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.

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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
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  • 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

George W. Wright Lightning Pitch

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!

Congratulations to our 2026 Winners!

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

Generously Sponsored By

PROGRAM PARTNER

HOST UNIVERSITY

FUNDING PARTNER

SILVER SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

IN-KIND SPONSORS

Community & Media Partners

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Past Events

Watch the highlights and relive SCCE-25 as we gear up for SCCE-26!

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