University of California UC Irvine Entrepreneurship Events Schedule October 25 to December 20, 2025

Based on a comprehensive search of UC Irvine’s official sources (including the Paul Merage School of Business, Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, ANTrepreneur Center, and UCI Beall Applied Innovation @ the Cove), as well as broader Orange County startup calendars, specific dated events in this period are limited. Fall 2025 calendars are still being finalized, and many entrepreneurship programs (e.g., workshops, info sessions, and challenges) are ongoing or drop-in throughout the quarter but not tied to fixed dates. Below is a curated list of confirmed or highly relevant events with an entrepreneurship focus. For ongoing programs, I’ve noted key details.

Events are listed chronologically. All are free unless noted; registration links are provided where available.

#### September 25, 2025 (Welcome Week Kickoff – Career Pathways Events with Entrepreneurship Tie-In)

These events from UCI’s Division of Career Pathways introduce job search and networking skills, which are foundational for entrepreneurs. Location: Division of Career Pathways (DCP), 300 Commerce Dr., Irvine, CA 92697 (unless specified).

– **Patio Party @ DCP**  

  Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM  

  Description: Casual networking mixer for new students to connect with career advisors and peers—ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs building early networks.  

  Registration: Drop-in (no registration required).

– **How to Find a Part-Time Job (Virtual)**  

  Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM  

  Description: Webinar on using Handshake and UCI resources for part-time gigs; useful for student entrepreneurs testing side hustles.  

  Registration: Zoom link via [career.uci.edu/welcome-week](career.uci.edu/welcome-week/).

– **DCP Tabling**  

  Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM  

  Description: Outdoor info session on career resources, including entrepreneurship tools like resume reviews for startup pitches. Location: Ring Road near Student Center.  

  Registration: Drop-in.

– **Internships! Student Panel w/ Pizza**  

  Time: 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM  

  Description: Panel of UCI students sharing internship experiences, with tips on entrepreneurial internships and startup roles. Includes pizza.  

  Registration: RSVP via [career.uci.edu/welcome-week](career.uci.edu/welcome-week/).

#### September 26, 2025

– **La Bienvenida (Welcome Event with Latinx Focus)**  

  Time: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM  

  Description: Cultural welcome with music, food, performances, and networking from Latinx student organizations—opportunities for diverse entrepreneurial connections. Entrepreneurship tie-in: Informal mingling with student orgs that host startup events.  

  Location: Aldrich Park (central campus).  

  Registration: Free; drop-in. Details at [today.uci.edu](today.uci.edu/).

#### Fall Quarter 2025 (September 25 – December 12: Ongoing Programs)

These run throughout the quarter (UCI Fall instruction begins September 25; ends December 5, with finals December 6–12). No fixed dates, but sessions are weekly or on-demand. Contact organizers for current schedule.

– **UCI Stella Zhang New Venture Competition (SZNVC) – Key Milestones**  

  Description: Annual pitch competition for startups ($100,000+ in prizes across tracks like life sciences and social enterprise). Open to UCI students, staff, and community. Submit concept papers early; semifinals and feedback sessions occur in fall. Grand Finale typically in spring, but fall includes workshops and mentoring.  

  Key Dates: Submissions open now (deadline likely late fall); info session video available. Eligible if graduating May 2025 or later.  

  Location: Beall Center (Paul Merage School) or virtual.  

  Registration: Apply at [merage.uci.edu/new-venture-competition](merage.uci.edu/research-faculty/centers/innovation-entrepreneurship/new-venture-competiton.html).

– **AI Innovation Course (ANTrepreneur Center)**  

  Description: Hands-on course sponsored by SparkRockets, focusing on AI for business validation and startup ideas. Includes workshops, mentoring, and Demo Day (likely mid-November). Builds on 2024 success with AI-driven projects.  

  Location: ANTrepreneur Center (Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway, Room 1515).  

  Registration: Enroll via UCI Campus Groups or email antrepreneur@uci.edu. Details at [antrepreneur.uci.edu](antrepreneur.uci.edu/).

– **$ide Hustle Challenge (ANTrepreneur Center)**  

  Description: Program for turning student side hustles into ventures via workshops, mentoring, and a final marketplace event (likely early December). Open to all UCI undergrads.  

  Location: ANTrepreneur Center.  

  Registration: Sign up via [antrepreneur.uci.edu](antrepreneur.uci.edu/) or Campus Groups.

– **Master of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (MIE) Info Sessions**  

  Description: Virtual sessions on the MIE program, covering lean startup methods, opportunity discovery, and UCI’s ecosystem. Aimed at grad students/prospective entrepreneurs.  

  Location: Zoom.  

  Registration: Check [merage.uci.edu/events](merage.uci.edu/events/) for fall dates (typically monthly).

– **ANTrepreneur Center Drop-In Consultations**  

  Description: One-on-one mentoring with venture consultants for idea validation, business planning, and resources (e.g., AWS credits for cloud-based startups).  

  Location: ANTrepreneur Center.  

  Registration: Schedule via antrepreneur@uci.edu.

– **No Confirmed Events October–December**: Calendars for Merage School, Beall Applied Innovation, and Cove @ UCI show no fixed events in this window yet (e.g., no pitch nights or summits listed). Check back as fall programming rolls out—e.g., OC Innovation Week often spills into October.

– **Broader Resources**: Follow UCI ANTrepreneur Center on LinkedIn/Instagram for pop-up workshops. For Orange County-wide events (some near UCI), visit [ocstartupcouncil.org](www.ocstartupcouncil.org/oc-startup-events-calendar).