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 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 Happy Hour with Strived.io CEO Shweta Gandhi
Tue, Mar 24, 5 – 7 PM, Tres Hermanas in Davis
Join local founders and builders for Startup Happy Hour featuring an AMA with Shweta Gandhi, CEO of Strived.io. Enjoy networking, conversation, and appetizers while connecting with the Sacramento startup community. 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.
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
Cash Flow Survival for a First-Time Founder
Tue, Mar 17, 9 – 10:30 AM, Online
Learn the basics of managing cash flow as a startup founder. Oz Merchant, CEO of Futureproof, shares practical guidance on financial metrics, budgeting, and avoiding common early-stage mistakes. A Founder Insititute event. Read more.
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.
One Page Business Plan Workshop
Wed, Mar 18, 10 AM – 12 PM, In-person in Sacramento
This workshop is a high-impact, executive-level session designed to help leaders and business owners bring clarity, focus, and alignment to their strategic direction for the new year. Read more.
Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Mar 20, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Join Cameron Law and Josh David Miller for open office hours where founders can ask questions, tackle startup challenges, and get direct, practical feedback. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Getting Started with Your Business Plan
Wed, Mar 25, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Building the Foundation to a Solid Business Plan Ready to turn your business idea into reality? This workshop is your essential first step! Learn what a business plan is, why you need one and create your roadmap for success. Gain the confidence to launch your business with purpose. Read more.
Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy: Fireside Chat with Christy Serrato
Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Join The Academy for a fireside chat with founder and original Academy cohort member Christy Serrato, sharing insights on building a business, refining your pitch, and leveraging community for growth. Read more.
Copyright Basics and Considerations for Entrepreneurs
Thu, Mar 26, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
If you are an entrepreneur, understanding copyrights will help your business succeed. Hear directly from USPTO Attorney-Advisor Cecille Chen about this important topic. Read more.
SacTech Social
Thu, Mar 26, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Join the SacTech community for an informal meetup of developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts. A relaxed space to connect, talk tech, collaborate, and meet others in the local ecosystem. Read more.
Northern California Venture Conference
Thu, May 7, Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge in Redding
This one-day conference brings together founders, investors, and business leaders from across Northern California for startup pitches, investor insights, and regional innovation conversations. Startups can also apply for the opportunity to pitch on stage and compete for a $10K prize. Read more.
Applications
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.
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. 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.
Economic Gardening 2.0 – City of Sacramento
Applications due Apr 20
This program helps Sacramento businesses with traction accelerate growth through advanced market research, strategic advising, and data-driven planning. Participants receive support with market intelligence, competitive positioning, financial modeling, and growth strategy. Ideal for companies with $50K–$1M in annual revenue preparing to expand operations or hire. 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.
UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program – Summer Cohort
Applications due May 28
Apply for the UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery program for STEM innovators. This short online course teaches teams how to test technology ideas through customer interviews, identify target markets, and refine value propositions. The summer cohort begins with orientation on June 15 and workshops on June 22, 29, and July 6. 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.
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.
