De Anza Innovation Center

De Anza College Innovation Center logoFostering Creativity to Develop Social and Environmental Solutions

Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held on campus in the Business and Finance Village Center (Advanced Technology Center, ATC 202).

For more information, please contact Dean Manisha Karia at kariamanisha@deanza.edu

Voices of Impact: Nonprofit Showcase

  • Nonprofit Day flyerThursday, June 12: 3 to 5 p.m. 
  • Media & Learning Center (MLC) 105

The Innovation Center hosted an inspiring afternoon with a panel of passionate changemakers who are making a real difference through environmental work, animal welfare, youth empowerment and family support. Each speaker shared their unique journey and the impactful work they’re doing in our community.

Featured speakers:

Doron Noyman – Sunday Friends Foundation

  • As a board member, Doron discussed how Sunday Friends empowers families to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty through education, community building and financial literacy programs.
  • More information: sundayfriends.org 

Rhonda Berry – Our City Forest

  • Rhonda spoke about urban forestry, sustainability, and how community-driven greening projects are changing our cities for the better.
  • More information: ourcityforest.org

Ann Chasson and Mary Rubin – The Dancing Cat

  • Ann and Mary explained how a creative take on animal adoption is giving cats (and cat lovers) a new lease on life.
  • More information: thedancingcat.org

José Montesinos – Eden Youth

  • A proud De Anza alum, José shared how his journey led to uplifting youth and building safe spaces through holistic community support.
  • More information: edenyouth.org

For any questions, please contact Catherina Wong at wongcatherina@deanza.edu  

Winter/Spring Virtual Speaker Series

Rowland Chen

This series was led by Rowland Chen, business instructor and CEO of The Silicon Valley Laboratory, who has worked with innovative start-up companies for more than a decade.

Topics included diversity, equity, and inclusion; ethical innovation; pivots for start-ups; and funding innovation. 

Chen, who is also founder of the Center for Ethical Innovation, has an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management and spent two years as a visiting scientist with the Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, developing novel approaches to artificial intelligence. He is a published writer whose work has appeared in Harvard Business Review and the New York Times.

March 14: Innovation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Innovation, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Learn about innovation and the impacts of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The subject is timely and critical given recent changes in the United States at the federal level of government.

April 11: Ethical Innovation

Ethical Innovation

What makes a company innovative? What makes a company ethical? Let's talk about the answers to these questions and others. We will look at some companies at the intersection of ethical innovation.

May 2: To Pivot or Not to Pivot?

To Pivot or Not to Pivot?

Every company experiences setbacks, some bigger than others. Failure is just a large setback that can be dealt with. Pivoting, changing the direction of a firm rapidly, is one way to address a large setback. Come discuss how to know when it is time to pivot or not.

June 6: Funding Innovation

Funding Innovation

Pre-money, SAFE, angel, series A, cap table. These are only some of the terms related to funding new ventures. Learn what these and other terms mean and where they fit in the overall innovation process. We will also talk about sources of funds.

Support the Innovation Center!

Your can make a donation to support the Innovation Center, and its activities for students, by using the Foothill-De Anza Foundation's online donation form. 

Donate Now

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