Events
CFO Basics for Startups (Virtual Event)
CFO Basics for Startups (Virtual Event)
This month, we’re excited to welcome Bob Wang who a seasoned Fractional CFO with deep expertise in scaling tech companies. as our guest speaker. Bob will lead a workshop on accounting basics for startups.
As CFO of Traction Guest, he helped grow ARR from $3M to $10M, leading to a $100M exit. He’s reviewed 800+ companies at a private equity firm, advising on what drives investor value.
At Tee Up Advisors, Bob partners with SaaS founders to optimize financial strategy, streamline operations, and prepare for scale. Known for his hands-on approach, he’s dedicated to unlocking growth and helping tech companies hit their next milestone.
Date: January 29, 2024
Time: 5 pm - 6 pm
Cost: Free
Register: Startup Grind
Location: Online
Folsom Tech Week 2025
Innovation and entrepreneurship are taking center stage in Northern California as the Granite City Entrepreneurship Foundation unveils Folsom Tech Week 2025, a five-day celebration of technology and transformative ideas. From February 24-28, 2025, Folsom will host technologists, entrepreneurs, government officials, and investors for a dynamic series of events centered on the theme “Doing More with Less.”
This inaugural event promises to explore how cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) can reshape industries, improve government efficiency, and inspire responsible innovation.
Event Highlights
Day 1: D.O.G.E. Hackathon (February 24)
The Department of Government Efficiency Hackathon kicks off the week with a 24-hour competition aimed at solving pressing public sector challenges. Teams of innovators, developers, and designers will collaborate to create AI-powered solutions focused on resource optimization and improving citizen services.
Day 2: Networking and Knowledge Exchange (February 25)
The second day is all about connections. Attendees can engage in open coworking sessions, finalize their registrations, and pick up event credentials. A mix of structured and informal networking opportunities will set the stage for meaningful collaborations throughout the week.
Days 3 & 4: Panels, Workshops, and Innovation (February 26-27)
The core of Folsom Tech Week lies in its thought-provoking panels and interactive workshops, featuring experts and thought leaders discussing topics like:
Using Technology for Efficiency in Government
Innovation in Healthcare: Reducing Costs and Improving Outcomes
The Founder Capital Stack: Creative Funding Strategies for Entrepreneurs
Unlocking Northern California for Entrepreneurs
Highlights include the Startup Pitch Competition, where visionary founders will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges and investors. The evenings will come alive with the 90s Concert and Brewfest, celebrating innovation with live music and local craft beer.
Day 5: Job Fair and Closing (February 28)
The final day features the announcement of the Startup Pitch Competition winner and a Job Fair connecting top talent with leading semiconductor and tech companies. Attendees can also participate in investor office hours and wrap up the week with additional networking sessions.
Details
Dates: February 25 -28
Cost: $65
Location: Granite City Coworking
Register: Lu.ma
Regulatory Basics for Medical Startups
This month, we’re excited to welcome Natalie Vollrath, Senior Regulatory Consultant at MEDIcept, as our guest speaker. Natalie will lead a 45-minute workshop on "Regulatory Basics for Medical Startups."
In this session, Natalie, a regulatory expert with over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry, will provide an overview of the critical regulatory frameworks startups must navigate. Attendees will gain insights into FDA classifications, ISO standards, and compliance requirements for medical devices, diagnostics, and software. Natalie will guide participants through the essential steps for preparing regulatory submissions, meeting product registration requirements, and ensuring compliance in both U.S. and international markets.
Having led ISO and FDA compliance efforts and contributed to successful product introductions, Natalie will share her expert advice on determining regulatory pathways, preparing documentation, and avoiding common regulatory pitfalls. Whether your startup is just beginning or already developing products, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge to meet regulatory standards and advance with confidence.
Date: January 15, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Cost: $5
Register: Startup Grind
Location: Granite City Coworking 705 Gold Lake Dr Ste 250, Folsom, CA 95630
Folsom AI Meet Up Featuring “Zappy AI Innovator of the Year Award Winner” Aaron Watkins
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 Aaron Watkins who won the Zappy Award for AI innovator of the year and Storiel who was the runner up at the StartupSac Mock Investor Salon.
Storiel Is an AI copilot that streamlines story editing by providing deep narrative feedback, market insights, and hyper-realistic beta reader responses - helping creative writers produce polished, market-ready stories more efficiently.
Date: January 7, 2025
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $5
Registration: Startup Grind
About Aaron Watkins
Aaron Watkins is a Sacramento Area serial entrepreneur whose startups have included Appency (PR and Marketing for mobile apps), STEMtrunk (subscription STEM toy service) and Can It Be Automated? (Automation consulting, design and implementation). He is an award winning marketer who has been recognized as a Sacramento Top 40 Under 40 and has been named Zapier's AI Innovator of the Year. In his free time he is involved in the local community theater scene where he acts (sometimes) directs (even less) and builds sets (quite a lot!) with his family.
The Art of Storytelling
What you do is not necessarily unique. But your story and the impact you're making is.
In a world where the things you do, the products and services you provide, are things that dozens of others are doing, how do you make yourself stand out? You share your story. People connect to PEOPLE, not products and services. And in a world where our thoughts divide, our feelings will unite. Jamie will help you switch the gears in your marketing minds to stray you away from the traditional self-promo type videos that most people use to create video content that ultimately gets overlooked. Jamie will show you the difference in creating content that focuses on your WHAT and instead help you focus on your WHY.
This webinar is aimed to help organizations find and share their stories so that people care about WHO you are, not WHAT you do. Jamie will guide you through finding your focus when creating a video, bringing out the most important, emotive parts and weaving it together to create a story that will receive good attention online and help promote your business and call to action.
Video is incredibly important in today's world. It's how everyone consumes information. After this webinar, you'll walk away with a better understanding of how to tell your own story and how it could make a tremendous difference in making YOU stand out.
Date: December 12, 2024
Time: 5 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Registration: Startup Grind
About Jamie Perez
Jamie Perez is the owner and chief storyteller at Beyond Words Productions – a videography + storytelling company that focuses on creating heartfelt and emotive videos for businesses and nonprofits. Before Jamie became an entrepreneur, she was a TV news reporter for six years.
Her career as a broadcast journalist moved her across the country from California to Iowa and eventually Wisconsin, where she covered tragedy, triumphs, politics, community events, and burdened our blizzards and severe weather on live TV. As a reporter, Jamie did everything as a one-woman band from finding her own stories to setting up interviews, filming everything, editing everything, presenting it in front of the camera, writing up the web story and doing it all over again day after day. Jamie said doing it all prepared her to be able to run her videography and storytelling business as a solopreneur. She is driven by emotional storytelling and has a passion for creating empathy through videos. Jamie's videos have helped organizations fundraise, hire staff, promote events, generate leads, and brand and market themselves in new ways that make other people care about them. Jamie’s business motto is: “If a picture says a thousand words, my videos will leave people Beyond Words.”
Startup Holiday Party!
Celebrate the holiday season with Sacramento's entrepreneurial community! Join us for an evening of connection, celebration, and camaraderie at the Startup Holiday Party—a collaborative event hosted by StartupSac, CleanStart, The Carlsen Center, Startup Folsom, MedStart, Startup Grind, 1 Million Cups and AgStart.
Why Attend?
Whether you're a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or a supporter of the startup ecosystem, this is the perfect opportunity to network, unwind, and celebrate with fellow innovators. Enjoy an evening of good cheer with other local startups, venture supporters, and entrepreneurial advocates who make our region vibrant and forward-thinking.
Event Highlights:
Mix and mingle with a diverse network of entrepreneurs and community leaders
Raise a glass to the year’s successes and toast to new opportunities in 2025
Experience the unique ambiance of Lucid Winery, located in the heart of Sacramento’s R Street Corridor
Date: December 11, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm
Cost: $10
Location: Lucid Winery & Event Venue, 1015 R Street, Sacramento, 95811
Registration: 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, November 21, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Register: Choose Folsom
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, November 14, 2024
Time: 6 pm - 8 pm
Location: The Fat Rabbit 825 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA, 95630
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
Folsom AI Meet Up Featuring Dr. Jeffrey Mrizek
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 will be featuring Dr. Jeffrey Mrizek who will discuss his AI powered real estate startup.
Date: November 6, 2024
Time: 6 pm
Cost: $5
Registration: Startup Grind
About Dr. Jeff Mrizek
Jeff Mrizek brings extensive expertise in education, workforce development, public administration, entrepreneurship, online learning, real estate, banking, and corporate management. This diverse background enables him to bridge the gaps between academia, public service, and the private sector.
As the leader of MrizekGlobal, Jeff focuses on developing creative leaders and social entrepreneurs who drive positive change. With a foundation in business management and grant administration, his work emphasizes transformative leadership, intercultural competence, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. At Global Urban Nomads, Jeff fosters a community grounded in "philotimo," promoting dignity and honor in nurturing transformational leaders.
Jeff’s approach combines systems thinking and strong analytical skills to navigate the complexities of economic and workforce development. Through innovative scenario planning and interest-based negotiations, he has facilitated public-private partnerships and designed career pathways, empowering the next generation of leaders and contributing to sustainable global talent and ecosystem development.
Digital Marketing Basics for Startups
Digital Marketing Basics for Startups
Rich Foreman will be conducting a webinar on behalf of Idea to IPO on Digital Marketing Basics for Startups which will cover:
1. Importance of Digital Marketing for Startups
2. Core Components of Digital Marketing
3. Social Media Marketing
4. Influencer Marketing
5. Building a Personal Brand as a Founder
Date: Nov. 1, 2024
Time: 9 am
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Registration: Event
How to Build an MVP in 30 Days or Less!
How to Build an MVP in 30 Days or Less!
Rich Foreman, the co-founder of Apptology, will conduct a workshop on how to build a minimum viable product (MVP) in 30 days or less.
This workshop will cover:
1) What is an MVP?
2) The MVP Proces
3) Types of MVPs
4) Building a Functional MVP
5) How to Manage Costs
6) How to Manage Time
And more!
Date: October 25, 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.
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, October 17, 2024
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Granite School, 909 Mormon St, Folsom, CA 95630 United States
Cost: Free
Register: Choose Folsom
7th Future Worlds Symposium
The Future Worlds Symposium is a yearly tech conference organized by Sacramento's professional ACM chapter with assistance from local ACM student chapters. Each year the symposium takes on a new theme, guiding the topics and ideas covered by speakers throughout the conference.
The theme for this year's symposium is "Living in an AI World".
The event will be held in hybrid mode, both in-person and virtually, with keynotes, talks, and poster sessions on Day One at Folsom Lake College, California and in Virtual Format via Zoom. Sessions on Day Two are via Zoom only.
We cannot wait to share the talks and discussions we have planned for the event! We hope to see you there!
Living in an AI World
As stated above, the theme for this year's symposium is "Living in an AI World".
We have wonderful talks planned from various great speakers, starting with an introduction and welcome by our Chair, Dr Harsh Verma.
On Thursday morning, the keynote speaker, Deb Stromberg, Vice President of Engineering, Datacenter Platform Engineering at Intel Corporation will give an intriguing talk regarding the back-end engines and what powers AI and Data Centers. She will be followed by Damian Danchenko, Head of AI/ML Customer Engineering - North America Startups, at Google, who will provide strategies for helping early-stage companies build their next greatest AI-based technologies on Google Cloud.
Next hear from Jacob Rangel, Senior AI Prompt Engineer, TEDx Speaker and AI Strategist on leveraging Generative AI to revolutionize creative problem-solving and drive efficiency across industries.
We will then split up into breakout discussions on AI in Transportation and Education to have thought provoking discussions regarding various fields and how they might interact with AI and Poster Session Presentations by students.
Date: October 10, 2024
Time: 9 am - 4 pm
Location: Folsom Lake College, Folsom, CA, 10 College Pkwy, Folsom, CA 95630
Cost: Starts at free (with promo code)
Register: tikkl
Promo Codes:
'STARTUPS' to get 50% Discount
'ACM090' to request Scholarship of 90% Discount
Special - 'STUDENT99' - Special Discount for Qualified Students on Request
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, October 7, 2024
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Location: 2904 Franklin Boulevard Sacramento, CA 95818
Cost: Free
Register: Eventbrite
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
How to Build an MVP in 30 Days or Less!
How to Build an MVP in 30 Days or Less!
Rich Foreman, the co-founder of Apptology, will conduct a workshop on how to build a minimum viable product (MVP) in 30 days or less.
This workshop will cover:
1) What is an MVP?
2) The MVP Proces
3) Types of MVPs
4) Building a Functional MVP
5) How to Manage Costs
6) How to Manage Time
And more!
Date: October 3, 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.
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.
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
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
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
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.