For industry partners
Spend a few hours. Change how someone sees their own career.
AI Innovators connects Long Beach business and technology professionals with students who are building real ventures. There are three ways in, and none of them require a budget.
Commitment: half a day
Judge the capstone
Score student pitches against a provided rubric at the May 2027 Capstone Pitch Event, give teams direct feedback, and stay for networking. We provide the rubric and a briefing beforehand.
Commitment: 60–90 minutes
Speak to the cohort
Guest speakers join the cohort across the year to talk about AI in real business practice — what you actually use it for, what you don't trust it with, and how you got where you are. In person or remote.
Commitment: a few conversations
Mentor a team
Meet with one student team a handful of times across a semester. Poke holes in their assumptions. Tell them what a customer would actually say.
Why bother
What you get out of it.
- Early sight of students entering the regional workforce with applied AI and business skills.
- A direct line into LBCC's Business and Computer Information Systems programs and their advisory work.
- Recognition in event materials and program communications.
- An honest look at how the next generation is actually using these tools — which is usually not what you'd expect.
Get involved
Tell us how you'd like to help.
One short form. A project lead follows up personally within a week.
Prefer email? Write to Yolanda Villacreses or Vincent Calip.
