Innovation and Entrepreneurship

An immersive program that introduces students to the fundamentals of food industry entrepreneurship. Modeled after the popular TV show “Shark Tank,” this hands-on program encourages students to move beyond theoretical learning and develop real, marketable business ideas.

Over the course of two weeks, students will work in teams of 3-4 to develop innovative food product concepts, progressing through the full entrepreneurial process—from ideation to final pitch by building a professional portfolio with headshots and videos. The course concludes with students presenting their ideas to a panel of industry professionals, gaining invaluable feedback and the confidence to pursue their ventures.

Learn more about a major in Agribusiness and career path here.

Learning Outcomes in this course

• Identify and evaluate opportunities in the food industry.

• Craft compelling value propositions for real-world consumer needs.

• Translate innovative ideas into market-ready business concepts.

• Analyze successful food startups through interactive activities and real-world case studies.

• Conduct market research and gather consumer insights to refine product ideas.

• Present polished business ideas to a panel of industry professionals in a “Shark Tank”-style format.

Proposed Activities

• Visit the Cal Poly Creamery to observe the steps required to bring a product from concept to market, with a focus on quality control, packaging design and customer appeal.

• Visit the Oreggia Family Foundation Culinary Lab, utilizing locally made materials for the final project.

• Present projects to a panel of industry professionals, focusing on the creative presentation, product pairing and branding strategies.

• Build a professional portfolio that includes a headshot and a pitch video to support future career endeavors.

Instructor

Dr. Christiane Schroeter, Professor Cal Poly SLO

Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, bestselling Author, and University professor who brings more than two decades of expertise in marketing, innovation, and student success. She holds a Ph.D. in Health Economics and teaches at Cal Poly, where she is known for making complex ideas clear, practical, and engaging for young learners.

Dr. Schroeter is the creator of Petite Practice®, a simple framework that helps students build confidence and momentum through small, intentional steps. She also hosts the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast, ranked in the top 1 percent globally, where she shares evidence-based strategies for mindset, clarity, and achieving goals in a healthy, sustainable way.

Through her work with high school and college students, Dr. Schroeter has seen how much growth happens when teens learn to understand their strengths, set realistic goals, and follow a structured path toward their dreams. Her classes give students the tools to manage schoolwork, explore interests, improve focus, and develop life skills that prepare them for college and beyond. Previous students appreciate her balanced approach that blends academic expertise, real-world experience, and a deep commitment to helping young people step into their potential with confidence.