The Founders Forum

The UC Santa Cruz Founders Forum is your opportunity to connect with fellow alumni, faculty, and friends who are building, leading, and working at transformational organizations. Like you, they are deeply committed to innovation, business creation, and social transformation. When you join the Forum you become part of a group of individuals who build visionary enterprises and create inclusive opportunities by supporting the mission of UC Santa Cruz. You will have access to the Forum network and campus staff who can connect you to UC Santa Cruz resources, including talent and tools to raise the broader visibility of your work. You will also be invited to join your peers at an annual event that gathers inspiring thought leaders and entrepreneurs.

The Founders Pledge

The UC Santa Cruz Founders Pledge is an opportunity for Forum members (company founders, equity holders, and investors) to make a non-binding commitment to give back to UC Santa Cruz after a significant liquidity event. Individuals who make the Founders Pledge have full control over timing, amount, and designation of their gift. Support can be directed toward any division or program on campus and does not have to be determined until the time of the gift.

Why do it?

When you make a commitment to UC Santa Cruz through the Founders Pledge program, you join the community of leaders and entrepreneurs who believe in the mission and values of the campus. As a member, you can call on our team to help you with recruitment, visibility, and networking. You have the satisfaction of making philanthropic goals an integral part of your business success. Along the way, our team will help you take advantage of all that UC Santa Cruz has to offer its community of entrepreneurs.