FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Stephanie Zombek 

805-756-5171; szombek@calpoly.edu

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Peter Falzon has been appointed as the new Executive Director of the California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), bringing decades of experience as a technology and life sciences entrepreneur to the role. 

Falzon joins the CIE with a strong background in venture-stage and public companies, having spent his career building and scaling businesses at the intersection of technology, healthcare and entrepreneurship. Most recently, he served as the CEO of Ripple Science, a healthcare IT company that provides cloud-based software for engaging participants in clinical research. Falzon led the company for seven years, overseeing its growth and impact in the academic and clinical research space. 

A Michigan native, Falzon is a graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where he earned his degree with distinction. Earlier in his career, he spent 10 years studying and working in Japan, an experience that helped shape his global perspective on business and entrepreneurship. He later spent 15 years in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, managing and growing life science and technology companies. 

Before stepping into the Executive Director role, Falzon was already deeply engaged with Cal Poly’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He previously served as a mentor in CIE student programs, including the Summer Accelerator, and participated on the CIE Advisory Council. 

As Executive Director, Falzon will empower the student and local community entrepreneurs to create economic and social value on the Central Coast and beyond. 

“I am excited by the CIE’s student and community entrepreneurs who continue to inspire us with innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. Whether developing a startup idea, taking a product to market, scaling a business with product market fit, or exploring what it means to think like an entrepreneur, their passion for creating meaningful change is inspiring,” said Falzon. 

Falzon’s appointment comes at a time of significant growth for the CIE, including the development of a new downtown location that will increase visibility, accessibility and collaboration between students, founders and the broader community.

As Cal Poly prepares to hire entrepreneurship faculty in every college, Falzon will focus on leveraging the CIE’s unique role as a bridge, bringing together interdisciplinary resources to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The CIE provides Cal Poly students, faculty and community members with the tools, mentorship and resources to transform their innovative ideas into viable businesses, fostering entrepreneurship and regional economic development. By providing quality coaching, professional consulting and connections with industry professionals, the CIE creates an environment in which new businesses can develop and thrive. For more information, visit cie.calpoly.edu.