Building Businesses While Earning a Degree: Inside Westcliff University’s Startup & Entrepreneurship Club
At Westcliff University, entrepreneurship is not treated as a future aspiration, it’s something students actively pursue while earning their degrees. Through hands-on experiences, real startup funding opportunities, and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs, Westcliff has created a culture where ideas are tested, refined, and launched across disciplines.
At the center of this entrepreneurial energy is Zahra Zarei, an international Master of Business Administration (MBA) student and leader of Westcliff’s Startup & Entrepreneurship Club. Under her leadership, the club has become a collaborative space where students from across the university move beyond theory and begin building real ventures together.
A Startup & Entrepreneurship Club Built for Real-World Experience
The Startup & Entrepreneurship Club was created with a clear mission: to provide students with a practical environment where they can develop ideas, share knowledge, and collaborate outside the classroom. “We’re creating a welcoming space for Westcliff students to practice, refine, dream, and help one another succeed,” Zahra shared.
The Club brings together students from diverse academic backgrounds, many of whom are already running businesses or actively planning to launch startups. Through regular networking meetings, members are encouraged to connect, exchange skills, and support one another’s entrepreneurial journeys.
“We have a lot of students who already have their own businesses or are thinking about starting one,” Zahra explained. “Our networking meetings are a great opportunity for students to connect and find support from classmates who may have the experience or knowledge they need. So many major companies of today were started by students who met one another in University.”
Practical Learning Beyond the Classroom
Very closely resembling Westcliff’s approach to curriculum, the club puts great emphasis on applied learning, collaboration, and mentorship. Students gain access to mixer events, structured networking opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship designed to help them grow and manage their ventures effectively. “We host different kinds of programs and activities, mixer events, networking events, and one-to-one mentorship and coaching,” Zahra said. “We also connect students with experienced professionals, faculty members, and outside organizations that help empower them and broaden their businesses.”
The club is intentionally inclusive and welcomes students at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. “All students are welcome to join this club,” Zahra emphasized. “This community is a place where all students can come and learn from one another. Perhaps the only thing encouraged to have before joining is ambition.”
An Entrepreneurial Ecosystem That Supports Students Across Disciplines
The Startup & Entrepreneurship Club is part of a broader entrepreneurial ecosystem at Westcliff University designed to help students turn ideas into viable businesses, whether they are studying business, technology, or other applied fields.
One of Westcliff’s flagship initiatives is the E-Biz Challenge, a competitive startup pitch event where students present their ideas to real angel investors for actual startup funding. This year, the competition now the “AIpreneurship Competition” returns with a focus on AI startups and artificial intelligence integration, reflecting the growing intersection of technology and entrepreneurship.
Students also benefit from Westcliff’s connection to Tech Coast Angels, one of the largest angel investing networks in the nation. This relationship provides aspiring entrepreneurs with rare exposure to investors, mentorship, and real-world funding conversations. Supporting these efforts is Westcliff’s Director of Entrepreneurship Dr. Barry Sandrew. A seasoned serial entrepreneur, Dr. Sandrew mentors students across the university and helps ensure they have access to the resources, guidance, and incubation support needed to build and scale their businesses or develop an idea from the ground up.
Flexible, Career-Focused Education for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Westcliff’s academic programs are designed to support students who are balancing coursework with work, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Flexible learning formats make it possible for students to pursue a degree while actively building their ventures.
Across programs, the curriculum emphasizes practical, immediately applicable knowledge, allowing students to apply what they learn directly to real-world projects. Faculty members are industry experts and practitioners who share firsthand experience and mentor students based on real business challenges.
For Zahra, this flexibility and hands-on approach are key to why Westcliff is such a strong environment for entrepreneurs. “I’m proud to be part of building and leading this diverse community. Diverse not only in origin but of ideas, expertise, and passion,” she shared.
Where Ideas Turn Into Action at Westcliff University
At Westcliff University, entrepreneurship is more than a concept, it’s a shared experience. Through the Startup & Entrepreneurship Club, university-wide initiatives, connections to real investors, and career-focused academic programs, students are empowered to build businesses while earning their degrees.
For aspiring founders, innovators, and students ready to turn ideas into action, Westcliff offers more than an education, it offers a launchpad.
Get more information or join the Startup and Entrepreneurship Club here: