In 2018, about 23% of Anderson students participated in Business Creation Option (BCO) teams, launching their own businesses or helping classmates start their businesses by graduation. Among the BCO projects since 2014, 46% have launched successfully in industries such as technology, education, health care, retail and more. Students have fellowship opportunities through the Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation to develop their business ideas over the summer or to work with the Parker Career Management Center in pursuing MBA internships at start-up companies in Silicon Valley and Silicon Beach.
Where You Want to Be
The following are some of the companies founded by UCLA Anderson MBA students and alumni:
See the recruiting, hiring and full-time salary trends for the Class of 2021 and internship data for the Class of 2022.
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BCO Stats
Specializations:
Entrepreneurship, Technology Leadership, Social Impact
Entrepreneurship, Technology Leadership, Social Impact
Sample Electives
- Entrepreneurship and Venture Initiation
- Venture Capital and Private Equity
- Business Plan Development
- Business Law
- Managing Entrepreneurial Operations
- New Product Development
- Technology Commercialization and Innovation
- Technology Management
- Managing the Family Business Enterprise
- Sales and Channel Management
- Corporate Entrepreneurship
- Business Economics: Doing Deals
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Financing the Emerging Enterprise
“I came to Anderson with a business idea that I wanted to research, build, and launch during my time at UCLA. The resources at Anderson have been absolutely invaluable in this process, from building a team of my peers to work on this concept, to the Business Plan Development course that rounded out my understanding of every aspect of my business, to being paired with a mentor and learning from other Anderson students in the Entrepreneurship Leadership Development Program. I’m more excited than ever about my venture and the path it is on, largely thanks to the programs and resources that Anderson has provided.”
Joachim Cassel ('23')
“I came to Anderson to take my brand, Hit of Happiness, from a passion project to a sustainable business by the time I graduate so I can run with it full-time. The offerings for entrepreneurs at Anderson have been instrumental in helping me navigate the entrepreneurial rollercoaster, better understand myself and my business, connect with other entrepreneurs at all levels and figure out my management/leadership style. I am honored to be a Wolfen Fellow this summer where I will have access to the Anderson Venture Accelerator and mentorship as I continue to build my company. Between the Entrepreneurship Leadership Development Program, the Entrepreneurship Association, the Business Plan Development course and the support of my fellow classmates and Price Center, Anderson has provided me with all the resources I need to excel in the entrepreneurial space!”
Brian Dubow ('23')
“I came to Anderson to apply everything I learned about Data&AI throughout my career in various companies - most recently Microsoft - to the healthcare domain. Anderson resources such as Anderson Product Innovation Challenge, Entrepreneurship Venture Initiation & Business Plan Development courses, and many healthcare-related electives helped me refine the idea and get access to many valuable mentors. I am also a proud Wolfen fellow, so I plan to work on the venture during the summer and the second year at Anderson and run it full-time after graduation.”
Natalia Dranchuk ('23')
“I came to Anderson with the hope of scaling my business and have been blown away by the welcoming community and valuable resources. Fellow students are always enthusiastically offering encouragement, connections, and support. The Business Creation Option is so valuable to me as a early entrepreneur because I get a team of passionate students working directly on my company. I've also found the resources from the Venture Accelerator to be critical in my entrepreneurial journey. Through the accelerator, I've built relationships with mentors and VCs that will help take my venture to the next level. ”
Lauren Browning ('23)
“I came to Anderson knowing that I was ready to make the career change from corporate marketing into entrepreneurship. I have a small wedding & events company that I started just before beginning my MBA. Since being at Anderson, and going through the founding journey myself, I have begun working on a new endeavor to help womxn founders launch their businesses. The resources for entrepreneurs at Anderson are unparalleled; it’s the main reason that Anderson was my first choice for my MBA. From the Price Center for Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurs Association to elective classes, the Venture Accelerator and multiple pitch competitions; there is no shortage of opportunities. All of these resources along with the strong alumni network at Anderson have helped me to grow and scale my business ideas and learn first-hand what it takes to be an entrepreneur.”
Annie McNutt ('23)
“My business idea sparked just a couple of months before classes started. Meaning, I didn’t apply to Anderson with the intention of launching a company. As I began sharing my fledgling idea with others in the Anderson community early on, the resounding support and connection to entrepreneurial resources astounded me. Thanks to the network of incredible supporters within the community of professors, the Price Center, the Business Creation Option office, the Anderson alumni network, and the strong Los Angeles CPG community, I’ve come to realize that my business idea has legs. I plan to pursue it full-time by leveraging the vast amount of resources available on campus meant to help with thoroughly vetting the business idea. I feel extremely lucky to be at Anderson at this stage of my business.”
Julia Sweitzer ('23)
“Anderson’s programming around the entrepreneurship curriculum has been second to none. Leveraging the BCO program, Venture Accelerator, Entrepreneurship Association and Wolfen Fellowship we have been able to flesh out our value proposition and gain priceless insights from market research in a structured approach. This has been pivotal to our company’s growth trajectory. On the cusp of finishing my first year, I could not be more pleased with my decision to attend Anderson.”
Kevin White ('23)
“I always knew that I wanted to start my own business and came to Anderson with the singular focus of becoming an entrepreneur. The tools, lessons, and network from my UCLA Anderson experience have already been an invaluable part of my journey and I am only just beginning to scratch the surface.”
Stephanie Chui ('23)
I came to Anderson with an idea for a business that I wanted to launch while in school and run full-time after graduation. The resources at Anderson, such as the Business Plan Development course, programming at the Anderson Venture Accelerator, the E-Labs Women’s Pitch Night, and the fellow entrepreneurs in the Anderson network, have helped me refine and improve my idea as well as push me intellectually and professionally.
Katie Farias ('19)
Wolfen Fellow
Connect With a Student Ambassador
Our Admissions Ambassador Corps (AAC) is a group of diverse student leaders who can guide you through life at UCLA Anderson and answer your specific questions about their experiences. Ambassadors lead live webinars on a regular basis and are on call to help you with your process. Connect with a Student
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