We’re a month into autumn and that means it’s time again for the UC Davis Big Bang! Kickoff! In it’s 23rd year, the Big Bang! Business Competition provides a forum for innovators across California to collaborate, develop and test business ideas. The competition helps you to grow as an entrepreneur and as a leader. You’ll find opportunities to connect with fellow innovators, learn and apply business concepts in interactive educational workshops, build your team, grow your network—and compete for cash prizes.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible, teams must have at least one founder affiliated with an institution of higher education within the State of California. That can be ANY institution of higher education, not just UC Davis. Sac State, Sierra College, American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, Sacramento City College, UoP, William Jessup — students and faculty of all these schools qualify.
Learn More
The Big Bang! runs from January through May. The competition is designed for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. There is also a workshop series, Ideas into Action, that is open to anyone, not just Big Bang participants. Attend the Kickoff Celebration this Tuesday at 5 PM at the UCD Buehler Alumni Center to learn more.
ICYMI Last Chance!
There are a couple of application deadlines this week on programs and contests you may have missed. StartupSac Warm-Up Pitch, a program that will teach you how to pitch to investors, closes applications TONIGHT at 11:59 PM. Learn more about StartupSac Warm-Up Pitch here.
The Spark Venture Competition, a program of the Carlsen Center at Sac State, is a pitch competion that will hand out $20,000 in prize money. It’s being held during Global Entrepreneurship Week, on November 16, but the deadline to apply is this Friday, October 21. Learn more about the Spark Venture Competition here.
Application Deadlines
- StartupSac Warm-Up Pitch – Apply by TONIGHT, Oct 17
- Spark Venture Competition – Apply by Friday, Oct 21
- Global Diversity & Investment Summit – Black entrereneurs, apply to pitch at the October 28 event!
There’s a lot going on in our community! Check out the events I’ve highlighted below and for a full listing, check out this week’s Startup Digest! While you’re there, you can sign up to receive the digest in your inbox every Monday morning!
This Week’s Best Bets
Sacramento Design Week: October 17 through 21. Design Week Sacramento is a weeklong celebration of Sacramento’s design community. Throughout the week, we host Lectures, Panels, Workshops, Networking Events, Studio Tours, and more! All events are hosted by our local design community with the mission to improve the awareness of, and access to, the diverse careers that make up our creative economy. Most events in person in Sacramento, some online
How Stories Can Move Your Startup Forward, Tue, Oct 18, 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Led by Karl Pontau, owner of Squash and Stretch Productions, this StartupSac Office Hours interactive webinar will cover the science behind how people actually make decisions. We’ll explore show how stories are the perfect way to communicate with and persuade people. Then, Karl will explain the four types of stories you need to share and how they work together to make your business shine. Online
UC Davis Big Bang! Competition Kickoff, Tue, Oct 18, 5 to 8 PM. Join us as we celebrate Aggie innovators and kick off key opportunities to help you launch or advance your entrepreneurial journey! The Big Bang! Business Competition provides a forum for innovators across California to collaborate, develop and test business ideas. Competiting teams must have at least one founder affiliated with an institution of higher education within the State of California. In person at UC Davis
Plan Ahead
Startup Happy Hour with InterApp Founder Will Brown, Tue, Oct 25, 5 to 7 PM. Join StartupSac and the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Startup Happy Hour! The featured AMA (ask me anything) guest is Will Brown, founder and CEO of Sacramento-based AR startup InterApp! Startup Happy Hour is a monthly get-together where entrepreneurs can connect, socialize and learn from each other’s stories and journeys. In person at Ink Eats & Drinks in Sacramento
Startup Grind with Kevin Nagle in Folsom, Thu, Oct 27, 11 AM to 1 PM. Startup Grind Sacramento in Partnership with Startup Folsom and Granite City Co-Working invite you to this lunch and learn event. Grab a slice of pizza and be part of a fireside chat with Kevin Nagle during your lunch hour. Kevin Nagle was co-founder and CEO of Envision Pharmaceuticals which has reached annual revenue of $4 B. He is a co-owner of the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento Republic FC. In addition, Kevin is on the investment board of Moneta Ventures, the regions largest early stage venture fund. In person at Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr, Folsom
Connect
Looking to connect with others? Join the StartupSac Community Facebook Group! Startup founders and those who support the growth of our startup community connect and exchange ideas in this private moderated group.
Resources
Check out the StartupSac Website for information on resources available to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses.
Startup Photo of the Week
Srinjay Verma, CEO of Buzly, will be a speaker at the UC Davis Big Bang Kickoff on Tuesday.
