»Events

4th Sector Innovations Startup Incubator and Accelerator 
Graduation and Pitch Day 
Thursday, May 8, 2025 
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868 

Building the Careers You Want  
Thursday, April 24, 2025 
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868

In collaboration with Wilkinson College, the Leatherby Center hosts three esteemed panelists from the legal, education and tech industries. The panelists will share their journeys and answer any questions the audience might have about launching their dream careers.  

The Future of Food  
Thursday, April 17, 2025 
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868 

We will explore innovations in the food industry, from plant-based proteins, to kitchen robots, to apps that offer dining suggestions based on your nutrition and dietary needs. This event is your chance to discover the future of what’s on your plate. 

Sales Workshop 
Effective Meetings: Driving Engagement & Achieving Results  
Thursday, April 10, 2025 
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868 

This interactive workshop is designed to elevate your collaboration skills. You'll learn:

• How to set realistic goals and expectations for your meetings.
• Effective strategies to structure conversations for maximum engagement.
• Essential questions that foster meaningful dialogue and drive results. 

WomenEntrepreneurs@Chapman Presents: 
Women in Business Happy Hour and Mixer  
Thursday, April 3, 2025 
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868 

Come and meet other female founders, small business owners, and women in business. This is a perfect chance to network and meet other inspiring women. 

Sales Workshop -  Negotiations: Sealing the Deal   
Eric Gildenhuys, CEO of Rezultant Inc.  
Wednesday, March 19, 2025  –  5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.   
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868   

Learn to master the art of negotiation and close deals with confidence in this insightful workshop. You'll explore:  

• How to identify the perfect moment to close a business deal.  

• The top three reasons negotiation skills are critical for success.  

• Creative alternatives to lowering your price by negotiating value.

Panther Cage Pitch Competition    
Friday, March 14, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.   
549 W. Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868  

Calling All Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Sign up for Chapman University’s Panther Cage Competition    

The Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics hosts its annual ‘shark-tank’ like pitch competition. Why Participate?    

• Students and community members separately compete for $1,500  

• Angel investors and venture capitalists who can opt to fund your startup   

• Feedback from experienced judges   

• Meet other entrepreneurs and possible partners   

• Forge bonds with potential backers, and industry experts   
• Special keynote by Confidence Coach, Karen A. Clark!  

Venture Summit | West   
April 2nd and 3rd, 2025 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.   
Computer History Museum, Silicon Valley   

Whether you’re a startup seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals, Venture Summit | West, presented by youngStartup Ventures, is one event you won’t want to miss.  

This exclusive venture summit is dedicated to showcasing early-stage VCs, Corporate VCs and angel investors committed to funding venture backed, emerging and early-stage companies as well as showcasing trailblazers in the AI, Cleantech, Fintech, Life Science & Healthcare Tech, MedTech, Climate Tech, and more sectors.  

WomenEntrepreneurs@Chapman Presents: 

Roger Lloyd of SBDC-OCIE  
Thursday, March 6, 2025  –  4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.  
549 W Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868  

There is a ton of free money out there to grow your business. Roger will talk about non-dilutive funds, money that does not require percentage ownership in your company.  

Sales Workshop - Sales and Revenue Growth  

Eric Gildenhuys, CEO of Rezultant Inc. 
Thursday, February 27, 2025 –  5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  
549 W Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868   

Join us for an engaging workshop designed to help you grow your startup’s revenue and refine your sales strategies. This session will explore: 

• The key traits of effective salespeople using a Sales Performance Maturity model. 

• The buyer’s psychological journey and how to engage at the right time. 

Love Always Wins Workshop
Friday, February 14, 2025 – 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
549 W Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868

In a world that feels more divided than ever, many have lost faith in love’s power. But what if love isn’t just an emotion or belief—it’s a scientifically proven force? Join tech and social entrepreneur Hamed 'K' Khan for an exploration of love as a fundamental driver of cooperation, unity, and survival. Learn from 12 groundbreaking works in biology, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence, and uncover why love is evolutionarily designed to win.

WomenEntrepreneurs@Chapman Presents:

Joint Event with Octane's LaunchPad and SBDC

Thursday, February 6, 2025 – 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
549 W Palm Ave, Orange, CA 92868 

You will learn how to pitch to investors for funding. Register if you would like to present your pitch and receive feedback. 

The Future of Place
December 5 – 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

As the real estate industry emerges from the pandemic, cities around the globe are transforming to meet the demands of a dynamic, technology-driven future. This event will delve into the innovative ways urban spaces are being reimagined to address global challenges such as affordable housing, mobility, and sustainability, while also aligning with new investment trends in both commercial and residential real estate.

The Future of Transportation
November 14 – 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. 

It’s an exciting time in the transportation industry! Transportation is experiencing unprecedented innovations with new technologies and ideas aimed at improving efficiency, sustainability, and safety like: 

• Electric Vehicles (EVs) 
• Autonomous, self driving Vehicles (AVs) 
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and other alternative energy sources 
• Electric scooters and bikes  
• Urban Air Mobility (UAM) 
• Public transportation initiatives like Elon Musk’s Hyperloop high speed transportation system using low pressure tubes to transport pods at near-supersonic speeds 
• Smart transportation infrastructure 

Our panel of experts will address these amazing innovations that are shaping the future of transportation, making it more sustainable, efficient, and accessible for people around the world. 

Show Her the Money
October 24 – 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
DMAC 123 Screening Theater 

Join us for an inspiring evening as we screen Show Her the Money, a powerful documentary highlighting the challenges women face in securing venture capital. The event will feature a reception at 6pm, followed by the film at 7pm, and a panel discussion with the producers at 8:30pm. This special screening kicks off our WomenEntrepreneurs@Chapman program, designed to empower and support female founders. 

The Future of Entertainment: Storytelling
October 10 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  

The entertainment industry is undergoing monumental changes with the onset of artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), streaming, immersive experiences, and other technologies. The Dodge Film School and the Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Ethics bring you an amazing line up of speakers who will address how AI and other innovations are impacting storytelling in the film, music, entertainment, and content industry. Our panelists will discuss: 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Content Creation  
• Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) 
• Immersive Theater Experiences 
• And traditional storytelling  

The Future of Sports:
September 19 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  

As the sports world undergoes rapid transformation, driven by advancements in technology, data analytics, and changing fan expectations, the "Future of Sports" aims to provide a platform to explore these trends and their impact on athletes, teams, and the broader industry. Our panelists will discuss: 

• The Rise of Esports: Discover how competitive gaming is evolving and influencing traditional sports.
• Future of Fitness: Learn about the innovations driving the future of health and wellness.
  
• NIL Rights and Technology: Understand the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights on athletes and the industry.
• Fan Engagement and Virtual Experiences: Explore new ways technology is enhancing the fan experience, both in-person and online.
• AI and VR: Delve into how artificial intelligence and virtual reality are providing live feedback and transforming gameplay in esports.
  

Pitch Day and Graduation of Third Startup Incubator
June 27 – 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.  

Pitch Day and Graduation of Second Startup Incubator
May 24 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.  

Celebrate the journey and achievements of our second startup incubator and accelerator cohorts, partnered with 4th Sector Innovations. Our entrepreneurs, having undergone three months of intensive growth, will present their ventures through 11 engaging 3-minute pitches, followed by a Q&A session with guest judges. This event offers a unique chance to glimpse their innovative ideas and products. Afterwards, enjoy a light celebration lunch, mingle with the teams, network with other attendees, and savor good food and company. Additionally, we welcome our first Community Forum for Modern Business and Innovation participants onsite.

Panther Cage Match Competition
April 12 – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

Join us at Chapman University’s Panther Cage Match Competition, an exciting event that spotlights the thrill of presenting new business ideas to savvy and seasoned investors. This year, we're kicking things off with an extra dose of inspiration, featuring a special guest from Amazon Web Services (AWS), who will share the secrets behind Amazon's culture of innovation and journey from a humble bookstore to a global innovation leader. 

PitchCraft: Film, Script, and Startup Edition
April 5 – 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. 

The Dodge Film School and Leatherby Center for Entrepreneurship team up to talk about personal and professional pitches. In this joint workshop, we will show you how to pitch a movie to a studio, how to pitch a screen play to a producer, and how to pitch a startup idea to an angel investor. We will give students the opportunity to role play and pitch in a safe space. 

Start-Up to Scale-Up: The Alteryx Success Story
March 28 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  

Be part of an enlightening evening as Libby Duane Adams, Chief Advocacy Officer of Alteryx, shares the remarkable story of organically growing Alteryx into a global analytics leader. Gain entrepreneurial insights, explore Alteryx's impact on companies like McLaren, Coca-Cola, and Siemens Energy, and take part in an engaging Q&A session. Don't miss this opportunity to uncover the strategies behind scaling a startup into a market leader. Reserve your spot now for an evening of inspiration and valuable business insights. 

Generations in Business: Navigating Family Transition
March 14 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. 

Take part in this insightful event that explores the dynamics of joining, leading, or stepping away from a family business. Our panel of esteemed family business experts — Ed Hart, Jenny Dinnen, Pamela Kellogg, and Miguel Gonzalez III — will share experiences and advice on preparing to enter the family enterprise, integrating outside leadership, handling succession when the next generation has different passions, and fostering innovation across generations. Discover strategies for respecting professional boundaries with family members, maintaining work-life balance, and managing generational wealth. This event is crucial for students and young entrepreneurs facing the unique challenges and opportunities within family-operated businesses. 

SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship 2024
March 9 – 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship 2024 brings together entrepreneurs, students, business leaders, service providers, and investors to celebrate Southern California as a diverse hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that fosters culture and upward mobility, and delivers an enhanced quality of life. 

NOTE – This event is at Cal State Fullerton 

Safeguarding Brilliance: Protecting your Creative Capital
February 29 – 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  

Learn how to navigate trademarks and safeguard your creative ideas and brand. This is your opportunity to gain actionable insights from our distinguished panel of experts at the forefront of intellectual property law, including Eric Jaegers, J.D., a Clinical Assistant Professor at Chapman University; Lynne Boisineau from Boisineau Law; Justin Sanders from Masterkey IP; and Stephanie Pottick, founder of Protect for Success®. Reserve your spot now for an evening that promises to strengthen your understanding of intellectual property essentials and empower your entrepreneurial journey. 

AI & Media Arts Collide: Future Visions Symposium 
February 23 – 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 

This unique event offers an exclusive opportunity to interact with special guest Tim Bicio, CTO of Lightstorm Entertainment—the innovative minds behind James Cameron's Avatar films and pioneers in digital cinema. Pose your questions and gain insights into the groundbreaking enhancements transforming the cinematic experience.  

Joining this insightful journey, AI experts from Dell Technologies, Craig Allen and Jon McKim, will share perspectives on the promises and responsibilities of AI, emphasizing the pivotal role of data in shaping its effectiveness. Uncover what the future holds as AI continues to shape the dynamic landscape of entertainment.   

December 6 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

PitchPerfect: Refining Startup Brilliance

Pitch your startup idea in front of four seasoned angel investors ready to provide you with valuable feedback. It’s the perfect opportunity to refine and elevate your pitch to the next level.

November 9 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

David Friedman, Ray Chan, Tech Coast Angels, The Perfect Pitch 

Venture capitalists from Tech Coast Angels will give a presentation on how to give a winning pitch for your startup. Learn what VCs are looking for in a great pitch to receive funding.   

November 1 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Sylvie Bastardo, Niklas Myhr, Matt Prince, Neal Schaffer, panel on social media and entrepreneurship 

Hear the story about Professor Prince offering to cancel the final if a student received over 1m views on Tik Tok. Sylvie Bastardo will relay the story of how she did it! 

October 27 – 11:30 a.m. 

Nathan Schulhof, Inventor of the MP3 Player 

Mr. Schulhof is a visionary and entrepreneur who not only conceived of one of the best-selling word processors for the Apple 2 but is recognized by the Smithsonian as the inventor of the MP3 player. Come and hear Schulhof’s many awe-inspiring stories of innovation. 

October 19 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Tansu Philip, Viva La Boba, actor and screenwriter 

Leah de Leon, Founder Unreel Stories, video and content producer 

Chapman alumni Tansu and Leah are both in the film, media and content professions. Leah will share how she started her content production company. Tansu will talk about balancing and running a boba shop with her profession as an actor and screenwriter. 

October 11 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Wing Lam, founder of Wahoo's Fish Tacos  

Come hear Wing Lam’s entrepreneurial journey! Learn how he started Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and grew the business into a successful franchise.  

October 5 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Karen Caswelch, CEO of Archytas Robotics 

Calling all techies! Learn how Karen Caswelch’s career was and how she became an entrepreneur. Karen will share what it is like being a woman in tech and more.  

September 20 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

JC Ruffalo, The Cove Fund, and founder of three startups 

Chapman alum JC Ruffalo talked about how he started and ran 3 companies. Now he runs a $30m venture fund! 

September 14 – 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

Co-founders Arden Gilfillan and Margaux Reaume of Argaux a wine distribution company 

Arden and Margaux shared how they met and discovered their passion for food and wine, which led to their successful wine distribution business. 

April 21, 2023 - Leadership Conference

February 24, 2023 - Career Launch Boot Camp 

February 23, 2023 - Parent Spring Summit