Startup Graduation season continues: last week I attended the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy’s 2019 Showcase and was impressed with the business ideas being pursued by this year’s graduating cohort. There were ten new business launched and they are solving problems ranging from mental health to sustainability to hangover recovery and everywhere in-between! I’m scheduling them to present at 1 Million Cups over the next 4-6 weeks so keep an eye out for these brand new companies! Congrats to ALVA4U, Apollo VR, Blockchain of Evidence, Box to the Future, Faculty Support System, Mental Health Navigator, RAIVES, Recycle Genie, RELIV and Xiaocun!

The final round of startup graduations happens next week, on Thursday, May 23, when UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition holds its Finalist Presentations and Award Ceremony. It’s free to attend but please RSVP so they’ll know you are coming. More details/RSVP here.

Speaking of cool startup-focused events in our region, I want to remind you that the Impact Global Venture Summit is happening June 19 at Golden 1 Center. Attendees will gain insights on the potential impact of foundation technologies, hands-on demonstrations of early applications, and access to the real innovators and policymakers shaping their adoption in our markets and communities. It’s also a great opportunity to rub elbows with Silicon Valley/SF investment capital! The SUPER EARLY BIRD price is expiring next week, so register now, using this link to get $10 off the early bird registration fee of $35.  Don’t be a procrastinator — you know you want to go!

REMINDER: StartupSac is hosting another Warm-Up Pitch event on June 25 to help you prepare for presenting to investors. If you have a working MVP and have revenue or are very close to it, this competition will hone your presentation skills and teach you what investors are looking for in potential portfolio companies. In addition to the opportunity to present on stage in front of coaches and investors, qualified candidates will attend 3 pitch workshops prior to the Warm-Up Pitch. Applications are due by THIS WEDNESDAY May 15. Apply Now

This Week’s Best Bets

1 Million Cups will be at the Metro Chamber/SBDC this Wednesday morning. It’s your opportunity to see one of the Big Bang! semi-finalists present (PairAnything) and one of the SEA graduates present (Apollo AR). This meetup starts promptly at 9:00 am so come a little early to grab a cup of coffee, meet someone new and find a seat before the show starts. It’s free to attend but RSVPs appreciated! RSVP

Ready for a little fun? Geek out at the Sacramento Developer Collective’s Social Mixer at the Coin-Op Game Room on K St this Friday. It will be a fun time of food, libation, gaming and hanging out with your people. Newbies welcome! Free but RSVP

Plan Ahead

June 21-23 Startup Weekend Sustainable Revolution is happening at The Atrium in Sacramento. It’s part of a global initiative and over 50 same-themed startup weekends will be happening all over the world in June. Combine early bird pricing ($75) with your digest reader’s discount (use promo code digest for $25 off) and attend this 2 1/2 day event for just $50. That includes SEVEN delicious meals! Anyone can participate — all you need is a desire to help solve a world problem related to sustainability. More info/Get Tickets

We’re building community! The StartupSac Community Facebook Group has over 300 members. Now we need you!  Request to join here.

There’s lots of great stuff going on in the tech startup community–check out the details in this week’s Startup Digest. If you’d like to receive the digest in your inbox every Monday morning, sign up for free here. And for even more startup information, happenings and resources, browse  the  StartupSac Website.

If you’ve organized (or know about) an event you think belongs in the Startup Digest, please submit it here for consideration.