De Anza Innovation Center
Fostering Creativity to Develop Social and Environmental Solutions
- Led by the Business, Computer Science and Applied Technologies Division
- Open to all currently registered De Anza students, in all majors
- Supported by generous donors via the Foothill-De Anza Foundation.
Unless otherwise noted, all events will be held on campus in the Business and Finance Village Center (AT 202).
For more information, please contact Dean Manisha Karia at kariamanisha@deanza.edu
Business Model Canvas Competition
Thank you to our sponsor, KeyPoint Credit Union!
🚀 Join the 3rd Annual Business Model Canvas (BMC) Competition! 🚀
Are you ready to put your entrepreneurial skills to the test? The 3rd Annual BMC Competition at De Anza College is your chance to analyze real-world problems, develop strategic business models, and propose innovative solutions. Compete for a total prize of $1,000 while networking with like-minded peers and industry professionals.
📅 Event Date: February 28, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM PST (Lunch Provided)
📍 Location: MLC 103-105
🔹 What to Expect:
✅ Work in teams to tackle a business challenge from industry experts
✅ Brainstorm strategies and refine your ideas
✅ Present your solutions to a panel of judges
✅ Win big and gain valuable experience!
💡 Open to all majors—no business background required! If you enjoy problem-solving, creativity, and innovation, this competition is for you.
3 winning teams will share a total of $1,000!
(BMC participants, spring 2024)
Winter 2025: Practical Small Business Hub
Expert speakers from several business disciplines will provide an overview of topics that are critical to successfully launching and operating a small business. Everyone is welcome – especially students who currently run a small business or are planning to start one (whether online or brick-and-mortar). Please sign up to attend any or all of these sessions.
Click each red bar for details about each session. Learn more about the speakers below. For questions, please contact Dean Manisha Karia at kariamanisha@deanza.edu
Tuesday, Jan. 28: Getting Started – Business Formation
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 28
- Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
- Location: AT 202 (Business and Finance Village)
- Speaker: Steven Jackman
Learn about different business structures, registration and compliance. This session will cover LLCs, S corporations, sole proprietorships, and the legal aspects of purchasing a business and franchising.
Tuesday, Feb. 11: Contracts and Negotiation Techniques
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 11
- Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
- Location: AT 202 (Business and Finance Village)
- Speaker: Steven Jackman
Master the art of contracts and negotiations. This session will cover the basics of commercial contracting – customer-facing and vendor-facing – and expert negotiation techniques to help you seal the deal.
Tuesday, Feb. 25: Accounting Essentials for Small Business
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 25
- Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
- Location: AT 202 (Business and Finance Village)
- Speaker: Yacoub Moussa
Learn essential accounting tips from an experienced CPA. This session will explore tax considerations and strategies for using financial data to make smarter business decisions.
Tuesday, March 4: Effective Online Marketing
- Date: Tuesday, March 4
- Time: 3-4:30 p.m.
- Location: AT 202 (Business and Finance Village)
- Speaker: John Francis
Unlock the secrets of effective online marketing. This session will cover strategies for small businesses to grow – through search engine optimization (SEO), social media, content marketing and more.
Meet the Speakers
Steven Jackman
Steven Jackman is general counsel at Salute Mission Critical, a data center service provider with
over 1,500 employees. With more than 25 years of experience as a commercial and M&A
attorney, Steven has an extensive background in the manufacturing and data center
industries.
After a clerkship with William H. Stafford, then-chief U.S. judge of the Northern District of Florida, Jackman spent five years in private practice before moving in-house. He has held senior legal roles at Benchmark Electronics, Sanmina Corporation, Flex and Digital Realty Trust. Jackman's expertise includes commercial transactions, M&A, compliance, and dispute resolution. He earned his law degree from the University of California Hastings School of Law (now UC Law San Francisco) and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in Economics and French from the University of California, Berkeley.
John Francis
De Anza Business instructor John Francis is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with an MBA from Drexel University.
He brings over 25 years of experience in the dynamic entertainment and consumer packaged
goods sectors, including leadership roles in the movie, video game and toy industries.
Professor Francis possesses a proven track record of success in driving business growth. He excels in retail marketing, category management, and business analytics, having led teams, developed impactful retailer strategies, and implemented programs that have significantly increased sales and market share. As a dedicated educator, Professor Francis leverages his industry expertise to create engaging and relevant learning experiences for his students.
Yacoub Moussa
Yacoub Moussa graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2013 and began his career as an auditor at Deloitte
& Touche LLP, the world’s largest accounting firm. A licensed CPA in California since
2014, he earned his MBA from San Jose State University in 2020. Moussa has held various
roles in corporate accounting and finance, notably at Stryker, a Fortune 500 med-tech
company, and Stanford University.
He managed global financial reporting, partnered across departments, and presented financial insights to executive leadership. Moussa currently runs his own CPA firm, specializing in small business accounting, tax, and consulting. He has also owned multiple small businesses, giving him first-hand entrepreneurial experience.
Support the Innovation Center!
Your can make a donation to support the Innovation Center, and its activities for students, by using the Foothill-De Anza Foundation's online donation form.