The University of California announced today (Nov. 30) that a $22 million investment from the State of California to accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship across the UC system has supported more than 500 new startups and existing companies, helped launch at least 47 new products and enabled companies to attract $3.7 million in additional investments.

Assembly Bill 2664, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Expansion, was authored by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and signed in fall 2016 by Gov. Jerry Brown. Through the bill, each of UC’s 10 campuses received $2.2 million in one-time funding in Jan. 2017 to invest in infrastructure, incubators and entrepreneurship education programs.

Among the programs and initiatives supported by AB 2664 was Leaders for the Future, a cross-campus collaboration between the Office of Research, the Internship and Career Center, GradPathways and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Leaders for the Future helps Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars connect with applied experiences beyond academia through immersives (internships, job shadowing, projects) while supporting business skills development. The program provides training in the skills needed to excel in diverse careers across industry, government and more.

To learn more about how AB 2664 has propelled new innovation and entrepreneurship efforts at the University of California, Davis, visit the Technology Management and Corporate Relations website.

About Graduate Studies at UC Davis

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes 99 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.

UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.