Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA

Earlier this week, we had the privilege of co-hosting Scott Hartley, Founder and Managing Partner of Everywhere Ventures along with Daryl Png from Singapore Global Network (SGN) for an inspiring talk on venture investing, AI startups, and the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. As an early investor in Headway, Dev, and over 400 startups, Hartley shared his expertise on spotting trends, building dynamic venture partnerships, and scaling startups. He emphasized how traditional venture models often become static, while Everywhere Ventures thrives as a community-driven model, connecting 1,000+ founders and leveraging their collective insights beyond board meetings. Hartley offered invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, stressing the importance of laser-focused go-to-market strategies and gradually expanding into adjacencies. He encouraged founders to identify major problems at the intersection of current tech capabilities and future trends. He also highlighted the potential of small language models tailored to specific workflows, alongside promising sectors like fintech, healthcare, and the future of work. On a global scale, Hartley explored entrepreneurship in emerging markets, where access to capital remains a challenge but opportunities for business model arbitrage abound. By analyzing established startup ecosystems, founders in emerging markets can forecast growth patterns and strategically adapt proven models to drive success. A huge thank you to Hartley for sharing his insights with Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA, Adriel Yong for moderating the chat, and Emily Fang for supporting the event - we had a standing room only turnout. If you missed this event, stay tuned—we’ve got more exciting speakers and events coming your way!

Last Tuesday, UCLA’s Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA (GES) had the incredible opportunity to host Shamin Walsh, Managing Director at BAM Ventures, for an insightful conversation on early-stage investing, consumer startups, and the evolving startup ecosystem. One of the main takeaways is the importance of finding the right co-founder – someone who isn’t just a business partner but a complement to your skillset, much like a marriage built on trust, shared vision, and mutual respect. She also stressed the value of self-awareness in entrepreneurship, noting that great founders understand their own strengths and know when to delegate. When it comes to investment decisions, BAM Ventures look beyond raw numbers, focusing on consumer traction and engagement over early-stage hype. Shamin also debunked some common misconceptions about funding, pointing out that valuation isn’t just about financials—it’s an art that involves negotiation and storytelling. Ultimately, success in entrepreneurship isn’t about following a fixed formula. It’s about adaptability, leadership, and knowing how to play to your strengths while addressing weaknesses. The best founders don’t just stick to a rigid plan; they embrace uncertainty, iterate on their ideas, and refine their strategies as they go. Shamin’s insights left us inspired and ready to take bold steps in our own entrepreneurial journeys. A huge thank you to her and BAM Ventures for sharing their wisdom—we’re excited to put these lessons into action!

Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA Entrepreneurship Society Fireside Chat with Shamin Walsh! ?? Unlock the Secrets of Consumer Investing & Startups We’re excited to bring you an exclusive fireside chat with Shamin Walsh, Managing Director at BAM Ventures and an early investor in sweetgreen, Flexport, and Sir Kensington's! With 17+ years of angel investing experience, Shamin has deep expertise in consumer startups, venture capital, and investment strategy. She’s also a former transactional attorney, offering a unique perspective on fund formation, deal structuring, and scaling businesses. ?? What to Expect: ? The future of consumer startups & investment trends ? How to stand out and attract top investors ? Interactive Q&A with a leading VC In ?? Event Details: ?? Date & Time: February 11, 7:00-8:00 PM (PT) ?? Location: UCLA Boelter Hall 5422 ?? RSVP Now: https://lnkd.in/e53yp7YF ? Learn More About Shamin & BAM Ventures: https://lnkd.in/epzreB3k Don’t miss this chance to connect with one of SoCal’s top investors! ??

Last Friday, the Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA (GES) had the incredible opportunity to visit SmartGateVC, a forward-thinking venture capital firm based in Los Angeles. This visit to the firm, which is also known as the Hero House LA, was an eye-opening experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship. SmartGateVC specializes in supporting early-stage startups with transformative potential. During our visit, we had the opportunity to engage with the Co-founder, Ashot Arzumanyan, who generously shared his insights into what it takes to identify and nurture groundbreaking ideas. He discussed his investment philosophy, emphasizing the importance of vision and the value of building trust and healthy relationships with the startup teams. He also shared about the trend of re-developing hardware that implements AI-related software and interdisciplinary tech applications, inspiring members to think boldly and creatively for the future. One of the most inspiring aspects of the visit was the Q&A session, where GES members had the chance to pose their questions about the intersection of venture capital, entrepreneurship, and technology. The discussion covered everything from navigating early-stage challenges to capturing opportunities in the rapidly evolving AI industry. The visit left us energized and empowered to take bold steps in our entrepreneurial journeys. We’re grateful to SmartGateVC for welcoming us and sharing their wealth of knowledge—it was a truly enriching experience. A big thank you to Ashot Arzumanyan, Armine Galstyan, and their team for hosting us and for their dedication to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs. We’re excited to continue learning, growing, and collaborating as we move forward! Stay tuned for more updates on upcoming events and opportunities with GES!

Last week, Global Entrepreneurship Society at UCLA (GES) had the privilege of hosting Matthew Harwit, founder and CEO of Stitch for an engaging and inspiring event. Matthew shared his entrepreneurial journey, offering invaluable insights into the challenges and rewards of building a startup. He also introduced us to Stitch, his innovative AI-powered platform that is redefining how we approach learning and research through technology. Stitch is a game-changer in education technology. It allows users to ask any question and receive precise, instant answers while simultaneously creating interconnected mind maps and diagrams. This tool not only accelerates the research process with comprehensive responses but also connects concepts, fosters broader thinking, and provides a seamless way to review previously studied topics. During the session, Matthew had thought-provoking conversations with GES members about transforming startup ideas into reality, overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges, and leveraging innovation to make a lasting impact. The event was an incredible experience—insightful, motivational, and engaging. We left feeling inspired to pursue our entrepreneurial ambitions with renewed energy. A big thank you to Matthew Harwit for sharing his expertise and vision with us. We look forward to hosting more events like this in the future!

We are excited to announce the 2024 GenAI Hackathon, partnering with Trustworthy AI Lab to bring this vision to life! ??This hackathon is dedicated to pioneering Generative AI solutions for Data Collaboration. By leveraging innovativeapproaches, we aim to redefine data privacy and protection, offering robust solutions that will revolutionize how data is shared within digital ecosystems. ??Let's design and implement the future of secure data collaboration together!?Here is the sign up link! https://lnkd.in/gcYJ7gRP