Before the pandemic, there were usually one or two Startup Weekend events in the Sacramento region every year. But due to COVID, there hasn’t been one since March 2020. That’s 2 1/2 years! If you’ve been jonesing for an event like Startup Weekend, I’ve got some good fantastic news for you! The Startup Challenge, happening this weekend at the Carlsen Center at Sac State, is your chance to go from idea to startup in just over 48 hours!

The Startup Challenge’s Catalyst Cohort is a fantastic opportunity to get a real feel for what it’s like to launch a startup – even if you don’t have an idea. You can work on your idea or join a team based on someone else’s idea. It’s SUPER FUN as well as intense. Most people I’ve talked to who have participated in a similar event say it’s been life changing!

If you’ve always been interested in taking startup life for a test drive, the Startup Challenge is your opportunity! Learn more here.

Spark Venture Competition – $20K in Prizes

The Carlsen Center just announced that applications are open for this year’s Spark Venture Competition. This startup pitch contest is held every year during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November. There are two tracks — one for early-stage for-profit startups and one for social impact ventures (for-profit or non-profit). Learn more about who can apply to compete here.

Sacramento’s Inno Under 25 – Nominate Someone!

The Sacramento Business Journal’s Inno Under 25 program will recognize founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, scientists and leaders under 25 years of age in the Sacramento regional startup ecosystem. More info/Nominate.

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!

Application Deadlines

This Week’s Best Bets

InnoGrove Open House,Thu, Sep 22, 4-6 PM. Come hear about InnoGrove coworking, the Elk Grove Startup community, and doing business in Elk Grove. Meet our staff, have a snack and take a tour. We’ll also have short presentations from a number of startups that have an Elk Grove connection. In person in Elk Grove

Startup Challenge, Sep 23-25. The Startup Challenge is a weekend of DOING where we focus on providing founders and early-stage teams with a dedicated space for experimenting and making traction. The weekend caters to two different cohorts. The Catalyst Cohort is for brand new ideas, and anyone is welcome to participate. The Traction Cohort is for existing startups, who may or may not have a product or customers yet, but have not raised investment yet. In person at the Carlsen Center at Sac State.

Plan Ahead

Startup Happy Hour Fall Social, Thu, Sep 29, 5-7PM In Person. Plan ahead to join with other startup founders at Startup Happy Hour’s Fall Social at the Red Rabbit Kitchen and Bar in Sacramento! There’s no agenda — just an opportunity to meet some new folks in the greater Sacramento region’s startup community while enjoying appertizers and your favorite beverage! Appetizers sponsored by Stoel Rives. No host bar. In person in Sacramento

growTECH FEST Presented by ChicoStart, Oct 5-6. growTECH FEST is the largest and only entrepreneurial regional conference north of Sacramento leveraging the growTECH industry sector-led partnership, to celebrate and elevate the entrepreneurial and tech culture that is fresh, pervasive and on the rise in the North State. If you are a techie, startup, small business, community leader, student or just someone with an idea, this conference is where you need to be! In person in Chico

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.