Explore UCR programs, funding opportunities, training, and resources designed to help researchers and innovators move ideas from discovery to real-world impact. Whether you’re exploring the commercial potential of your research, seeking funding, developing a startup, or looking for industry connections, UCR Innovation & Entrepreneurship offers support at every stage of the innovation journey.
Entrepreneurial Education Opportunities
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INNOVAR: Explore the Commercial Potential of Your Research
INNOVAR: Explore the Commercial Potential of Your Research
INNOVAR is a seven-week entrepreneurial training program that helps researchers and early-stage innovators explore the commercial potential of their technologies and ideas. Built on the Lean LaunchPad framework, the program guides participants through customer discovery, market analysis, competitive positioning, business model development, intellectual property, funding opportunities, and commercialization pathways. INNOVAR is well suited for UCR faculty, researchers, postdoctoral scholars, students, and research teams interested in translating an innovation from the lab into a real-world solution. Cohorts are offered throughout the year, with specific dates and application deadlines varying by session. Visit the INNOVAR website for information about upcoming cohorts and application opportunities.
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NSF ZAP: Move Your Research Beyond the Lab in 3 Weeks
NSF ZAP: Move Your Research Beyond the Lab in 3 Weeks
Designed for researchers and innovators in the National Science Foundation (NSF) community, NSF ZAP is an intensive three-week program that helps participants explore the potential real-world applications of their research. Through customer discovery and entrepreneurial training, participants learn to identify market needs, test assumptions, and evaluate pathways for translating NSF-supported research beyond the lab.
Innovation Resources
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SBIR/STTR Resource Center
SBIR/STTR Resource Center: Pursue Federal Funding for Your Innovation
UCR’s SBIR/STTR Resource Center helps faculty innovators, researchers, startups, and small businesses pursue non-dilutive federal funding for innovative research and development. Get support identifying funding opportunities, understanding program requirements, developing competitive proposals, and building a strategy to move your technology toward commercialization.
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SBIR Talks Monthly Webinar
SBIR Talks: Learn How to Turn Research into Funding
Attend UCR’s SBIR Talks on the third Thursday of each month to learn how researchers, startups, and small businesses can pursue non-dilutive federal funding through America’s Seed Fund programs. Sessions cover SBIR/STTR opportunities, proposal strategies, agency insights, and other topics to help innovators navigate the federal funding process.
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UCR Monthly Innovation Office Hours
Join UCR’s Monthly Innovation Office Hours
Get your innovation and startup questions answered by an expert on the 4th Wednesday of each month to connect with mentors, entrepreneurs, and startup resources designed for university-affiliated innovators.
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Business Mentorship
EPIC Business Mentorship: Get One-on-One Guidance for Your Startup
Turn your research or innovation into a stronger business with support from UCR’s EPIC Small Business Development Center. Entrepreneurs and startup teams can connect with experienced mentors for one-on-one guidance on business strategy, funding, commercialization, customer discovery, team development, and other challenges involved in building and growing a venture.
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Technology Commercialization Services
Technology Commercialization Services: Move Your Research Toward Real-World Impact
UCR’s Technology Commercialization team helps researchers move discoveries from the lab toward real-world impact. Get support with invention disclosure, intellectual property and patent strategy, technology assessment, licensing and commercialization, and connections with industry partners to advance your innovation.
Startup Community Events
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Monthly Open Workday at the Life Sciences Incubator
Monthly Open Workday at the Life Sciences Incubator
Join us each month at UCR’s Life Sciences Incubator for a free open workday designed for startups, faculty, researchers, students, and community innovators working in life sciences, medtech, biotech, agriculture, health innovation, and related fields.
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Quarterly Open Workday at Riverside ExCITE
Quarterly Open Workday at Riverside ExCITE
Join UCR’s Quarterly ExCITE Open Workday + Startup Social to cowork alongside founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators during the day, then connect with Inland Southern California’s startup community during an evening networking social.
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SoCal OASIS® Pitch Challenge
SoCal OASIS® Pitch Challenge: Pitch Your Innovation and Compete for Funding
The SoCal OASIS Pitch Challenge gives researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs the opportunity to showcase promising technologies and startups, gain valuable exposure, and compete for funding. Selected participants pitch their ventures to a panel of judges and connect with investors, industry leaders, mentors, and the regional innovation community.
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Innovation Month & Startup World Cup
Innovation Month & Startup World Cup: Showcase Your Startup on a Global Stage
Each spring, Riverside County Innovation Month brings together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, and community partners through a series of regional pitch competitions and innovation events. Startups can compete for funding, build connections, and advance for the opportunity to represent the region at the Startup World Cup and compete on a global stage.