UTSA programs equip students with skills for entrepreneurial careers

APRIL 17, 2024 — Through robust external partnerships locally and abroad, the Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SIE) branch of the UTSA Najim Center has expanded its programming for Roadrunners. The SIE has created an ecosystem that enables UTSA students from all majors and backgrounds to develop their entrepreneurial mindset and gain translatable skills that they can put to use to start a business or build their careers.

The SIE offers multiple programs throughout the year including City Trek, an immersive experience where students venture into downtown San Antonio to learn from and network with local business owners, and the Start-Up Academy, a 10-week paid innovation sprint where students explore and develop practical skills alongside industry leaders.

The programs are mutually beneficial for students and UTSA’s community partners — students gain access to unique experiential learning opportunities, while San Antonio employers gain access to a pool of students who are prepared to join the workforce after graduation.

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“We want students to realize that entrepreneurship is accessible to them regardless of their age or prior experience.”

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“Historically, SIE programming has focused on science, engineering and tech ventures. We’ve expanded that this year to include other avenues for entrepreneurship, like e-commerce, nonprofits, and professional and consulting services,” said Erica Clark, UTSA director of student innovation and entrepreneurship. “The community partnerships we’ve built with Geekdom, Experian, Dell, Community First Health Plans, Blackstone Launchpad and others around the city are creating a pipeline for San Antonio talent and helping our student entrepreneurs from a broader range of disciplines thrive — from computer programmers and scientists to artists and designers.”

Doubra Azazi, a senior majoring in information systems, is one of many students to benefit from this expanded entrepreneurship ecosystem. As a sophomore, he participated in the Najim Strategist program where he worked with The Historic Pearl, developing methods to improve sustainability and eco-friendliness for the popular San Antonio dining and shopping destination.

His time in the Strategist program was the first of several experiences with the SIE and Najim Center. Most recently, Azazi won first place in the 2023 Big Rowdy Idea, an annual SIE competition that helps budding entrepreneurs cultivate the skills needed to successfully launch and scale a startup, while showcasing their ideas to local investors and business owners.

Azazi’s pitch for Elisium, his clothing line featuring pieces like custom leather jackets, tees and footwear, earned him a $5,000 prize to jumpstart the growth of his brand.

As the winner, he also received mentorship from Hugh Stevens, UTSA director of special projects for career engaged learning. Stevens has extensive business experience, including owning a clothing company that offers apparel like custom-tailored suits. This made Stevens the perfect person to help guide Azazi and teach him best practices for managing his own brand.

Azazi credits the support from Stevens, Clark, his peers and the Big Rowdy Idea contest for helping him build on the success of Elisium. The brand now lists celebrities like NFL player Malik Harrison and rapper Tyga as customers, who have both been photographed sporting his clothes.

“I first had the idea to start the brand my freshman year. I wanted to create designs to make people stand out and feel good about themselves,” Azazi said. “It’s crazy to now see someone like Tyga who I listened to growing up, and who’s a big celebrity and on the radio, wearing my merchandise.”

The SIE’s reach extends beyond the UTSA campus as well. In fall 2023, the office launched its inaugural NextGen Entrepreneurs Program in partnership with Steubing Elementary School in San Antonio.

The program works with nearly 70 fifth-grade students, introducing them to the basics of innovation and business through presentations, hands-on activities and field trips to local companies. The new initiative is facilitated by Anna Almaraz ’23, an M.B.A. student in the Carlos Alvarez College of Business and a past participant in several Najim Center and SIE programs. 

“We want students to realize that entrepreneurship is accessible to them regardless of their age or prior experience,” said Clark. “We hope to create a clear pathway so young students know that UTSA is a place where they will have the support to develop their creative ideas while earning their degree.”

Students also have opportunities to sharpen their skills abroad with the SIE Global Summer Institute, where students work in countries like Argentina and Germany to solve social, cultural or environmental issues for international companies.

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In addition, the SIE, in collaboration with the UTSA University Career Center, was invited to present at the inaugural international summit for the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), an organization comprised of around 300 colleges and universities that promotes student entrepreneurship. The summit, which takes place this summer in Bangkok, Thailand, will give UTSA staff and students an opportunity to showcase the university’s successful programs and innovative approaches in front of a global audience.

The SIE branch of the Najim Center creates an environment where students from all backgrounds can access resources for career exploration and preparation and discover experiential learning opportunities. Through engaging projects, competitions and personal development programs, students gain real-world experience and polish key competencies that will give them an advantage when transitioning into the workforce after graduation.  

— Chloe Johnson

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