Designed to Advance Startups, Support Founders, and Strengthen Economic Opportunity Across the Bay Area

FREMONT, CA (August 28, 2025): On September 4, 2025, San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) will launch  Innovate Bay, a new on-campus business incubator created to connect student founders, technologists,  and first-time entrepreneurs with industry resources, providing the tools, mentorship, and environment  to turn bold ideas into viable ventures. 

Led by Executive Director Rohan Brown, Innovate Bay will provide structured programming, hands-on  experience, and access to a dynamic innovation ecosystem, all from the SFBU campus in Fremont, CA.  Along with his role as Executive Director of Innovate Bay, Brown is also Chapter Leader at Startup Grind, a  community for people building, working with and investing in startups, headquartered in Fremont, CA. 

“Innovate Bay is one of many exciting developments that SFBU is in the process of instituting to best  position our students and faculty to leverage the latest in technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, to  their advantage,” said Dr. Nicholas Ladany, President, San Francisco Bay University. 

SFBU’s new business incubator will stand apart by rejecting the typical demo-day model, instead  prioritizing real traction and customer development through workshops, founder programming, and  expert mentorship. Designed to prepare founders for the earliest stages of building a startup, program  topics include validating business ideas, dividing equity between founders and advisors, corporate  structuring & legal 101, and fundraising 101 + pitching fundamentals. Programming will focus on  ventures working in IoT (Internet of Things), Blockchain Applications, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity,  Sustainable Logistics & CleanTech and Digital Inclusion & Access Technologies.

Local partners in SFBU’s new business incubator will include the City of Fremont, Fremont Chamber of  Commerce, and Startup Grind. Through their affiliations with trailblazing companies at the forefront of AI,  advanced technology, and next-gen manufacturing, SFBU faculty will support the incubator as advisors  and mentors.

“We’re excited to officially launch Innovate Bay on September 4th with a kickoff party on our Fremont  campus,” said Brown. “But this moment represents more than just the opening of a physical space — it’s  the beginning of a new chapter for innovation. We’re here to connect founders, students, and community  partners to real opportunities; to help startups secure their first customers and not just investor meetings.”  

Visit SFBU Innovate Bay Launch Party for more information and to RSVP for the September 4th launch event.

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.

Contact: Jarrod Gerhardt
510-803-7328 Ext. 240
jarrod.gerhardt@sfbu.edu

This summer, Provost and Vice President for Academic & Student Affairs, Brad Fuster, and Assistant Provost for International Programs, Jen Alessi, traveled to Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, resulting in the signing of over 20 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with partner universities across Southeast Asia. These agreements lay the groundwork for a globally connected future in higher education, reflecting SFBU’s commitment to eliminating barriers to education and creating new opportunities for international students to earn American degrees while remaining in their home countries.

This all started when Fuster and Alessi joined hands with QASPIR, an international organization focused on higher education and transformative learning, to search for the right partners to bring Silicon Valley-based education to a broader audience. Indonesia stood out immediately–not only for its scale, with over 4,000 universities in the country and 147,000 students represented through this initiative—but also because of a significant gap in access to U.S. credit-bearing programs.

In partnership with QASPIR, Indonesian students will take 30 credits from SFBU asynchronously, while transferring in 90 credits from their home university. Students will graduate with degrees from both their home university and SFBU. “Indonesia’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has endorsed this program,” Fuster shared, highlighting the unique value of this partnership. With this initiative, SFBU becomes one of only two U.S. institutions providing this type of international degree pathway in Indonesia.

Furthermore, these partnerships remove logistical and financial hurdles for the students. “What I’m excited about,” Alessi explains, “is that students won’t need to get visas or worry about housing costs. We’re bringing education to them, right where they are.” SFBU will begin by offering programs in computer science, with the goal of expanding into business administration and other disciplines in the near future. Students will be able to complete coursework virtually in just one year, and have the opportunity to attend summer sessions in the U.S. to enrich their learning experience.

SFBU has already begun preparing for the first cohort of students to begin classes in Fall 2025. “We hired an instructional design team, implemented AI-powered video lectures, appointed a new Assistant Registrar, and reconfigured the Student Information System,” Fuster states.

Additionally, Subject Matter Experts are condensing 16-week courses into 8-week formats without compromising quality. Students will take major-specific courses alongside SFBU’s student-centric core curriculum, the Agility Praxis Pathway (APP), which explores life’s most pressing questions while building durable, career-focused skills.

Fuster and Alessi bring years of shared experience to this work, having previously collaborated on international partnerships in Asia. Their relationship-driven approach is central to SFBU’s global strategy. “When working with international  partners, it’s all about building relationships,” Alessi shares. “You have to understand students’ needs and link common goals to create win-win opportunities. We are passionate about accessible education, and we will meet students where they are. International universities want to know they are partnering with an institution they can trust–one that is accredited, hands-on, and committed to high standards.”

Cultural sensitivity is another cornerstone. SFBU is committed to designing culturally appropriate coursework and building mutual understanding between international students and SFBU’s diverse campus community. “We want to understand others’ culture better so our classes reflect intercultural humility and culturally appropriate references,” Fuster says, emphasizing the importance of cross-cultural exchange not just for students, but for faculty and staff as well.

“SFBU is a challenger brand that thinks outside the box,” Alessi reaffirms. “Partnering with us means breaking down barriers so students can earn an American degree in an affordable, accessible, and personalized way. Every student’s journey matters, and every student counts.”

The trip culminated in the signing of MOUs in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. More importantly, it marked the beginning of long-term, trust-based relationships with institutions abroad—and a major milestone in SFBU’s vision to deliver transformative, globally accessible education.

Learn more about how these global partnerships align with San Francisco Bay University’s strategic plan. 

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) has launched the Career Connections program, a mentorship initiative that bridges the classroom and the workplace by pairing students one-on-one with professionals and alumni across a wide range of industries.

SFBU’s Senior Director of Career and Life Planning Peter Maribei, Ph.D., is leading the program and has been closely involved in shaping its vision. “My goal is for every student to receive the career development and readiness they need to succeed,” he shares. “This program is a powerful way to connect our students with individuals who have walked similar paths and can help guide them in their professional journey.”

The program has opened and runs through May 2026. Students graduating from SFBU at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year are eligible to join the program as mentees. Once matched, each mentor-mentee pair will determine how they want to connect, whether via video calls, email, or in person. With the goal of promoting a culture of mentorship, Career Connections reflects the university’s commitment to prioritizing student success and a tight-knit community.

Mentors will include SFBU alumni and industry professionals who want to share their expertise and support the next generation of leaders. “We’re looking for professionals who are willing to offer guidance on things like developing skills, building a network, and navigating the world of work,” Dr. Maribei explains. “At SFBU, we believe that students benefit from multiple meaningful relationships offering support, guidance and inspiration—this program is just one more way we can provide that.”

SFBU is partnering with Mentor Collective to support the program. They will help onboard participants and provide the resources necessary to ensure a meaningful mentorship experience.

As for advice to future participants, Dr. Maribei keeps it simple: “Ask questions. Be curious. Stay open. These conversations can shape careers and spark clarity in a student’s life.”

Career Connections ensures every student can graduate not just with a degree but also with the relationships, skills, and confidence to thrive in today’s workforce. It’s a chance for industry professionals to make a lasting impact—and for students to gain firsthand insight from those who’ve already walked the path.

Applications are now open for mentors and mentees.

Learn more about Career Connections. 

Are you an industry professional or SFBU alumni? Sign up to become a mentor.

Are you a SFBU student graduating at the end of the 2025-2026 academic year? Sign up to receive a mentor.

After eight months of hard work, San Francisco Bay University launched its new core curriculum in the fall of 2024. The effort is already paying off with unprecedented semester-to-semester retention in its student population.

According to Vice President for Strategy and Innovation Heather Herrera, Ph.D., the school retained 92% of its total undergraduate population, which includes international, domestic and returning students. However, the rate is more noteworthy when broken down into specific demographics, like the fact that SFBU retained 81% of its low-income, first-generation domestic students of color.

​​”On average, the rate is in the 60s when you talk solely about a domestic population,” Herrera said “And then if you break that down to first-generation students of color, it goes into the 30s. What we have is remarkable.”

Herrera credits the high retention rate to SFBU’s holistic approach to education found in the new curriculum. Previously, it was disjointed and lacked applied learning, not preparing students for the demands of today’s workforce.

“​​We had to take a really close look at the curriculum and ask ourselves hard questions around why people are losing confidence in higher education,” Herrera said.

Now, students receive educational, financial and wellness support in a variety of ways to make sure no bright minds fall through the cracks. The school created student identities that correlate to what employers are looking for — such as Tenacious Leader and Tech Trendsetter — and assigned them competencies like creative problem-solving and emotional intelligence. When combined with measurable behavioral indicators, the curriculum complements the university’s six pillars to encompass and inform the student experience equally: academics, life literacy, wellness, multiple meaningful relationships, financial support and career readiness.

The Startup Scholar’s first cohort is a prime example of students engaging with the new curriculum and staying enrolled. Alex Cruzado of Van Nuys spent a large portion of his childhood in Peru. He wants to become an immigration lawyer after his time at SFBU, hopefully starting his own immigration organization to help people from his community.

“No university is perfect,” Cruzado said. “But because of the class size, you can connect more with the teachers and better understand the curriculum. I feel a connection with many people and have built a wonderful community. There is a high degree of honesty and integrity among the mentors at the school. They are genuinely invested in your future, providing personalized guidance to help you achieve your goals, wherever your path may lead.”

Tatiyana Coleman has always wanted to live in California to be an entrepreneur. From New Mexico, she came to SFBU to study business administration and the Startup Scholar program is making her passion for creating sustainable, affordable homes attainable for people.

“The support system in place has encouraged me to think bigger, take initiative and embrace the process of turning an idea into reality,” Coleman said. “The program creates a culture of innovation and collaboration, encouraging students to take initiative and contribute to the growth of the institution.”

Read more SFBU news here. Got a story? Share it with us.

San Francisco Bay University (SFBU) has always been a place where ambition meets opportunity. Now, with a reimagined brand and a renewed commitment to students, we’re making a powerful statement: There’s no stopping us.

This isn’t just a tagline — it’s a movement. It represents SFBU’s transformation into a dynamic university that puts students at the center of everything. With cutting-edge programs, inclusive policies and a focus on real-world learning, SFBU is setting a new standard for higher education.

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A University That Puts Students First

Central to our mission is the belief that a degree is more than a piece of paper — it’s a testament to a student’s personal and professional growth. So in addition to cultivating career-ready skills, we prioritize meeting students where they are, offering the support and resources they need to succeed emotionally, financially and academically. 

To ensure the new brand spoke to the heart of our institutional existence, we built it around SFBU’s core values:

• Caring for the Whole Student: SFBU understands that students are more than just learners — they’re individuals with unique goals and challenges. That’s why the university offers comprehensive support, including financial, academic, emotional, and career guidance.
• Teaching Excellence: The university trains its faculty in the latest teaching methods to ensure students get the best education possible. This includes integrating artificial intelligence and other innovative tools to enhance learning.
• Access and Inclusion: SFBU removes barriers to higher education, making it easier for students from all backgrounds to pursue a degree. By eliminating certain admission requirements and welcoming international and transfer students, the university ensures that more people have the opportunity to succeed.
• Affordability: Recognizing that cost is a major obstacle for many students, SFBU offers generous scholarships, including full-tuition awards based on GPA. This makes a high-quality education more accessible to everyone.
• Embracing Silicon Valley’s Spirit: Located in one of the world’s most innovative regions, SFBU prepares students for the careers of tomorrow. Its programs are designed to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

A Future Without Limits
 

No Stopping Us reflects SFBU’s greater mission to redefine what’s possible in higher education. Guided by in-depth research, student feedback and a clear vision for the future, we updated our curriculum and culture to create a more supportive learning environment.

SFBU isn’t just adapting to change — we’re leading it. The University’s forward-thinking approach ensures that students are prepared to excel in today’s job market and equipped to shape the future. By focusing on career-ready education, hands-on experience and strong industry connections, SFBU is challenging our peers to lean into learning experiences that go beyond the walls of a classroom.

Our new brand is a promise — to students, staff and the community — that SFBU will continue to push boundaries, challenge outdated norms, and make higher education more accessible and effective for everyone.

If you’re looking for an institution that believes in your potential and is committed to your success, SFBU is the place for you. Because here, there’s No Stopping Us.