UCR’s Office of Technology Partnerships and the SoCal OASIS™ Initiative invite you to an exhilarating evening of food, drinks, networking and innovation at the 2024 SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Finals on Wednesday, December 4th at 4:30PM! Bring your ideas and sign up for Mentor Matchmaking to meet a seasoned professional who can offer insights on business development, raising capital, & more!

The main event will showcase six groundbreaking sustainability startup visionaries competing for a chance to secure $150,000 in cash grants and specialized mentorship from UCR’s EPIC Small Business Development Center. Six judges will vote, but so will you. Your presence isn't just welcomed - it's pivotal.

The SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Night is more than a showcase; it’s a beacon for the region's journey towards sustainable growth and economic inclusivity. So register now - innovation begins with you.

Connect With Community

Enjoy food and drinks and connect with like-minded individuals, potential collaborators, and industry leaders.

Meet a Mentor

Elevate your knowledge and meet with a seasoned mentor in your industry who has successfully navigated the startup landscape.

The Mentor Pool:

• Art Salyer: Batteries, Energy Storage, Clean Tech, Entertainment
• David Pearson: Biotech & Medical Devices
• Doug Kollmyer: Sales Management, Marketing & Strategic Planning
• Eric Gosink: Medical & Life Science Research
• Francis Reyes: Early Stage Entrepreneurship
• Isabelle Bart: Business Administration & Marketing Strategy
• Jay Gilberg: Entrepreneurship, Business Development, Operations
• Ken Gruys: Agricultural Biotech, Technology R&D
• Martin Kleckner: Business Development, Life Sciences, Medical Tech, Operations
• Philip Topham: Startup Coaching, Climate Tech, & Health Tech
• Scott Brovsky: Venture Capital Funding, BSaaS, IT

What is the SoCal OASIS™ Initiative?

The SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Night takes center stage as a pivotal component of the OASIS (Opportunities to Advance Sustainability Social Inclusion and Innovation)™ Initiative, led by the University of California, Riverside. This dynamic initiative is committed to fostering inclusive economic development in Inland Southern California.

Our six finalists emerge as trailblazers in a diverse array of sectors, ranging from agriculture technology and sustainable housing to eco-friendly transportation and electronic recycling. These visionary ventures have been meticulously curated from a pool of fourteen semifinalists, each having undergone a transformative three-week bootcamp orchestrated by EPIC (Entrepreneurial, Proof of Concept, and Innovation Center) and guided by the expert mentors of SBDC (Small Business Development Center).

The SoCal OASIS™ Challenge Pitch Night is made possible by the support from The James Irvine Foundation.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Agenda:

4:30PM: Doors open for registration, refreshments, and networking

5 - 8PM: Program and reception

Location:

Riverside Convention Center
3698 3rd St. Riverside, CA 92501

Parking:
$15 convention center parking (3698 3rd St. Riverside, CA 92501)
Street parking also available