incubator Archives • HERO Foundry

Cody McKibben, the founder of the HERO Foundry, is making waves in the business world with his new accelerator program. Over the past 17 years, McKibben has built three businesses, sold two of them, and helped thousands of entrepreneurs through mentorship and coaching.

The HERO Foundry is a business accelerator program that aims to help entrepreneurs and creators transform their ideas into successful ventures. The program is designed to provide participants with the tools and resources they need to succeed, including access to a network of industry experts, funding opportunities, and personalized coaching and mentorship.

But what sets the HERO Foundry Accelerator apart from other business incubator programs is its focus on cultivating your own mythology for your movement, leveraging powerful storytelling principles, drawing upon your own LIFE story and experience, and crafting the Customer Journey for your people to follow you on.

According to McKibben, mythological stories have the power to inspire and motivate people in a way that traditional business marketing strategies often cannot. By incorporating mythological themes and lessons into the program’s curriculum, the HERO Foundry aims to help participants tap into a deeper level of creativity and PURPOSE.

“We believe that mythological stories have the power to ignite the human spirit and unlock untapped potential,” said McKibben. “That’s why we’ve carefully crafted the HERO Foundry for five years around the idea of using mythological storytelling as a way to help entrepreneurs and companies achieve their goals.”

The HERO Foundry Accelerator program is set to open its doors more publicly later this year, and spots are filling up fast. If you’re an entrepreneur or business owner looking to turn your vision into REALITY, don’t miss this opportunity to join fellow Purpose-Driven Business Owners and Creators on the Entrepreneurial “Hero’s Journey” and become a part of something truly transformative.

May 5, 2018 • Sacramento, California

Thursday morning, I was incredibly grateful for an opportunity to sit in on the proceedings of one of the first community brainstorming sessions hosted by the new Dale and Katy Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State University.

Director Jyoti Das Robert Nelsen Carlsen Center

Interim Director Jyoti Das with Sacramento State President Robert Nelsen

At least 50 student leaders, University and community representatives gathered to meet the Carlsen Center’s Interim Director Jyoti Das, learn about the vision for the Sacramento region University’s brand new center for entrepreneurship, and get a first-look at the roadmap for where they plan to take the center over the rest of 2018 and beyond.

Carlsen Center Director Jyoti Das welcomes students

The leadership team aims to create an innovative, interdisciplinary new institution in California’s capital city:

The Dale and Katy Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will immeasurably enrich the educational experience of Sacramento State students irrespective of their academic disciplines. High-quality education, advising, and practical experiences in innovation and entrepreneurship, coupled with experimentation and practical application in programs and events of the Center, will fully instantiate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in the campus and the region. The partnership with regional, national and international community partners will provide opportunities to network and collaborate broadly. In addition to nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit of the students, the Center will provide students and others the pathway to take solutions to market. Ultimately, the Center will provide the leadership and workforce to ensure the vitality and success of the region’s economy, businesses, charitable and civic organizations, and ultimately the quality of life.

Sacramento State University President Robert Nelsen

Administrators invited select student leaders and alumni from CSUS to attend the Carlsen Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CCIE) Breakfast Break. It was an informational and networking meeting for the student and alumni community to learn about the mission of the new center and hear some of the exciting opportunities the CCIE aims to bring to campus in the coming years. President Robert Nelson gave a resounding welcome, emphasizing that it was also a chance for the community to provide feedback on what they expect from the center and how to best engage and serve the student population.

Mia Kagianas President Robert Nelsen Noel Mora

Mia Kagianas, President Nelsen, and Noel Mora giving the “Stingers Up” sign

Mr. Nelsen was also joined by Sacramento State student government directors: Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President Mia Kagianas, and Vice President for Academic Affairs Noel Mora.

A panel of mentors was introduced — local entrepreneurs, business leaders, and Sacramento State staff — to help facilitate discussion about entrepreneurship and innovation in the Sacramento region.

Dale Carlsen Sleep Train Ticket to Dream

Dale Carlsen, founder of Sleep Train Mattress Centers

Legendary local businessman Mr. Dale Carlsen, the founder of Sleep Train, CEO of Bunker Wilson, LLC, and Chairman of the Ticket to Dream Foundation presented a spellbinding keynote about his astounding entrepreneurial journey and his passionate desire to give back to fellow students from Sacramento State University.

Mr. Carlsen and his team announced preliminary plans that the CCIE plans to push deeper involvement in Global Entrepreneurship Week this coming November, as well as hosting pitch competitions across all colleges, and fostering larger venture competitions potentially involving regional partners, and eventually leading promising student startups all along the incubation process to back office, HR, intellectual property, funding, etc.

The Carlsen Center’s first mentorship session

Breakout group discussions were led by volunteer mentors and University members including:

Brian Dombrowski – Founder of Fantag Inc.
Edris Bemanian – COO of Engage3
Mitch Gardner – Co-Founder & COO, Pocket Points
Mark Beckford – Sales & Marketing Executive, EZE Sytem
Josh Wolfson – Director of Product Development at Parrable
Sabya Das – Early stage technology VC at Moneta Ventures
Dan Mors – Founder & CEO of Gemini Legal
Haley Meyer Dillon – Coaching / Pitch Competition / Parents and Families
Julian Vasquez Heilig – Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies

Sacramento State student leaders discuss with mentor Josh Wolfson (center)

I sat at a table with student Shay Putnam, President of the Business Honors Society Dwight L. Wise, education studies professor Dr. Julian Vasquez Hielig, and mentor Josh Wolfson, Director of Product Development for Parrable.

Dale Carlsen addresses the room, flanked by analyst Frank Bisek

Mr. Carlsen and the Center leadership team opened the conversation by asking all in attendance to discuss what innovation and entrepreneurship mean.

Some of the conversation topics can be seen on the Center’s Instagram and Facebook accounts.

They also asked: “What is the best way we can shape the curriculum and delivery method so that it is fun and effective for students to learn?”, and highlighted the importance of experiential learning.

Local business representatives and mentor roundtable discussion

“Where and how best can we engage the student body? As leaders of the campus how can you influence and engage?”

Advisor Lokesh Sikaria and Director Jyoti Das

The closing address was made by Lokesh Sikaria, Managing Partner of Moneta Ventures, LLC, one of the region’s largest venture capital investment firms.