About Janus
Janus Innovation Hub is a launchpad for dreamers and doers who want to start right in the middle of sunny San Diego. The founders of Janus Innovation Hub, Aras Sheikhi, who is a first-generation immigrant himself, and Mostafa Afkhamizadeh, started the company with the goal of removing barriers to entering the world of business. We at Janus Innovation Hub are on a mission to level the playing field because we know how hard it is for first-generation newcomers and brilliant minds to give life to their dreams. Janus Innovation Hub is here for you, whether you're a bright-eyed student with a crazy idea or a driven immigrant with the next big thing.
The Janus
InnovationHub Story
The story of Janus Innovation Hub begins when Aras Sheikhi personally saw the difficulties first-generation immigrants had in the business circle. Aras, an entrepreneurial lead at UC San Diego, recognized an obvious gap in the support network for students—especially those from immigrant backgrounds—as they moved from academics to the business community.
Aras saw that after college, a lot of students, especially first-generation newcomers, felt lost and alone. Though they had great ideas, they lacked the resources, guidance, and networks needed to turn these ideas into successful businesses.
For Aras, this problem hit close to home because he remembered how hard it was for him to start a business in a new country as the first person in his family to come to Australia. Aras chose to come up with an answer based on his many years of experience starting businesses in Dubai, Canada, and Australia. He imagined a place where these brilliant minds could receive the support, coaching, and opportunities to succeed in the world of business.
And, this vision gave birth to Janus Innovation Hub.
It was named after Janus, the Roman god of starts and changes, and its goal is to connect what people learn in school with what they need to know to be successful in business. Like Janus, who looks both forward and backward, the hub helps entrepreneurs build on their academic achievements while guiding them through the evolving business landscape. This dual perspective ensures that participants are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
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