While many of our Startup Digest readers have already founded companies, some of you subscribe because someday you want to launch a startup. Maybe you already have an idea you’d like to test drive, or maybe you’d just like to test drive the experience of launching a startup. If this describes you, you’re exactly who we’re looking for to participate in Startup Weekend at Sacramento State March 6-8! Startup Weekend is not a seminar, and it’s not a conference. It’s an experiential learning environment where you’ll band together with like-minded people and learn what it takes to start a startup – by actually doing it.
What happens at Startup Weekend? It’s simple: in 54 hours, you’ll take a brand new idea and turn it into a real business. More specifically, you’ll look for (or join) a team, create a prototype, validate a business idea, develop a financial model, and receive feedback from experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Along the way, you’ll chat with coaches and mentors with diverse expertise: technology, fundraising, marketing, finance, law, and more. For more details or to sign up, check out the event page. $75 Early Bird tickets are still available — use promo code “digest” for $15 off! Tickets go up to $99 on 2/29. Student tickets are just $25 with a valid student ID at check in.
Worth Repeating
Dan Casas-Murray, aka The Lean Innovator, has developed a simple process you can learn in 6 sessions that will help you identify your customers, pull meaningful data from them, and introduce your prototypes to them once you’ve established traction. Powered by the SBDC, this free 6-part workshop series, How to Get Customers, is offered on Tuesday and Thursday mornings in February and March. The first two in the series, Customer Profile Development and Market Research, are repeating this week (in case you missed them last week). It’s recommended but not required that you attend each workshop. Sign up for each session here.
This Week’s Best Bets
Tuesday evening is StartupSac Happy Hour at The Red Rabbit Kitchen and Grill in Midtown. Our featured “Ask Me Anything” guest is Mark Otero. who founded Klicknation which was acquired by Electronic Arts in 2011. Mark, now a serial entrepreneur, has launched a new startup, Alice Ventures, a hedge fund that uses data science and artificial intelligence to make investment decisions. You won’t want to miss this one! It’s free to attend and we’ll have some appetizers available for those who show up on time! RSVP
Wednesday evening Moss Adams is teaching a workshop, What Every Startup Founder Should Know about Their Financials, at their offices in Rancho Cordova. StartupSac and CleanStart have organized this informative class and tickets are just $10 (includes dinner). But wait, there’s more! With promo code “digest” you get $5 off your registration feed. Register
Thursday evening, join Mark and Marcus Haney at Allegiant Giving Center in Rocklin for the launch and signing of their book, Always by Your Side. The book is a personal history of father and son that explores the entrepreneurial spirit and the successes, challenges, and life lessons that come with the journey of entrepreneurship for the Haneys and a sampling of intrepid men and women from the Northern California area. It’s free to attend. RSVP
Application Reminder — Due March 1
Cowo Campus Growth Accelerator Applications are due THIS SUNDAY March 1. The cohort begins in March and there is $10K in prize money to be awarded! Don’t miss out because you were too lazy to submit an application! . Apply
We’re building community! The StartupSac Community Facebook Group has nearly 600 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.
