The Warrior Entrepreneurship and Innovation program has announced Elliot Begoun as its newest entrepreneur in residence. Begoun, an established entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the consumer-packaged goods industry, joins Charlie Nguyen of ChalkWild, who has participated as an entrepreneur in residence since 2023, and Larry Rivera of Mango Crazy who joined the program earlier this year.
Begoun is an accomplished author, podcast host and founder of TIG Brands. His commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit aligns with the goals of the entrepreneur in residence program, which aims to encourage collaboration and fusion between disciplines.
The Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program catalyzes transformative and positive regional impact within the entrepreneurial community.
Central to the program are seasoned leaders committed to providing advisory support to faculty and students embarking on entrepreneurial endeavors. These entrepreneurs bring extensive experience and expertise to Stanislaus State, offering mentorship and guidance across diverse areas such as market dynamics, social impact, business strategy and design. Additionally, they facilitate connections between investors, executives, students and researchers, fostering a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration. The EIR program serves as a platform for convening experts in entrepreneurship and innovation, organizing seminars, workshops and conferences to share invaluable real-world insights and cultivate engagement opportunities.
“What we are seeking to create is a space where through a series of encounters — occurring at the nexus of academia, business, entrepreneurship, and innovation — we bring the spirit of grit, inventiveness, and progress that is built into the DNA of our region home to Stanislaus State,” said Pablo Paredes Romero, faculty fellow with the Warrior Entrepreneurship and Innovation program.
Three entrepreneurial leaders are invited to the program each year, serving for one or two years. They engage with students and faculty through a series of workshops, a speaker series and tailored mentoring opportunities.