California State University, East Bay-Innovation Festival 2026
1 Full day
10-15
Open
About Us
Innovation Festival 2026, hosted at California State University, East Bay, is a premier campus-wide experience that brings together students, faculty, founders, and industry professionals for a day centered on innovation, career exploration, and real-world connection. Led by UpClub and Smith Center for Private Enterprise Studies, the festival creates a platform where students can engage with ideas beyond the classroom and connect directly with the people and opportunities shaping today’s industries.
Through a dynamic mix of programming, including keynote sessions, career panels, a startup and career expo, and live student pitches, the festival offers an immersive environment that encourages participation, learning, and collaboration. With a diverse group of participants and speakers, Innovation Festival provides students with the opportunity to gain insight, expand their networks, and explore possibilities beyond the classroom.
Two Career Panels - Pick Your Track
Running in parallel, these 40-minute sessions let you choose the conversation most relevant to where you're headed.
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Panel 1: Innovation Within Your Career — Finance, Engineering, PM, Design, Data
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Panel 2: Be Your Own Boss — Founders, Investors, Operators
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30-min panel discussion + 10-min live Q&A
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Real insights into day-to-day roles and career progression
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Paths toward entrepreneurship and financial independence
Lightning Pitches + Startup Competition
Two formats, one electric stage. Watch startups compete for real visibility and validation.
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Lightning Pitches: 10–15 startups, 1 minute each
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Track 1: Impact & Social Innovation: community, sustainability, access
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Track 2: Product & Venture Scale: tech demos, investor-oriented pitches
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3 minutes per team, 5–7 teams per track, live judge feedback
Keynote Session
A high-level featured session at the University Union connecting macro-level insights with real student pathways.
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Focus: the future of work, innovation, and economic shifts
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Featured speaker or panel discussion
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Designed to inspire and inform the next generation of builders
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Special Guest Remarks from ecosystem leaders
Networking Festival + Startup Showcase
The closing segment transforms the space into a festival-style innovation ecosystem with food and open engagement.
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Student startups exhibiting products and ideas
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Sponsor booths and partner activations
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CSUEB clubs and organizations tabling
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Full dinner for all attendees
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Awards ceremony and closing remarks
Expo and Pop-up Market
The expo runs across three distinct zones, giving students multiple ways to engage depending on where they are in their career journey.
- Student orgs: ASI, ALPFA, Beta Alpha Psi, IEEE, Women in Leadership, OSCAR, UpClub
- Companies: IBM, JP Morgan Chase, Robert Half, Vings Technology, Vector AI, Port of Oakland, Vector AI, Omatochi, RedBull
- Pop-up market
Event Rundown
Our Sponsors
