Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Have I gone too far this time? • Big investor meeting? Big deal. • Fancy partnership? Well, fancy that. • LinkedIn post take off? Brace for a hard landing. • BigCo giving you love? Enjoy the one night stand. • Product of the Day? I hope it at least made your day. Each week, I've been ratcheting up the sass to see just how much my readers will let me get away with before they turn on me, and this week I'm tackling the traction that wasn't. In this issue of my weekly newsletter, I'm breaking down 5 traction metrics that stroke founder egos but don't amount to anything — and what you should measure instead. Because real traction isn’t about attention, interest, or hype — it’s paying customers, engaged users, and a growth engine that runs on something more reliable than vibes and wishful thinking. 👉 Grab it here: https://lnkd.in/g4EbGnDs

Episode 30 of Zero to Traction is LIVE! The "Hype or Hypothesis" Edition Hype is fun. It makes you feel good. But without real hypotheses to test, you’re just shouting into the void. 📢 In this episode, Josh David Miller (JDM) & Cameron R. Law break down why optimism isn’t enough—startups need testable, falsifiable assumptions to actually move forward. 💡 What’s Inside: ✅ Why hype alone won’t get you funded (or customers) ✅ The three must-have elements of a real hypothesis ✅ Why testing too many things at once is the startup equivalent of astrology ✨ ✅ How to set realistic, falsifiable targets for your experiments ✅ What to do when your data doesn’t match expectations 🚀 Takeaways & Highlights: 📌 Hype ≠ Validation – If you’re not testing assumptions, it’s just storytelling. 📌 How to Write a Good Hypothesis: Precision, Discreteness, and Falsifiability. 📌 “Seeing What Happens” is for Amateurs – Real experiments need clear outcomes. 📌 Choosing the Right Target Metric – Tie your KPIs to your business model assumptions. 🎧 Listen now & share with a founder who needs this: https://lnkd.in/gc-ZgM8n #ZeroToTraction #Podcast #StartupValidation #HypothesisDriven #Experimentation #Entrepreneurship #DataDriven #Innovation #CameronLaw #JoshDavidMiller Traction Lab Venture Accelerator The Right Box Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship

We are pumped to share that the Sacramento Kings Capitalize public VOTE is now live! We are thrilled to share two ventures that have leveraged the Carlsen Center and associated programs: Splash Technologies and LogRx, led by Gabriel Sigala and Clive Savacool respectively, are in the Final 4! Be sure to cast your vote today! The winner will be announced in-game and presented a cash prize of $10,000 for further development of their business on April 9th! Vote Here: https://lnkd.in/gnhn5qY8 The ventures: - Splash Technologies is automating pool chemical testing.  - LogRx helps first responders and medical professionals track controlled substances more efficiently, ensuring accountability, reducing waste, and protecting communities. Vote Here: https://lnkd.in/gnhn5qY8 #SacramentoProud #SacramentoKings #Startups #entrepreneurship #ventures #competition California State University-Sacramento Sacramento State College of Business Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy NorCal Entrepreneur Hub Traction Lab Venture Accelerator StartupSac 1 Million Cups Sacramento Arlene J. Miranda Cameron R. Law Dale Carlsen Brian K. Gladden, DBA Monique Brown Ryan Fuller, PhD, MBA Cheng Hong Nathan (Nam Kyoon) Kim Cheng Wang Jean-Francois Coget Kwame Anku Barry Broome Mark Haney Kim Box Cheryl Beninga James Frasher Lokesh Sikaria Ricky Bailey Cody Kneale Andrew Solbjor Justin M. Huy Dao Ritchie M. Josh David Miller Laura Good May Chinavanichkit Kristen Simoes

🚀 Move Twice as Fast: The 3 Pillars of Startup Traction Finding traction isn’t magic—it’s a structured, repeatable process. At Traction Lab, we help startups reach their next fundraising milestone in half the time using a simple but powerful framework: 1️⃣ Traction Framework – Define a clear milestone and a theory of what your business looks like when you hit it. Without a destination, you’re just wandering. 2️⃣ Milestone-Based Progression – Break your path into key decision points that force clarity and focus. Each step should confirm you're on the right track. 3️⃣ Iterative Validation – Run rapid, low-cost experiments to test your assumptions. If the data says you’re wrong, pivot fast. Most founders spin their wheels chasing distractions or guessing what works. This traction methodology keeps you moving forward with confidence—and gets you funded faster. Our co-founder Josh David Miller breaks it all down in his latest article. If you're serious about traction, check it out 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gSA5gUfC #startups #fundraising #traction #growth #venturecapital #founders Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Zero to Traction Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance The Right Box

Have you been holding off on starting up your #startup? Have you just been heads down in books trying to learn venture building? Forget traditional learning methods and join us for the Startup Challenge; this competition focuses on tangible results and real progress. With proven processes, mentors, and resources, you'll gain real-world experience and have a chance to win prizes. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gQ2rBBCC Here’s what’s happening from March 21-23: - Friday Night: Form teams around the most compelling ideas. - Saturday: Get out, talk to customers, validate your idea, and pivot if needed. Repeat until you're on the right track! - Sunday: With guidance from mentors and coaches, pull everything together into a compelling pitch for the judges. Ticket Costs:  Student Ticket - $35 General Admission - $99 Your ticket includes all your meals and snacks, plus all the coffee you can drink from Friday night to Sunday night! Past Participants Share: "Completely unexpected. I thought we were going to sit in seminars. I was put into the uncomfortable position of actually talking to potential customers which is exactly what I needed. I'm very impressed with what me any everyone else accomplished in one weekend." "...Overall, it was a great experience. There were times when I was frustrated, felt stuck, but it was really helpful to have the advisors there to help us think through the different issues. I didn't think that we could come up with a brand new idea and take it to that stage in one weekend." Lastly, Josh David Miller, Laura Good, Arlene J. Miranda, and Cameron R. Law will be with you all weekend to support you in making real traction with real customers! #StartupChallenge #traction #startups #entrepreneurship #venturebuilding StartupSac Traction Lab Venture Accelerator Zero to Traction Sacramento State College of Business UC Davis Venture Catalyst UC Davis Student Startup Center Cheng Wang Cheng Hong Nathan (Nam Kyoon) Kim Monique Brown Aaron Mondell Anderson Ryan Fuller, PhD, MBA Janine Elliott Niki Peterson

The #Sacramento #startup ecosystem is bustling this Spring with a variety of events, programs, and resources for you in getting started and growing your venture. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dUYYe9qX Be sure to check out: - The Startup Challenge taking place this weekend March 21st through 23rd! - The fourth week of the Virtual Entrepreneurship Toolkit Series where we will dive into financials - Our monthly Startup Happy Hour will be taking place in Folsom and we are excited to feature Daniel Kaye, CEO of Bekonix We hope to see you about the #ecosystem! #startups #entrepreneurship #community #resources #events StartupSac Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy Traction Lab Venture Accelerator Zero to Traction

Splash Technologies IS A TOP 4 FINALIST FOR KINGS CAPITALIZE!!! If you would have told me as a kid that I’d be having an ad during an NBA game I would have looked at you crazy, but here we are. I’m so excited to announce Splash’s top 4 finish at the #kingscapitalize event hosted by the Sacramento Kings Everyone on the team has put in a tremendous amount of work to get to this stage, and I’m so proud of everyone on our team Rain Sun, Sam Louderback,Thomas Wicklund, Dara Yazdani, Jeremy R. & Omri Steinberg-Tatman. There are 30,000+ people with pools in Sacramento, so having an ad at such a big game can be the stepping stone we need to take Splash to the next level. Voting opens tomorrow, March 17 so make sure to vote Splash when the polls open!! ( https://lnkd.in/gbhsxvGj ) Thank you so much Cameron R. Law at the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship for providing me with so many resources and connections. Shout out to Dean Croshere, Nagesh Challa & Diane Bryant who have been great advisors to us. Thanks Aaron Mondell Anderson at UC Davis Student Startup Center. We were part of the 2024 PLASMA cohort with our friends Jaya Athuluru & Simran Lallian at EpiSense who are also top 4 finalist. It is so exciting to see our progress since then! Thank you Ricky Bailey & Justin M. from California State University-Sacramento for coming to cheer me on! Last but not least, thank you Monique Brown from Growth Factory and John Rinehart & Maritza Davis from the Kings for creating this opportunity for local entrepreneurs! GO KINGS!!

Join us on March 25th at Workshop @ Woodmere for an evening of meaningful connections and insightful discussions. Don't miss the chance to meet Daniel Kaye, Emmy Award®-winning Co-Founder of Bekonix, during our special AMA session. Thanks to our sponsors, Mark III and Choose Folsom , enjoy complimentary refreshments while mingling with innovators from all stages of entrepreneurship. RSVP now to secure your spot! https://lnkd.in/gW6SF5uB

Great day yesterday seeing so many amazing startups pitch at the Sacramento Kings Capitalize Startup Competition! I am super pumped and proud to share two of the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship and Traction Lab Venture Accelerator startups have made it to the Top 4. Congratulations to Gabriel Sigala and Splash Technologies as well as Clive Savacool, Kristen Simoes and LogRx for making it to the Final 4! Well deserved! Check out the Top 4 here: https://lnkd.in/g_qetPM2 Shoutout to: Rely (Heather Rankow and Ashley Keyes) as well as CAGED (DaShena Payne) who I have enjoyed working with through The Lean Innovator and FourthWave.io who were in the Top 8 and delivered excellent pitches as well! Thank you to all of the supporters, California State University-Sacramento students that joined to root their fellow Hornet on! #Startups #Sacramento #BeMore #DoGreaterSacramento Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance NorCal AngelCon Greater Sacramento Economic Council Monique Brown Josh David Miller Arlene J. Miranda Dale Carlsen Kwame Anku Mark Haney Dr. Jenni Murphy, Ed.D. Jean-Francois Coget Julie Jackson, MBA Jennifer Morita Jeannie Wong Douglas Younger III James Frasher Brooke B. Cody Kneale Justin M. Ricky Bailey Bennett Kao Ben Duong Jesse Telles Tanisha FNU Umang Vadhar

Hey Folsom and El Dorado Hills peeps! Startup Happy Hour is coming to Folsom on Tuesday, March 25 from 5 - 7 PM! Join us to connect with other startup enthusiasts -- from founders, to investors, to the support community, and more! AMA (ask me anything) guest is Daniel Kaye, cofounder and CEO of Folsom-based Bekonix. We'll be at the new coworking and wetlab space, Workshop @ Woodmere . Food and drinks sponsored by Mark III Construction, Inc. and Choose Folsom . Hosted by StartupSac and Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.| Will I see you there? RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g-f75n9h Rich Foreman Beth Broome Mariah "Roman" Lichtenstern Jan M. Roos Rachid Abadli Matt Fremont Kyle Middleton, ChFC Sedale Turbovsky Matthew Loughran, EMBA Anders Rehnvall Richard Byrod Magdy Assem Meghana Seetharam Sam Miller Brooke B. Nathan Torinus, CFP®, MBA D.J. Stephan Brandon Goodyear Lokesh Sikaria Dave Petree Simran Lallian Jeffrey Mrizek, EdD, MBA John Selep Kevin Weiler Kevin Favro Cameron R. Law Arlene J. Miranda Christina G. Kevin Cochran Reneta Jenik Sherry Chang Elizabeth Dodson Allan Liu