Cal Lutheran Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Name: Cal Lutheran Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Address: 31416 Agoura Road, Ste 105, Westlake Village, CA, 91361, US
Telephone: (805) 493-3213

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Cal Lutheran Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The Cal Lutheran Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship houses a full-service co-

05/05/2026

Join us at New Venture Fair tomorrow May 6! Get a firsthand look at what the next generation is building. And vote for your favorites!

Startup showcase: 4-6 PM
Awards announced: 6:30 PM

Whether you stay for a few minutes or the full evening, we’d love to see you there!

04/20/2026

We’d love to see you at one of our biggest events of the year—our New Venture Fair on May 6.

Each year, hundreds of students, community members, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs, join us to experience the creativity and drive of our student entrepreneurs.

From technical startups to small businesses to mission-driven nonprofits, students showcase a wide range of ideas—all at different stages—and engage directly with attendees throughout the evening.

Teams include students from Cal Lutheran’s undergraduate, graduate, and Executive MBA programs, as well as high school students.

- Doors open at 4 PM
- Award announcements (over $20,000 in prizes) begin around 6 PM

It’s a fun, high-energy event and a great opportunity to connect with the next generation of innovators. We hope you’ll join us!

Link in bio.

04/06/2026

The Dorfman Incubator Grants provide $5k-$50k of non-dilutive funding for early-stage startups. Ideal applicants have a connection to Cal Lutheran, as a student, alum, startup affiliated with Hub101 programs, or as an employee or employer of Cal Lutheran students.

Whether you’re a founder—or know a founder who could use early-stage funding—check eligibility, review application guidelines, and apply by May 1.

Link in bio.

02/18/2026

Check out the different prize categories at New Venture Fair! $20,000 in cash prizes are awarded, and there are LOTS of ways to win.

From Best Team, to Best Startup for Good, and Best Marketing Campaign, NVF celebrates student ideas at every stage.

You don’t need a finished business to participate!

Have an idea you’ve been thinking about? This is your chance to share it, get feedback, and maybe win some cash!

👉 enter your idea by March 1
🔗 link in bio

02/11/2026

See you tonight! Join us at 6PM for a conversation with an artist and philosopher turned tech entrepreneur.

James is an incredible storyteller, and we know there will be a ton of takeaways from his unconventional path and experience building real-world energy solutions.

Learn about the important role creative thinking plays in business, no matter the industry or role.

Cal Lutheran campus
Lundring
6-8 PM
Food is provided.

01/28/2026

Got a business idea? That’s all you need! New Venture Fair is where students share ideas, get feedback, and compete to win cash prizes. We award over $20,000!

Apply to participate by March 1. Link in bio.

NVF is May 6 from 4-7PM in Gilbert Sports & Fitness Center.

Have questions? Just DM us!

08/20/2025

The School of Management’s Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Dorfman Incubator Grants.

This year, we awarded a total of $145,000 in non-dilutive funding to four early-stage companies:

AltSpot Capital – Founded by Cal Lutheran alumnus Tyler Lucas ’17 (Business Administration). AltSpot is a next-generation investment platform democratizing access to high-quality private market opportunities for accredited investors.

ESTE Leverage – Founded by Terrisa Duenas, Cal Lutheran community member and Hub101 mentor. ESTE Leverage is closing the gap between meaningful work and career preparation with an NSF-funded adaptive learning platform that acts like a GPS for lifelong career exploration, helping people understand how they think and where they thrive.

Guidant – Founded by Mike Cooperman and George Owens, adjunct faculty in the School of Management. Guidant is a first-of-its-kind DeathTech platform with a patented process to search, shop, and purchase cemetery property, funerals, and cremations, while streamlining sales for funeral homes and cemeteries.

Misfit Munchies – Founded by Cal Lutheran alumnae Rosie Baker, MBA ’21 (Communication), ’25 (MBA); Lannie Pham, MBA ’24 (MBA); Princesa Martinez, MBA (MBA); and Karen Rodriguez ’24 (MBA). Misfit Munchies transforms imperfect local produce into nutritious, vet-aligned dog treats that fight food waste, support farmers, and promote a healthier future for pets and the planet.

Follow along on their journeys and show your support!

We extend our deepest gratitude to Steven Dorfman, whose generosity makes these grants possible, and to Michael Panesis, Kristin Bell, and the Grant Committee for their continued leadership and dedication.

The Dorfman Incubator Grants are made possible through a generous gift from a private donor that enables the Steven Dorfman Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SCDIE) at Cal Lutheran’s School of Management, to provide early-stage startups with non-dilutive funding to fuel their growth.

📸 Taryn Gaulke

04/14/2025

You’re invited to New Venture Fair! ⭐️ Explore student-led startups, chat with the next generation of entrepreneurs, vote for your favorites, and network with the local startup community!

May 7 in Soiland Gym. Drop by anytime between 4-6 PM. Awards announced at 6:30 PM, where we give over $20,000 in cash prizes!

Please register so we can have enough food!
Link in bio.
Or visit www.callutheran.edu/nvf

04/01/2025

We’re now accepting applications for the 2025 Dorfman Incubator Grants (DIG)! These grants provide $5k - $50k of non-dilutive funding for early-stage startups. Whether you’re a founder—or know a founder who could use early-stage funding—send them our way.

Applications close Friday, May 2, 2025.

Startups must involve a Cal Lutheran student, alum, or intern.

Learn more and apply at bit.ly/CLUDIG
Link in bio too.

📸 Pictured: The 2024 DIG recipients smiling with donor, Steven Dorfman.
From left to right: Michael Panesis, Lannie Pham, MBA (Misfit Munchies), Denice Wharton (Suma), Princesa Martinez, MBA (Misfit Munchies), Rosie Baker (Misfit Munchies), Steven Dorfman, James Werbe (Wayside Energy), Karen Rodriguez (Misfit Munchies), Zach Dunn (PlotSign), Kristin Bell, Gerhard Apfelthaler

02/06/2025

Join us for our next Entrepreneur Speaker Series as the founder of Zander’s Game House talks about
🎲 the tabletop game industry
🎯 various business challenges she’s faced,
🃏 and innovation in a competitive games industry

Food will be provided!
RSVP so we can plan accordingly.

Tuesday, February 12 from 6-8 PM in Lundring

See you there!

Address

31416 Agoura Road, Ste 105
Westlake Village, CA
91361

Telephone

(805) 493-3213

Website

http://www.callutheran.edu/entrepreneurship/

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