The University of California's commitment to small and local suppliers is creating opportunities that extend well beyond procurement. Stygian, a California-certified small business founded in 2020, is one example of how strategic partnerships with UC can help innovative companies grow while delivering value to campuses.
Stygian's UC journey began at Berkeley, where the company partnered with campus procurement leaders to integrate its eProcurement capabilities into the university's purchasing system. That successful collaboration paved the way for additional partnerships with UCSF, UCLA, and UC Office of the President, expanding access to millions of maintenance, facilities, and construction products while helping modernize procurement across the UC system.
As UC entrusted Stygian with increasingly complex projects, the company invested in new technologies, AI-powered sourcing tools, expanded supplier networks, and a growing workforce. Since its founding, Stygian has grown from two employees in 2020 to 18 team members in 2026, an example of how opportunities created through UC's economic impact initiatives can strengthen California's small business community.
Today, Stygian supports UC campuses with eProcurement integrations, facilities maintenance solutions, inventory management, strategic sourcing, and emerging technologies that improve operational efficiency. The company is now exploring opportunities to bring its innovative procurement platform to additional campuses while helping other small businesses gain access to large institutional markets.
Stygian's story reflects UC Systemwide Procurement's broader mission of leveraging procurement not only to deliver value to the university, but also to foster innovation, strengthen small business suppliers, and create lasting economic impact throughout California.