Brija Johnson Launches Bruin Founders Program to Empower UCLA Entrepreneurs

Los Angeles, CA (February two thousand twenty-four): Brija Johnson, Executive Director of UCLA Ventures, is launching a groundbreaking program designed to empower the next generation of Bruin entrepreneurs. The Bruin Founders program, set to launch this spring, will provide aspiring innovators with a year-long mentorship and support system, connecting them with seasoned entrepreneurs, alumni, and affiliates of UCLA. It’s gonna be huge!

Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Commercialization

Let’s be real, turning a bright idea into a thriving business? Tough stuff. The Bruin Founders program gets that. This program aims to be that bridge between groundbreaking research happening at UCLA and, you know, actually making money from it.

Johnson, the mastermind behind this whole thing, knows it’s not just about the tech or the business plans. It’s about the people. She emphasizes, “Bringing the campus’s innovations to market…begins with the people who sow seeds of collaboration between Bruin networks.” Basically, she’s all about building those connections and fostering a supportive community.

A Year of Tailored Guidance and Support

Okay, so what do you actually *get* if you’re lucky enough to be part of Bruin Founders? Think of it like this:

• One-on-one mentorship: Imagine having coffee every week with someone who’s been there, done that in the startup world. That’s what you get here. Participants snag a seasoned entrepreneur as their personal Yoda, doling out advice and guidance tailored just for them.
• Access to a network of experts: UCLA’s got some pretty impressive alumni, right? This program taps into that network, giving participants access to a brain trust of experts in pretty much every field you can imagine. Need legal advice? Marketing help? Someone in the Bruin network’s got your back.
• Support for launching and scaling startups: Mentors don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk, guiding participants through the nitty-gritty of actually launching and, even scarier, *growing* their startups.

Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.

Deepening UCLA’s Impact on the Los Angeles Community

Johnson’s not just thinking about UCLA here, she’s got her eye on the bigger picture: boosting the Los Angeles economy. She points out, “If we’re able to spin out companies from the university and keep them housed in California, then we’re creating a lot of economic value for the region.” Basically, she wants to see those UCLA startups sticking around and creating jobs right here in LA. Talk about a win-win.

And it’s not just about the bottom line. The program’s also laser-focused on making the entrepreneurial world a more inclusive place. By specifically encouraging folks from underrepresented communities to apply, Bruin Founders is helping to build a more diverse and equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem. About time, right?

Building Upon a Legacy of Innovation

UCLA’s no stranger to this whole innovation thing. Bruin Founders isn’t starting from scratch, it’s building on the awesome foundation laid by UCLA Ventures, which has been championing UCLA entrepreneurs for over a quarter-century. Johnson’s stoked to tap into that existing network’s experience while also bringing in fresh perspectives from new mentors. Think of it as a remix, blending the best of the old with the new.

Eligibility and Application Process

Okay, so you’re probably wondering, “Can *I* get in on this?” Here’s the deal: if you’ve got a UCLA connection (think alumni, faculty, staff, or student), you’re in the running. But there’s a catch: you gotta have a solid startup idea, something that’s already gone through the wringer of one of UCLA’s incubators or accelerators.

Ready to throw your hat in the ring? Keep an eye out for the application details, because word on the street is they’ll be dropping soon. Trust me, you don’t wanna miss this.

A Vision for the Future

Johnson’s got big dreams for Bruin Founders. She sees it as *the* program that cements UCLA’s rep as a entrepreneurial powerhouse. By nurturing that go-getter spirit within the UCLA community, the program’s all about unleashing solutions to real-world problems, benefiting not just LA, but the whole darn world. Now that’s something worth getting behind.