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OUR PROGRAMS

Since its inception in 1979, CIED has supported UC Santa Cruz students along their path of entrepreneurship. We provide student coursework, boot camps, pitch competitions, and internships.

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INNOVATION & ENTREPRENEURSHIP CERTIFICATE

In 2023, we are launching a brand-new, three-course program that supports venture creation, instills the entrepreneurial mindset, and prepares to use relevant innovation tools and methods.

PITCH COMPETITIONS

We provide real-world opportunities, such as business pitch competitions sponsored by UCSC, NSF I-Corps, Santa Cruz Works, SCEE,, and Blackstone, that can serve as a launchpad for students’ professional career paths.

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GET VIRTUAL & INTERNSHIPS

GetVirtual teaches students how to be project managers while supporting small businesses by building websites and social media campaigns free of charge.

We have paid student internships in partnership with the Small Business Development Center of Santa Cruz.

Student Creativity Empowerment and Entrepreneurship UCSC Club

SCEE aims to build a diverse community of student innovators and creative problem solvers. We encourage students, through our engaging events and workshops, to have unique insights on social and technical problems our society is facing today.

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MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

CIED offers many opportunities for connecting students with potential mentors including an entrepreneur-in-residence program funded through

Blackstone Launchpad.

OUR FOUNDATIONAL PARTNERS

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National Science Foundation Innovation Corps

I-Corps is a co-curricular program that enables the transformation of scientific discovery and invention to impact through venture creation.

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Blackstone Launchpad

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Thanks to a partnership with the Blackstone Launchpad, we help build next-generation companies through inclusive and equitable innovation.

We announce calls for applications, workshops, events, funding and mentorship opportunities on CruzX. In order to participate in our programs, please join CruzX by using your UCSC email.

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