The Center offers interdisciplinary teams of Student Venture Fellows the opportunity to work directly with founders and faculty to support deep market analysis, the development of business plans, the assessment of commercialization pathways for novel research, and to generate pro-forma financials. Projects are guided by an experienced mentor and may include academic credit for Student Fellows.

Students interested in gaining real-world experience with new ventures and early commercialization analysis should contact us at sullivanentrepreneurship@ucsd.edu.

Early-stage companies or faculty interested in the support of graduate level expertise may also contact the Sullivan Center at sullivanentrepreneurship@ucsd.edu. Please note that we can accommodate a limited number of projects per quarter.

More about Venture Fellows

StartR Accelerators provides a multi-session accelerator that supports students, alumni, and researchers with robust training, mentorship, and an ecosystem of resources to advance entrepreneurial ideas from concept to impact. StartR Accelerators have supported over 300 companies, which have raised over $200M in the last twelve years. StartR includes StartR Stage 1 for early stage companies, StartR Stage 2for advanced stage companies, and StartBlue for ocean-based startups from across the nation.

Now accepting applications to StartR Stage 1 Fall 2025 cohort. To be considered, please submit your application by October 15, 2025.

Eligibility:

• Founders: UC San Diego undergraduate students, graduate students, PhD, Postdoc, alumni, and faculty with commercially promising ventures.
• A Team of at least two members is highly encouraged. Solo applications will be considered.
• Ventures that are technology or science-based are preferred, but all business models will be considered.
• Founders must consider the social and environmental impact and the inclusive nature of their venture.
• At least one active member of the team must be a UC San Diego student, faculty member, or alum. 

Apply Now

A sample of Rady StartR Teams

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StartBlue is an accelerator from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography & Rady School of Management that supports the formation of advanced science and engineering startups tackling ocean-focused challenges and solutions integrated into science, industry, investment, and government networks. For more information visit the startBlue webpage.

The Triton Sustainability Challenge (formerly Triton Innovation Challenge) focuses on fostering creativity and bringing to the spotlight commercially promising, environmentally focused technologies generated by the finest minds at UC San Diego. Supported through the generosity of The William and Kathryn Scripps Family Foundation Inc., the program is presented through a partnership of the Rady School of Management, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Jacobs School of Engineering, and is open to the entire campus.

This year's Challenge will feature 2 tracks:

• Advanced and/or Research based - $25,000 prize pool
• Early stage - $5,000

Applications are currently closed. Please check back in early fall for information on next year’s Challenge.

Final event:
Cheer on our finalists as they compete for cash prizes totaling $30,000 to support new and innovative ideas that relate to the environment (comes from, inspired by, or directly impacts nature.) Join us on April 22, 2025, 5:30 PM at Scripps Seaside Forum, as our finalists present their pitches to the university community and San Diego’s business and industry leaders.  RSVP HERE!

Eligibility: 
The Triton Sustainability Challenge is open to current students, faculty and staff from across UC San Diego. Previous applicants who were non-winners are welcome to reapply. All applicants are encouraged to participate in the NSF I-CORPS™ winter program, focusing on sustainability; more information can be found here.

Questions?
Contact SullivanEntrepreneurship@rady.ucsd.edu

The Catalyst Fund provides financial support to help students or student teams advance new venture opportunities. Students must apply for support, and include:

• Market opportunity
• Value proposition
• Barriers and competition
• General business model
• Project milestones

Awardees are required to submit milestone-based reports and a final report that includes how funds were used, what progress was made, and an outline of next steps needed to continue advancing the venture.