Location:
- Prelims: Virtual
- Finals: The Pointe Conference Center, 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
Eligibility:
- Teams of 2–5 people
- At least one currently enrolled CSULB student must be on the team & hold at least 20% equity in the venture
- Businesses with significant/substantial revenue are not eligible
Prices & Fees: Free
Key Dates:
- Oct. 1, 2025 – Feb. 1, 2026: Letter of Intent (LOI) Window
- Oct. 2025 – Jan. 2026: Mentor Matching
- Friday, Mar. 20, 2026 at 11:00 PM (PT): Business Plan Due
- Tuesday, Apr. 27, 2026 at 4:00 PM: Final Presentations & Pitch
Contact Information: csulb-iie@csulb.edu
For questions about the event, please contact the event coordinator listed.
Official Website: Link
The Sunstone Innovation Challenge is CSULB’s campus-wide “Shark Tank”-style business plan competition for developing innovative products, services, or technology concepts. Teams receive free professional mentoring and compete for up to $15,000 in startup funding plus up to $20,000 in professional services, including accounting, marketing, intellectual-property, and coworking support. The competition offers a Launch Track for teams preparing to launch a business and a Concept Track for teams developing and researching an innovative business idea.
