The Lean Innovator Series is back and accepting applications now through May 16. This free 10-week cohort program is a partnership between the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Capital Region SBDC and is taught by Dan Casas-Murray and Jessie Alexander. The Lean Innovator Series is a foundation and launchpad for you in to feel confident in reaching out and securing customers and investment.  You’ll get clear on your messaging, story, and collect evidence to verify the various aspects of your business model. Learn more/apply.

Contribute your insights to entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem research by taking the Sacramento Entrepreneurial Ecosystem survey.  The survey is taking a snapshot around what drives entrepreneurs and how they navigate decision making. This is an opportunity to help other entrepreneurs gain insights from your journey and shape resources from supporting organizations. Take Survey.

This Week’s Best Bet

1 Million Cups Sacramento, Wed May 5 at 8:45 AM: 1 Million Cups is a weekly meetup where 2 entrepreneurs present their businesses to their peers for advice and feedback. This week’s presenters are: EV Life makes it easy for drivers to find and finance an electric car, Anuket Luxury Apothecary is a fine fragrance company that offers a natural luxury alternative to traditional perfumes.

CleanStart Perspectives with Sabya Das, Moneta Ventures, Thu May 6 at 9 AM: Join us as we chat with Sabya Das, partner at Moneta Ventures, CleanStart Perspectives are short online conversations to connect the greater Sacramento cleantech entrepreneurship community and share insights, experiences, and outlooks. 

Plan Ahead

Startup Grind: Raising Money for your Startup, Tue May 11 at 5 PM: Come learn about ways to raise money for startups. What investors look for, alternatives to VCs, what factors need to be considered before you seek funding, introduction to venture fundamentals plus quick lesson on valuation, 

There’s a lot going on in Sacramento’s startup community this week –check out the details in this week’s Startup Digest. While you’re there, consider subscribing. For even more startup information, happenings and resources, check out what’s available on the StartupSac Website.

Looking to connect with other founders? Find your peers when you 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.

Find an Advisor with Mentor Sacramento: Mentor Sacramento is a free online business mentoring platform that connects early stage startup founders and small business owners to volunteer business mentors. Learn more here.