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
Wednesday, May 2, 2024
The biggest tech event in Hayward!
Event Roadmap
Pitch Decks
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
I 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
Start-It-UP! offers students at 91短视频 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.
Hydrate Company
Affordable holistic wellness everywhere!
Everyone's a farmer
Surf, Select, Save, Sort, and See things differently- in your own way.
Quality Motorcycle Gear
Redefining the way amateur sports clubs operate and build
Connecting people and office spaces anytime and anywhere
Connect users to and accessible, reliable and available EV charging ports
A gentle approach to skincare.
We will help you inspire your inner artist, so you can create life鈥檚 masterpieces!
Helping truck drivers adapt to the technology era.
A next generation gig marketplace that provides an all-inclusive solution for 鈥渙n-demand鈥 employment and economic opportunities.
Easy way for students to complete tasks.
Impacting society not only in Etinan, Nigeria, but in the world at large.
Ridiculously funny way to expand emotional intelligence and social skills.
An AI based credit scoring, risk assessment and tracking system that enables POS financing through merchants within minutes.
Dynamic style options with unique tailored results for each user.
Better Data. Better Health.
An affordable monthly subscription for our sustainable toy.
Providing a dynamic easy to use app in real time connecting available resources for homelessness.
Inspire, engage, achieve.
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