It’s the last month of 2018! Did you plan to launch your startup this year but you never quite got it off the ground? No worries! There are three programs beginning in early 2019 that can help you make next year YOUR Year of the Startup!

The Founder Institute’s Winter Semester in Sacramento starts in January. Apply by December 9 to be considered for a fellowship (free enrollment — a $999 value). Additionally, if you use this link, the $50 application fee will be waived. The final application deadline is December 16. Find out more about the FI pre-accelerator program at their Entrepreneur DNA: Insights of the Traits of Top Startup Founders seminar this Thursday.

The annual UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition provides a forum to collaborate, develop and test business visions and plans. The Big Bang! offers resources for team building, education, mentorship and networking for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. There is no charge to participate and there is a chance to win significant prize money. The Early deadline to register for the Big Bang! is 11:59 pm, December 7 (this Friday!). Register early and receive five UC Mentor Network sessions. The Big Bang! is open to everyone, not just students and faculty. Learn More

The Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy is accepting applications through early December for its 2019 Cohort which starts in January. SEA is a  real-world business program designed to fast track participants on the road to entrepreneurship. The cost of the 5-month program is $3000 but they are offering $2500 scholarships to those who are not currently sponsored by an individual, an institution or their respective companies. Additionally, a limited number of full scholarships are available for those with greater financial need.  Learn more

This Week’s Best Bets

Check out 1 Million Cups on Wednesday morning at Impact Venture Capital in Downtown Sacramento. The presenters are in the gaming and the podcast production industries. Word on the street is that there will be both a coffee and a munchie sponsor this week! RSVP

Have you been asked for an Executive Summary? Attend the free Write to Win Big Bang Workshop on Thursday to learn best practices on crafting this document to grab investor attention. RSVP

Plan Ahead

Startup Grind’s Annual Startup Holiday Party is on December 11 at The Urban Hive. Live music, festive eats and top-notch mingling and mixing! Bring an unwrapped toy or donate $10. RSVP

Did you know that the quality of the images you use on social media and on your site can significantly impact sales transactions? Come learn more about using quality imagery to drive sales conversions at a free workshop at InnoGrove on December 12. RSVP

We’re building community! The StartupSac Community Facebook Group has over 280 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. If you’ve organized (or know about) an event we have not included, please submit it here for consideration. And for even more startup information, happenings and resources, browse  the  StartupSac Website.