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
Pitch Elk Grove 2026
Applications due TODAY 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.
FourthWave 2026
Application Deadline Extended to June 12
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.
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.
This Week
Sacramento Biotech Community Mixer
Tue, June 9, 6 – 9 PM, Alma Wine Bar & Shop in Sacramento
Connect with founders, researchers, investors, engineers, and other members of Sacramento’s growing biotech community at this informal networking event. Whether you’re building a company, exploring new opportunities, or looking to expand your network, this mixer offers a chance to engage with others shaping the region’s life sciences ecosystem. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Releveler Inc
Wed, June 10, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear an early-stage founder present Releveler, a patented deadbolt design aimed at addressing common lock-picking vulnerabilities, and receive live feedback from the community. This weekly founder meetup offers a chance to learn from real startup challenges and join the conversation with fellow entrepreneurs. Read more.
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.
Weekly Startup Reality Check with JDM and Cam
Fri, June 12, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Bring your toughest startup questions to this live AMA hosted by Traction Lab’s Cameron Law and Josh David Miller. Founders can get candid feedback on customer acquisition, value proposition testing, fundraising readiness, and other early-stage challenges in a practical, no-fluff discussion. Read more
Plan Ahead
Branding With AI (w/ The AI Collective)
Tue, June 16, 6 – 8:30 PM, in Rancho Cordova
Learn how to use AI to strengthen your brand positioning, messaging, content strategy, and market differentiation. This interactive session is designed for founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to build trust, attract the right customers, and create a stronger brand with the help of AI tools. Read more.
Claude Training Series: AI Made Simple for Small Business Owners
Wed, June 17, 6 – 8 PM, InnoGrove in Elk Grove
This hands-on workshop helps founders, consultants, and service professionals move beyond experimenting with AI and start building practical systems that save time. Participants will work alongside the instructor, Keith Ward, using Claude to create a professional bio they can immediately use for marketing, networking, or business development. Limited to 10 participants. Read more.
Cleantech Meetup: Intelligence on the Grid — How Much Smarter Does it Need to Be?
Thu, June 18, 5:30 – 8 PM, in Rancho Cordova
Join utility leaders, energy experts, investors, and entrepreneurs for a discussion on the future of the electric grid as AI, data centers, and growing energy demand reshape infrastructure needs. Explore opportunities and challenges in grid modernization, distributed energy resources, demand flexibility, and the evolving role of technology in the clean energy transition. Read more.
SacTech Social June 2026 Meetup
Thu, June 18, 6 – 9 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with developers, technologists, founders, and other members of Sacramento’s tech community at this informal networking meetup. Whether you’re looking for collaborators, career opportunities, or conversations about technology and innovation, this event offers a welcoming space to build relationships across the local ecosystem. Read more.
Applications
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.
