Student Pamela Vilchez high fives Quinn Valentine, director of the CIE, after giving a practice pitch, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. Vilchez competed in the pitch competition later in the evening and won second place. 
Director of the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Quinn Valentine, writes 15 seconds on the white board during a Wednesday Workshop, April 29, 2026, at the CIE Gathering Space. The 15 seconds is how long an individual should spend discussing each portion of their pitch at a pitch competition. 
Alex Martins gives a pitch during the pitch competition, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. Martins won third place at the event and fifth at the Bobcat Innovation Challenge held earlier in the month. 
A sign for the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) sits outside the offices and near the Gathering Space. The CIE is located on the third floor of Alkek Library. 
Director of the CIE, Quinn Valentine, gestures to the white board showcasing an example of how to formulate a pitch, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. Valentine taught the Wednesday Workshop to the group of students emphasizing the four parts to a pitch. 
A student gives a pitch during the pitch competition, Wednesday, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. The pitch competition followed a Wednesday Workshop providing guidance to students on how to formulate a pitch. 
Two attendees of the Wednesday Workshop smile after giving a practice pitch, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. The two students later competed in the pitch competition, following the Wednesday Workshop. 
Judges listen to a student speaking during the pitch competition, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. The judges listened to 11 pitches and decided on the top three to win a prize. 
A student receives feedback after giving a practice pitch, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. Wyatt won first place in the pitch competition after presenting his idea about a reusable ice cube. 
Regina Bautista looks at the judging form following a pitch, April 29, at the CIE Gathering Space. Bautista was among the seven judges deciding the final three winners for the competition.
Throughout the 2025-26 school year, the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has gone through an abundant amount of growth leading to more opportunities for students.
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, CIE, provides students with mentorship, guidance and opportunities to the world of entrepreneurship. Through workshops and competitions, students at Texas State University are able to build a network and gain experience.
The center is under the direction of Quinn Valentine, who herself is an entrepreneur and small business owner. Valentine’s experience as a business owner allows students to gain a greater understanding and perspective into the industry.
With events open to students, faculty, alumni and community members, the growth of the CIE has risen exponentially. In 2025 the center had reached over 1,200 students, according to the CIE. At the CIE’s weekly events, the Wednesday Workshops, over 400 students had attended and gained hands-on experience.
The weekly Wednesday Workshops allow students to discuss a variety of topics geared towards entrepreneurship with professionals in the industry. On April 29, the CIE held a workshop titled “Mic Drop: The Perfect Pitch,” hosted by Quinn Valentine. This workshop was geared towards providing attendees with guidance on how to cultivate the perfect pitch for their business idea. Following the workshop, attendees had the opportunity to give an elevator pitch to a panel of judges for a cash prize. Some students were veterans in pitching their ideas.
Others were rookies.
Despite the group consisting of past winners of pitch competitions, some of the new attendees joined the pitch competition and found success.
For junior pre-business major Aaliyah Trevino this was her first time attending an event with the CIE. As she listened attentively to the workshop, she found herself more intrigued in the topics discussed. When it came time for students to give a practice pitch, Trevino was hesitant at first, but encouragement from Valentine grew her confidence.
For the pitch competition 11 students entered. A mix of first time competitors and experienced.
When Trevino was called to give her pitch nerves soared, but that didn’t hold her back from giving a successful pitch.
“I honestly ended up liking it so much,” Trevino said. “I was talking to [Quinn] for a good while saying how as nervous as I was I actually really enjoyed it.”
Even though Trevino didn’t end up taking home a cash prize, she was able to find something more meaningful.
The urge to be more involved.
“I just followed the Instagram, and I actually really enjoyed it,” Trevino said. “I do want to be more involved with it.”
For pitch competitions Valentine emphasizes to not just talk about your idea, but also about you.
“When people ask you, ‘well what’s your idea?’ You start talking about the idea immediately,” Valentine said. “And to be honest with you, most of the people who are listening to your ideas, zone you out the minute you start talking about the idea. Because an idea is an idea is an idea, but what they really want to know is about you and why you decided to do this idea and why you’re going to make it come to life.”
The CIE hosts a variety of pitch competitions throughout the year for students to participate in. Earlier in the month the CIE held the Bobcat Innovation Challenge, which awarded $21,000 to students competing in the pitch competition.
For students that have a business, Texas State and the CIE have an online shop that supports entrepreneurs growing their venture. The Student Made partnership with Texas State launched in September 2025 and has provided students with various opportunities to sell their products. Business owners are able to vendor at Bobcat Bazaar, a market run by the CIE held throughout the year at the LBJ Mall, and also ArtSquared, a market downtown on the Square.
Downtown on the Square not only provides students this opportunity with ArtSquared, but community members can browse through San Marcos small businesses at the monthly Vanilla Bean market. This market, beloved by the San Marcos community, highlights dozens of small businesses run by community members that are selling anything from jewelry, clothing, art or food.
The San Marcos community has become a strong market for aspiring business owners with the CIE but veteran entrepreneurs looking to sell at community markets.
