Mon
5:10 – 6:00 PM
Pitches & Popcorn
Bainer Hall 1503
Watch and discuss real startup pitches like an investor would — popcorn included. The easiest second visit after an ENG 8 class session.
UC Davis Student Startup Center
Find the problem.
Find the problem.
Build the thing.
A place in Bainer Hall for students who want to start something, join something, or make something.
This week in Bainer
Show up. No RSVP.
Tue
5:10 – 6:00 PM
Unscripted
Bainer Hall 1503
"Comfortable being uncomfortable" — a rotating social/skill-building activity (think line dancing) designed to build founder grit and belonging, not pitch anything.
Wed
2:10 – 3:00 PM
Startup School
Bainer Hall 1503
A weekly workshop series tackling the real challenges founders face — the lowest-commitment way to start showing up.
Wed
4:10 – 5:00 PM
Skillbuilder
Bainer Hall 1503
Expert presentations on research and entrepreneurship topics — IP and tech law, fundraising mechanics, and other practical sessions.
Thu
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Hack Nights
Bainer Hall 1503
Open build time. Craft a personal website, tinker with hardware, or work on whatever you have been meaning to start — no team or idea required.
Fri
1:10 – 2:00 PM
Speaker Series
Bainer Hall 1503
Founders, investors, and technology leaders in conversation with live student Q&A.
Pick a door
Three ways in
Found
Start a company
Bring a problem, not a pitch. EIR is open all year, so any team can apply. It has three milestones: customer discovery, a working MVP, and a first sale.
Join
Work on someone's team
Meet founders at Pitches & Popcorn and the Speaker Series, then find a team that needs you.
Build
Make a thing
Hack Night is Thursdays 5:00 – 7:00 PM in Bainer 1503: open build time with no team or idea required. Laser cutters and 3D printers are in Bainer 1122 and 1124.
Not sure? Show up to an event or take ENG 8. Every door leads there.
The path
From first visit to launch
Grow
EIR or the Certificate
EIR is rolling. The Certificate in Entrepreneurship is a course sequence.
Launch
PLASMA
12-week accelerator. Applications open in December. The Health track is at Aggie Square, run by Venture Catalyst / IEDO.
Not a student?
Help student founders
Alumni, mentors and investors
Mentor an EIR or PLASMA team, judge a Demo Day, or come speak.
Faculty and campus partners
Run an Innovation for Impact challenge track, or partner on a program with the College of Engineering.