There’s a lot going on this week and next for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list below. For the full rundown of what’s happening this week and next, check out this week’s Startup Digest. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to get it in your inbox every Monday morning!
Featured
Pitch Elk Grove
Thu, Sep 4, 4:30 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Elk Grove
Watch Northern California’s top startups compete live for $20,000 in prize money at this high-energy pitch competition. Hosted by Invest Elk Grove, StartupSac, and Explore Elk Grove, Pitch Elk Grove is a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community—complete with local beer, wine, and bites. Read more.
Calling All Dreamers – Downtown Business Incubator
Apply by Tuesday, September 2 at 11:59 AM
Early-stage entrepreneurs are invited to participate in this brick-and-mortar business incubation program based in Downtown Sacramento. Founders receive mentorship, attend 10+ focused workshops, and the top 5 business concepts are eligible for a cash infusion of $5–$20K upon signing a downtown lease. Learn more.
StartupSac 12-week Entrepreneur Training Program
Apply by Friday, September 5
Applications are open for StartupSac’s final 2025 FastTrac cohort (Sept 18–Dec 18, Thursday evenings at Bloom Workspaces). This 12-week program helps aspiring founders validate, plan, and launch for-profit businesses. Sacramento city residents receive precedence. Learn more and apply.
Startup Challenge
Fri, Sep 26, 5:30 PM – Sun, Sep 28, 8:30 PM, at the Carlsen Center at Sac State in Sacramento
Stop thinking and start doing! This weekend-long event brings aspiring founders together to form teams, build real startups, and make progress fast—no business experience required. Open to anyone 18+. This is a 3-day event. Read more.
Want to learn more? Join the Startup Challenge Info Session on Tue, Sep 9 from 12-12:30 PM online. RSVP here.
This Week
Drop-in 1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Sep 2, 12 – 3 PM, at Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Have a startup idea or small business? Meet with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for personalized guidance. Intake form required before attending. Not a pitch or investment opportunity—these sessions are focused on helping founders move forward. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup: The Future of Automation
Tue, Sep 2, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces, Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for an evening of pizza and networking. This month, we’re doing something a little different. There are so many AI tools out there, here’s your chance to share your favorite AI tools Read more.
Sac Valley SBDC: AI Power Hour – 10 Week Series
Tuedays, Sep 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 6 – 7 PM, Online
Curious about how artificial intelligence can help your business run smarter? Join this free, beginner-friendly virtual training series designed to demystify AI. This week: The Best AI Tools for Small Business Success. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with MizanMe
Wed, Sep 3, 9 – 10 AM, Online
A weekly event where founders share their startups and get feedback from fellow entrepreneurs. This week’s presenter: MizanMe, delivering AI-powered motivational music tailored to personal goals and emotional state. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup: The Future of Automation
Tue, Sep 2, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces, Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for an evening of pizza and networking. This month, we’re doing something a little different. There are so many AI tools out there, here’s your chance to share your favorite AI tools Read more.
Raising Venture Capital: A 5-Part Series
Wednesdays, Sep 3 – Oct 1, 1 – 2:30 PM, Online
Tech Futures Group presents a free 5-part series to help founders prepare for raising venture capital. Learn what top investors expect before you pitch, from customer discovery and product-market fit to SBIR/STTR grants, GTM strategy, and pitch readiness. Designed for pre-seed to Series A startups across industries. Read more.
Learn from a Local: Adrian Ferrero, CEO of Biome Makers
Thu, Sep 4, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, AgStart Event Center, Woodland
Hear Adrian Ferrero, co-founder & CEO of Biome Makers, share his entrepreneurial journey building a global leader in soil microbiome analysis and sustainable agriculture. Gain insights from a founder whose work impacts over 1M acres worldwide. Read more.
Live Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Sep 5, 12 – 1 PM, Online via LinkedIn
Bring your real questions to JDM and Cam Law, co-founders of Traction Lab, for sharp, evidence-backed feedback. This isn’t startup theater—it’s Traction Science. Whether you’re chasing your first 10 customers, testing value, or prepping to raise, get clarity on what works (and what’s a waste). No slides, no coddling—just frameworks, fire, and receipts. Read more.
Plan Ahead
AI Lab: Cowork & Collaborate
Tue, Sep 9, 9:30 AM – 2 PM, The Commons at Granite City, Folsom
A full day of hands-on AI coworking for founders, hackers, and technologists building with AI. Includes coffee, snacks, and lunch. Expect lightning demos (Ragnar AI, Liquid Metal AI, and more), breakout collabs, and an evening ticket to the Folsom AI Meetup. Not a conference, not a pitch—just smart people doing real work side by side. Read more.
UCD Venture Catalysts Knowledge Exchange: Go-to-Market Strategies
Tue, Sep 9, 10 – 11 AM, Online
Learn proven strategies to engage customers and build partnerships. Pat Flynn, tech founder and former CMO of Hazel Technologies, will share insights on targeting audiences, crafting value propositions, and approaching partners with confidence. Read more.
NASA International Space Apps Challenge Sacramento
Sat–Sun, Oct 4–5, Folsom Lake College, Folsom
Join innovators of all ages and backgrounds to tackle real-world challenges using NASA’s open data. No coding experience needed—anyone can participate. Free event, advance registration encouraged. Read more.
UC Davis & Beyond: Venture Insights in Food + Health
Wed, Sep 10, 10 – 11 AM, Online
Explore market trends and venture opportunities in food and health innovation. Speakers include Dr. Harold Schmitz (The March Group), Irina Adler (Sawaya Partners), Tom Andriola (UC Irvine), and Christian Brix Tillegreen (BioInnovation Institute). Read more.
Sacramento AWS Hackathon: GenAI Knowledgebase Challenge
Sat, Sep 13, 10 AM – 4 PM, at 1610 R St, Sacramento
Build Generative AI-powered knowledgebases using AWS cloud tools and Streamlit. Work in teams (or join one onsite), get hands-on with a GitHub starter app, and access mentors, workshops, and AWS credits. Open to students, developers, and professionals of all levels. Read more.
Applications
AI Skills Lab @ Frequency Coworking
Apply by September 7
Join a free, 3-week hands-on AI program in Rancho Cordova with interactive sessions, one-on-one consulting from AI experts, and networking opportunities. Participants get 2 months of free coworking and will showcase their projects to investors and community leaders. Volunteer commitment required. Learn more.
Applications Open: Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy 2026
SEA’s 2026 cohort runs from Jan–May in Sacramento, offering mentorship, business planning, and access to a powerful alumni network. Early-bird and student discounts available. Learn more.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Applications Open for this Monthly Event
Refine your startup pitch and get feedback from experienced coaches. Two founders will pitch and receive insights—apply in advance to pitch. Next openings to pitch are on September 11, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read more.
Traction Lab Venture Accelerator
Applications Open Now
Fast-track your startup’s growth! This accelerator, powered by The Right Box and the Carlsen Center, helps pre-seed and seed-stage founders in tech-enabled sectors reach product-market fit and get funding-ready—twice as fast. Read more.
Connect
Looking to connect with others? Join the StartupSac Community Facebook Group! Startup founders and those who support the growth of our startup community connect and exchange ideas in this private moderated group.
Resources
Check out the StartupSac Website for information on resources available to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Also check out the NorCal Entrepreneur Hub. From capital to connections and training to talent, find the resources you need to build your business in NorCal.
