign® invisible braces),
Goodwell Technologies, Inc. (IT to allow for remote doctor-patient interaction), and
IntraLase Corporation (devices for laser correction of vision). Mr. Brian H. Dovey,
a Senior Partner with Domain Associates, and Dr. DeNoble have fostered a long-term
relationship between the firm and SDSU CBA. This relationship has allowed graduate
students to learn about common growth challenges of young companies from the perspective
of premier venture capitalists. Mr. Dovey has participated in SDSU graduate classes
for over fifteen years. He co-teaches six sessions of the management course and brings
Domain Partners’ April Meetings to the SDSU campus.
Domain Associates, LLC     Brian H. Dovey      Invisalign®
Start-Up @ State Fuels Early Stage Companies in San Diego
Start-Up @ State is an annual event designed to unite the local San Diego young companies
with SDSU students. This year, the event was hosted by Start-up Circle, SDSU Entrepreneur
Society (ES) and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center on April 15th, 2013. The first
part of the event was a panel of start-up founders, including Kristian Rauhala from
PEAR Sports, Ryan Jones from MOGL, Alan Cole from TakeLessons and Juliet Oberding
from Predictably Well. The entrepreneurs shared their adventurous start-up stories
and interacted with students during a Q&A section. Next, students attended a career
fair where thirty-five local start-ups recruited them for internships, part-time,
or full-time jobs. The companies were from diverse industries ranging from sporting
goods to high technology fields. The students and start-ups enjoyed the interaction.
Brian Kidwell, the President of the Entrepreneur Society and an undergraduate business
student, described it as an “incredible experience.” Sharee Loeffler, the founder
of GetMeRated, noted there was a "high caliber of students."
Start-Up @State     PEAR Sports     MOGL    TakeLessons     Predictably Well     GetMeRated
Student Profile – Jon Tucker
Jon Tucker graduated Summa Cum Laude from SDSU with a degree in Marketing in 2009.
While on campus, he was President of Entrepreneur Society, a member of the inaugural
Lavin Entrepreneur Program, and finalist in the Lavin Business Plan Competition. During
his school years, Jon began a number of businesses, including a marketing agency designed
to help businesses grow online. By leveraging opportunities such as internship programs
and the mentors in the Lavin VentureStart Program, Jon was able to grow Compete Marketing
Group significantly through his years at SDSU.
Since graduating in 2009, Jon has built Compete Marketing Group to work with businesses
across the US and Canada and has launched multiple online businesses through Compete
Enterprise Group. He continues to stay active on campus through the Entrepreneur Society
and Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, as he feels these programs were instrumental in
his entrepreneurial path thus far.
Compete Marketing Group      SDSU Entrepreneur Society    
CEO of Domain Russia Investments Joins the Lavin Center Advisory Board
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center Board of Advisors consists of some of San Diego’s
most prominent business leaders. The Advisors guide the direction of the Center, provide
strategic and tactical support, and increase collaborations within the business community.
This summer, the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center welcomes the newest member of the Advisory
Board -- Tatiana Saribekian, CEO of Domain Russia Investments! Prior to joining the
Domain Russia Investments, she was an Executive in Residence at Domain Associates,
a leading US-based life sciences venture capital firm. Ms. Saribekian earned both
her Bachelors in Marketing and MBA from SDSU. She also holds a Law degree from Moscow
State Law Academy. In 2005, Ms. Saribekian was selected Fortune Small Business magazine as one of the most entrepreneurial students from her MBA program. The Lavin
Center is thrilled to have her international experience and knowledge on our team!
Tatiana Saribekian The Lavin Center Advisory Board Domain Russia Investments Domain Associates
SDSU and SDG&E Assist Diverse Business Enterprise Companies in San Diego
San Diego State University has been hosting annual SDG&E and SDSU Capstone programs
since 2010. The programs are mainly focused at delivering a comprehensive and pragmatic
solution to provide Diverse Business Enterprises with the tools necessary to succeed
in a competitive business environment. On June 5, 2013, SDSU and the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Center invited over twenty companies that previously attended one of the fall programs
over the past three years to participate in the 2013 Capstone Business Opportunities
Seminar. Twenty executives attended the event to reconnect and share their experiences,
insights and success since completing the seminar.
During the first panel presentation, SDG&E managers presented current and upcoming
opportunities in construction, environmental services, facilities, and information
technology business areas. A second panel featured prime contractors to SDG&E discussing
subcontracting and performance requirements as well as immediate and near-term subcontracting
opportunities. Three course graduates constituted the last panel discussing their
success in achieving their strategic growth plan objectives.
SDG&E SDG&E Strategic Growth Planning for Entrepreneurs
SDSU Alums' Successful Kickstarter Campaign and Start-Up 3D Printing Company
Last year, three SDSU alumni Coby Kabili, Mike Pilkington and Braydon Moreno started
working on a low-cost, open source and easy to use 3D printer that every technically
savvy person has been waiting for. "The initial market was very tech oriented, and
was mostly open for people who are professionally interested in mock-ups and sculptures,"
said Braydon Moreno, the co-founder of RoBo 3D, a company focused on producing innovative
3D printers. "Right now, 3D printing is slowly moving to the everyday consumer, from
architects to students and home owners," he said. In February 2013, RoBo 3D raised
$650,000 on Kickstarter, exceeding the initial goal of $49,000 and sold over 1200
items worldwide within the first 4 months. Recently, RoBo 3D was also selected to
be on ABC’s show "Shark Tank" this fall to pitch to the panel of investors. "Starting
a business involves a lot. We did not understand the complexity of it," said Braydon.
Coby Kabili has a Bachelor's degree in Bioengineering, and gained experience working
in different fields that include orthotics and microelectromechanical systems research.
Braydon Moreno has a BS in Management specializing in Entrepreneurship. He has worked
in internet marketing, focusing on SEO, social media marketing, and advertising campaigns.
Mike Pilkington has a Public Administration degree and is an ultimate machine shop
guru.
RoBo 3D Kickstarter "Shark Tank" on ABC
Andrew Haines – the 1st Recipient of the Larry and Madeline Petersen Scholarship
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is excited to announce the inaugural Larry and Madeline
Petersen Scholarship Award winner! Andrew Haines, an undergraduate student majoring
in Electrical Engineering, and an active member of Entrepreneur Society, has recently
become the recipient of the award. The Larry and Madeline Petersen Endowed Scholarship
in Entrepreneurship provides substantial support to upper division, full-time students,
encouraging them to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams and transform their ideas
and inventions into profitable businesses.
Andrew is a Lavin Entrepreneur student who has been successfully combining his electrical
engineering knowledge and his passion for entrepreneurship. "I have been living entrepreneurially
in my daily life," he said. Andrew will invest the financial award into his educational
endeavors to further his dreams.
SDSU College of Engineering Entrepreneur Society Larry & Madeline Petersen Scholarship
SDSU Fosters International Social Entrepreneurship
The Hansen Summer Institute of Leadership and International Cooperation was a joint
three week program hosted by San Diego State University (SDSU), University of San
Diego (USD) and the Fred J. Hansen Foundation. The main goal of the program was to
assist students from all over the globe in the creation of social entrepreneurship
ventures in their native countries in order to build a better future. This year, five
California based and 15 international upper division undergraduates and graduate students
participated in the program. The countries represented were: Morocco, Ethiopia, Rwanda,
Nepal, Uganda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Chechnya, Uzbekistan, Poland, Argentina, Kyrgyzstan,
Georgia, Romania and Russia. These Hansen Fellows were all flown to the United States
and accommodated on the USD campus.
The Hansen Summer Institute students participated in an innovative two day Social
Entrepreneurship Workshop hosted at SDSU. Entrepreneur guest speakers, including Jenny
Amaraneni, the founder of SOLO Eyewear, and Alicia Wallace, COO of All Across Africa,
shared their inspirational stories with the students. Michael Sloan, the Social Entrepreneurship
Program Director at the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, mentored the Hansen Fellows
and encouraged them to develop feasible social venture ideas. The workshop not only
provided an overview of what social entrepreneurship is all about, but also facilitated
a peer-to-peer mentorship program with five SDSU students. All attendees learned that
even a small socially oriented organization can make a big difference in the world.
Hansen Summer Institute SOLO Eyewear All Across Africa
Dr. Mujtaba Ahsan Joins the Entrepreneurship Faculty at SDSU
The College of Business Administration at SDSU is excited to welcome a new faculty
member – Dr. Mujtaba Ahsan. Dr. Ahsan will teach the MGT 460 Business Plan Development
class for undergraduate students starting this fall. "The business plan is the most
critical document for entrepreneurs," he remarked. "It is really important not only
to explain the business concept, but also to create a plan that reflects a sustainable
business model in changing economic environments," Dr. Ahsan continued. "Businesses
should not only try to focus on making a profit, but also benefit society. That is
where my class will differ from traditional business plan classes," he added.
Dr. Mujtaba Ahsan received his Ph.D. in Management from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
He was previously a professor at Pittsburg State University and Cal Poly Pomona. He
served as an adviser to student entrepreneurship organizations and actively mentored
student entrepreneurs at both institutions. Dr. Ahsan's teaching and research interests
include entrepreneurship, technology innovation and management, and strategic management.
He has been published in Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, International Journal
of Management Reviews, Journal of Strategy & Management, Journal of Managerial Issues,
Current Topics in Management, Academy of Information and Management Sciences Journal,
International Journal of Data Mining, Modeling and Management, and Strategic Management
Review journals. The Lavin Center is thrilled to have him join the SDSU College of
Business team and influence the next generation of entrepreneurs!
SDSU Alumni Teaching Entrepreneurship Courses
This fall, a SDSU MBA graduate Tanya Hertz will teach an Entrepreneurship course in
the College of Business. Tanya will lecture undergraduate students in the Fundamentals
of Entrepreneurship class. "Teaching is my passion. I have always seen myself in academia,"
said Tanya. "I believe that my entrepreneurial experience and business expertise combined
with knowledge I obtained in the MBA program will allow me to be a part of the SDSU
College of Business faculty," she stated.
Tanya Hertz holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a MBA with an
emphasis in Entrepreneurship from SDSU. In June of 2012, she co-founded Omni California
Real Estate, a rapidly growing, client-focused, real estate firm. Omni California
is a unique real estate brokerage that offers agents a flexible work environment and
cutting-edge online transaction management software. Tanya also has extensive experience
in food production and helped transform a small family-owned retail bakery into a
$3 million per year industrial food manufacturer. Together with food scientists, a
biochemist and nutraceutical industry experts, she is also currently developing a
product for her next entrepreneurial venture, Bookworms Vitamins, Inc.
Omni California
SDSU Alum Tim King Creates Photography Company
"Surrounding yourself with good people can really make you better," said Tim King,
a San Diego photographer and a recent Lavin Entrepreneur program graduate from SDSU.
Tim started his photography business during his college years, implementing knowledge
he obtained and the network he has developed. "I understand the value of interpersonal
relationships, and I learned how to maintain them during my college years," Tim said.
He is well-known for using alternative forms of advertising, including the most recent
creation "30 Dates in 30 Days" for Details Matters, the app designed to highlight,
encourage and offer alternative date ideas and destinations. "It was not only a brilliant
opportunity to introduce the app to users, but also a great way to showcase San Diego
nationwide," he said. Tim was recently invited to be a guest speaker at the Canada
Photo Convention in 2014, an event designed for professional wedding photographers
to improve their technique and make connections with colleagues and clients.
Tim King graduated from SDSU in 2010 with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business.
He was a member of Entrepreneur Society and the Lavin Entrepreneur program. During
his school years, Tim started working as a professional photographer for different
venues in San Diego, developing his clientele and changing his focus to destination
weddings and high-end resort and events photography. As a former Lavin Entrepreneur,
he believes in the power of networking in business as a key element for success.
Tim King Blog Detail Matters Canada Photo Convention International Business @SDSU
2014 California Entrepreneur Conference
San Diego State University (SDSU) and the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center are excited
to announce the inaugural California Entrepreneurship Conference! The Conference is
designed to unite California entrepreneurship educators and serve as a springboard
for idea sharing. By attending the conference, participants will learn new tools and
techniques to enhance business education in and outside of the classroom. This two-day
conference will allow attendees to expand the networks of entrepreneurship educators
and improve collaboration between universities. Participants will have an opportunity
to see the entrepreneurial creativity on the SDSU campus by visiting the Zahn Center
and attending Entrepreneur Day. The conference will highlight five focus areas: curriculum,
social entrepreneurship, incubators, specialty programs, and assurance of learning.
Each focus area will have a panel of speakers representing different California universities.
The round table discussions devoted to innovation in education will wrap up the 2014
California Entrepreneurship Conference. All attendees are welcome to experience SDSU’s
second annual Lean Model Competition hosted at SDSU campus on March 7, 2014.
Conference Information: Date: March 5 & March 6, 2014 Location: San Diego State University Cost: $150 per attendee
California Entrepreneur Conference Zahn Innovation Center Lean Model Competition Entrepreneur Day
Founder Alums Welcome Lavin Entrepreneur Students
On August 23, 2013, SDSU students met with founders of Volcom, Tower Paddle Boards,
Pear Sports and Marwest Real Estate to gain essential entrepreneurial insights before
starting the fall 2013 Lavin Entrepreneur Program. Thom McElroy, Tim Garrett, Kristian
Rauhala, Stephen Aarstol, and Craig Stevens discussed their career paths, shared future
business goals, and answered students' questions about their companies. It was a great
opportunity for incoming Lavin Entrepreneurs to socialize with their potential mentors
in an off-campus environment. "It is exciting that we can provide our students with
an opportunity to meet prominent California entrepreneurs that followed their passion
and built great companies," said Bernhard Schroeder, the Director of Lavin Center
Programs.
Volcom Tower Paddleboards Pear Sports Marwest Real Estate
SDSU Launches Entrepreneurship Minor Across Campus
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center in conjunction with the Management Department in
the College of Business Administration at SDSU launched the new Minor in Entrepreneurship
for all undergraduate students across the campus this fall. Regardless of the the
major, students may enroll in the minor through which they will learn key entrepreneurial
principles and essential disciplines that will help them in future entrepreneurial
endeavors. "Through the resources of the College of Business and the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Center, we are focused on preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs," said Alex
F. DeNoble, the Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center. "This new
Entrepreneurship Minor is a significant milestone in our quest to build a world-class
program for entrepreneurs here at SDSU," he added. Students are extremely excited
about the new minor. "I wanted to be a part of something new and innovative on campus,
I wanted to be a pioneer," said Adam Elhabashy, a Public Administration student, enrolled
in the minor. "I am an entrepreneur at heart and want to build upon my skills that
I have already acquired," he continued.
Entrepreneurship Minor College of Business Administration Management Department Alex F. DeNoble
SDSU MBA Grows Confirm Biosciences, Makes Inc 5000 List
"A good relationship with consumers, employees, stakeholders and vendors is the key
ingredient to grow your family business," said Zeynep Ilgaz, CEO and founder of Confirm
Biosciences, the biomedical company focused on production and distribution of drug
and alcohol testing kits. "We saw an outstanding biomedical opportunity and we went
for it, even though I have a strictly business background," Zeynep added. HairConfirm,
DrugConfirm, SalivaConfirm, SteroidConfirm and BabyConfirm are currently the major
products owned by the company. "The biggest advantage we have is related to the short
timelines of drug tests," Zeynep continued. "We provide our customers with instant
tests that are strictly regulated by the FDA and 99.9% accurate," she explained. Zeynep
and her husband, both SDSU MBA graduates, officially founded the company in 2008.
Presently, Confirm Biosciences is ranked #22 among top companies in the San Diego
Metro Area (Inc. 5000). The company was also named as one of the fastest growing companies
in San Diego (#3) by the San Diego Business Journal in 2008.
Zeynep Ilgaz received her bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Finance from Bosporus
University, Turkey, and her MBA degree from San Diego State University in 2000. In
2008, Zeynep became a recipient of the Tribute to Women in Industry award and "40
Under 40" from San Diego Metropolitan Magazine. In 2010, she was recognized as one
of San Diego's Top Young Influentials by the San Diego Daily Transcript. Currently,
Zeynep is a member of the San Diego Tech Coast Angels and an advisory board member
for the Entrepreneur Society at SDSU.
Confirm Biosciences Inc. 5000 SDSU Entrepreneur Society San Diego Tech Coast Angels
Lavin Center Executive Director Wins Prestigious Award in Entrepreneurship Education
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and San Diego State University are proud to announce
the recipient of the 2013 Karl Vesper Entrepreneurship Pioneer Award -- Dr. Alex.
F. DeNoble. Of the ten potential nominees this year - representing some of the top
entrepreneurship educators in the field - Dr. DeNoble was unanimously selected to
receive the award. The presentation was attended by Dr. Karl Vesper himself during
the Experiential Classroom program held at the University of Florida. The event brought
together experts in the field of entrepreneurship, with new faculty from around the
world, in order to share best practices in entrepreneurship education.
Dr. DeNoble is a Professor of Management and the Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Center at San Diego State University. Prior to his role in the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Center, Dr. DeNoble served for three years as the Chair of the Management Department
in the College of Business Administration and the Chair of the Steering Committee.
His primary areas of expertise include entrepreneurship and corporate innovation,
technology commercialization, and strategic management. Dr. DeNoble has published
articles in such journals as IEEE Transactions on Management, the Journal of Business Venturing, the Journal of
High Technology Management Research, the Journal of Technology Transfer, the Journal
of Small Business Management, and Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice.
Alex F. DeNoble Dr. Karl Vesper SDSU Management Department Experiential Classroom
SDSU Students' Launch New Website for San Diego River Park Foundation
This summer, a team of SDSU students were assigned to renovate the San Diego River
Park Foundation's website as a part of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center's WebCompass
program. The students teamed up to work on the website redesign, search engine optimization
(SEO), and social media tools integration. The Lavin Center Director of Programs,
Bernhard Schroeder, oversaw the project and advised students on the strategy, design,
social media tactics, and deliverables. "One of the most important investments an
organization can make is SEO and Internet marketing," he said. "Increased prominence
of a website within the search results can make a big difference in attaining an organizations
objectives; we utilize students from three different colleges to create the team,"
added Schroeder. Students studying business, graphic design and computer science at
SDSU comprise the website project team. The San Diego River Park Foundation benefited
from a new website, designed to better meet their needs and the students received
a unique learning experience.
The San Diego River Park Foundation WebCompass Program Bernhard Schroeder
Announcing the 2014 California Entrepreneur Conference Panelists
The 2014 California Entrepreneur Conference, an event designed to unite California
entrepreneurship educators, will be hosted on March 5th and 6th on the SDSU campus.
The Conference's primary focus is to increase the interaction between university thought
leaders and share innovative ideas regarding entrepreneurship education. The conference
will highlight five focus areas: curriculum, social entrepreneurship, incubators,
specialty programs, and assurance of learning.
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is proud to announce the panelists and guest speakers
for the inaugural California Entrepreneur Conference being held at San Diego State
University in March, 2014.
Curriculum Panel: University of San Francisco; Chapman University; University of Southern California
Incubator Panel: California State University, Chico; University of California, San Diego; Cal Poly
San Luis Obispo
Social Entrepreneurship Panel: Pepperdine University; University of San Diego; Santa Clara University
Specialty Programs Panel: University of California, Santa Barbara; California State University, Fresno; San
Diego State University
Program Level Assessment: San Diego State University; special guest from University of Florida Dr. Michael H.
Morris
Luncheon Speaker: Dr. Rebecca J. White, University of Tampa
California Entrepreneur Conference Conference Panelists
Student Highlight - Alex Martinez, Lavin Entrepreneur
Alex Martinez is an active member in the Lavin Entrepreneur Program, SDSU's Entrepreneur
Society, the Business Honors Program, Rotaract of SDSU, and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Previously,
he served as Head of the Acquisitions Department at CT Homes. CT Homes is a residential
redevelopment company that renovates distressed real estate all across southern California.
Currently, Alex attends SDSU full-time, works for his own company and participates
in Zahn Center and Lavin Entrepreneur program initiatives.
Currently, he is working to launch Impaktiv Edge, the world's thinnest smartphone
battery charger. Alex and a team of SDSU students have built the prototype and are
about to launch a Kickstarter campaign. "I am focused on building a dream that I and
four other SDSU Aztecs have," he said. "We have created a company called Impaktiv,
and we believe in Freedom By Design, which means we will design products that help
people go further in life than ever before with today's technology," Alex continued.
Impaktiv Edge Kickstarter Lavin Entrepreneur Program Entrepreneur Society
SDSU Semi-Finalists for Ashoka U-Cordes Innovation Award
Michael L. Sloan, the Social Entrepreneurship Program Director at the Lavin Entrepreneurship
Center, was announced as one of the semi-finalists for the Ashoka U-Cordes Innovation
Award at Brown University! The award recognizes high impact and replicable education
innovation. Receiving the award would bring positive recognition to the Hansen Summer
Institute of Leadership and International Cooperation.
The Hansen Summer Institute is a joint three week program hosted by San Diego State
University (SDSU), University of San Diego (USD) and the Fred J. Hansen Foundation.
The main goal of the program is to assist students from all over the globe in the
creation of social entrepreneurship ventures in their native countries in order to
build a better future. "Universities have more obligation to foster, enable and create
critically aware and socially responsible citizens. The program also adds further
credibility to SDSU's extended interest in developing social entrepreneurship as a
critical piece for student education," said Sloan.
The Hansen Foundation has recently extended the Hansen Summer program for summer 2014.
"The Foundation recognizes the value of this program and decided to support our social
entrepreneurship initiatives," Sloan added. The Lavin Center is looking forward to
facilitating international social entrepreneurship endeavors next summer.
Ashoka U-Cordes Innovation Awards The Hansen Summer Institute
VentureStart Competition Finalists Announced
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center recently held the VentureStart Fall 2013 competition.
Of the four finalist teams, Impactiv, Tug Tamer Leashes, and Crowd District placed
1st through 3rd respectively.
The Lavin VentureStart Competition is designed to unify multidisciplinary students
whose talents, ideas and energy may operate tomorrow's leading organizations across
the country. This business model competition cultivates ideas around lean startup
and business model development to reward SDSU students for innovative ideation. Students
from all seven colleges, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels, may enter
the Lavin VentureStart Competition.
The Lavin VentureStart Competition San Diego State University Majors
Co-Founder of Volcom Addresses SDSU Students
On Tuesday October 22, 2013, more than 300 SDSU students, faculty, and local entrepreneurs
attended a talk hosted by the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center to hear Thom McElroy,
the co-founder of Volcom, speak about his entrepreneurial journey. The lecture was
a part of the annual L. Robert Payne Speaker Series, in which distinguished entrepreneurs
are invited to campus to share their insights and lessons learned. Thom shared his
thoughts on how to develop a career based on following your passion. He also discussed
the process of building a company, from gaining funding to building a brand. "You
will see great success if you go all in," Thom said. "Be prepared to fail. I have
failed miserably over the years, but it's how you react, that is critical."
Thom McElroy is a SDSU alumnus, who graduated in 1985 with a degree in graphic communications.
He helped to build Volcom into a $400 million company. A passionate entrepreneur,
Thom focused the company on the ideals of self-expression and individualism. He designed
the face of the company, their distinctive stone-shaped logo, and positioned the brand
culture as an anti-establishment surf and skate company.
Volcom SDSU School of Art and Design
Student Spotlight - John Walsh
"I have always been interested in renewable energy systems that could make our planet
greener and more sustainable," said John Walsh, the CEO of Grow Energy, Inc. The company
plans for utilizing algae to create clean electricity for residential and commercial
structures. Their first system, called Verde, is a technology specifically designed
for individual homes. According to the company, Verde uses a clean combustion process
to burn algal biomass to create electricity and heat energy, which can significantly
offset a property's utility expenses.
The company just received approval from SDSU to install a few units of its energy
system on campus as well as receiving a substantial investment to grow the business.
"Now, we are working on the prototype design since every unit installed should be
modified according to a building's location, height and shape," Walsh continued. "We
can prove that we are able to grow energy endlessly without disrupting environmental
sustainability."
John Walsh is an undergraduate student at SDSU studying finance. He established his
first company, BeeYa Software, when he was 14. He is currently the CEO of Grow Energy
and a new venture Vena, dedicated to solving the water shortage problem around the
world. "I have always been drawn to sustainability and that is why I am so passionate
about each of my companies," said Walsh.
Dr. Alex F. DeNoble New USASBE President Elect
Dr. Alex F. DeNoble, Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, was
recently voted as the new President Elect for the United States Association for Small
Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). This organization is the largest independent,
professional, academic organization in the world dedicated to advancing the discipline
of entrepreneurship. "I am always engaging with passionate entrepreneurship educators
at other universities, and we are all in a friendly competition to push each other
to expand the best practices of entrepreneurship," Dr. DeNoble said. "USASBE will
continue to improve what we do in the area of entrepreneurship education and push
the boundaries of entrepreneurship research," he continued.
The position is a three-year commitment for Dr. DeNoble who will serve as the organization's
president elect beginning January 2014. In January 2015, he will transition into the
role of president of USASBE for one year and in his final year, Dr. DeNoble will become
the immediate past president, assisting with the transition of the next president.
He currently serves on the USASBE board as a director-at-large.
USASBE Alex F. DeNoble
Social Entrepreneurship Teams Win Annual Zahn Challenge
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is excited to announce Re-inflate and Threshers,
two Social Entrepreneurship projects, winning the 2nd Annual Zahn Challenge Competition!
The projects were mentored by professor Michael L. Sloan, Director of Social Entrepreneurship
Program at the Lavin Center. Re-Inflate is a social venture aimed at providing employment
to the homeless by engaging them with the production of inflated mattresses, and the
Threshers Project is a social enterprise that develops efficient threshing machines
for use in third world countries. Both teams were admitted to the Zahn Innovation
Center incubator. The projects received financial support and are ready to proceed
to the next step. "I am really pleased to have the Zahn Innovation Center involved
in social entrepreneurship mainly because it is a very important future track for
entrepreneurs," said Sloan. "Increased awareness of social problems can benefit all
parties, including business owners; it is not about charity, it is about doing business
in a sustainable way," he continued.
Lavin Center Social Entrepreneurship Program
SDSU Finalist for Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Program Award
The Lavin Entrepreneurship Center is proud to announce the selection of SDSU as a
finalist for the 2014 United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship
(USASBE) National Model Undergraduate Program Award! SDSU will compete against three
other nationally-ranked programs from Baylor University, University of Missouri -
Kansas City, and Clarkson University. The USASBE Excellence in Education Awards are
given to colleges and universities that have developed and currently still offer high
quality and innovative programs, the purpose of which is to educate and train future
generations of entrepreneurs. Awards are given for exemplary programs that reflect
innovation, quality, comprehensiveness, sustainability, transferability, depth of
support, and impact.
Dr. Alex DeNoble, Executive Director of the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center, will present
at the USASBE 2014 Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 9-12, 2014. His presentation
will highlight the innovative and comprehensive nature of the undergraduate Entrepreneurship
Program at SDSU. "We are truly honoured that we have received this national recognition
from USASBE. Being identified as finalist from a pool of many outstanding submissions
demonstrates the quality and strength of our program," said Dr. DeNoble. "I look forward
to attending the conference and sharing the great work our faculty are achieving through
this program."
USASBE Excellence in Education Award
Student profile - Marissa Happee
"I was looking for a more holistic way to experience entrepreneurship and really understand
what it means to be an entrepreneur," said Marissa Happee, a Business Management student
at SDSU. She is currently working on creating a dog-friendly leash that has safety
and medical benefits by preventing injuries caused by excessive pulling. "I feel blessed
to have found a solution to a problem I feel passionately about, and hope to share
it with others who experience the same pain," said Happee. "Being an entrepreneur
is so much more than what people may view on the surface, it's really a commitment
to lifelong perseverance," she continued. Her company Tug Tamer Leashes competed in
the Lavin VentureStart Competition and won second place.
Marissa Happee is a SDSU undergraduate student majoring in Business Management with
an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and she is a member of the fall 2012 Lavin Entrepreneur
Program. She joined the two-year program to get a more hands-on experience and learn
more about the business world. "The most rewarding part of building my business is
truly the opportunities to learn and reinforce the education I have received as a
Lavin Entrepreneur student. The program illustrates the resilience and dedication
needed to become a successful entrepreneur, and I truly appreciate all of the mentorship
and support from our directors and my peers over the last year and a half." she said.
Marissa is also working as a market analyst for Superior Foods Inc., an international
frozen foods company. In five years, she hopes to be growing her business by utilizing
her entrepreneurship education and the experiences provided to her through SDSU and
the Lavin Entrepreneurship program.
Lavin Entrepreneur Program VentureStart Competition