ENGR 110 INNOVAR Entrepreneur Training Course
Turn Your Tech Idea Into a Viable Business
The Spring 2026 cohort registration opens on February 2nd.
*INNOVAR Spring 2026 is open to UCR students, faculty and staff.
Spring ENGR 110 INNOVAR is a 10-week entrepreneurial training program that helps aspiring founders transform technology concepts into real-world solutions with commercial potential. Whether you're exploring innovations in sustainable farming, robotics, health tech, transportation, or other fields, INNOVAR gives you the tools to validate your idea, build a business model, and move confidently toward launch.
Built on the proven Lean LaunchPad framework, the program emphasizes real customer discovery, teaching you how to test assumptions, identify market needs, and refine your idea based on direct feedback from potential users. The focus isn’t on the technology itself, but on solving a meaningful problem for real customers.
What You'll Learn
INNOVAR equips you with practical business knowledge to help you move from lab to market. Through hands-on activities and expert guidance, you'll explore key areas such as:
- Market analysis & sizing
- Understanding the competitive landscape
- Go-to-market strategies
- Intellectual property protection
- Funding and commercialization pathways
What You'll Gain
Beyond the classroom, INNOVAR offers personalized support and strategic connections to help you succeed long after the program ends:
- 1:1 mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and advisors
- Transferable startup skills that apply across industries
- Access to a robust network of professionals and resources
- Opportunities to pursue follow-on funding and business support
Program Commitment: Expect to spend about 8 hours per week, including weekly sessions, customer interviews, mentor meetings, and assignments.
Spring 2026 Cohort Information (March 31 - June 2)
Class Dates and Topics
- Class 1 (3/31/26) - Ideation
- Class 2 (4/7/26) - Introduction & Core Concepts
- Class 3 (4/14/26) - Product/Market Fit
- Class 4 (4/21/26) - Market Size
- Class 5 (4/28/26) - Competitive Analysis and IP
- Class 6 (5/5/26) - Business Ecosystem
- Class 7 (5/12/26) - Go-To Market Strategy
- Class 8 (5/19/26) - Commercialization Roadmap
- Class 9 (5/26/26) - Funding
- Class 10 (6/2/26) - Final Presentations
ENGR 110 INNOVAR Spring 2026 is open to UCR students, faculty and staff.
Important Notes
- Class will start on Tuesday March 31st and end on Tuesday June 2nd
- Classes will be held Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:50 p.m. at Pierce Hall Room 3374
- To register, visit classes.ucr.edu or log onto R'Web and register for both classes: 1) ENGR 110.001 (CRN 76949) and 2) ENGR 110.021 (CRN 76980)
INNOVAR Success Stories
Edge Sound Research – From Idea to $2.4 Million in Funding
Edge Sound Research, founded by UCR alumni Ethan Castro and Valtteri Salomaki, is revolutionizing the live event experience with their cutting-edge ResonX technology. By attaching their proprietary transducer to premium seating at sporting venues, Edge Sound Research allows fans to not just hear sound, but feel it—transforming live events into immersive experiences. Their technology is already in use by two NBA teams, the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
But their journey began long before they secured over $2.4 million in venture capital funding. In fact, the concept for Edge Sound Research first took root during UC Riverside's Spring 2020 INNOVAR program, where they applied the Lean Launchpad methodology to validate their initial idea. Through customer interviews and market research, they discovered how to align their technology with real-world demand, solidifying the foundation for future commercialization. The support, mentorship, and real-world market validation they received through INNOVAR set them on the path to success, helping to refine their innovation and business strategy.
Today, after going through the NSF I-Corps, Techstars Accelerator, and receiving over 32 investor introductions through EPIC SBDC, Edge Sound Research is a prime example of how the INNOVAR program can help transform ideas into industry-leading companies.
StarNav Becomes a Critical Partner for the Department of Defense
StarNav, a trailblazing company in advanced navigation technology, is now working closely with the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide innovative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solutions. StarNav’s cutting-edge technology, designed to operate independently of traditional GPS, plays a critical role in defense operations, especially in environments where GPS signals are unreliable or compromised.
The foundation of StarNav’s success can be traced back to their participation in the Fall 2020 INNOVAR program. During the program, CEO Dr. Joshua Morales honed the company’s core technology and market strategy through INNOVAR’s Lean Launchpad methodology. The customer validation process allowed StarNav to identify key market gaps and tailor its technology to meet the needs of sectors like defense.
After completing INNOVAR, StarNav continued its rapid growth, benefiting from mentorship and resources provided by EPIC SBDC and the ExCITE incubator. This positioned StarNav to secure key partnerships, including their recent work with the DoD. Their proprietary Xona PULSAR™ receiver is now helping to ensure secure navigation for defense applications, ranging from unmanned aerial systems to satellite orbit determination.
StarNav’s journey exemplifies how INNOVAR empowers entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into real-world solutions that meet critical industry needs.
Ready to launch your idea and make an impact? Mark your calendars for February 2nd, 2026 for our Spring 2026 cohort!
Your INNOVAR Liaison
Francisca Reyes
Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
francisca.reyes@ucr.edu