Tomorrow’s Innovators Accelerator (TIA) – a program hosted by community group Sactown Makers and funded by the Sacramento Innovation Grant Program – will culminate in a demonstration and business pitch competition on Thursday, Oct. 30 from 4:30 – 8 p.m. at Aggie Square (4480 2nd Ave.).
At this event, cohort members will demonstrate how product development and business strategies have shaped the ideas they plan to pursue outside of the program. For many of these entrepreneurs, this will be the first time they debut their products and business ideas to the public.
Participants will present a persuasive presentation outlining their business idea, also known as a pitch, for a panel of experts from Sacramento’s local tech and entrepreneurship communities. The public is invited to attend, free with RSVP, to cheer on participants and vote on the winner of an Audience Favorite Award.
“Watching the participants showcase what they’ve learned and seeing the ideas they are bringing to fruition is exciting,” said Aubree Taylor, development project manager with the City’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development. “Providing these types of experiences to entrepreneurs and the community is what this grant was put in place for and the City is proud to be a part of their journey.”
TIA provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to bring ideas to life. Over the course of 14 weeks, participants from a variety of educational and personal backgrounds learned how to assemble their own 3D printer and print 3D items.
“We are showing people that technology is not out of reach. It is something they can use to solve real problems in their community,” said TIA Program Instructor Alan Ware.
Sactown Makers’ TIA program is supported by the City’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development through the Innovation Growth Fund. The program was selected as part of the City’s Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants, which invest in organizations that help entrepreneurs gain the tools, mentorship and resources they need to succeed.
This program funded a marketing workshop and a 12-week entrepreneurial training program hosted this year.
Community members interested in attending the Demo Night and Pitch Competition event can learn more and RSVP online.
