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
Today! Startup-Tech Connect
Mon, Jan 12, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with founders, technologists, and innovators at this casual networking event where startups and tech collide. Enjoy genuine conversations, meet potential collaborators, and tap into Sacramento’s tech community over pizza and beer. Read more.
Office Hours with GFN: Growth Factory Nonprofit EIRs
Tuesday, Jan 13, 12 – 3 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Drop in for no-cost, one-on-one guidance from experienced entrepreneurs-in-residence on topics like customer discovery, product development, and fundraising—useful for founders at any stage who want practical, outside perspective. Advance registration required. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour with FYC Labs CEO Justin Fortier
Tue, Jan 27, 5 – 7 PM, The Commons at Granite City in Folsom
Building a startup is better together. Join Startup Happy Hour for an evening of relaxed networking, shared learning, and community connection. This month features an AMA with Justin Fortier, founder of FYC Labs, who’ll share lessons from scaling, acquisition, and life after exit. Appetizers provided. Come meet fellow founders and builders shaping the Sacramento startup scene. Read more.
NorCal AngelCon: Deep Tech Edition
Applications Open | Deadline: February 6
This program supports early-stage deep tech startups in areas like life sciences, agtech, and cleantech with mentorship, capital readiness, and the opportunity to compete for equity and non-dilutive funding. Designed for science-driven teams connected to the Greater Sacramento region, including university-affiliated startups. $300k+ in equity and non-dilutive funding to be deployed. Apply Here.
Attend the info session Thu, Jan 22, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento. RSVP
This Week
Women in Tech: Stop Hiding the Scars. Start Leading with Them
Tuesday, Jan 13, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, InnoGrove in Elk Grove
This session invites women in tech and leadership to rethink how experience, failure, and resilience show up in the room, with practical insight on leading authentically without leaving your history at the door. A good fit for founders and operators navigating high-pressure environments who want to lead with confidence and staying power. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Synerxus
Wednesday, Jan 14, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Join fellow founders for a weekly peer-driven session where an early-stage startup presents and gets live feedback, questions, and advice from the community. This week’s presenter, Synerxus, connects volunteers, nonprofits, and companies to turn service into measurable, funder-ready impact. Read more.
Big Bang! Workshop: Business Canvas — Framing Your Approach
Thu, Jan 15, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Turn your idea into a clear, fundable story. This workshop breaks down the business canvas framework founders use to define the problem, solution, and value proposition—and to shape the core of a 10-slide pitch deck. This is a practical session for early-stage founders preparing for Big Bang! competition or any startup journey. Read more.
Validate Faster: A Practical AI Playbook for Founders
Wednesday, Jan 14, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
This Founder Institute hands-on session shows early-stage founders how to use AI to quickly validate startup ideas, identify real customers, assess competitors, and make confident go/no-go decisions through a simple, repeatable process. Includes a live demonstration led by a founder with experience scaling and advising high-growth companies. Read more.
Center for Small Business Information Session
Wed, Jan 14, 12 – 12:30 PM, Online
Building a startup with limited time and budget? Learn how Sacramento State’s Center for Small Business can plug you into free, hands-on support from advanced business students, guided by faculty, to help move your company forward. In this short info session, you’ll learn how founders are using CSB teams to tackle real projects—everything from data analysis and go-to-market strategy to website development, social media, operations, and supply chain challenges. If you’ve got a real business problem but not the bandwidth (or cash) to hire help, this is a smart way to get meaningful work done while supporting the next generation of business talent. Read more.
How to Bring Your Idea to MVP and Revenue Without VC Money
Thu, Thu, Jan 15, 11 – 11:45 AM, Online
Learn how to turn your startup idea into a profitable MVP without raising venture capital. This short, tactical session covers practical bootstrapping strategies to help you stay in control, validate quickly, and start generating revenue early. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Circular Economy Innovation Competition Info Session
Wednesday, Jan 21, 12 – 12:30 PM, Online
Learn about a new competition for innovators and entrepreneurs working in the circular economy and waste space, including how to apply, key dates, and what judges are looking for. Selected teams will compete for up to $20,000 in prize money and in-kind support at an in-person pitch event later this spring. Read more.
Big Bang! Workshop: Market, Business, and Technology Validation
Thursday, Jan 22, 12 – 1 PM, Online
This workshop helps early-stage founders test key assumptions about their market, business model, and technology using a practical framework focused on desirability, viability, and feasibility. A good fit for founders who want to pressure-test a new venture idea or prepare for an upcoming pitch or competition. Read more.
NorCal AngelCon: Deep Tech Networking & Info Session
Thu, Jan 22, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Kick off NorCal AngelCon: Deep Tech Edition with an evening of networking and program insights focused on agrifood tech, life sciences, and cleantech/ZEV. Learn how the program supports early-stage, science-based startups, meet investors and ecosystem partners, and find out how to participate—whether you’re exploring deep-tech investing or building a startup ready to apply. Read more.
Veteran Entrepreneurs Tribe of Sacramento (VETS) Speaker Series
Thursday, Jan 22, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
This event brings together military veterans and veteran allies in the startup and small business community for learning and peer support. The featured speaker, Max Bloom, shares lessons from his transition from military service to business ownership. Read more.
SacTech Social January 2026 Meetup
Thursday, Jan 22, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
This casual community meetup brings together developers, technologists, and the tech-curious to connect, swap ideas, and spark collaborations in a welcoming, inclusive setting. A good fit for founders looking to plug into the local tech scene or meet potential collaborators without a formal agenda. Read more.
Plan Way Ahead
Folsom Tech Week 2026
Monday–Thursday, March 3 – 6, Various venues in Folsom
This weeklong event brings founders, operators, engineers, and community leaders together for practical panels, workshops, and hands-on experiences across tracks like HealthTech, GovTech, AI, and startups. A strong fit for builders looking to make real connections, learn from people shipping products, and tap into regional innovation energy. Discount tickets now available. Read more.
Applications
Circular Economy Innovation Competition
Applications due Feb 27
Turn waste into value. This competition supports circular economy innovators with mentorship, in-kind services, and a chance to pitch for $20,000 at an in-person event in late April. Info session: Jan 21, 12 PM PST, Online. RSVP here. Apply here.
Big Bang! Business Competition
Applications Open | Deadline: March 3
This annual competition supports innovators in developing and testing business ideas while competing for cash prizes, with multiple rounds focused on customer validation and pitching. Open to teams with at least one founder affiliated with a California-based college or university. Read more.
NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Course
Multiple Sessions – Ongoing, Online
Validate your startup idea inNorthwest Region NSF I-Corps Hub courses. Use Lean LaunchPad to explore customers and value. Eligible teams may qualify for a $50K NSF grant and $5K in AWS credits. Learn 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.
