Entrepreneurship Support for Innovators, Startups, and Growing Ventures
Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept & Innovation Center (EPIC)
Entrepreneurship Support for Innovators, Startups, and Growing Ventures
UC Riverside’s EPIC program helps founders move from early concept to growth with mentorship, commercialization guidance, incubation support, and access to capital. Whether you are validating an idea, building your first prototype, or preparing to scale, our team connects you with the right resources at the right stage.
What is EPIC?
UC Riverside's EPIC (Entrepreneurial Proof of Concept and Innovation Center) provides entrepreneurship and venture support for UCR innovators, researchers, students, alumni, and regional startups. Through EPIC, founders can access Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), specialized mentors, entrepreneurial training, incubation resources, funding guidance, and commercialization support designed to help move ideas and technologies toward real-world impact.
EPIC’s mentor network includes experienced founders, operators, investors, and subject matter experts who help entrepreneurs navigate key milestones such as customer discovery, business validation, product development, fundraising, partnerships, and growth planning. The current EIR page already frames this roster as senior leaders and experienced entrepreneurs supporting UCR and community founders through mentorship and investment readiness.
From Concept to Scale
EPIC supports founders through a four-stage pathway designed to help innovators progress from early exploration to commercialization and growth. Depending on your stage, you may access educational programs, one-on-one mentorship, proof-of-concept support, incubation resources, funding guidance, pilot opportunities, and strategic growth connections.
Concept Stage
Build the foundation for your venture
At the earliest stage, founders gain exposure to entrepreneurship through programs that help them explore ideas, understand customer needs, and begin shaping a viable opportunity.
Validation Stage
Test market fit, strengthen feasibility, and prepare for launch
As ideas become more defined, EPIC helps founders validate demand, assess technical and commercial feasibility, build early teams, and connect with mentors and funding support.
Incubation Stage
Turn a validated concept into a viable company
Once a startup has a validated concept or technology, EPIC helps founders move into deeper venture development through incubation, prototype refinement, fundraising preparation, and ongoing mentorship.
Graduation & Scale-Up Stage
Prepare for pilots, partnerships, and long-term growth
For later-stage startups and innovation-driven companies, EPIC provides access to pilot opportunities, strategic partnerships, regional expansion resources, and scale-up support.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Whether you are exploring an idea, validating a technology, building a company, or preparing to scale, EPIC can help connect you to the right next step.
Companies Supported
