2024 Zero-to-Entrepreneur Certificate Program
Obtain a Certificate in Sustainable Transportation or Modern Agriculture
Are you interested in being your own boss, exploring a new future for yourself, and accessing capital to start your own business? If so, the Zero-to-Entrepreneur 6-month training program developed by UCR is for you. This free certificate program will guide you through the process of becoming an entrepreneur and building a technology company in one of the two of the fastest growing areas: agriculture technology and sustainable transportation.
Applications are currently open and will close March 25th, 2024. To learn more, we strongly encourage you to attend our Meet & Greet Session on-campus on Saturday March 23, 2024 from 10AM - 12PM. Come join us for refreshments and networking - this is your chance to meet the program instructors and your future classmates-turned-entrepreneurs! To view the event details, please click here.
2024 Certificate Program Features
- Earn 6 units after completing Part 1 and Part 2
- 40 hours of online training delivered by experts
- 20 hours of hands-on training in UCR's state-of-the-art facilities at the Center for Environmental Research Technology or the Plant Transformation Research Center
- Entrepreneurship classes delivered by UCR EPIC
- Individualized mentorship from our Entrepreneurs-in-Residence
- Networking opportunities with industry experts
- Apply to win up to $20,000 to further develop your product idea and access additional accelerator resources provided by Office of Technology Partnerships
- Program is entirely cost-free
Apply for the course by adding your email below and filling out the application below.
Flexible Class Schedule
Both Zero-to-Entrepreneur programs are a combination of online and in-person curriculum. Part 1 of the course is online and offers the flexibility to study the curriculum at your own pace, while part 2 commences in June and lasts 10 weeks with a combination of in-person and virtual classes.
Receive a Certificate
Upon completing the course, you will receive 6-unit credits from UCR Extension and a Specialized Certificate in your field of choice (Modern Agriculture or Sustainable Transportation).
Funding Opportunities
You will also have the opportunity to pitch your startup idea to UCR'S Office of Technology Partnerships for entry into one of UCR’s incubator programs and win up to $20,000 to further develop your business idea.
Modern Agriculture: 12-Week Program (April 1st 2024 - August 26th, 2024):
Total of 6 units for Part I and II
- Basics of Plant Biology and Physiology (BPSCX461) begins April 1st, 2024 and ends May 6th, 2024. Virtual meetings every Thursday at 5-6pm.
- Controlled Environmental Agriculture (BPSCX462) begins May 13, 2024 and ends June 17th, 2024. Virtual meetings every Thursday at 5-6pm.
- Option 1*. Advanced Plant Biology Laboratory (BPSCX463) begins May 13, 2024 and ends June 29th, 2024 In-person commitments are every Saturday 1-5PM at the Plant Transformation Research Center Lab at UCR.
- Option 2*. Advanced Controlled Environmental Agriculture (BPSCX463.A) begins June 24th, 2024 and ends August 26th, 2024. Virtual meetings every Thursday at 5-6PM. In-person commitments are some Saturdays 1-5PM at the Plant Transformation Research Center Lab at UCR.
- Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Transportation, Agriculture and Clean Technology Innovations (MGTX464) begins June 24th, 2024 and ends August 26th, 2024 Virtual meetings with mentors according to your schedule. In-person commitments at UCR for the kick off on Wednesday June 26 from 5 – 7pm and for the final pitch on Tuesday September 11th from 2-6 pm.
*You only need to complete one of the Option 1/Option 2 courses.
Sustainable Transportation: 10-Week Program (April 1st, 2024 - August 26th, 2024):
Total of 6 units for Part I and II
- Introduction to Sustainable Transportation and Associated Community Impacts (ENGRX481) begins April 1st, 2024 and ends June 3rd, 2024. Virtual meetings every Thursday at 5-6pm.
- Sustainable Transportation Solutions and Community Impact Mitigation (ENGRX482) begins June 24th, 2024 and ends August 26th, 2024. In-person commitments are every Saturday 12-4PM at the CE-CERT Lab in Riverside, along with several field trips to happen during the week.
- Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Transportation, Agriculture and Clean Technology Innovations (MGTX464) begins June 24th, 2024 and ends August 26th, 2024. Virtual meetings with mentors according to your schedule. In-person commitments at UCR for the kick off on Wednesday June 26 from 5 – 7pm and for the final pitch on Tuesday September 11th from 2-6 pm.
Upcoming Zero-to-Entrepreneur Events
Meet & Greet Event
Meet the instructors and other students at our Meet & Greet Session on-campus on Saturday March 23, 2024 from 10AM - 12PM. Come join us for refreshments and networking - this is your chance to meet the program instructors and your future classmates-turned-entrepreneurs! To view the event details, please click here.
Program Orientation Virtual Event
We will be hosting a mandatory program orientation on April 2nd, 2024 4PM - 6PM PST on Zoom. All certificate students who have enrolled in the program are required to attend.
Next Steps For Registration Process
After you've submitted your application via the Google Form in the above link, the next steps in the registration process are to complete your application on the UCR Extension website, acquire your UCR NetID, and set up your required accounts. For the complete list of instructions, please visit this page and bookmark for reference:
Zero-to-Entrepreneur Certificate Program: Complete Your Registration
*Please note: Your registration is not complete until your UCR Extension application is complete, and you need to set up your NetID, Multi-Factor Authentication, eLearn, and Zoom accounts prior to the start of classes.
If you have any questions, concerns or would like to follow-up on the status of your registration, please feel free to contact The Office of Technology Partnerships at tp@ucr.edu or Nicole Cleary at nicoled@ucr.edu.