The CSUF Startup Incubator Speaker Series continues this week with a powerful session led by Christopher K. Lee, author of The Five Elements of Professional Networking. If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, student, or professional trying to grow your influence and build meaningful connections, this is a talk you won’t want to miss.
Why Networking Matters for Entrepreneurs
Your network determines your opportunities. From finding investors and partners to attracting customers or co-founders, relationships are central to every stage of the entrepreneurial journey.
But effective networking isn’t about attending endless events or collecting business cards. As Chris emphasizes, it’s about building strategic, intentional, authentic connections that move your business forward.
In this session, Chris will present a practical framework that founders can apply immediately to deepen their relationships and expand their opportunities—without burning out or wasting time.
What You’ll Learn
During the event, Chris will walk through:
- How to identify which relationships matter most for your startup
- How to network intentionally, with purpose rather than pressure
- How to strengthen relationships that lead to opportunities
- How to build long-term trust with investors, partners, and customers
- How to design a networking approach that aligns with your working style and mission
This talk is designed to help founders network more effectively while staying grounded in who they are.
About Christopher K. Lee
Christopher K. Lee is the author of The Five Elements of Professional Networking (published September 2025) and a lecturer at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. He sources early-stage startups for GoAhead Ventures, giving him a firsthand view of how founders use relationships to secure capital, partnerships, and momentum.
Chris’s background spans healthcare and technology strategy, where he has worked in community clinics, academic medical centers, early-stage startups, and large health insurance companies. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Harvard Business Review, and Forbes.
Across his writing, teaching, and speaking, Chris helps founders and professionals build meaningful, authentic relationships that accelerate their personal and business growth.
Who Should Attend
This session is ideal for:
- Startup founders and entrepreneurs building their networks
- Small business owners seeking partnerships or investors
- Students and early-career professionals expanding their influence
- Anyone interested in mastering authentic relationship-building