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
CLTRE Coffee & Conversation
Wed, Aug 5, 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Connect with entrepreneurs, investors, creatives, and community leaders at this monthly networking gathering focused on building relationships across Sacramento’s innovation ecosystem. It’s an opportunity to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, and expand your professional network. 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.
Summer Startup Party Silent Pitch Competition
Applications Open | Deadline: Aug 14
Early-stage startups, student entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners are invited to apply to showcase their ventures at the Silent Pitch Competition during the Sacramento Summer Startup Party on Aug 20. Participants compete for cash and startup resource prizes while connecting with founders, investors, and the regional innovation community through one-on-one conversations instead of a live stage presentation. Read more.
This Week
1 Million Cups Sacramento with HEKONE and WealthCoach AI
Wed, Aug 5, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear two early-stage startups present their businesses and receive live feedback from the community. This week’s presenters are HEKONE, which provides real-time operational intelligence for agricultural harvesting, and WealthCoach AI, an AI-powered platform that delivers personalized financial education and wealth-building guidance. Read more.
AI for Business Panel: AI Automation
Wed, Aug 5, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
This monthly AI for Business series explores how small businesses are using AI to automate routine tasks, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations. Local business leaders and AI consultants will share practical examples and strategies founders can apply immediately. Read more.
Starting Your Journey: The Nine Steps to a Solid Business
Thu, Aug 6, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Online
Learn the fundamentals of building a successful startup in the first session of CleanStart and StartupSac’s four-part Summer Small Business Power Series. Using the Business Model Canvas, participants will identify the key elements of a viable business and begin validating their ideas before investing significant time or money. Read more.
Weekly AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Aug 7, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Bring candid questions about finding early customers, testing your value proposition, gaining traction, or preparing to raise capital and receive direct feedback from experienced startup advisors. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Biotech Mixer
Tue, Aug 11, 6 – 9 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Connect with scientists, founders, investors, students, and other members of the region’s biotechnology community at this networking mixer. The event offers an opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore collaborations across Sacramento’s growing life sciences ecosystem. Read more.
AI for Business 101: Practical Tools for Small Business
Wed, Aug 12, 6 – 8 PM, Frequency Coworking & Events in Rancho Cordova
Kick off this new AI for Business workshop series with an introduction to practical AI tools that can help small businesses improve marketing, customer communications, and day-to-day operations. Designed for beginners, the session requires no technical background. Read more.
AI Immersion Bootcamp
Wed, Aug 12, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State in Sacramento
Explore today’s leading AI tools in this hands-on workshop designed for founders, business owners, and operators. Participants will learn practical prompting techniques, experiment with real business use cases, and leave with a plan for applying AI in their own organizations. Read more.
Discovering Your Customers: Who They Are and What They’ll Pay For
Thu, Aug 13, 11 AM – 1 PM, Online
Learn how to identify your ideal customers, validate their needs, and develop a value proposition that people will pay for in the second session of CleanStart and StartupSac’s Summer Small Business Power Series. Participants will gain practical tools for customer discovery, market sizing, and testing assumptions before building their business. Read more.
MIX: Dignity through Design
Thu, Aug 13, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Explore how thoughtful design can improve access, dignity, and outcomes across healthcare, nonprofits, startups, and other organizations. Through lightning talks and facilitated discussions, attendees will examine how human-centered design can create more effective systems and services. Read more.
Applications
GrowTECH FEST Startup Pitch Showcase
Applications Open | Deadline extended to August 14
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.
Startup Legal Garage – Fall 2026
Applications Open | Rolling Admission Until Full
Pre-Series A startups are invited to apply for this pro bono legal program from UC Law San Francisco. Participating founders receive legal support from law students under attorney supervision to help establish a strong legal foundation for growth, fundraising, and intellectual property needs during the August–November cohort. 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 dinal live Zoom session on August 5, plus an on-demand option is available. 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.
