For the sixth time, John Bradley Jackson, the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, Fullerton, has been nominated for an Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by the Orange County Business Journal (OCBJ). This prestigious award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the entrepreneurial ecosystem through leadership, mentorship, and business innovation. The awards ceremony will take place on March 20, 2025, at the Irvine Marriott. JJ’s impact extends beyond the classroom, as he actively supports startup founders, drives business development initiatives, and cultivates a strong entrepreneurial network across Orange County. His leadership has been instrumental in fostering a thriving startup culture, making him a standout figure in the region’s business community (learn more).
A Legacy of Mentorship and Impact
As a professor of entrepreneurship, mentor, and startup advisor, John Bradley Jackson has played an essential role in shaping the journeys of countless students and founders. His guidance has led many Cal State Fullerton alumni to build thriving businesses, some of which have gone on to raise millions of dollars in funding.
For example, Bryan Ruef, founder of 10-8 Systems, credits JJ’s mentorship for helping him refine his business model. Ruef, who developed a groundbreaking emergency dispatch system, won the Titan Fast Pitch competition as a CSUF student. His company has since grown into a vital tool for first responders, helping save lives in disaster-stricken areas (read more).
Similarly, John Chi, founder and CEO of Synova Life Sciences, was a Titan Fast Pitch finalist and a student in JJ’s entrepreneurship class. Chi went on to raise $2 million in funding for his stem cell therapy startup, securing a place in the prestigious Y Combinator accelerator (read more). These are just two examples of how JJ’s mentorship has translated into real-world success for CSUF entrepreneurs.
Leading Key Entrepreneurial Initiatives
Beyond the classroom, JJ leads several major programs that continue to drive entrepreneurial growth in Southern California.
SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship: A Premier Event for Founders and Innovators
One of JJ’s biggest undertakings is SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship (SCCE), a large-scale event that brings together entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders from across the region. Scheduled for April 19, 2025, at Cal State Fullerton, SCCE will feature keynote speakers, networking opportunities, and workshops designed to help startups scale and succeed. The event is a collaborative effort between CSUF Entrepreneurship and community partners, reinforcing JJ’s role as a connector and champion of entrepreneurship (learn more).
Titan Fast Pitch: Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Every year, JJ hosts the Titan Fast Pitch competition, an event that challenges students from middle school to college to present their startup ideas in 90 seconds. This competition has become a launchpad for many young entrepreneurs, providing them with funding, mentorship, and exposure to a network of investors and business leaders.
The 2024 Titan Fast Pitch, held in October, saw innovative pitches from students across Southern California. The winners showcased creative solutions in areas such as sustainability, healthcare, and technology, demonstrating the power of early-stage entrepreneurial education (read more). JJ’s leadership in this competition underscores his commitment to empowering young minds and fostering a culture of innovation.
Grant-Funded Initiatives: Expanding Opportunities for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Another testament to JJ’s impact is his role in securing major grants that support student entrepreneurship. One of the most significant grants under his leadership is the NorthSTAR grant, which provides critical resources to underserved student entrepreneurs, helping them launch and grow their businesses. Additionally, JJ has been instrumental in securing funding to position Orange County as a hub for social enterprise startups, including a $550,000 grant from the state of California aimed at fostering entrepreneurial ventures that tackle social challenges. This initiative aligns with JJ’s long-standing mission to support innovative business models that drive economic and social impact (read more). Through these grant-funded programs, JJ is helping bridge the gap between entrepreneurial aspirations and real-world execution, ensuring that the next generation of entrepreneurs has the resources and support they need to succeed.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
JJ’s nomination for the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by the Orange County Business Journal is not just a personal achievement—it is a reflection of the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem he has cultivated at Cal State Fullerton. His work has empowered students, strengthened the local business community, and positioned CSUF’s Center for Entrepreneurship as a leader in entrepreneurial education.
As the award ceremony approaches, we celebrate JJ’s continued dedication to the students, startups, and innovators he has mentored over the years. His contributions go beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Join us in congratulating John Bradley Jackson on this well-earned nomination!
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📢 Learn more about the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards here: 🔗 OCBJ
📢 Explore SoCal Celebrates Entrepreneurship: 🔗 SCCE
📢 Read about past Titan Fast Pitch winners: 🔗 CSUF Entrepreneurship