Director's Message
Welcome to Our Winter 2025 Issue!
I’ve always appreciated the phrase, “When one door closes, another door opens.” It’s a simple but effective reminder that challenges often hide opportunities—if we’re willing to look for them.
I once met an entrepreneur who built multiple successful businesses, and he shared a fascinating family tradition. Each night at the dinner table, they’d go around and identify problems they had encountered during the day, adding them to a running list. That list became the foundation for many of his ventures—proof that the best businesses don’t just sell products; they solve real problems.
At Ciocca Center, we embrace that same mindset. When a venture capital course in the business school was canceled due to low enrollment, we didn’t see failure—we saw an opportunity. After speaking with students, we realized the course wasn’t reaching the right audience. It was too introductory for many finance students and not marketed to those passionate about entrepreneurship.
Instead of letting the course disappear, we reimagined it. Partnering with the Management Department in the business school, we created Venture Virtuoso—the same course, but now led by practicing venture capitalists who bring an entrepreneurial lens to the subject. Students get hands-on experience designing a venture fund, meeting Silicon Valley investors, and practicing real-world investment decisions. The result? Overwhelming demand. Next year, the Leavey School of Business is expanding it to two sections! (P.S. Applications for Fall 2025 open soon—check our website!)
In this issue, you’ll find inspiring perspectives on turning problems into opportunities. And as you read, I invite you to reflect: What challenges in front of you might actually be doors waiting to be opened?
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We hope you enjoy this issue!
Keep reading,
Chris Norris, Executive Director
Ciocca Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
 | Check out our Monthly Entrepreneurs' Meetup! The BVA Cafe takes place every Third Thursday of the month at the BVA House (3230 The Alameda). This is where entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors and entrepreneurship curious gather. Click here to register! |
Perspectives  | What is an execution culture and how do you create this? Hear from Sean Wu '27 as he shares his journey of connecting with SCU students to foster a community that brings ideas to life, especially through AI! |
 | Perception plays a crucial role in a leader's ability to navigate challenges effectively. Learn from the Dean's Executive Professor, Sarah Cabral, as she explores how a twelve-year-old overcomes obstacles, demonstrating skills that many adults struggle to master when confronted with difficulties. |
 | Kevin Ngo '20, Digital Transformation Director at Anh Khoa's Brother Company, shares his inspiring journey from working as an accountant at Oracle to embracing entrepreneurship. Discover how Kevin made the bold choice to invest in his family business, transforming it into Vietnam's first smart packaging factory. |
Ciocca Center Presents...  | In collaboration with the Career Center, Ciocca Center held the Start-Ups Meetup, a networking-focused recruitment event! For those interested in working at a startup, this gathering offered an opportunity for students to have 1:1 conversations with up and coming companies. |
Broncos, Actually  | Meet Lindsey Allen '16, Environmental Sustainability Manager at Disney Experiences, who also serves as a Food Leaders Fellow at the Food and Society and Aspen Institute. Lindsey shares her journey through the challenges of post-graduation transitions, entrepreneurship, and her impactful role today—each obstacle serving as an opportunity for growth. Discover valuable insights from her inspiring story! |
Student Stories  | Join us from every major to learn from two actual VCs on the art and science of assessing real start ups! In MGMT167:Venture Capitalist Essentials, identify and convey key differentiating characteristics to know what it takes for a startup to succeed. Applications open next week! |
 | Are you ready to take your innovative ideas to the next level? We invitee all aspiring entrepreneurs, problem solvers, and visionaries to participate in this year’s Ciocca Center's Business Pitch Competition! Win cash prizes and pitch your idea to industry experts and potential investors while gaining valuable feedback to refine and develop your venture. Don’t miss this chance, sign up today! |
 | We officially completed our Winter Term with swag, food, and great people! BEACH provides law and business students with an experiential opportunity to team up with industry professionals, receive clients, and advise companies on legal or business related issues. Sign up to be a part of our Fall 2025 Cohort here! |
 | Applications for our next Innovation Fellows Cohort will be opening soon! Innovation Fellows focus on finding a pain point on our SCU campus and using design thinking methods and empathy to identify and implement solutions. |
A Well-Lighted Place  | Do you have a paper accepted for publication/presentation at a conference/symposia or publication in a journal? Is It focused on an Entrepreneurial Topic? If so, consider applying for travel or publication support! Ciocca Center's travel or publication grant includes airfare, hotel, rental car and conference registration up to $3,000/project. Apply Now! |
 | Ciocca Center accepts Curricular Development Proposals on a rolling basis. The objective of this program is to support the development of new courses, modules, and programs that address themes that broadly relate to the topics of innovation and the entrepreneurial mindset. Learn more. |
 | Learn more about our current research and curriculum development projects here! |
 | Together, we cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset grounded in Jesuit values, empowering every Bronco to make a thoughtful and meaningful impact on their community. Give today and join SCU's vision of shaping our next leaders and global thinkers. |
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Upcoming Events
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BVA Cafe
6:30 p.m., B of A Commons, Lucas Hall 1st Floor, 738 Franklin St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
WHAT: We call it “BVA Cafe” where CAFE stands for: Calling All Founders & Entrepreneurs
Meet and mingle with fellow BVA entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors and entrepreneurship-curious. Enjoy small bites while hearing updates from BVA Alumni and meeting new startup founders.
WHEN: The third Thursday of each month (except November and December when it is on the second Thursday), at 6:30 PM
WHERE: B of A Commons, Lucas Hall 1st Floor, 738 Franklin St, Santa Clara, CA 95050
BVA CAFE is open to all and free of charge; but, Registration is required.
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BVA Cafe
6:30 p.m., 3230 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95053
WHAT: We call it “BVA Cafe” where CAFE stands for: Calling All Founders & Entrepreneurs
Meet and mingle with fellow BVA entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors and entrepreneurship-curious. Enjoy small bites while hearing updates from BVA Alumni and meeting new startup founders.
WHEN: The third Thursday of each month (except November and December when it is on the second Thursday), at 6:30 PM
WHERE: BVA House, 3230 The Alameda (2 doors North of the Hut, across from 7-11). We frequently adjourn to the Hut for adult beverages afterward.
BVA CAFE is open to all and free of charge; but, Registration is required.
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BVA Cafe
6:30 p.m., 3230 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95053
WHAT: We call it “BVA Cafe” where CAFE stands for: Calling All Founders & Entrepreneurs
Meet and mingle with fellow BVA entrepreneurs, mentors, advisors and entrepreneurship-curious. Enjoy small bites while hearing updates from BVA Alumni and meeting new startup founders.
WHEN: The third Thursday of each month (except November and December when it is on the second Thursday), at 6:30 PM
WHERE: BVA House, 3230 The Alameda (2 doors North of the Hut, across from 7-11). We frequently adjourn to the Hut for adult beverages afterward.
BVA CAFE is open to all and free of charge; but, Registration is required.
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