There’s a lot happening this week for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list below focused on startup-relevant events. For the full rundown, check out this week’s Startup Digest and consider subscribing to get it every Monday morning.
Featured
SMUD Clean Tech AI Startup Accelerator
Applications due TODAY June 1
Program runs June 15 – Aug 8
Organized by HUMANBULB, this 8-week accelerator helps founders build AI-enabled clean tech solutions focused on energy efficiency, electrification, and affordability. Participants will work through customer discovery, MVP development, and live product validation while building toward a demoable prototype and traction plan. Read more.
FourthWave 2026
Applications due THIS FRIDAY June 5
Program runs Aug 5 – Nov 10
Apply for this accelerator supporting women-led technology startups with mentorship, startup education, and investor access. The hybrid program combines an in-person kickoff in Sacramento with virtual programming designed to help founders scale and raise capital. Read more.
How to Launch an AI-Powered Company With a Day Job
Mon, June 8, 11 AM – 12 PM, Online
Learn how to validate a startup idea, find early customers, and use AI tools to accelerate progress while keeping your full-time job. Founder Institute Chairman Adeo Ressi will share practical frameworks for balancing entrepreneurship with career commitments and deciding when it makes sense to make the leap into full-time founding. Read more.
This Week
Let’s Master Claude (w/ The AI Collective)
Tue, June 2, 6 – 8:30 PM, Sacramento
Explore practical ways to use Claude, Claude Code, and collaborative AI workflows in this hands-on session hosted by The AI Collective. The event features live demos, real-world use cases, and community discussion designed for both beginners and experienced AI users. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with LumeraHQ and Hungry Hippis
Wed, June 3, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear two early-stage founders present their businesses and receive live feedback from the community at this weekly founder meetup. This session features LumeraHQ, a platform bringing greater transparency to senior living referrals, and Hungry Hippis, an app designed to make food donation easier and more efficient. Read more.
CLTRE Coffee & Conversation
Wed, June 3, 9 – 11 AM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and community leaders at this monthly networking event focused on building relationships and fostering collaboration across Sacramento’s innovation ecosystem. Come ready for meaningful conversations, new connections, and opportunities to engage with people shaping the region’s future. Read more.
AI for Business Panel: Favorite AI Tools
Wed, June 3, 6 – 8 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Hear local business leaders share the AI tools they rely on beyond ChatGPT and how they use them to improve operations, productivity, and decision-making. This practical discussion is designed for business owners and operators looking for real-world AI applications they can put to work right away. Read more.
AgStart Learn From A Local: Leandro Ravetti, Cobram Estate Olives
Thu, June 4, 5:30 PM, AgStart Event Center in Woodland
Hear from Cobram Estate Olives Joint CEO Leandro Ravetti as he shares insights on scaling operations, managing brand portfolios, and building one of the world’s largest vertically integrated olive oil companies. This AgStart speaker series is geared toward entrepreneurs and innovators in the AgriFoodTech sector. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Cracking the Classification Code: Independent Contractor v. Employee
Wed, June 10, 9:30 – 11:30 AM, Weintraub Tobin in Sacramento
Offered by Weintraub Tobin, this seminar explores California’s evolving worker classification rules and how employers can reduce misclassification risks under AB 5 and related regulations. Learn practical strategies for evaluating independent contractor relationships, maintaining compliance, and avoiding costly penalties and enforcement actions. Read more.
Get Free Project Support for Your Startup from Sac State
Thu, June 11, 10:30 – 11 AM, Online
Learn how startup founders and small business owners can access free project support from Sacramento State business students working under faculty supervision. Services may include market research, sales and marketing planning, website and app development, data analysis, project management, and other business growth initiatives. Read more.
MIX: Creating Conditions for Entrepreneurial Opportunity
Thu, June 11, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Join entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, and ecosystem leaders for a discussion on reducing barriers to entrepreneurship and expanding opportunity in the Sacramento region. Through lightning talks, roundtable conversations, and networking, participants will explore practical ways to strengthen the local startup ecosystem. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour
Tue, June 23, 5 – 7 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Connect with founders, creators, and startup supporters from across the Sacramento region at this casual networking event. Meet new collaborators, exchange ideas, and take part in an informal AMA conversation with a guest from the local startup ecosystem. Read more.
Applications
Pitch Elk Grove 2026
Applications due June 8 by 5 PM
Apply to Northern California’s premier startup pitch competition, open to tech-driven startups across the Greater Sacramento region. Up to eight finalists will compete live for a $20K prize pool, plus exposure, feedback, and connections to help accelerate growth. Read more.
Roseville Rising Food Founders
Apply by Jun 21
Apply for this 10-week program supporting food entrepreneurs ready to launch or scale. Open to restaurateurs, chefs, and food product founders, the program offers mentorship, practical tools, and a final pop-up showcase. No cost to participate. Read more.
Traction Lab: Investment Readiness Engine
Applications Open
Apply for this 9-month go-to-market acceleration program supporting Sacramento-area founders with B2B sales development, enterprise pilot strategy, investor readiness, and traction-building support. Led by Traction Lab in partnership with Right Box and the Carlsen Center, the program includes $20K in non-dilutive funding and culminates in a $100K SPV Investment Showcase. Read more.
UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program
Applications due July 22
A short program for STEM founders to validate ideas through customer discovery and refine their value proposition. Read more.
GFN Office Hours – Apply for 1:1 Mentorship
Applications Open | Roseville + Sacramento
Apply for a free one-on-one session with a GFN Entrepreneur-in-Residence and get personalized feedback on your startup idea or business challenges. Sessions are held at the Roseville Venture Lab or Connect Labs at Aggie Square. 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.
