Pitch Elk Grove 2024: A Celebration of Innovation and Community
On September 19, 2024, the City of Elk Grove hosted its highly anticipated third annual Pitch Elk Grove competition, bringing together some of the brightest minds and most innovative startups from the Sacramento region. With $20,000 in prizes up for grabs, the event showcased groundbreaking solutions from entrepreneurs aiming to address critical market challenges. Held at District56, Elk Grove’s vibrant community center, the competition was a true celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to thrive in this region.
This year’s event, organized in partnership with StartupSac, Explore Elk Grove, and local sponsors like Wilton Rancheria and Sacramento Business Journal, proved once again that collaboration is the key to unlocking innovation. Elk Grove has firmly established itself as a hub where startups can flourish, supported by a strong network of business leaders, venture capitalists, and industry experts.
Meet the Winners
Pitch Elk Grove 2024 saw ten outstanding startups compete, but only four emerged as prize winners. LogRx, a Sacramento-based startup, won the $10,000 grand prize for its revolutionary application that enables first responders to track controlled substances. Their innovative solution left the judges impressed with its potential to transform emergency healthcare systems.
The $10,000 first-place award went to LogRx, a company led by Clive Savacool, Founder and CEO, focused on streamlining pharmacy operations through cutting-edge technology. The $5,000 second-place award went to Happy Ladders, a startup from El Dorado Hills led by Amy Jacobs-Schroeder, Founder and CEO. Happy Ladders empowers parents of children with developmental needs through an early intervention platform. JAPA, a Sacramento company specializing in AI-powered parking management, led by Mathew Magno, Founder and CEO, took home the third-place prize of $2,500. Finally, the Best Elk Grove Startup award went to Valley Match, an innovative matchmaking service that uses AI to connect people in person through a swipeless interface, redefining how people meet. Rebecca Nguyen, Founder and CEO of Valley Match, accepted the award.
A Community Effort
The success of Pitch Elk Grove would not have been possible without the collaboration between the City of Elk Grove, StartupSac, Explore Elk Grove, and the various sponsors who provided both financial and logistical support. This event serves as a testament to the power of regional partnerships and the impact they can have on fostering a thriving startup ecosystem. By bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and community members, Pitch Elk Grove highlights the incredible potential for growth and innovation in the Sacramento region.
Special Thanks to Our Volunteers
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the volunteers who helped make Pitch Elk Grove 2024 such a memorable event. Their hard work behind the scenes ensured that everything ran smoothly, contributing to the overall success of the competition. A special shout-out to Keith Ward and Shalavritha Mamunooru for their invaluable contributions!
Wrap-Up
As we look forward to the next edition of Pitch Elk Grove in 2025, the success of this year’s event sets the stage for even greater innovation and collaboration. With the continued support of the City of Elk Grove, StartupSac, and community leaders, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region is only going to grow stronger. We can’t wait to see what the next wave of startups brings to the table and how they’ll shape the future of innovation in the Sacramento region.
Interested in learning about more events happening in the Greater Sacramento region? Check our event listings!
