The Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State is a driver in the regional economy. Entrepreneurs, innovators, and creators develop businesses and organizations that have a positive influence and impact on community health and the business environment. Celebrating and embracing the diversity of the region is essential and part of the mission of the Center. K-12, college, community, and economic development programs are offered by the Center. Primary focus is given to the students of Sacramento State. Like the Center’s primary donors, Dale and Katy Carlsen, the Center strives to create many more entrepreneurs and innovators that are “Made at Sac State.” For more information, contact us at 916-278-5001 or carlsen.center@csus.edu. Be sure to follow us on social media: Instagram, FaceBook, and Twitter.
REQUIRED WORKSHOP FOR FUTURE 4 & MORE COMPETITORS
Wednesday, February 20 or Thursday, February 21 or Wednesday, February 27; 3-5 p.m.; Carlsen Center (LIB 1520). Information on starting a business, the basics of the business model canvas, and the eligibility criteria for the pitch competition will be covered. Only one day/workshop required, not both. Open only to Sac State students.
CARLSEN CENTER'S LEARN @ LUNCH™ SERIES
The workshops in this series are free and open to the students, faculty, and staff of Sacramento State. Attend the workshops of interest or the entire series (if you are an aspiring entrepreneur). The information is condensed from longer workshops and is presented in a fast-paced style to fit the hour format. Registration is encouraged at carlsen.center@csus.edu or 916-278-5001 for handouts. All workshops are in the Carlsen Center (Library 1520) from Noon-1 p.m. Bring your lunch and come to learn!
- Feb. 25 Personal Elevator Pitch
- Feb. 26 Intellectual Property — Patents
- Feb. 27 Non-profits—What You Need to Know
- Feb. 28 Non-verbal Communication — the Basics
- Mar. 1 Business Model Canvas
- Mar. 11 Intellectual Property — Trademarks
- Mar. 12 Listening and Humble Inquiry
- Mar. 13 Start a Business — the Basics
- Mar. 14 Good to Great — Build a Great Company or Organization
- Mar. 15 Pitching to Investors
- Mar. 25 Intellectual Property — Copyrights
- Mar. 26 Marketing for the Small Business
- Mar. 27 Financing a Business
- Mar. 28 Executive Summaries and Business Plans
- Mar. 29 Masterful Consulting
FUTURE 4 & MORE COMPETITION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONFERENCE
April 5, 2019; 9:45 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The Carlsen Center is pleased to host the seventh-annual Future 4 & More ideation pitch competition at Sacramento State on April 5 in the Carlsen Center (Library 1520). The event is open to the public. Advanced registration not required. Come and go as needed.
The day-long conference brings together numerous partners for a day of inspiration, ideation, innovation, and investment. The brief agenda is below as well as an explanation of the Future 4 competition.
- 9:45 a.m. Registration
- 10:15 a.m. Introduction of Dale Carlsen & Sponsor Thank You (Katherine Cota)
- Welcome (Dale Carlsen)
- 10:30 a.m. Keynote Speaker
- 11:30 a.m. Lunch (on your own)
- 1 p.m. Community Pitch Competition (Startup Sac)
- 3 p.m. Future 4 & More Ideation Pitch Competition for Students
- Introduction and history of Future 4 (Dr. Seung Bach)
- 5 p.m. Awards Ceremony for Pitch Competitions & Reception
- Sponsor Thank You & Introduction of President Nelsen (Katherine Cota)
- Welcome & Anchor Institution Remarks (President Nelsen)
- Community Pitch Winners (Laura Good & Jeff Bennett of Start-up Sac)
- Future 4 & More Winners (Dr. Seung Bach & Dr. Colleen Robb [Chico State])
- 7 p.m. Event End
The Future Four & More is an annual, regional Business Concept Competition for Northern California Community College and State University students that is hosted by one of the participating schools in the region. The Future Four and More began six years ago as a way to encourage and develop great business ideas and to help bring those ideas into creation. This year, Sacramento State’s Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship is hosting the event on Friday, April 5.
The purpose of this event is to develop business start-ups, boost economic development, encourage entrepreneurial thinking, connect students to angel investors and venture capitalists, and provide them with a wider, regional network of students, mentors, and professionals. Participating schools for 2019 are: Chico State, Sacramento State, Butte College, Humboldt State, Sierra College, and Los Rios Community College District (American River College).
The Future Four and More is for students with fantastic business and non-profit ideas to compete against one another in a rigorous and supportive environment for cash and in-kind prizes to help launch their businesses. Each student team is supported by faculty from their school and local mentors who know what it takes to build a successful business. The competition organizers recruit judges who award points based on a professional judging rubric. Each school prepares up to two student teams to present their business concepts which includes the problem being solved, the product or service description, the value proposition, target market, business model, financial viability, and scaling.