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-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.
Sacramento Inno Awards 2026
Applications due Fri, Apr 3
Nominate your company or a standout innovator for the annual Sacramento Inno Awards, recognizing founders, startups, and organizations driving innovation across the Greater Sacramento region. Honorees will be featured by the Sacramento Business Journal and recognized at a September awards event. Read more.
This Week
Startup Policy Seminar: Restricting Patent Review and the Cost to Startup Innovation
Wed, Mar 11, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hosted by Engine, this policy seminar examines how new limits on inter partes review could increase patent litigation risk and revive patent troll activity, raising costs for startups. A timely discussion for founders and operators who want to understand how patent policy changes may impact innovation and early-stage growth. Read more.
Build Up Rocklin 2026 Cohort – Info Social
Wed, Mar 11, 5 – 7 PM, Mindscape Fermentations in Rocklin
Meet program coaches and City of Rocklin representatives to learn about Build Up Rocklin, a no-cost accelerator designed for established Rocklin-based businesses ready to level up operations and growth. Applications are open through March 23 for companies with significant revenue and at least five employees. Read more.
MIX: Monthly Innovation Exchange
Thu, Mar 12, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
This month’s MIX explores what “good health” means in a technology-rich world, with lightning talks and discussion on balancing foundational health habits, personal intuition, and wearable data. A strong fit for founders, researchers, and ecosystem builders interested in health innovation and practical insight. Read more.
Startup Office Hours – SXSW Edition: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Mar 13, 12 – 1 PM, Online
This week, JDM and Cam are streaming live from SXSW! This weekly founder AMA answers real questions about traction, early customers, and fundraising without slides or fluff. Bring your toughest startup problems and get candid feedback from two operators who’ve seen what actually works. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Folsom AI Meetup featuring HMCI.AI Chief Innovation Officer J.P. Morgan
Tue, Mar 17, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
This monthly AI meetup brings founders and technologists together for informal conversation and practical insight into real-world AI applications.. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento at SMUD Headquarters
Wed, Mar 18, 8:30 – 10 AM, SMUD Headquarters in Sacramento
This weekly founder meetup goes hybrid from SMUD HQ, featuring Mindglass, an AI “infinite canvas” platform for visual interaction with AI, and Swnup Films, a production company focused on cinematic storytelling. Expect short presentations followed by candid peer feedback and conversation with the local startup community. Read more.
Startup Grind Fireside Chat with Sandy Paige, Seabright Ventures Fund
Wed, Mar 18, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Join a fireside chat with Sandy Paige on building and scaling “X-as-a-Service” businesses and how family offices evaluate long-term investment opportunities. Hear insights from his experience growing Explora BioLabs from 7 to 25+ sites before its acquisition by Charles River Laboratories. 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 session Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 6 PM. Ready to rock? Read more.
Applications
UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program
Applications close Thu, Mar 12 for April Cohort
Apply for the next UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery course for STEM innovators. This short online program teaches teams how to test their technology through customer discovery interviews, identify target markets, and refine their value proposition using Lean LaunchPad methods. Eligible teams may qualify to advance to the national NSF I-Corps program, which can include a $50K NSF grant. Read more.
Traction Lab Venture School – Founding Cohort
Applications due March 15
This 8-week live cohort teaches early-stage founders a repeatable process for landing paying customers, validating their product, and building real traction through weekly sessions and hands-on experiments. The March 23 Founding Cohort is limited to 20 founders and includes ongoing office hours and community support. Read more.
MealPro Food Incubator – Citrus Heights
Applications Open
MealPro has launched a food incubator to help early-stage food companies develop, produce, and distribute their products with access to a licensed commercial kitchen and hands-on operational support. A practical opportunity for culinary founders ready to move from recipe to scalable food business. Read more.
Venture Soul Entrepreneurship Program
Applications Open – Starts in March
This community-centered program supports Black entrepreneurs in the ideation stage or within their first one to two years of business with structured workshops, implementation time, and peer accountability from March through July in Sacramento. Participants gain hands-on strategy, pitch experience, and the opportunity to showcase their business. There is an onlinel info session on Wed, Mar 4, 12 – 1 PM. Read more.
Build Up Rocklin 2026 Accelerator
Applications due March 23
This no-cost accelerator supports established Rocklin-based companies ready to scale through tailored advisory, peer learning, executive coaching, and access to up to $25,000 in grant capital. Ideal applicants have generated at least $500,000 in revenue over the past two fiscal years, employ five or more people, and are preparing to strengthen operations and growth execution. Attend the Info session on March 11. Read more.
Accelerate CA Grant Opportunity
Applications due March 30
Focused on AgriFood Tech, Health & Life Sciences, and Clean Tech, this program awards up to $300,000 in non-dilutive Innovation Grant funding (minimum $50K) to pre-seed through pre-Series A companies located in the 8-county Greater Sacramento Region. Showcase event: May 7. Read more.
Cleantech Open Accelerator
Applications due April 6
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.
NorCal AngelCon 2026
Applications Open | Deadline: May 27
This multi-month investor program supports pre-seed to pre-Series A startups across all sectors, with additional programming for deep tech companies navigating technical and regulatory complexity. One selected company will receive an estimated $100K equity investment. Showcase event: November 18. 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.
