ATTENTION STARTUP FOUNDERS! The 2021 Spark Venture Competition is an annual pitch competition hosted by the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship for early-stage startups and social impact ventures during Global Entrepreneurship Week. A total of $20,000 in cash awards will be given out. Early stage ventures interested in competing must apply by THIS WEDNESDAY October 27. Apply Here. A total of $20,000 in cash awards will be given on Demo Day on November 10 during Global Entrepreneurship Week. There are two tracks – For-Profit and Social Ventures (includes non-profits). First place in each track wins $7500, second place $2500! Details Here

Interested in Mentor Speed Dating? Mentor Sacramento Office Hours Sprint is returning during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November! Entrepreneurs who sign up will have an opportunity to meet with three mentors for 15 minutes each during this speed mentoring session. It’s happening Thu Nov 11 from 10:30am-Noon. Learn more here. Entrepreneurs, Sign up here to participate. (If you’d like to be a mentor, sign up here).

The Global Entrepreneurship Week calendars are now published! You can find out about everything that is scheduled by checking out the calendars on either StartupSac’s website (more of a summary) or the Carlsen Center at Sac State’s website (includes all event details). I have a few of my favorites listed below but there are over 20 events happenings so please check out the event calendars!

Global Entrepreneurship Week Quick Picks – Nov 8-12

This Week’s Best Bets

Startup Happy Hour with Marrone Bio Founder, Dr. Pam Marrone, Tue Oct 26 at 5 PM: Dr. Marrone started Marrone Bio to discover and develop effective and environmentally-responsible, biologically-based products for pest management and plant health. In 2013, she led the company’s IPO, raising net proceeds of $56.4 million. Join us for Happy Hour to learn more about Dr. Marrone’s journey and how you can apply her lessons learned to your own startup.

Using Crowdfunding to Fund New Innovations or Small Businesses, Wed Oct 27 at 10 AM: Learn how crowdfunding, both equity and rewards base, can be used as an alternative form for financing. We’ll review popular crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and WeFunder as well as provide an introduction to equity crowdfunding where companies can raise up to $5 million. Online

Plan Ahead

Check out the Global Entrepreneurship Week Sacramento Calendar!

There’s much more going on in the next few weeks.–check out all 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 hone your entrepreneurial skills and knowledge? The Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy is currently accepting applications from entrepreneurs for its 2022 cohort.This team-based entrepreneurial bootcamp teaches you to move your project from idea to an actual startup! Find out more and apply now. (let ’em know you heard about it from StartupSac.)

Want to connect with other founders? Request to join the StartupSac Community Facebook Group, a place where startup founders and those who support the growth of our startup ecosystem can connect and exchange ideas.

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.