About SEA
Celebrating 41 years of entrepreneurship development!
The Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy was created to support students and early stage startups from the Sacramento Region. Founded in 1986 by real estate developer Jim Corbett. SEA is a nonprofit corporation. Local business leaders see the SEA as a way to give back to the community by helping produce the next generation of entrepreneurs.
In essence, SEA provides an entrepreneurial fast track for fellows; they learn what it takes to start and run a business and spend an academic semester developing a business plan. Unlike the typical classroom setting, SEA fellows learn from seasoned entrepreneurs who give their time and experience to these future business leaders. This is a team-based bootcamp model: Project-based group learning produces the deepest mastery available. This is a great way to compliment your academic training or take your business to the point that it is investable.
Through SEA’s program, fellows gain knowledge and self-confidence about business opportunities and professional business environments to give them an edge in business entrepreneurship. Over 800 fellows have graduated from the SEA program; many are now running their own businesses or plan to in the near future.
Energy. Dedication. Focus.
Select fellows, whether working professionals or students from local universities, have an incredible opportunity to participate in a five-month entrepreneurship education program designed to fast track them on the road to entrepreneurship.
President’s Message
“Live your dream … change the world”
Hello SEA Community,
“Entreprendre” is a French verb for “Start” or “Initiate”. But being an entrepreneur is not limited to starting a project, it is much more than that. Entrepreneurs solve problems and make the world better.
Entrepreneurs can’t stand when things do not work well or are outdated, and they see a business opportunity by rejecting the status quo and by seeking better solutions.
Entrepreneurs then share their dream with others, convince them to join their team and ultimately are willing to take a risk to embark on a formidable journey.
Through its 15 weeks in-person bootcamp, SEA provides dreamers with the tools and connections to top-tier professionals and mentors, most of them entrepreneurs themselves, to be entrepreneurs and set the foundation for a successful business.
Come to SEA and TOGETHER we will change the world.
Dr. Christian Renaudin
SEA Board President
Teach the basics of a business plan
Operated by passionate educators with start-up experience
Go from idea to start-up creation
Engage you for team work
Tell you how to share your story with investors
Help you network and connect with our business ecosystem
Elevate you to gain confidence
Relentlessly rehearse pitch and win
News
SEA 2025 Showcase Recap
The 2025 Showcase was a smashing success. Over 230 members of the community: Alumni, Professionals, the Investment and Economic Development community celebrated SEA’s 40th year and welcomed seven new startup to our ecosystem.
View the Video to Feel the Progress
Leadership
Board of Directors
The Academy Board of Directors are local entrepreneurs and business professionals. Representing diverse industries, board members are typically CEO’s of prominent companies. Board members volunteer their time and expertise along with an annual financial contribution in support of the program. Board members offer fellow internships and serve as mentors and advisors.
If you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact sea@sealink.org.
-
Christian Renaudin
SEA President
The MarkeTech Group
CRenaudin@themarketgroup.com -
Jennie Ly
-
Al Moffatt
-
Maurice Thomas
Director
California Association of Realtors
Eagle Eye Realty
maurice.thomas@myeagleeyerealty.comSEA 2008 Fellow
-
Laurie Dakin
-
Anthony Garcia
-
Chase Burke
-
Courtney McHarg
-
Jon Ancona
-
Chris Anderson
-
Michael Miille
-
Laura Good
-
Ruth Tesar
Board Chairperson - Northern California PET Imaging Healthcare Consultant
-
Pete Kumler
Founder
The SEA was founded in 1986 by Jim Corbett and a small group of entrepreneurs who wanted to give back to the Sacramento region. That ethic continues to drive our leadership: giving back and paying forward to grow the Greater Sacramento are economy.
Administration
The Academy is led by committed alumni leaders, who answers the call to “replicate yourself” and continue the longest-running entrepreneurship development program in the region.
