“Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren’t any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn’t be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person.” – Richard Buckminster Fuller
Oak Crest Entrepreneur Fellowship Program (OCEF)
The Oak Crest Institute of Science and the Pasadena Small Business Development Center are collaborating to develop a STEM entrepreneurship curriculum for students and post-docs. OCEF aims to support minority students and budding entrepreneurs with the knowledge and network needed to launch a career in STEM and in tech startups, be that as a founder – or early employee and future founder. This 1 year program will cover startup skillset courses (business & science) and an opportunity to develop and prototype ideas in the lab.
OCEF is funded by a prize from the U.S. Small Business Administration and leverages the infrastructure of the Monrovia – Oak Crest Science & Technology Incubator Program (MOST-IP) funded by an i6 Challenge grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Interested in STEM and entrepreneurship? Join our group on Discord!
For questions about the program: Chris Buser at c.buser@oak-crest.org
Program and what we’ve done so far
Frequently asked questions
Why? What is different about OCEF?
Both Oak Crest and the Pasadena SBDC have a long history of teaching applied skills in business and science. Our goal is to make this program as “hands-on” as possible, both in developing a startup and in the lab. We are also trying to recruit a balanced cohort of participants of all levels, so that you all benefit from each other’s experience and perspective.
Not sure you’re ready for your own startup? Learn about the needed skills and maybe join a more advanced group.
Think you’re already far ahead? Benefit from 1:1 mentoring, an opportunity to test your idea in the lab, and to recruit other participants to your cause.
What is the high-level goal of OCEF?
Oak Crest links multiple functions and people that typically do not connect soon enough: Research (expertise, instrumentation, grants writing and management, …); Education / Workforce Development (hands-on lab skills, “soft” skills, STEM identity development, equity – diversity – inclusion, outreach, …); Innovation (entrepreneurship, lab infrastructure, R&D services, regulatory support, …).
OCEF specifically targets innovation and workforce development with a focus on equity – diversity – inclusion based on simple facts:
Startups need great employees, students need great jobs – and entrepreneurs and students need help with the same same skillsets.
Why did you add “careers in STEM”?
In order to be a great employee you need to understand the headwinds that your employer is facing, and the skills they want to you to have to help them through it. And today’s employee could be tomorrow’s founder. Read the “Life Sciences Talent Needs” page compiled by the San Diego and Los Angeles EDC and pay attention to the “Skill Requirements” requested by employers: the highest priority skills are “Employability Skills”, which are an integral part of OCEF.
I don’t think I’ll ever make it to Silicon Valley…
Do not confuse startups with unicorns. Popular culture has warped the term “startup”. There is nothing wrong with a solid small business that makes a great product and employs people, that’s the majority of startups! All beginnings are small, and not all unicorns are great businesses.
Do I need a STEM degree to apply?
No, but our program is focused on STEM careers and startups. Convince us that you’re heading in that direction.
Do I need to have a startup or a finished idea to apply?
No, there is no requirement to have an idea ready to go but it’s helpful if you do. Our goal is to teach you the skillset before you need it, and trust me you will need it soon in your job or your startup. All we require is that you’re excited to learn about startups or you won’t do the work. Entrepreneurship is hard.
Can my business partners / friends and I apply as a team?
Yes, absolutely.
Sounds like school. I already have an idea and some lab data. Why should I join?
The classes and the access to our network are still useful. You will learn skills that don’t come up in school and meet people you wouldn’t otherwise meet. We can also support you with one-on-one consulting and lab infrastructure during the program.
Read all the way till here and still have questions or doubts?
Email me (Chris) at c.buser@oak-crest.org