Start-It UP!

Series Overview

Each year, the Smith Center organizes the Start-It-UP! Series with the UP! Club, where student entrepreneurs are mentored to create the perfect pitch for their startup. Students attend a series of workshops to develop their ideas and prepare to present to a panel of judges made up of VCs, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and industry leaders for a chance to win $10,000 in prizes.*

*Subject to CBE approval and not a cash prize.

Innovation Day

Wednesday, May 2, 2024 | 2-8:30 PM

The biggest tech event in Hayward!

Event Roadmap

Pitch Decks Are Due by April 27

Ready to elevate your startup?

Show us what you’ve got!

Submit your pitch deck by April 27th, 11 PM and stand a chance to win $50,000 worth of prizes!
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to seize the spotlight on Pitch Day!

Submit Pitch Deck

Start-It UP! Success Story

I can confidently say that the Smith Center's Start-It-Up! Series and pitch competition changed my life. Half a year prior to this Series, with the help of a team, I designed a card game that expands emotional intelligence, soft skills, and improves the quality of in-person communication. Playtesters loved it and there was a need for it in this world, but I didn't establish any plans to bring it to market because there was nothing giving me that direction and push. Then came the Start-It-Up! competition.

The Start-It-Up! Series gave me the opportunity to turn a passion project of mine into a career upon graduation. Participating in the workshops and winning second place in the competition fueled my ambition to dedicate my all to this product. I received fantastic mentorship from the Smith Center directors, Christian Roessler and Izzet Darendeli, and advisor Tim Wat. They genuinely cared about the success of our startup idea and provided constructive, practical feedback.

The workshops guide you in developing a business around your idea through an accelerated process which is challenging yet rewarding. We accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. The opportunity to conquer a challenge like this simply isn't possible in a typical classroom setting. The pitch competition was the highlight of my student experiene.

Sophia (Romanov) Weissman, CEO of Jest

Past Finalists

Start-It-UP! offers students at Cal State East Bay a place to collaborate, innovate and support each other's aspirations; whether that is creating their own start-up or working with a team to realize theirs.

Read the full story.