UC Riverside established a permanent home for its growing startup ecosystem on Monday, Nov. 9, cutting the ribbon on the UC Riverside Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation located on the first floor of the Orbach Science Library.
Made possible by a $6.2 million gift from Inland Empire developer and philanthropist Randall Lewis and his family, the new center creates a dedicated hub designed to empower student founders, accelerate startup creation, and drive economic growth across Inland Southern California.
At Monday’s ceremony, UCR Chancellor S. Jack Hu recognized Lewis and his family, who attended alongside campus and community leaders, for their collaborative vision in making the center a reality.
“We had a common goal: to help create a vibrant regional economy where innovation and startups play a major role. Through extensive meetings and discussions, we came together in a process Randall calls ‘co-creation,’” Hu said. “The UC Riverside Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will empower students to turn innovative ideas into successful ventures, improve their financial well-being and social mobility, and drive economic growth throughout Inland Southern California and beyond.”
Lewis, senior executive vice president of Lewis Management Corp., said in his remarks that the center’s focus spans both commercial and non-profit entrepreneurship, with a primary goal of keeping top talent in the region after graduation.
“I think of this not simply as a gift, but as an investment in people, ideas, and the future of our region,” Lewis said. “UC Riverside has demonstrated what education can do to change lives and create opportunity. Our hope is that this center will build on that success by helping students turn their ideas into something meaningful, whether that's a new business, a nonprofit, or an innovation that makes our communities stronger.”
Lewis said the gift represents a commitment to the long-term economic development of Inland Southern California. By connecting UCR to a broader network of entrepreneurship centers he has funded—including those at Claremont McKenna College, Cal State San Bernardino, University of La Verne, and Chaffey College—the initiative aims to build a unified regional ecosystem featuring joint summits and pitch competitions.
“We’ve been fortunate to support some outstanding institutions throughout the Inland Empire, each doing important work in its own way. What excites me now is the opportunity to connect them, to share ideas and resources, and to learn from one another. We don’t need every institution doing the same thing. We need to find ways for their strengths to complement each other so that, together, we can accomplish more for our students and our region.”
Lewis noted that the center will also work alongside established UCR initiatives, such as the Randall Lewis Policy Fellowship within the School of Public Policy, ensuring student innovators benefit from state and regional advocacy efforts.
Housed under UCR’s Office of Research and Economic Development (RED), the center consolidates and expands programs cultivated over the past decade by UCR’s Office of Technology Partnerships. Existing student programs that will leverage the new facility include the National Science Foundation (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) commercialization workshop and the INNOVAR student venture accelerator. The center’s location in the Orbach Library creates an accessible entry point for students across all majors, expanding hands-on training in venture creation and technology commercialization that serves both UCR’s diverse student body as well as the region’s local community.
“The UC Riverside Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation stands as a testament to what happens when vision, generosity, and human potential come together,” said Rodolfo H. Torres, UCR vice chancellor for research, innovation, and economic development.
Rosibel Ochoa, associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship, said Lewis’ vision transforms UCR’s proven technology transfer model into “a permanent engine of innovation.”
“His leadership and commitment will serve as a catalyst and a seal of validation,” Ochoa said. “It guarantees that our commitment to improving the innovation ecosystem will only continue to scale and grow.”
To learn more about the UC Riverside Randall Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, visit innovation.ucr.edu/randall-lewis
About Randall W. Lewis Family Foundation
Randall W. Lewis Family Foundation reflects the philanthropic vision of Randall W. Lewis, an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and regional leader committed to strengthening communities through long-term investments in health, education, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and community well-being. Rooted in the Inland Empire, where his family business began more than 70 years ago, Lewis’ philanthropy supports a growing network of centers, schools, fellowships, programs, and partnerships that expand opportunity, advance innovation, and improve quality of life. In collaboration with hospitals, universities, civic organizations, and regional leaders, the Foundation helps connect people and ideas to build healthier, more resilient communities — today and for generations to come.
Header image: UCR leaders and Lewis family members cut the ribbon for the new center. From left: Associate Vice Chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship Rosibel Ochoa, Provost Elizabeth Watkins, Chancellor S. Jack Hu, Randall Lewis, Sarah Lewis, Janell Lewis, and Rosie Lewis. (UCR/Carlos Puma)
