The month of May is National Small Business Month, and UCSF Anchor Institution Mission (AIM) Procurement team and the Small Business Office represented the University at two industry-focused events. The National Association of Educational Procurement (NAEP) Educational Procurement Innovation Conference (EPIC) 2025 conference and San Francisco Small Business Week provided learning and networking opportunities to contribute to procurement relationships. 

NAEP EPIC25 National Conference

At the NAEP EPIC 2025 national conference May 4-7, the UCSF Anchor Institution Mission (AIM) Procurement team and the Small Business Office joined forces with Stygian HC and the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) at University of California (UC) Berkeley to deliver a presentation titled “Empowering Small Business Growth”. This moderated session featured multiple experts who discussed our small business distributor alliance program with Grainger and Stygian HC. The panel shared diverse perspectives and engaged in an insightful dialogue with each other and the audience.

UCSF’s commitment to advancing small businesses and fostering partnerships was highlighted at the conference. The information provided learning opportunities for all attendees and demonstrated, most importantly, that every purchasing decision -- whether routine or strategic-- plays a crucial role in creating a dynamic procurement landscape. 

UCSF at San Francisco Small Business Week

UCSF’s AIM Procurement team and Small Business Office supported the annual San Francisco Small Business Week that took place May 5-9. (UCSF holds a board member seat with the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.) The annual event, presented by Wells Fargo, offered a variety of events, workshops, and networking opportunities for local entrepreneurs to connect, learn, and thrive. At the closing celebration, AIM Procurement and Small Business Office were able to connect with SF Chamber leadership.