In late March, Jeff and I were in Portland for a 2-1/2 day summit of Startup Ecosystem Builders from around the country. While there, we got to do something of a study mission on Portland’s startup scene. There was a big focus on “Portland made” startups who sold consumer products. Everything from specialty food products to leather goods to furniture. I learned that they have an incubator program for food startups and that they are launching an accelerator for consumer products startups next month. I came back to Sacramento wondering if we had anything like this in our community (and if we didn’t, should we and who could launch it?).

I started nosing around and discovered that we do have a brand new 10-week Food Business training program beginning on June 3! The Alchemist’s Microbusiness Academy is the first of its kind in Sacramento. To be considered for the Academy, you must attend one of their informational sessions (there’s one this Wednesday) and submit your application by May 12. You can find out all the information here.

Nonprofits can be startups too. While they don’t seek venture capital, they all need funding! Did you know that Social Venture Partners trains nonprofits to pitch for funding? The annual SVP Fast Pitch is happening this Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. Our 1 Million Cups lead organizer Cameron Law is the Executive Director of SVP. You should attend to show him your support! I’ll be there! You can get a discounted ticket by entering “StartupSac” in the promo code field. Get Tickets.

I’m not done yet encouraging you to attend Startup Weekend in Folsom April 12-14. You know you want to go! Startup Weekend is a great environment to test drive a brand new startup idea! Don’t have an idea? No problem! Lots of ideas will be pitched the first night and you can join a team to work on the idea you like best! This will be 54-hours of RISK FREE entrepreneurship training! And you might even find yourself being a co-founder of a promising startup when the weekend is done! Use code “digest” for $25 off general admission. But wait, there’s more! Your ticket not only grants you admission to Startup Weekend, it also gets you 7 delicious meals and a commemorative t-shirt! Get Tickets.

We’re building community! The StartupSac Community Facebook Group has nearly 350 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.

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