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
1 Million Cups Sacramento at InnoGrove in Elk Grove
Wed, Sep 17, 8:30 – 10 AM, InnoGrove, Elk Grove (Hybrid)
This week, 1 Million Cups Sacramento heads to InnoGrove for coffee, community, and founder stories. Hear from Petite Vibe, a fashion brand for women 5’4”, and DLYog Lab, creators of AI4Echolalia™, an app that helps caregivers understand and support children with echolalia. Join us in person or on Zoom—doors open at 8:30 for networking. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour with Peichen Chang Founder of tCheck and CoolView
Tue, Sep 23, 5 – 7 PM, Roseville Venture Lab
Mix, mingle, and connect with fellow founders, innovators, and startup enthusiasts at Startup Happy Hour! Enjoy drinks, appetizers, and great conversation in a relaxed atmosphere. Featured guest Peichen Chang, CEO and Founder of TCheck and CoolView, will share insights in an informal AMA session. Hosted by StartupSac and the Carlsen Center. Sponsored by the City of Roseville. Read more.
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.
This Week
Sac Valley SBDC: AI Power Hour – 10 Week Series
Tue, Sep 16, 23, 30, Oct 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov 4, 6 – 7 PM, Online
Join the Sacramento Valley SBDC for a free, 10-week beginner-friendly virtual training series designed to demystify AI. Sep 16: Advanced ChatGPT – Custom GPTs, Projects & More. Sep 23: Supercharge Your Marketing Strategy & Branding with AI Read more.
Raising Venture Capital: A Multi-Part Series
Wednesdays, Remaining Sessions Sep 17 – 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. Remaining 3 sessions: SBIR/STTR grants, Go To Market strategy, and Pitch readiness. Designed for pre-seed to Series A startups across industries. Read more.
Cleantech Meetup | Building EVs People Want with SacEV
Wed, Sep 17, 5:30 – 8 PM, California Automobile Museum, Sacramento
CleanStart and SacEV join up for a special evening on the future of electric vehicles—plus a showcase of electric lowriders! Hear from innovators shaping EV design and connect with industry leaders, enthusiasts, and fellow changemakers in clean mobility. Read more.
Startup Policy Seminar: Startup Access to Federal Funds
Thu, Sep 18, 9 – 10 AM, Online
The SBIR and STTR programs—key federal funding sources for startups—require reauthorization by Congress this fall. Join Engine for a policy-focused discussion on how recent shifts affect startup access to federal funds, why SBIR/STTR matter for innovation, and what founders should know when navigating federal grants. Read more.
MedStart: Journey with VocalMD
Wed, Sep 17, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive, Sacramento
Join MedStart for a conversation with Drs. Benjamin Bergman and Arnold Lee, co-founders of VocalMD. Their patient-centered healthcare platform connects individuals with doctors and care teams through voice, video, and chat—redefining how care is delivered. Read more.
Building Championship Culture: Lessons in Leadership from the Court to the Boardroom
Fri, Sep 19, 12 – 2 PM, Carlsen Center, Sacramento
Coach Greg Clink, longtime Chico State head basketball coach, shares his “Ten-Point Championship Culture Framework” — proven principles to transform underperforming teams into high-performing powerhouses. Learn how clarity, trust, mindset, and communication drive success in startups, nonprofits, and enterprises. Read more.
Traction Lab: Live Startup Office Hours
Fri, Sep 19, 12 – 1 PM, Virtual (LinkedIn Live)
Join JDM and Cam Law, co-founders of Traction Lab, for raw, no-fluff startup office hours. Founders bring real challenges, and they bring the evidence-driven frameworks to cut through noise and get to traction. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Business Focus 2025 – Turning Headwinds into Tailwinds: M&A’s Resilient Future
Wed, Sep 24, 4 – 6 PM, Sacramento State Alumni Center
Join Weintraub Tobin’s 11th Annual Business Focus seminar to explore how forward-thinking leaders are transforming M&A challenges into strategic opportunities. Hear insights from a panel of CEOs and industry experts, and connect with business owners and professionals during dedicated networking before and after the panel. Read more.
Innovator Network: Medical Technology
Thu, Sep 25, 4 – 6 PM, Aggie Square, Sacramento
Join UC Davis Venture Catalyst and UC Davis Library at Aggie Square for an evening highlighting new medical technologies and the startups that grew from them. Hear from UC Davis innovators — from undergraduates to professors and physicians — as they share what inspired them and the diverse paths that led to their breakthroughs. Read more.
Cleantech Meetup | Clean Tech for Buildings
Thu, Sep 25, 5:30 – 8 PM, Bloom Workspaces, Sacramento
How can clean tech become practical and irresistible for building projects? CleanStart’s monthly meetup will explore real-world strategies for integrating sustainable solutions into design, construction, and operations. 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.
Applications
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 session is October 15. Next openings to pitch are on November 12, 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.
