Originally published on November 10, 2017 by Jeff Bennett on GenGlobal.org
“Imagine an innovation ecosystem in the urban core of Sacramento. Imagine this hub as an extension of the UC Davis campus, one that links the world-renowned research, faculty, and students with local businesses.” These remarks by UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May at a recent innovation awards luncheon characterize the spirit of collaboration that has grown stronger in the Sacramento region to grow the innovation community. The transformation into an innovation ecosystem that May evoked is already well underway.
Though the startup and innovation ecosystem has been developing for years in Sacramento, community, business, and government leaders have collectively stepped up efforts over the past year to transform the Sacramento into an innovation hub. The opening of the Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings NBA basketball franchise, in October 2016 has ushered in a renaissance in the downtown core. Though most noticeable in the retail shops and restaurants popping up, the tech startup scene is also enjoying the renaissance.
Last Fall, just blocks away from the new arena, 1 Million Cups Sacramento launched and has already hosted over 100 startups presenting at the weekly Wednesday morning events. Just weeks later at the new arena, local VC firm Impact Venture Capital held their inaugural Impact Global Venture Summit in which over 700 people attended and 50 Northern California startups participated with the goal of providing local startups exposure to investors.
Earlier this year at the new arena, the Sacramento Kings partnered with local venture capital fund Moneta Ventures for the second annual Kings’ Capitalize startup competition in which 16 startups competed for a purse of $10,000.
Read entire article here
