Events
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Register: Choose Folsom
1 Million Cups Sacramento Birthday Bash!
1 Million Cups Sacramento Birthday Bash!
Celebrate with us at the 8-Year Birthday Bash of 1 Million Cups Sacramento!
This year, we're commemorating 8 incredible years of building a vibrant, supportive community of entrepreneurs. Join us for a morning filled with inspiring presentations, meaningful networking, and a heartfelt reflection on the amazing journey we've shared together.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Engaging Presentations: Hear from a successful founder who has grown with us and a newcomer making their debut.
Community Connections: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share your insights, and make new connections within the 1MC community. New faces are always welcome!
Tasty Treats: Enjoy delicious refreshments (because what's 1MC without coffee?) and indulge in special birthday treats as we celebrate.
Whether you've been with us from the beginning or are just joining the journey, we can't wait to celebrate our impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem together and look forward to many more years of growth and innovation.
RSVP today and secure your spot at this unforgettable event. Thank you for being an essential part of our community's journey. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Presenters
Ecojoyous
Ecojoyous will be presenting at 1 Million Cups for the first time! After placing second in the Calling All Dreamers contest, they recently opened their storefront in downtown Sacramento. Ecojoyous specializes in natural, eco-friendly, and sustainable goods, offering organic, plastic-free, and low-waste alternatives for the home and body, along with their own handmade soaps and candles. Presenting at 1MC gives Ecojoyous the opportunity to connect with a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, share their story, and gain valuable feedback. Join us to learn more about their journey and how they're making sustainability accessible to the local community.
JAPA
JAPA first presented at 1 Million Cups five years ago, when their business was just an idea. Today, they are a thriving B2B SaaS company using AI and IoT sensors to revolutionize parking management and enhance the commuter experience. Join us to hear how JAPA grew from concept to a funded company with significant customers. Learn from cofounder Mathew Magno as he shares how he leveraged the resources in the greater Sacramento region to support JAPA's launch and growth. Discover the innovative strategies that transformed JAPA into a leader in smart parking solutions!
Date: Wednesday September 25, 2024
Time: 8:30 - 10:15
Location: Capitol Event Center, 1020 11th Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Agenda
8:30 - 9:00 Grab a cup of coffee and meet someone new!
9:00 - 10:15 Presentations, Celebration and CAKE!
10:15 - 10:30 Free form socializing!
Cost: Free
Registration: Eventbrite
MedStart Event: Digital Marketing Basics for Startups
MedStart Event: Digital Marketing Basics for Startups
The Sacramento Region is home to a vibrant medical startup ecosystem. To support its growth, we are reintroducing MedStart, a program dedicated to fostering innovation in medical and life sciences.
This month, Rich Foreman will cover digital marketing basics which include website design, SEO, digital marketing, content marketing, social media, and influencer marketing. Rich's standard advice is that every startup needs to have a proficiency in digital marketing and in this workshop, he will outline what you need to know and provide actionable advice.
MedStart is supported by ReadyStart Cleanroom, Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 50 Economic Alliance, and Startup Folsom.
Please note that this event is in-person at the ReadyStart CleanRooms. Food and beverages will be provided.
Date: September 26, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Folsom AI Meet Up Featuring Prompt Engineer Jacob Rangel
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence.
This month, former copywriter Jacob Rangel shares his transformative journey into AI prompt engineering, revealing how traditional writing skills can be leveraged for gain and good in this emerging field. Demystifying AI and language models, you'll learn about the vital role prompt engineers play in our future and demonstrate key techniques for crafting effective prompts. Attendees will gain insights into both fundamental and advanced prompt engineering methods, including chain-of-thought prompting. The presentation also covers ethical considerations and offers career transition strategies, guiding curious minds to evolve and thrive in the AI-driven future of content creation.
Date: October 1, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $5
Registration: Eventbrite
About Jacob Rangel
A professional Prompt Engineer, Jacob Rangel, is at the forefront of leveraging Generative AI to revolutionize creative problem-solving and drive efficiency across industries. As a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of AI, he champions its responsible implementation. Through insightful applications and thought leadership, he inspires and helps businesses embrace and deploy AI to power their growth. Jacob envisions a future where AI and human ingenuity collaborate harmoniously, paving the way for unprecedented innovation and success.
NASA International Space Apps Hackathon (Space Apps)
NASA International Space Apps Hackathon (Space Apps) hosted in Folsom
NASA International Space Apps Hackathon Returns to Folsom
Exciting news for innovators and problem solvers in the Sacramento area—the NASA International Space Apps Hackathon is coming back to Folsom! This free, global event takes place annually, uniting participants from hundreds of cities around the world to work on real-world challenges. For those in the Sacramento region, Granite City Coworking Event Center will host this year's hackathon on October 5th and 6th, from 9 AM to 5 PM each day, at 795 Gold Lake Drive, Suite 100. Due to limited space and the need for pre-event information, advance registration is required via the NASA website.
The Space Apps Hackathon is a unique experience where coders, scientists, designers, students, artists, and community innovators come together to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing Earth and space exploration. Once registered, participants either form or join a team to collaborate on one of 20 challenges created by NASA experts. It's important to note that no work on challenges can be done before the event, as this would lead to disqualification. Teams can also create their own projects, though these will not be eligible for NASA’s official judging.
What to Expect at Space Apps Folsom
Teams will get to work as soon as the event kicks off on the morning of October 5th. The hackathon concludes on Sunday, October 6th, with team presentations (or "pitches"), which will be judged by local business leaders, aerospace experts, educators, and investors. Challenges are divided into three difficulty levels—Beginner/Youth, Intermediate, and Advanced—and cover a wide range of topics, from climate science to engineering, medical advancements, and even creative fields like art and gaming. The theme this year is "The Sun Touches Everything," ensuring a diverse array of projects.
A Global Movement with Local Impact
The NASA International Space Apps Challenge, launched in 2012, has since expanded to include over 2,400 local events across more than 185 countries. What began as a space science-focused initiative has evolved to incorporate Earth sciences, the arts, and humanities, making it accessible to people of all skill sets and backgrounds.
Ingrid Rosten, the local lead for the Folsom event, shared her enthusiasm: "What I love about this hackathon is bringing the community of all ages together to solve real-world and space problems. We need it now more than ever! It’s fun, and together we can make a big difference locally and globally."
How to Get Involve
If you're ready to make an impact and join this innovative community, head to Space Apps Folsom to register. Please note that participants aged 12-17 must have a parent or guardian register on their behalf.
Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to solutions that will shape the future of Earth and space exploration!
Dates: October 4-6
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Register: Space App Challenge
Cost: Free
Folsom AI Meet Up Featuring Plum Identity Cofounder Jon Coss
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence.
This month, we are featuring the cofounder of Plum Identity, Jon Coss. Plum Identify uses machine learning to decrease online fraud.
Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $5
Registration: Startup Grind
About Jacob Rangel
Jon Coss founded Pondera Solutions in 2011 with one goal – to fight fraud in healthcare and government programs. Under his leadership, Pondera became the leader in fraud, waste, and abuse data analytics. Jon’s strategy combines the brightest minds in government program integrity with innovative data scientists and developers to create a powerful anti-fraud platform.
Pondera Solutions was acquired by Thomson Reuters for $125 M. Jon wrote the story of Pondera in his book, A Ten-Year Overnight Success: The Inspiring Story of a Business You’ve Never Heard of.
Jon has now started his next venture, Plum Identity which uses machine learning and behavioral analytics to detect online fraud. He is a also frequent speaker at Healthcare, Social Services, and technology events and conferences, in addition to being interviewed by the NBC Today show, CBS, NBC, ABC, and FOX newscasts, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg News, Fortune Magazine, and Politico.
Jon holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Master of Business Administration from New York University, and a LEAD Certificate in Corporate Innovation from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Jon is also active in local entrepreneurship efforts and is an advisory board member for the UC Davis Student Startup Center.
How Non-Techies Can Build an MVP
Building an MVP: A Practical Guide for Non-Techies
Rich Foreman, the Cofounder of Apptology, will conduct a workshop on how non-techies can create their own minimum viable product. This workshop will cover:
What is an MVP?
The MVP Proces
Types of MVPs
Building a Functional MVP
Date: September 13, 2024
Time: 9 am PDT
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Register: Meetup
About the Speaker
Rich Foreman is currently the COO for IGH Naturals. Previously, as founding CTO, Rich led the team that developed the CordicoShield / CordicoFire Wellness App. Cordico was honored with the Sacramento Innovation Award in 2021. After achieving a seven digit ARR, Cordico was acquired by Lexipol in 2020.
Rich holds s a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Washington, an MPA from Troy State University and was an officer in the U.S. Navy. Rich co-authored a book, "Tap into the Mobile Economy." . He has been featured on KCRA3, NEWS10, 1170 Tech AM PowerDrive, Business Radio Money 105.5, SiliconIndia, the Sacramento Business Journal, and the Sacramento Bee. Rich is also the Founding Director of the Sacramento Chapter of Startup Grind and served a term as Utility Commissioner for the City of Folsom. Rich is board member of StartupSac. Rich was the Co-founder of Apptology which was named Small Business of the Year in 2014 by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber.
Beer & Geeks
Startup Folsom, in partnership with Granite City Coworking, is hosting the casual startup networking event, Beers & Geeks. If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: The Fat Rabbit 825 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA, 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Granite City Coworking - 5 Year Anniversary!
Granite City Coworking - 5 Year Anniversary!
We are excited to celebrate Granite City's Five year anniversary, and we couldn't have done it without our amazing members!
In appreciation, we're hosting a FREE day filled with food, fun, and connections on Thursday September 12th.
Bring your families, friends, and fellow entrepreneurs to enjoy everything we have to offer—it's free for the day! The more the better.
Schedule:
8:30 AM: Pastries from Julian's Pâtisserie and Café
11:00 AM: Cornhole Tournament - Be sure to pick your partners wisely. Sign-up sheet available in the break room
All Day: Trivia Challenges: Flex your brain, win some fame!
12:00 PM: Lunch Time: Taco 'bout a fiesta—let’s spice up the day with some delicious Mexican food!
12:30 PM: Skills Challenge: Ready to put your skills to the test? Join us in the Event Center for a series of obstacle challenges designed to push your limits and ignite your competitive spirit.
3:45 PM: Cheers on the water: Happy hour's even better when you're on a paddleboard! Paddle into the sunset with us on Lake Natoma—let’s savor every last drop of summer at happy hour!
Join us for friendly competition, great prizes, and a day of making memories and building business connections!
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024
Time: 8:30 am - 4 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr 250 FOLSOM, CA 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
AI Meet Up featuring Strived Co-Founder Shweta Gandhi
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence.
This month, we are featuring Strived Co-Founder, Shweta Gandhi. Strived is academic data platform aiming to augment teacher decision making through the use of AI. Strived recently won first place in this year's King's Capitalize.
About Shweta Gandhi
Shweta Gandhi is currently the CEO and co-founder of Strived; an academic data platform aiming to augment teacher decision making through the use of AI and is a serial entrepreneur. Previously, she co-founded and led Jetpacked, an edtech data aggregation platform designed to boost edtech product usage fidelity and efficacy for students, teachers, and parents. The platform focused on empowering users with a goal-oriented approach to enhance educational outcomes. Before her tenure at Jetpacked, she oversaw Personalized Learning and Innovation at Rocketship Public Schools, a national charter school network. She also spent five years in India, where she founded Karmany, a platform for human capital and collaboration in the social enterprise sector, with a particular focus on education. Additionally, Shweta managed teams of over 100 people at AT&T, a Fortune 10 company, and founded a nonprofit in India that provided assessment-based scholarships to high-school students.
As an active member of the startup education ecosystem in the Bay Area, Shweta understands the challenges that teachers face in implementing data-driven instruction and speaks in peer circles often about solutions to this large looming issue in the industry. Recognizing the time constraints and overwhelming amount of data that educators encounter, she developed Strived to more holistically address the needs of teachers and expand on her earlier success. Currently, Shweta also serves as a board member for Milaan Foundation, an NGO focused on providing education to adolescent girls.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Folsom Startup and StartupSac, in collaboration with the Northern California Innovation District, Startup Grind Sacramento, and Granite City Coworking, is proud to present a monthly pitch workshop. Present your 5-minute startup pitch and receive valuable feedback from our experienced pitch coaches. If your pitch impresses the judges, you will be invited to present to local angel investors.
To take part in the workshop, please register here. Due to limited availability, we can only accommodate 3 pitches per workshop. If you are selected to participate, you will be notified via email. If you don't make the cut this month, don't worry - simply reapply for the next workshop, as we host them monthly. Additional resources for crafting a startup pitch can be found here
If you'd just like to observe the workshop, you can register to be an audience member here.
The Pitch Coaches
About Josh David Miller
I’m JDM, aka Josh David Miller, an entrepreneur, speaker, startup advisor, and wearer of colourful shoes, based in Sacramento, CA. I’m the founder of The Right Box, where we use design thinking to help venture-backed startups find product-market fit.
They call me the Shredder of Business Models.
About Brooke VanSant
Brooke VanSant is an Associate at Moneta Ventures. She has a BS from Economics & Data Analytics from Santa Clara University.
Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, August 15, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Register: Choose Folsom
BrainScanology Overview
The Sacramento Region is home to a vibrant medical startup ecosystem. To support its growth, we are reintroducing MedStart, a program dedicated to fostering innovation in medical and life sciences.
This month, we are hosting Dr. Dr. David Nguyen who will be discussing his startup BrainScanology which enhances the precision of radiologists, pathologists, and cell biologists by 1,000X.
MedStart is supported by ReadyStart Cleanroom, Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 50 Economic Alliance, and Startup Folsom.
Please note that this event is in-person at the ReadyStart CleanRooms.
Date: August 14, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
About Dr. David Nguyen
David H. Nguyen, PhD. Dr. Nguyen is a computational biologist who invented the LCPC Transform, an algorithm that measures shape in ways not possible with area, volume, and signal intensity. He obtained his B.A. (Molecular & Cellular Biology) and Ph.D. (Endocrinology) from University of California, Berkeley. Following this, he was an Affiliate Scientist in the Division of Molecular Biophysics and Integrated Bioimaging at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, and then a Visiting Scholar in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University.
Beer & Geeks (Joint Event with StartupSac)
This month, Startup Folsom, is taking a road trip to Sacramento and we are doing a joint event with Startup Sac and we are participating in their Biz-Tech Mixer. If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Monday, August 12, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: 2904 Franklin Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95818
Cost: 0-$10
Register: Eventbrite
Sacramento AI Meetup
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence. Each session shines a light on a local AI startup, adding a unique twist to our gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the AI world as a student, you'll find a welcoming community here.
This month, we are featuring Insight Driven Business CEO, JB Herrera and he will be discussing guardrails for AI and how different LLMs deliver different results for the same prompt.
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Date: Tuesday August 6, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: $5
Register: Eventbrite
Startup Pitch Workshop
Folsom Startup and StartupSac, in collaboration with the Northern California Innovation District, Startup Grind Sacramento, and Granite City Coworking, is proud to present a monthly pitch workshop. Present your 5-minute startup pitch and receive valuable feedback from our experienced pitch coaches. If your pitch impresses the judges, you will be invited to present to local angel investors.
To take part in the workshop, please register here. Due to limited availability, we can only accommodate 3 pitches per workshop. If you are selected to participate, you will be notified via email. If you don't make the cut this month, don't worry - simply reapply for the next workshop, as we host them monthly. Additional resources for crafting a startup pitch can be found here
If you'd just like to observe the workshop, you can register to be an audience member here.
The Pitch Coaches
About Josh David Miller
I’m JDM, aka Josh David Miller, an entrepreneur, speaker, startup advisor, and wearer of colourful shoes, based in Sacramento, CA. I’m the founder of The Right Box, where we use design thinking to help venture-backed startups find product-market fit.
They call me the Shredder of Business Models.
About Brooke VanSant
Brooke VanSant is an Associate at Moneta Ventures. She has a BS from Economics & Data Analytics from Santa Clara University.
Date: Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, July 18, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Register: Choose Folsom
MedStart Event featuring Elevai Labs Co-Founder Dr. Jordan Plews
The Sacramento Region is home to a vibrant medical startup ecosystem. To support its growth, we are reintroducing MedStart, a program dedicated to fostering innovation in medical and life sciences.
This month, we are hosting Dr. Jordan Plews will discuss the process, challenges, and benefits of taking Elevai Labs public.
MedStart is supported by ReadyStart Cleanroom, Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 50 Economic Alliance, and Startup Folsom.
Please note that this event is in-person at the ReadyStart CleanRooms.
Date: July 17, 2024
Location: ReadyStart CleanRooms, 2890 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova, 95670
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
About Dr. Jordan Plews
With over 15 years of experience spanning stem cell research, biochemical engineering, and the commercialization of biotechnological innovations, Dr. Jordan Plews has made significant contributions to both the academic and business worlds. Educated in the UK and further honed at Stanford University, his work has been published in premier journals, leading to groundbreaking developments in stem cell-based therapies and skincare products. Dr. Plews' expertise in product management, team leadership, and development of healthcare solutions showcases his unique ability to bridge the gap between cutting-edge science and impactful business ventures. His upcoming presentation is set to provide valuable insights into the advancements in regenerative medicine and the critical role of innovation in driving the future of biotechnology.
Beer & Geeks
Startup Folsom, in partnership with Granite City Coworking, is hosting the casual startup networking event, Beers & Geeks. If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Thursday, July 11, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: The Fat Rabbit 825 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA, 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, June 20, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
MedStart NIH Grant Workshop Featuring Advocacy Chiefs Founder Benjamin Cadranel
The Sacramento Region is home to a vibrant medical startup ecosystem. To support its growth, we are reintroducing MedStart, a program dedicated to fostering innovation in medical and life sciences.
This month, we are hosting an NIH Grant Workshop led by Benjamin Cadranel, founder of Advocacy Chiefs. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, a federal grant initiative, invested over $4.3 billion in small business research and development in 2023. It represents the pinnacle of federal investment for early-stage startups, with 11 agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, providing up to $2 million to small businesses without taking equity.
Advocacy Chiefs raises awareness, provides education, and offers direct grant writing support to local small businesses for this unique grant program. Recently, with the backing of the City of Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development, Advocacy Chiefs launched a new program. This initiative is also supported by the Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance, designated as an Accelerate CA Hub and funded by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
The goal of the program is to assist up to 10 local small business entrepreneurs in applying for the SBIR grant. Participants will receive vital resources such as direct grant writing support and technical and agency-like reviews prior to submission.
The workshop will cover the NIH’s solicitation process, including required registrations, timelines, and topics. It will also provide insights on SBIR readiness and strategies to increase success rates for the next round of SBIR grants.
MedStart is supported by ReadyStart Cleanroom, Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the 50 Economic Alliance, and Startup Folsom.
Please note that this event is in-person at the ReadyStart CleanRooms.
Date: June 19, 2024
Location: ReadyStart CleanRooms, 2890 Kilgore Road, Rancho Cordova, 95670
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
About Benjamin Cadranel
Ben Cadranel is a corporate attorney and fundraiser who builds comprehensive collaborations and public-private partnerships by leveraging his extensive network and instincts as a master connector. He founded Advocacy Chiefs LLC, a grants and government development firm that positions clients to capture market share through strategic public-private partnerships funded through grants and other non-dilutive instruments.
Benjamin is an expert in building equitable, inclusive, and Future-Ready workforce development programs that serve historically underserved and underrepresented populations. Ben’s past experiences include being Director of Resource Development at Woodland Community College and the Associate Director of Development for the University of California-wide California Summer School for Math and Sciences (COSMOS). Ben’s portfolio includes working with the following companies and agencies: the Pacific Gateway (City of Long Beach), the Los Angeles Regional Consortium, Gladeo, Pockets Change, and DKS Associates.
Beer & Geeks (Joint Event with StartupSac)
This month, Startup Folsom, is taking a road trip to Sacramento and we are doing a joint event with Startup Sac and we are participating in their Startup Happy Hour If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Monday, June 10 , 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: 2904 Franklin Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95818
Cost: 0-$10
Register: Eventbrite
Sacramento AI Meetup
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence. Each session shines a light on a local AI startup, adding a unique twist to our gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the AI world as a student, you'll find a welcoming community here.
This month, we are featuring the IBM's Artificial Intelligence Services. Sam Heard, IBM's Ecosystem Partner Specialist, will present on the IBM Build Program, IBM Partner Plus, program benefits, technology, partner support, and strategies for helping startups accelerate growth and revenue. Mark Sturdevant, IBM Instruct Lab Open Source Developer, will discuss Watsonx, our open source offerings and strategies, InstructLabs, and Build Labs. Following these presentations, there will be a Q&A session, and Sam will be available to assist partners with registering for IBM Partner Plus.
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Date: Tuesday June 4, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: $5
Register: Eventbrite
A Sales & Marketing Crash Course for Technical Founders
This comprehensive webinar is geared for technical founders and provides the practical guidance needed to build out your required sales, marketing, and go-to-market strategies.
It’s a crash course tailored specifically for technical founders looking to develop a solid foundation in sales and marketing. Led by experienced startup growth marketing and sales experts Jeff Marmins and Steph Strong, Cofounders of Growth Sandbox, you'll gain invaluable insights and actionable tactics.
Throughout the one hour session, you'll learn how to define your target audience through market research and buyer persona development, craft a compelling value proposition that resonates, and build effective marketing and sales strategies spanning channels, content, prospecting, and closing deals.
The webinar will also cover the importance of measuring success through key performance indicators (KPIs) and data analysis to continuously optimize your approach. Additionally, you'll receive guidance on building a high-performing sales and marketing team aligned with a growth-driven culture.
Don't miss this opportunity to bridge the gap between your technical expertise and the sales and marketing prowess needed to take your startup to new heights. Register now for the "Sales & Marketing Crash Course for Technical Founders" webinar on April 30th at 5:30 PM PT and unlock the keys to accelerated growth.
About Jeff Marmins
Jeff Marmins is a digital strategist and growth expert with over 20 years of experience driving revenue, customer engagement, and sales enablement in the SaaS, energy, telecommunications, and technology sectors. As Cofounder and Senior Partner at Growth Sandbox, Jeff leverages his expertise in customer acquisition, retention strategies, and lifecycle management to guide companies into new markets and cultivate long-term customer loyalty.
Jeff's multidisciplinary proficiency spans growth marketing, sales operations, brand strategy, process engineering, and technology implementation. He has optimized digital transformation initiatives, developed go-to-market strategies increasing revenue up to 23% year-over-year, and reduced customer churn by 10% through retention programs. Jeff's data-driven approaches identify trends and revenue opportunities, allowing expansion into new markets and market share growth. His commitment to innovation has earned a reputation for mapping emerging technologies to evolving business needs.
About Stephanie Strong
Steph Strong is a seasoned growth marketing leader with extensive experience driving revenue and accelerating digital transformation for SaaS startups. Currently the Cofounder and Managing Partner at Growth Sandbox, Stephanie has spearheaded innovative strategies that optimized growth marketing and customer lifecycle initiatives, identified substantial revenue opportunities, and boosted organizational awareness using her key foundational framework for high performance delivery.
With a diverse background spanning growth marketing roles at Series B and C funded startups, Stephanie brings a unique perspective on executing effective go-to-market strategies from the ground up. Her expertise ranges from SEO and paid acquisition to social media, marketing automation, CRM implementation, and leveraging cutting-edge metrics to measure and drive success in complicated SaaS growth challenges. Stephanie’s entrepreneurial mindset, problem-solving abilities, and passion for owning the entire customer lifecycle make her an authority on the innovative growth hacking required for early-stage SaaS companies to rapidly scale.
Date: May 30, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm -6:30 pm
Cost: Free
Registration: StartupGrind.com
MedStart CEO Forum
Startup Folsom, in partnership with the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and MedStart's original organizer Robert Groth, is launching the MedStart CEO Forum. This event aims to cultivate a supportive network among leaders in the medical startup community.
Our inaugural event will feature Jessie Becker Alexander who was the Founding CEO of Alydia Health which was acquired by Organon for $240 M. She is also the Program Director at FourthWave and the the Entrepreneur in Residence for the Sacramento State Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. (Please note that Dr. Jordan Plews was originally scheduled but had to cancel due to a conflict. We will reschedule him for a future event).
Spaces are complimentary but limited to ensure meaningful interactions. Secure your spot at this in-person event by registering today. Don't miss out on shaping the next wave of medical innovation in the Sacramento Region.
Date: May 23, 2024
Location: Undisclosed. Location will be sent in an invite after you’ve been approved.
Cost: Free
Register: Google Form
About Jessie Becker Alexander
is an accomplished Entrepreneur in Residence at Sacramento State's Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, dedicated to fostering the vibrancy and growth of the entrepreneurial community in the Sacramento region. With a diverse range of responsibilities, Jessie excels in managing the student pre-accelerator, known as the Hivemind, overseeing the FourthWave Accelerator, and co-facilitating The Lean Innovator cohort.
Previously, Jessie made a profound impact as the founding CEO of Alydia Health, a groundbreaking medical device company focused on revolutionizing the treatment for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Her exceptional leadership led to Alydia Health's acquisition by Organon in June of 2021, valued at an impressive $240M. Recognizing her remarkable achievements, Forbes honored Jessie by including her in their esteemed 30 Under 30 list in Healthcare in 2015.
Prior to her pioneering work at Alydia Health, Jessie played a pivotal role in igniting the entrepreneurial movement at Cal Poly. As one of the founding members of the Cal Poly Entrepreneurship Club and an integral part of the initial team at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE), she spearheaded the creation and implementation of various programs to empower student entrepreneurs.
With an unwavering commitment to innovation and an impressive track record of success, Jessie Becker Alexander continues to make a significant impact in the entrepreneurial landscape, driving positive change and inspiring future generations of innovators.
1 Million Cups Sacramento in Person Event at Granite City Coworking
1 Million Cups Sacramento is doing an in person event at Granite City Coworking. Come and support two local entrepreneurs as they present their business. There will be free coffee and plenty of swag!
This will be a hybrid meeting so those who can't come in person can join us on zoom.
Presenters
Give2Lead is a simple-to-use marketing platform that helps businesses improve awareness and capture leads while swapping wasteful branded swag for meaningful social impact.
Packaged to Profit offers corporate sales training teaching them how to be more efficient using AI.
Arrive early to have a chance to say hello to your friends and to make some new ones!
Agenda
8:30-9:00 Freeform socializing with swag giveaway and free coffee (optional)
9:00-10:00 Formal Program - 2 presenters
10:00-10:30 Freeform socializing (optional)
1 Million Cups is a weekly, coffee-fueled event where 2 entrepreneurs present their early stage companies to their peers for advice and feedback.
Date: May 22, 2024
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 am
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: Free
Register: 1 Million Cups
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, May 16, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Beer & Geeks
Startup Folsom, in partnership with Granite City Coworking, is hosting the casual startup networking event, Beers & Geeks. If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: The Fat Rabbit 825 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA, 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Sacramento AI Meetup
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence. Each session shines a light on a local AI startup, adding a unique twist to our gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the AI world as a student, you'll find a welcoming community here.
This month, Attorney, Gabriel García, will discuss IP issues and Generative AI.
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Date: Tuesday May 7, 2023
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: $5
Register: Eventbrite
Startup Pitch Workshop
Folsom Startup and StartupSac, in collaboration with the Northern California Innovation District, Startup Grind Sacramento, and Granite City Coworking, is proud to present a monthly pitch workshop. Present your 5-minute startup pitch and receive valuable feedback from our experienced pitch coaches. If your pitch impresses the judges, you will be invited to present to local angel investors.
To take part in the workshop, please register here. Due to limited availability, we can only accommodate 3 pitches per workshop. If you are selected to participate, you will be notified via email. If you don't make the cut this month, don't worry - simply reapply for the next workshop, as we host them monthly. Additional resources for crafting a startup pitch can be found here
If you'd just like to observe the workshop, you can register to be an audience member here.
The Pitch Coaches
About Josh David Miller
I’m JDM, aka Josh David Miller, an entrepreneur, speaker, startup advisor, and wearer of colourful shoes, based in Sacramento, CA. I’m the founder of The Right Box, where we use design thinking to help venture-backed startups find product-market fit.
They call me the Shredder of Business Models.
About Brooke VanSant
Brooke VanSant is an Associate at Moneta Ventures. She has a BS from Economics & Data Analytics from Santa Clara University.
Date: Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Beer & Geeks
This month, Startup Folsom, is taking a road trip to Sacramento and we are doing a joint event with Startup Sac and we are participating in their Startup Happy Hour If you love startups or have a startup idea, then come mingle with like minded people. Make a connection and this could be the seeds for the next big thing.
Date: Tuesday, April 23 , 2024
Time: 5 pm - 7 pm
Location: Last Stop Saloon, 916 2nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
Cost: 0-$10
Register: Meetup
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, April 18, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Sacramento AI Meetup
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence. Each session shines a light on a local AI startup, adding a unique twist to our gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the AI world as a student, you'll find a welcoming community here.
This month, Attorney, Gabriel García, will discuss IP issues and Generative AI.
.
Date: Tuesday April 2, 2023
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: $5
Register: Eventbrite
3rd Thursday Pitch Night
Please join the Northern California Innovation District the 3rd Thursday of every month to hear from local start-ups that have opportunities to invest early and mid stage. Please note that this to participate as an attendee. If you would like the opportunity to pitch in person, sign up to participate in our startup pitch workshop.
Date: Thursday, March 21, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Beer & Geeks (Tequila Edition)
This month, Startup Folsom, is being hosted by Adrian Blanco Jewelry. In addition to our normal casual networking, local entrepreneur, Adrian Blanco, will provide a tequila testing from his private collection.
Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: Adrian Blanco Jewelry, 502 Natoma St, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
AI Meetup
Startup Grind Sacramento, in collaboration with Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking, invites you to our recurring AI Meetup. Swing by Granite City Coworking for a relaxed evening featuring pizza and informal chats about all facets of Artificial Intelligence. Each session shines a light on a local AI startup, adding a unique twist to our gatherings. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just dipping your toes into the AI world as a student, you'll find a welcoming community here.
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Date: Tuesday January 9, 2023
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: Granite City Coworking, 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: $5
Register: Eventbrite