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
1 Million Cups Sacramento at Roseville Venture Lab
Wed, Jul. 22, 8:30 – 10 AM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Join the monthly in-person edition of this weekly founder meetup, with a hybrid option available for virtual attendees. Hear two early-stage startups present their businesses, receive live feedback from the community, and connect with entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and other members of the regional startup ecosystem. Read more.
SacTech Social July 2026 Meetup
Tue, Jul. 21, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with software developers, technology professionals, and others in the local tech community at this informal networking meetup. It’s a good opportunity to build relationships, explore collaborations, and meet potential teammates or hiring contacts. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour
Tue, Jul. 28, 5 – 7 PM, Kupros Craft House in Sacramento
Connect with founders, entrepreneurs, and startup community members at this monthly networking event hosted by StartupSac and the Carlsen Center. Attendees can build new relationships and gain practical insights during an informal AMA with a guest from the local startup ecosystem. Read more.
Plan Ahead! Sacramento Summer Startup Party
Thu, Aug. 20, 5:30 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Connect with founders, investors, startup teams, and ecosystem leaders at one of the region’s largest annual startup networking events. Attendees can explore the Resource Expo, discover emerging startups through the Silent Pitch competition, and build connections across Sacramento’s entrepreneurial community. Use promo code STARTUPSAC for $10 off! Read more.
This Week
Brand Therapy
Tue, Jul. 21, 12 – 1 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Learn how to strengthen your brand, clarify your messaging, and create a better customer experience in this lunch-and-learn led by brand strategist Zuza Hicks. Founders and small business owners will gain practical insights into why customers choose a brand and how to improve marketing that converts. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup featuring Nicholas Haystings
Tue, Jul. 21, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
Connect with founders, developers, and AI enthusiasts at Startup Folsom’s monthly AI meetup. This month’s featured speaker, Suite Fleet Co-founder Nicholas Haystings, will share insights while attendees discuss practical applications and emerging trends in artificial intelligence. Read more.
Office Hours with Mariah Lichtenstern
Wed, July 22, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, Online
Meet one-on-one with Carlsen Center Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mariah Lichtenstern for candid advice on fundraising, pitch decks, go-to-market strategy, and startup growth. These free weekly office hours are open to founders seeking practical feedback from an experienced venture investor. Read more.
Weekly Startup AMA with Cam + JDM
Fri, Jul. 24, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Bring your toughest startup questions to this live AMA with Cameron Law and Josh David Miller. Founders can get candid feedback on customer acquisition, value proposition, fundraising readiness, and other early-stage challenges in an interactive discussion. Read more.
Next Week
Small Scale, Big Vision: Forager Fuels and the Future of Forest Waste Solutions
Tue., Jul. 28, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Online
Hear how Forager Fuels is transforming forest biomass waste into a cleantech business while addressing wildfire resilience and emissions. Founder John Azevedo will discuss building a climate startup, securing non-dilutive funding, and preparing for a seed round. Read more.
Think Like a Tech Entrepreneur
Tue, Jul. 28, 5:30 – 8 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
The first in a five-part workshop series from the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy, this session features Trifecta founder Liz Connolly sharing practical lessons on developing an entrepreneurial mindset, thinking bigger, and building technology startups. Read more.
GFN Demo Day – Summer 2026 Batch
Thu, Jul. 30, 4:30 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Support the next generation of entrepreneurs as high school founders from Growth Factory Network’s Atlas program and Sierra College student entrepreneurs showcase the startups they’ve built during their eight-week accelerators. Meet the founders, see their products in action, and connect with mentors, investors, and the regional startup community. Read more.
Tear Down Tech: Coding, Business, and Vibe Coding
Thu, Jul. 30, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Bloom Workspaces in Sacramento
This workshop and panel offers practical insight into how coding and AI‑assisted tools are used across industries, helping founders understand the fundamentals that still matter when building products and teams. Attendees will hear real‑world perspectives from professionals in manufacturing, gaming, engineering, and software on the skills that drive modern tech innovation. Read more.
Applications
Roseville AI-Native Startup Accelerator
Applications Open | Rolling Admission Until Full
Entrepreneurs, aspiring founders, and industry professionals are invited to apply for this eight-week accelerator (Aug. 3 – Sept. 24) focused on building AI-powered products. Participants will learn customer discovery, market validation, and AI-assisted product development while working toward a functional prototype and final showcase. Space is limited, so apply early. Read more.
GrowTECH FEST Startup Pitch Showcase
Applications Open | Deadline: Jul. 31
North State startups are invited to apply for the opportunity to pitch at GrowTECH FEST on Oct. 8 in Chico. Finalists will present to a panel of judges for cash prizes, making this a valuable opportunity to gain visibility, receive feedback, and compete for funding. 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.
Alchemist Microenterprise Academy
Applications Open July 14 | Deadline: August 9
Designed for aspiring food entrepreneurs, this 12-week business training program helps participants build the knowledge, confidence, and business plan needed to launch or grow a food business. Attendance at an information session is required before applying, with live Zoom sessions on July 14, July 21, July 29, and August 5, plus an on-demand option available beginning July 14. 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.
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.
