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
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
Drop-in 1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Sep 23, 12 – 3 PM, Roseville Venture Lab
Got a startup idea or small business? Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-residence are available to provide guidance and resources. Complete the intake form before attending to help us maximize your time together. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with MemoirAI
Wed, Sep 24, 9 – 10 AM, Online
A weekly meetup where entrepreneurs share their early-stage startups and get feedback from peers. This week, MemoirAI presents its AI platform that transforms memories into searchable digital stories, making it simple to preserve family legacies. Read more.
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.
SacTech Social Meetup
Thu, Sep 25, 6 – 9 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Join SacTech’s inclusive community of developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts for an evening of networking, collaboration, and conversation. Sponsored by the Carlsen Center, with pizza and apps provided. Read more.
Traction Lab – Live Office Hours
Fri, Sep 26, 12 – 1 PM, Virtual (LinkedIn Live)
Join JDM + Cam Law, co-founders of Traction Lab, for a no-fluff startup clinic with special guest Oleg Kaganovich — venture builder, founder, and investor. Bring your toughest questions and get evidence-backed, reality-check feedback on what’s holding back your growth. Read more.
Marketing 101 + AMA with Celia Surridge: Navigating the Creative Economy
Fri, Sep 26, 5:30 – 8 PM, Bloom Workspace, Sacramento
Learn practical marketing fundamentals from Capital Valley Marketing founder Celia Surridge, then hear her personal journey as a Sacramento entrepreneur. Bring your questions to the AMA and stay for networking with local creatives and business owners. Read more.
Plan Ahead
AgStart Learn from a Local: Zane Starkewolfe, CEO of Optimized Foods
Thursday, October 2 · 5:30 – 7:30 PM, AgStart Event Center, Woodland
Zane Starkewolfe, CEO of Optimized Foods, will share his entrepreneurial journey building a fermentation-based company that transforms agricultural byproducts into sustainable, nutrient-dense ingredients. Connect with peers and hear how local founders are shaping food innovation. Read More.
Launch: CA Starters Coalition – Right to Start
Thu, Oct 2, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square, Sacramento
Be part of the statewide launch of the California Starters Coalition, a Right to Start initiative making entrepreneurship a civic priority. Hear from Victor Hwang, Founder & CEO of Right to Start, along with civic and state leaders, on breaking down barriers to starting and growing businesses. Connect with founders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders to help shape a more equitable and dynamic entrepreneurial future. 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.
Folsom AI Meetup: Zoom AI Overview
Tue, Oct 7, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces, Folsom
Join Startup Folsom and Granite City Coworking for this month’s AI Meetup. Zoom Account Executive Jeff Isgrig will give an overview of Zoom’s AI capabilities. Come for the insights, stay for the networking and pizza. Read more.
InnoGrove’s 10th Anniversary Party
Tue, Oct 14, 3 – 6 PM, InnoGrove Coworking, Elk Grove
Over the past decade, InnoGrove’s coworking community has grown dreams into startups, hosted countless events, and built lasting friendships. Now it’s time to celebrate with members, alumni, partners, and friends who made it possible. Join us as we raise a glass to a decade of creativity, community, and collaboration—and get excited for the next 10 years! Read more.
ACM Sacramento Chapter: 8th Future Worlds Symposium
Thu, Oct 16 and Fri, Oct 17, 9 AM – 4 PM, In-person at Folsom Lake College and Online
The Future Worlds Symposium is a yearly tech conference organized by Sacramento’s professional ACM chapter with assistance from local ACM student chapters. The theme for this year’s symposium is “Data & AI for a Safer World”. Read more.
CleanStart Rising Stars Showcase
Wed, Oct 22, 2 – 6:30 PM, Aggie Square, Sacramento
See Sacramento’s most promising startups pitch for $50K in grant funding, alongside spotlights from WindHarvest and LiCap and presentations from CleanStart’s Deep Dive Accelerator. Network with investors, innovators, and vote for the Audience Choice Award. 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 October 15 and 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.
