I/O

The 5-Year Mission to Catalyzed the Greater Sacramento Innovation & Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

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Mission (2016-2021)

I/O Labs executed a transformative 5-year mission from 2016 to 2021 that successfully positioned Greater Sacramento as a premier destination for innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging our designation as California's official iHub to build a self-sustaining, world-class ecosystem that now rivals major innovation centers.

The Foundation We Built (2016-2021)

During our mission years, I/O Labs established itself as the central nervous system of Sacramento's innovation economy. We created an unprecedented alliance spanning government, academia, and industry that included:

Institutional Partners: Official designation as a California iHub by the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, with sustained support from the City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, UC and CSU systems, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Sacramento Employment Training Agency (SETA), and key economic development organizations like the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Sacramento Metro Chamber, and Valley Vision.

Ecosystem Coordination: Through our Alliance model, we united previously fragmented efforts across coworking spaces (The Urban Hive, Hacker Lab), incubators and accelerators (I/O Labs, Growth Factory, CleanStart, AgStart), startup communities (StartupSac, Startup Grind Sacramento), investor networks (HaneyBiz, Sac Angels), venture firms (Moneta Ventures, Impact Venture Capital), and university programs (Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, UC Davis Venture Catalyst), corporate and institutional partners into a cohesive, collaborative combined ecosystem.

Community Engagement: We hosted and facilitated signature events that brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, including Startup Grind, AngelHack, TEDxSacramento, Microsoft Digital Transformation Week, and Design Week Sacramento. These events created regular touchpoints for knowledge sharing, networking, and collaboration across the entire innovation community.

Corporate Engagement: We hosted and collaborated with global leaders including Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Lyft, Lululemon, Spotify, Bloomberg Media, Eventbrite, Verizon, and VSP Global, proving that Sacramento could compete on the national stage and attract Fortune 500 engagement.

Key Leadership: Our mission's success was driven by founder and CEO Brandon Weber, alongside exceptional regional leaders including Monique Brown, Cameron Law (Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship), Oleg Kaganovich, and Amanda Blackwood. Under Weber's leadership, I/O Labs organized Startup Grind Sacramento events and other tech meetups while building the comprehensive alliance that transformed Sacramento's innovation landscape. This diverse leadership team brought expertise across academia, investment, and community organizing that enabled us to bridge public, private, and academic sectors effectively.

The 5-Year Mission Results (2016-2021)

Our mission was built on three strategic pillars that we successfully executed:

1. Scale & Amplify Ecosystem Density ✓

• Expanded Physical Infrastructure: Established flagship facilities at 7th and J downtown Sacramento, creating spaces that hosted global companies and hundreds of entrepreneurs

• Deepened Corporate Partnerships: Successfully converted major corporations from episodic engagements into sustained partnerships and workspace clients

• Accelerated Startup Velocity: Launched accelerator programs and community events that supported dozens of startups across multiple sectors

2. Strengthen Capital Formation ✓

• Local Investment Network: Built robust connections with local angel and VC networks including partnerships with Moneta Ventures and other regional investors

• Corporate Venture Programs: Facilitated strategic partnerships between startups and our extensive corporate network

• Government Innovation Procurement: Leveraged our unique government partnerships to create pathways for startups to access public sector opportunities

3. Establish National Recognition ✓

• Thought Leadership: Positioned Sacramento as a premier example of public-private innovation ecosystem development through our California iHub designation

• Talent Attraction: Created programs and events that drew entrepreneurial talent and established Sacramento as a viable alternative to coastal markets

• Innovation District Development: Worked with civic partners to establish downtown Sacramento as a recognized innovation hub with national visibility

Mission Results Achieved (2016-2021)

• Dozens of high-growth startups supported through our accelerator programs and ecosystem

• Multi-million dollar funding rounds raised by alumni companies

• National recognition as one of Sacramento's top resources for inventors and entrepreneurs

• Hundreds of innovation jobs created directly and indirectly through our programs

• Self-sustaining ecosystem with robust local partnerships, corporate engagement, and government support

The Sacramento Model: What We Proved (2016-2021)

Our mission demonstrated that Sacramento's unique position as a capital city with strong government partnerships, proximity to Silicon Valley, lower operational costs, and emerging tech talent from UC Davis and Sacramento State created an unparalleled opportunity to build something truly differentiated. We proved we weren't trying to be another Silicon Valley—we created the Sacramento model for innovation that other regions now want to replicate.

The Legacy and Ongoing Impact (2021-Present)

The success of our 2016-2021 mission created lasting infrastructure that continues to benefit the ecosystem:

• Continued Evolution: The work continues as I/O Venture Labs and The Urban Hive, with The Urban Hive's 2025 expansion to 22,000 sq ft on I Street demonstrating the sustained growth our mission catalyzed

• Ongoing Recognition: I/O Labs' 2025 recognition as one of Sacramento's top resources for inventors and entrepreneurs validates the lasting impact of our work

• Sustained Corporate Engagement: Our corporate partnerships established during the mission continue to provide opportunities for new generations of entrepreneurs

• Proven Alumni Success: Companies like Trifecta continue to achieve major milestones, validating our model and attracting new talent to the ecosystem

• Institutional Continuity: The iHub continues to thrive under the leadership of Cameron Law at the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, ensuring our collaborative model endures and evolves, while our Alliance initiatives survive in the work of The Sacramento Entrepreneurial Growth Alliance (SEGA) which serves as a key player in the Sacramento region's innovation ecosystem

The Replicable Framework

The 2016-2021 I/O Labs mission created a replicable framework for innovation-driven regional development that demonstrates how strategic public-private partnerships, ecosystem coordination, and sustained commitment can transform a regional economy. Our success proves that with the right approach, any region can build a thriving innovation ecosystem that creates jobs, attracts investment, and drives economic growth.