Entrepreneur and Innovator Gene Eidelman (MBA '19, PKE 142) Pledges Generous Gift to Support Future Entrepreneurs at Pepperdine
Recently honored during Pepperdine's 2026 George Awards, Gene Eidelman, cofounder of Azure Printed Homes and a seasoned real estate developer with more than three decades of industry experience, pledged $1 million in Azure stock to support future entrepreneurs at Pepperdine. This transformative gift is especially significant, as it is designed to grow alongside Azure’s rapidly scaling operations, with the potential to increase up to tenfold over time—amplifying its impact in equipping the next generation of world-changing entrepreneurs.
"Gene Eidelman's generous pledge is a testament to the transformative power a Pepperdine Graziadio education has in creating entrepreneurs who lead with purpose and service," said Deborah Crown, dean of the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. "Alumni like Gene are true reflections of the Waves of Service ethos, demonstrating that success is best measured by the meaningful solutions we bring to the world. His investment in the next generation will directly empower our students to turn innovative ideas into world-changing realities."
Eidelman was equally excited by the opportunity to give back to Pepperdine, elaborating on the mission behind his pledge: "I’m proud that we can give back in a way that supports the next generation of entrepreneurs. At its core, entrepreneurship isn’t about building companies—it’s about building solutions that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
A pioneering force at the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, Eidelman was honored with the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School’s Waves of Service Alumni award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, and entrepreneurial impact within their communities and beyond. Reflecting on the honor, Eidelman said, “It’s truly meaningful to be recognized by my alma mater for work rooted in service. To me, service means applying innovation where it matters most—helping people rebuild, recover, and move forward more quickly. This recognition represents not just business success, but the real impact we’re making in communities during moments that matter most.”
Gene Eidelman (second to last on far right) with 2026 George Award Honorees
Since launching Azure in 2022, Eidelman has helped revolutionize residential construction through cutting-edge 3D-printing technology that delivers faster, more cost-effective, and environmentally responsible housing solutions. Driven in part by firsthand experience helping communities rebuild after wildfires, Eidelman and his team are breaking new ground with a patented 3D printing–enabled construction process that combines modular and prefab systems. This eco-friendly approach is up to 70 percent faster and approximately 30 percent more cost effective than traditional construction; it is fundamentally rethinking how homes are built.
An inspired visionary with a passion for using technology to serve others, Eidelman believes that purposeful innovation has the power to address even the most daunting challenges. “If we can pair technology with purpose,” he explained, “we can solve problems that once felt unsolvable—especially in housing and disaster recovery.”
Following the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires, Azure has been actively supporting homeowners in rebuilding efforts—providing rapid-deploy housing solutions, feasibility studies, and scalable construction strategies designed to help families return home faster while improving long-term resilience. This work has reinforced Azure’s mission to deliver durable, sustainable housing solutions when speed and certainty matter most.
Azure’s current state-of-the-art factory is located in Los Angeles, and the company has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being named one of Pepperdine’s 2025 Most Fundable Companies and earning a place on TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of 2025 list. Azure is now establishing additional factories across the United States and internationally to meet growing demand.
Eidelman is a sought-after speaker on innovation and sustainability. In 2024 he delivered a TEDx talk on the future of housing that has surpassed one million views and has been recognized as one of the most impactful TED talks of the century. He is also the author of From Ashes to Action: A Survivor’s Guide to Rebuilding After Wildfires, an Amazon International Best Seller. Through his leadership, Eidelman is helping shape a future where resilient, affordable, and sustainable housing is accessible to communities everywhere.
“Receiving an award like this reinforces what we believe at Azure: the best companies are built not just for growth, but to be changemakers,” said Eidelman.
To learn more about the event and this year's winners, visit the 18th Annual George Awards webpage.