San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is proud to be featured on The EdUp Experience, now in its 7th year. In this episode, SFBU President Dr. Nick Ladany joins host Dr. Joe Sallustio and co‑host Brent Ramdin, CEO of EducationDynamics to explore how universities can redesign themselves for the Modern Learner.

Dr. Ladany shares how SFBU has shifted resources away from traditional education structures toward new, innovative strategies that directly improve learning, completion, and access—operating more like a mission-driven startup than a traditional bureaucracy. Topics discussed include:

• A faculty model requiring pedagogical training before instructors enter the classroom
• Clear performance expectations and year-round student engagement
• Redesigned cost structures prioritizing student learning and completion
• New approaches to credits, graduation timelines, and traditional metrics

The episode also highlights SFBU's commitment to radical affordability, keeping tuition in the low five figures while maintaining small class sizes, robust academic support, and unlimited mental health care for students.

Dr. Ladany's message to higher education leaders is clear: institutions that want to thrive in the next era must focus on what truly delivers value for students.

Source: The EdUp Experience, President Series #434, powered by Ellucian and sponsored by the 2026 InsightsEDU Conference in Fort Lauderdale (Feb 17–19)

Dr. Nick Ladany, president of San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), has been named to the Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 2025 “Silicon Valley Newsmaker 100,” recognizing him among the region’s most influential leaders across 15 industries, including higher education. This honor places Ladany alongside presidents from Stanford University, San Jose State University, and Santa Clara University, highlighting SFBU’s emerging role in Silicon Valley’s innovation and talent ecosystem.

The Newsmaker 100 spans key sectors like artificial intelligence, commercial real estate, cybersecurity, and higher education, reflecting the interconnected regional economy. Ladany’s inclusion underscores SFBU’s commitment to preparing career-ready graduates for high-demand roles in technology and business.

Looking ahead, SFBU’s strategic priorities under Ladany’s leadership include:

• Expanding career-focused programs aligned with Silicon Valley’s technology and business needs.
• Deepening employer partnerships for internships, applied learning, and job pipelines.
• Enhancing access and success for diverse and first-generation students entering the innovation economy.

Honorees will be celebrated at a private reception on February 12, 2026, with full profiles in a special edition of the Silicon Valley Business Journal. View the complete list: Silicon Valley’s Top 100 Newsmakers of 2025.

The new Program expands Innovate Bay’s on-campus offerings as SFBU strengthens its role as Fremont’s hub for emerging technology and startup growth. 

FREMONT, Calif. — Innovate Bay, the on-campus business incubator sponsored and housed at San Francisco Bay University (SFBU), today announced the launch of applications for its 12-Week Scale Sprint, a new program designed to accelerate early-stage companies developing Applied Frontier Technologies.

The Scale Sprint is the next major initiative in Innovate Bay’s mission to support student founders, technologists, and first-time entrepreneurs with structured programming, mentorship, and real-world pathways to growth—all made possible through SFBU’s investment in fostering a vibrant innovation ecosystem on its Fremont campus.

Designed for Pre-Seed startups, the program focuses on companies building solutions in IoT, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain Applications, Cybersecurity, Sustainable Logistics, and Digital Inclusion Technologies. Participating founders will receive targeted support to secure commercial validation, strengthen operations, and prepare for seed-stage fundraising.

As part of its commitment to advancing innovation across the region, SFBU will host the Scale Sprint’s culminating Demo Day, which has been designated the official closing event of Fremont Tech Week, the city’s annual celebration of technology, entrepreneurship, and civic collaboration.

"San Francisco Bay University is proud to sponsor Innovate Bay and to support founders who are building technologies that will shape our shared future,” said Dr. Nicholas Ladany, President of SFBU. “This program reflects our mission to expand access to opportunity, strengthen the local workforce, and provide environments where innovation can thrive."

Founders selected for the Scale Sprint will receive:

• $20,000 in capital investment
• Coworking access at Innovate Bay on SFBU’s campus
• Mentorship from industry leaders and experienced founders
• An operational sprint to secure verifiable B2B or B2G pilot agreements

“Our goal is simple: help founders achieve real traction,” said Rohan Brown, Executive Director of Innovate Bay. “By the time they reach Demo Day at SFBU—at the center of Fremont Tech Week—they will be presenting validated roadmaps and real customer commitments, not just pitch decks.” 

Founders can apply online. The deadline to complete your application is December 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM PST.

About Innovate Bay

Innovate Bay is a premier startup incubator in the San Francisco Bay Area dedicated to empowering Applied Frontier Tech startups. Through capital, mentorship, and a focus on securing pilot agreements, Innovate Bay prepares early-stage founders for successful seed rounds and sustainable growth.

About San Francisco Bay University

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is a WASC/WSCUC-accredited, private nonprofit university located in the San Francisco Bay Area/Silicon Valley. Dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality, and career-focused education, SFBU offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, computer science, and engineering. Founded on the belief that higher education should empower students to achieve personal and professional success, SFBU integrates cutting-edge technology, real-world learning experiences, and personalized support to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly changing world. Learn more at www.sfbu.edu.