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 Challenge Information Session
Wed, Feb 18, 12 – 12:30 PM, Online
This short info session explains how the Startup Challenge works and what to expect from the April build-a-startup weekend, where participants form teams and turn ideas into real businesses in just a few days. A helpful primer for anyone considering whether the Challenge is the right fit. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour with TenYour CEO Joah Spearman
Tue, Feb 24, 5 – 7 PM, Oak Park Brewing Co. in Sacramento
This monthly Startup Happy Hour brings Sacramento founders together for conversation and community, with a featured AMA-style discussion led by Joah Spearman, CEO of fintech startup TenYour. A relaxed way to connect with peers, hear a founder’s journey, and strengthen local startup ties. Read more.
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.
This Week
Founder’s Guide to AI: Working with AI as Your Partner
Tue, Feb 17, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
This Founder Institute workshop helps founders use AI as a true thought partner to boost productivity, improve execution, and avoid common implementation pitfalls. Learn practical ways to delegate the right work to AI while keeping strategic thinking firmly in human hands. Read more.
Office Hours with GFN: Growth Factory Nonprofit EIRs
Tue, Feb 17, 12 – 3 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Growth Factory Nonprofit offers no-cost strategic advisory sessions for founders and small business owners seeking guidance on topics like market research, product development, and fundraising. Registration and intake are required, and meetings are scheduled by appointment. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup w/ CaterAI Founder Jason Wang
Tue, Feb 17, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
This monthly AI meetup brings founders and builders together for informal discussion, hands-on ideas, and real-world lessons from CaterAI founder Jason Wang. Expect practical insights, community connection, and a relaxed setting to talk shop about applying AI in your work. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento – Presidents’ Week
Wed, Feb 18, 9 – 10 AM, Online
1 Million Cups is a weekly Zoom meetup where early-stage entrepreneurs present their businesses and receive advice and feedback from a community of peers. Even during Presidents Week, the conversation continues—join to learn from fellow founders and contribute your perspective. Read more.
Workshop: Use AI to Level Up Your Business
Thu, Feb 19, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
Hosted by VETS in partnership with Startup Folsom, this hands-on workshop focuses on practical prompt engineering to help small business owners use AI more effectively, avoid common pitfalls, and get better results from everyday tools. A good fit for founders looking for clear, usable guidance they can apply immediately. Read more.
Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Feb 20, 12 – 1 PM, Online
This weekly AMA gives founders direct, candid feedback on traction, customer discovery, and early fundraising challenges. A practical forum for asking real questions and getting sharp insight without slides or fluff. Read more.
Plan Ahead
MedStart CEO Roundtable: Dr. Sarah Almilli’s Founder Journey
Mon, Feb 23, 6 – 8 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
This small, founder-focused roundtable features Dr. Sarah Almilli sharing the real story behind building and scaling two healthcare companies, followed by facilitated peer discussion under Chatham House Rule. Designed for medical and life science startup leaders navigating fundraising, regulation, and growth. Read more.
Founder’s Guide to AI: Building a Marketing Engine with AI
Tue, Feb 24, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
This Founder Institute workshop shows founders how to use AI to build a scalable marketing engine while keeping their unique voice at the center, from content planning to B2B growth on platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube. A practical session for turning ideas into consistent, high-impact marketing systems. Read more.
Women’s Business CenterLunch & Learn – Business Plan Workshop for Entrepreneurs
Tue, Feb 24, 11 AM – 12:30 PM, In-person in Sacramento
This workshop is designed to help entrepreneurs clearly define their business goals, strategy, and financial outlook. Participants will learn the key components of a strong business plan and leave with a practical framework they can use to guide growth, attract funding, or prepare for launch. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento at Granite City Coworking
Wed, Feb 25, 8:30 – 10 AM, Granite City Coworking in Folsom
This weekly founder meetup moves in person for a hybrid session featuring Ragnar STACK, a unified healthcare tech platform supporting small and mid-size clinics, with a second presenter to be announced. Expect short presentations, peer feedback, and time to connect face-to-face with the local startup community. Read more.
Techniques of Managing a Nonprofit Organization
Thu, Feb 25 – Thu, Mar 11, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Online
This three-session Sierra College Community Education course provides an overview of how nonprofit operations and management functions work together, covering key responsibilities for staff, board members, and volunteers. A useful refresher or starting point for anyone leading—or considering launching—a nonprofit. Read more.
Cleantech Meetup | How Can Next-Generation Batteries Transform Energy Storage and the Grid?
Thu, Feb 26, 5:30 – 8 PM, 11151 Trade Center Dr in Rancho Cordova
Hosted by CleanStart, this meetup explores where next-generation batteries and energy storage are headed, with founders and industry leaders discussing grid integration, home energy management, safety, and scaling real-world deployments. A strong fit for anyone building, investing in, or shaping the future of energy systems. Read more.
SacTech Social Meetup
Thu, Feb 26, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
This monthly SacTech gathering brings developers, designers, and tech-curious community members together for informal conversation, collaboration, and connection. A relaxed way to meet local technologists, explore ideas, and plug into Sacramento’s broader tech ecosystem. Read more.
Plan Way Ahead
Startup-Tech Connect
Mon, Mar 9, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
This informal networking night brings founders, technologists, and builders together to make meaningful connections and explore potential collaborations in a relaxed setting. A solid option for anyone looking to plug into Sacramento’s startup and tech community without a formal agenda. Read more.
Micro Biz Launchpad Weekend
Sat, Mar 14 – Sun, Mar 15, 8:30 AM – 5 PM, at Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
This intensive, hands-on weekend helps participants use no-code and AI tools to build a working MVP or automation in just two days, with guidance from experienced builders. Designed for action-oriented founders and professionals who want momentum, clarity, and something real by Sunday afternoon. Read more.
Startup Challenge Spring 2026
Fri, Apr 10 – Sun, Apr 12, 5 PM Fri – 8:30 PM Sun, Carlsen Center at Sac State
A full weekend of building: you’ll form a team around a brand-new idea on Friday, then spend the weekend turning it into a real business concept through rapid testing and iteration. Come with an idea or come without one—either way, you’ll learn by doing and leave with traction instead of notes. Online Info sessions: Wed, Feb 18, 12 – 12:30 PM and Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 6 PM. Ready to rock? 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.
Cleantech Open Accelerator
Applications due April 6, Apply by 2/28 for Early-Bird Pricing
This 12-week accelerator supports early-stage climate tech teams with expert mentorship, hands-on training, and connections to investors and partners to help validate markets and build traction. Read more.
Big Bang! Business Competition
Applications due 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.
