SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship 2025
Saturday, April 19, 2025 • 12:30 - 6 PM
CSU Fullerton, Titan Student Union
REGISTER NOW
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REGISTER NOW •
Admission to this event is free, but registration is required. Save time by registering in advance! Pre-registered attendees can check in quickly at the event, while those who haven’t registered will need to complete the registration process on-site.
SCCE-25 Speakers
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Christina Gallegos
Founder & Managing Partner
Gradient Coast LLCGeorge W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge
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Curtis Chan
Founder & Managing Partner
COGNITIVE IMPACTGrowth to Exit Panel
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Delilah Panio
VP, US Capital Formation
Toronto Stock ExchangeIgnite Panel
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Hamed K Khandan
Founder & CEO
Universal Informatics LLCLaunch Panel
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Jen Chiou
Founder
CodeSpeak Labs / Quest CraftLaunch Panel
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Justin Sanders
Intellectual Property Attorney
Master Key IPGeorge W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge
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Karen Caswelch
Founder & CEO
bridgED manufacturingLaunch Panel
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La Keisha Landrum Pierre
General Partner & Co-Founder
Emmeline VenturesLaunch Panel
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Lizbeth DaBroy
Business Access Advisor
U.S. BankIgnite Panel
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Mike Stone
Chief Investment Officer
Sunstone ManagementGrowth to Exit Panel
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Nitin Bajaj
Founder & CEO
American South Asian Network (ASAN)George W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge
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Ritu Arora Thakur
Founder & CEO
Smart Tech Inc.Ignite Panel
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Rudy Chavarria Jr.
Founder & CEO
College Ed TechGeorge W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge
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Scott Sorrell
CEO
Charge Higher PricesGrowth to Exit Panel
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Sonny Nguyen
Founder
Sonny & Company CPAIgnite Panel
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Thomas Markel
Founder
Seniority CorporationGrowth to Exit Panel
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Xandra Laskowski
Founder & CEO
OSEA Angel InvestorsGeorge W. Wright Lightning Pitch Judge
Generously Sponsored By
Platinum
Silver
Bronze
In-Kind
Program
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The Welcome & Keynote Panel sets the tone as the event's core, reflecting a collective dedication to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Southern California. It serves as a nexus for diverse perspectives and industry expertise, showcasing the transformative impact of collaboration educational institutes in the region.
INTRO:
John Bradley Jackson, CSU Fullerton
WELCOME:
Dean Sri Sundaram, CSUF College of Business & Economics
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The SCCE Exhibitor Showcase brings together a diverse array of forward-thinking companies and entrepreneurs. This dynamic platform offers attendees a firsthand experience of cutting-edge products, services, and technologies that are shaping the future of business. Explore the forefront of innovation, forge valuable connections, and witness the transformative potential of the entrepreneurial spirit at the SCCE Exhibitor Showcase.
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The Ignite Panel sparks innovation through shared insights. Attendees are inspired to embrace entrepreneurial challenges and opportunities, and equipped with strategies to navigate development and startup complexities. This dynamic dialogue between seasoned entrepreneurs and emerging innovators fosters mentorship and networking, marking the start of an entrepreneurial journey.
MODERATORS:
Victor Macias, Santana Snacks
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The Launch Panel showcases regional dedication to innovation and resilience. Here, entrepreneurs exchange survival strategies, engaging in dynamic discussions led by industry experts and seasoned entrepreneurs. Through actionable insights, attendees gain a roadmap for overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship while discovering hidden avenues for success.
MODERATORS:
Cynthia West, Chapman University
Barry Sandrew, Westcliff University
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The Growth & Exit Panel delves into the growth, harvest, and exit stages of the entrepreneurial journey. It highlights the intricacies of successful business expansion and transition strategies. Through engaging discussions, it equips entrepreneurs with tools to navigate growth complexities, reinforcing Southern California's status as an innovation hub.
MODERATORS:
Wade Martin, CSU Long Beach
Travis Lindsay, Titan Angels
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The SCCE Lightning Pitch Competition spotlights the thrilling intersection of innovation, pitching, and opportunity. This session highlights the essence of rapid communication, strategic thinking, and capturing attention in a limited timeframe. Through engaging presentations and valuable feedback, the Lightning Pitch empowers entrepreneurs to refine their pitches and enhance their storytelling skills.
MODERATORS:
Stefani Rios, UC Irvine
David Ochi, CSU Dominguez Hills
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Moderators
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John Bradley Jackson
Director, CSUF Center for Entrepreneurship
Welcome
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Victor Macias
Founder & CEO, Santana Snacks
Ignite Panel
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Barry Sandrew, Ph.D.
Director of Entrepreneurship, Westcliff University
Ignite Panel
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Cynthia West
Director, Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics, Chapman University
Launch Panel
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Wade Martin
Professor of Economics and Director of Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship California State University, Long Beach
Growth to Exit Panel
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Travis Lindsay
Co-Founder, Titan Angels LLC
Growth to Exit Panel
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Stefani Rios
Program Coordinator, ANTrepreneur Center, UC Irvine
George W. Wright Lightning Pitch
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David Ochi
Executive Director, Innovation Incubator, CSU Dominguez Hills
George W. Wright Lightning Pitch

Be part of the movement that’s shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Southern California!
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, investor, or community member, SCCE offers opportunities to connect, collaborate, and contribute. From sponsorships and partnerships to volunteering and attending events, there are many ways to get involved and make an impact. Join us in empowering innovators, fostering connections, and driving economic growth across the region.
A Collaboration Among
Watch SCCE-24 Recaps
Past Events
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SCCE-24
SCCE-24 stands as a testament to the vibrant innovation ecosystem of Southern California. Entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, exhibitors, schools, and students unite to celebrate the region's diverse entrepreneurial spirit, fostering upward mobility and a thriving quality of life.
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SCCE-23
Through shared stories, we honored community members and facilitated resources at SCCE-23 for innovators to build their own American Dream. Our goal was to celebrate SoCal for its richness and resources in the pursuit of becoming the globally recognized leader in innovation and entrepreneurship.
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OCCE-21
Regardless of the lifecycle stage or size of your business, we’re all challenged by seen and unforeseen obstacles that can threaten not only our success but our very survivability. Orange County Celebrates Entrepreneurs 2021 (OCCE-21) focused on developing, starting, surviving, growing and harvesting a business.
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OCCE-20
The inaugural event was held at Cal State Fullerton on February 29, 2020. It brought together entrepreneurs, investors, service providers, students, and business leaders. Through shared stories, we honored community members helping entrepreneurs and innovators build their own American Dream.
