Monday, December 31, 2018
Reflections on 2018: Mike Panesis, Center for Entrepreneurship at CLU
Editor's note: As we head into the new year, we've been featuring reflections on 2018 from notable investors, entrepreneurs, and others from Southern California's technology community. You'll be able to browse all of those contributions here. Here's Mike Panesis, Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at California Lutheran University (CLU).
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?It's difficult to choose one. I regularly learn something new from our students. I am confident that the next generation of leaders will take better care of the planet and each other than my generation has.
What was the biggest news for your company in 2018?
In May, the Center co-hosted the first New Venture Ventura County, a celebration of student entrepreneurs from grade school to grad school. There were so many innovative ideas and interest in entrepreneurship among students in Ventura County! Thanks so much to our co-hosts Aspire3, VC Innovates and RC Makes, and to lead sponsor NewCo Foundation. Hub101 celebrated the funding of member startups, including Beyond Limits, Pray.com and Pure Spectrum.
Are there any technology innovations, gadgets, devices, software, that you found most interesting in 2018?
Nothing that really blew me away. 2018 was a year of coming to terms with the tech that I already have: Android phone, Amazon Echo & Kindle, Macbook, Google Home. What I really need is a gadget for dealing with all of my gadgets.
Finally, what's your prediction on what will be most important thing for the technology industry in the coming year?
I'm afraid that we're quickly approaching a bubble in tech startup valuations that's ready to burst. I'm hopeful that that LA tech community will not only weather it but emerge stronger. That's often the best time to invest.
Mike Panesis is the Executive Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at California Lutheran University (CLU) and its Hub101 community coworking space. He also is President of Tech Coast Angels' Central Coast Network and a founding member of Santa Barbara Angel Alliance.