Irvine Tech Day | Panels & Fireside Chats: Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Growth
🚀 Irvine Tech Day | Morning Program
Step into the energy of Irvine Tech Day where founders, investors, and public-private leaders come together to shape what’s next for the City of Innovation.
From the moment doors open, the morning sets the tone for a full day of connection, insight, and opportunity, bringing together the people and ideas driving Irvine’s rapidly growing innovation ecosystem.
9:00 AM — Doors Open at City Hall Chamber
Arrive early, grab your coffee, and connect with fellow founders, investors, and ecosystem partners before programming begins.
9:30 AM — Fireside Chat
Kick off the day with a dynamic conversation featuring leaders at the intersection of innovation, capital, and community with guest speakers Professor Imran Currim (UC Irvine Beall Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and Ricianne "Chi" Rey (UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center).
Expect candid insights on:
What’s fueling Irvine’s rise as a tech hub
Where founders and capital are converging next
How public-private collaboration is accelerating growth
10:00 AM — Opening Remarks
Hear directly from city leaders and ecosystem builders like Irvine Councilmember William Go, who will highlight the vision, investment, and infrastructure shaping the future of entrepreneurship in Irvine and beyond.
10:30 AM — Innovation in Irvine
A curated panel of founders, operators, and ecosystem leaders exploring what makes Irvine a unique hub for innovation, led by Jasmine Jiang (SVP of Investment Operations).
Learn and bring your questions about:
Building in a competitive innovation ecosystem
Access to talent, capital, and partnerships
Why Irvine is becoming a destination for high-growth companies
11:30 AM — Economic Development & Entrepreneurship
This panel explores strategies into how economic development, public-private partnerships, and entrepreneurship come together to drive sustainable business growth, with insights from Dave Coffaro (Greater Irvine Chamber), Councilmember William Go, and John Keisler (Sunstone).
Expect perspectives from:
Public sector leaders
Economic development experts
Investors and ecosystem builders
12:30 PM — Networking
Stay and chat with the community behind Irvine’s momentum. Or swing by the City Hall Piazza and Lobby for the Irvine Tech Day Pop-Up Market to browse innovative products from local startups and meet founders.
About Irvine Tech Day
The first-ever Irvine Tech Day is designed to promote and celebrate innovation, entrepreneurship, and community here in the City of Innovation. Irvine Tech Day will convene founders, investors, industry leaders, and community partners. Experience curated fireside chats, thoughtful panel discussions, a pop-up innovation market, startup pitch competitions, capstone Irvine Dream Run, creating both visibility and meaningful connection across Irvine’s innovation ecosystem.
🙏 Organized in collaboration with Sunstone, American Lending Center, Irvine City Councilmembers, the UC Irvine ANTrepreneur Center, and supported by our trusted sponsors and partners.
🌐 Learn more: irvinetechday.org.
Let’s move Irvine innovation forward — together.
Questions? Email [email protected].