Date: Thursday, April 17th, 2025
Location: COB2 290, UC Merced
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM


Agenda

Welcome + Meet the Mentors
Kick off the event with introductions and networking opportunities.

Commercialization Presentation & User Persona Workshop
Led by Micki Seibel, The VINE’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence

  • Overview of the commercialization process: from idea to investment
  • Fundamentals of user-centered design
  • Hands-on session: Develop a user persona for a novel product

Funding Strategies: From Idea to Investment
Explore different pathways to fund your innovations.

Tech Transfer Presentation
Learn the essentials of intellectual property and technology licensing.

Networking + Mentor Feedback
Connect with mentors, ask questions, and exchange ideas.


Learning Objectives

By attending this workshop, you will gain insights into:

  • How to design products with the end-user in mind
  • Building solutions that serve diverse communities
  • Understanding its role in translating tech into real-world impact
  • Steps to get your innovations licensed
  • Comparing non-dilutive capital (grants) vs. dilutive capital (investments)

Who Should Attend:
Innovators, entrepreneurs, students, faculty, and anyone curious about tech commercialization and innovation.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, network, and grow!