There’s a lot happening this week for entrepreneurs and startup founders. And next week is PACKED as it’s Global Entrepreneurship Week! 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
Startup-Tech Connect
Tonight! Mon, Nov 9, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with startup founders, entrepreneurs and tech professionals from across the Sacramento region. This informal networking event brings together people building new businesses and technologies to exchange ideas, meet potential co-founders and collaborators, and strengthen relationships within the local startup community. Read more.
Legal Grounds: Practical Legal Conversations for Founders
Tomorrow! Tue, Nov 10, 8 – 9:30 AM, Moneta Ventures in Folsom
Get practical answers to the legal questions that come up while starting and growing a company. This monthly gathering from StartupSac and Witan Law begins with a brief discussion of a timely legal topic, followed by an informal, founder-driven conversation with an experienced startup attorney. Bring your questions and learn from other entrepreneurs. Read more.
Startup Challenge
This Weekend! Fri–Sun, Nov 13–15, Carlsen Center at Sacramento State
Turn an idea into a business in one action-packed weekend of learning by doing. Work with a team to develop, test and pitch a new business idea with guidance and support from Sacramento’s startup community. No idea or prior business experience required. Read more.
Mentor Sprint
Wed, Nov 18, 10:45 AM–12:30 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State
Early-stage entrepreneurs and small-business owners can receive focused feedback on their current challenges through a series of 15-minute, one-on-one mentoring sessions. Participants can gather actionable advice, hear perspectives from mentors across different industries, and build connections within Sacramento’s entrepreneurial community. Read more.
Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026
Next Week! Mon–Fri, Nov 16–20, Events throughout the Sacramento region
Celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship during Global Entrepreneurship Week, with a series of events organized by the Carlsen Center and regional partners. This year’s theme, “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here,” highlights opportunities for people from all backgrounds to explore entrepreneurship, connect with resources and build new ventures. The week features summits, workshops, discussions and networking opportunities for aspiring and established entrepreneurs. Explore the schedule.
This Week
Startup Funding & Legal Basics
Tue, Nov 10, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Bloom Workspaces in Sacramento
Learn how to build a financially sustainable business and establish the right legal foundation for your startup. This free Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy workshop, led by Kit Ryan of Pillsbury and Brian Hoblit of CTW, covers revenue models, pricing, break-even calculations, business entity types, licensing and local compliance requirements. Participants will gain practical guidance on the financial and legal steps needed to launch their businesses. Read more.
Biotech Mixer
Tue, Nov 10, 6–8 PM, Connect Labs by Wexford in Sacramento
Biotech founders and professionals can connect with scientists, engineers, investors, students, and other members of Sacramento’s growing life-sciences community. Attendees can exchange ideas, explore opportunities, and learn about new research and ventures in the region. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Campus Mind and MarketingScore360.com
Wed, Nov 11, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear from two early-stage startups: Campus Mind, which is developing a software platform to help colleges support students and connect with families, and MarketingScore360.com, which helps businesses evaluate their marketing effectiveness, identify areas for improvement and prioritize growth opportunities. Each will give a six-minute presentation followed by questions, feedback and advice from the community. Read more.
Cleantech Meetup: What’s Next for Sacramento’s Mobility and EV Innovation?
Wed, Nov 11, 5–8 PM, California Automobile Museum in Sacramento
A meetup focused on electric vehicles, fleet electrification, and e-mobility startups, with regional mobility founders and California EV ecosystem leaders discussing charging solutions and incentives. Founders in clean mobility can use it to learn market needs and meet people working in Sacramento’s mobility community. Read more.
SacTech Morning Social at The Urban Hive
Fri, Nov 13, 9 – 10 AM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Connect with Sacramento-area programmers, designers and creative professionals at this casual morning networking event hosted by The Urban Hive and SacTech Social. Exchange ideas, discuss projects and technologies, and meet potential collaborators from the local tech community. Attendees are also welcome to work from The Urban Hive for the rest of the day. Read more.
NASA Space Apps Challenge
Sat–Sun, Nov 14–15, Folsom Lake College in Folsom
Collaborate with innovators, developers, designers and creative thinkers to solve real-world challenges using NASA’s open data. This free, two-day hackathon invites participants to develop creative solutions while learning new skills and connecting with others interested in technology and innovation. No coding or aerospace experience required, and participants can join without a team. Read more.
Global Entrepreneurship Week
Check out the full schedule for Global Entrepreneurship Week here.
Capital Innovation Summit | GEW Sacramento 2026
Mon, Nov 16, 9 AM – 4 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State
Founders and early-stage teams can build a practical AI-powered “second brain,” watch local ventures pitch, and connect with investors and innovation leaders. Afternoon discussions will explore opportunities in AI and robotics, biotech, advanced manufacturing, and the funding landscape shaping the Capital Region’s next companies. Read more.
Sacramento Entrepreneurial State of the Union & Silent Pitch
Mon, Nov 16, 4:30–7:30 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State
Founders, investors, and startup supporters can meet 10 promising regional ventures, hear their pitches, question the teams, and vote for their favorites. The evening will also explore Sacramento’s startup outlook, early-stage capital, advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and stronger connections among founders, funders, and institutions. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour with Trophy Beauty Spa CEO Destiny Oliphant
Tue, Nov 17, 5 – 7 PM, Flatland Brewing Company in Elk Grove
Connect with fellow founders and entrepreneurs at StartupSac’s final Startup Happy Hour of 2026, held during Global Entrepreneurship Week. This month’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) guest is Destiny Oliphant, CEO of Trophy Beauty Spa and creator of Insta Brow, a patent-pending beauty product that recently won two awards at Pitch Elk Grove 2026. Hear about her entrepreneurial journey, product development and lessons learned while building multiple businesses. This event is sponsored by the City of Elk Grove. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Monava and CognitiveProsthetics.AI
Wed, Nov 18, 8:30 – 10 AM, Carlsen Center at Sacramento State or Online
Celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week with two early-stage startups: Monava, which is developing ready-to-drink coffee beverages for the healthcare community, and CognitiveProsthetics.AI, which is creating a wearable device to help people with ADHD manage focus, memory and daily tasks. Each will give a six-minute presentation followed by questions, feedback and advice from the community. Arrive at 8:30 AM for networking before the 9 AM presentations, or join via Zoom. Read more.
NorCal AngelCon 2026
Wed, Nov 18, 5:30–8:30 PM, Connect Labs by Wexford at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Founders, investors, and startup supporters can connect with promising regional companies and watch four finalists pitch for more than $100,000 in equity-backed and non-dilutive funding. Attendees can also hear student lightning pitches, meet startups and investors, and help select the winner of a $10,000 Audience Award. Read more.
SMUD Spark Sacramento: Innovation Showcase
Fri, Nov 20, 8:30 AM – 12 PM, SMUD Customer Service Center in Sacramento
Discover six emerging startups developing clean energy technologies and solutions for a smarter, more sustainable power grid. This Global Entrepreneurship Week showcase features startup presentations and feedback from a panel of SMUD experts, exploring innovations in grid modernization, transportation electrification, energy management and power generation. Connect with founders, industry experts and potential partners working to advance clean energy solutions in the Sacramento region. Read more.
Applications
Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy 2027
Applications Open
Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders can gain hands-on business education, mentorship and connections to Sacramento’s entrepreneurial community through the Academy’s 2027 cohort. The program runs January–May, with Saturday morning sessions covering customer research, marketing, finance, business planning and pitching. Learn more.
Build Up Sacramento 2027 Applications Open
Rolling Admission Open Now through Nov 30
Established Sacramento businesses with at least one year of operating history are invited to apply for this no-cost accelerator designed to help companies scale sustainably. Over four months, participants receive expert advising, peer learning, office hours, and practical strategies for strengthening operations, expanding customers, and preparing for long-term growth. Only 20 businesses will be selected, with qualified applicants accepted on a rolling basis. 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 a $20K non-dilutive experimentation pool shared across the cohort, and culminates in a $100K SPV Investment Showcase. Read more.
GFN Office Hours – Apply for 1:1 Mentorship
Applications Open | Roseville
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 on Tuesdays. Read more
Sacramento Startup Events App
Startup Digest volunteer curator Manoj Keechilot of Gilentic Technologies has created a free Android app to help entrepreneurs discover Sacramento startup events, accelerator opportunities, and application deadlines. Browse upcoming events, filter by date, add events to your calendar, and access registration links—all in one place. Download Sacramento Startup Events free on Google Play.
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.
