A startup ecosystem is comprised of many parts; founders, funders, events and activities, coworking spaces and other support services, civic programs, universities and colleges, and accelerators/incubators. Sacramento’s growing startup ecosystem is fortunate to be well represented in these and the region is home to a growing set of accelerators and incubator programs. These programs are all represented on the Sacramento Startup Ecosystem Circuit Board map. If you’re interested in an accelerator or incubator program in the Sacramento region, check out this growing set of options.
Sacramento Startup Accelerators and Incubators
UC Davis Big Bang!
The Big Bang! offers mentorship, team building, education, financing and networking for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Learn more about UC Davis Big Bang!
Venture Catalyst DRIVE™
Through the Venture Catalyst DRIVE™ (Distributed Research Incubation & Venture Engine) Program, UC Davis is taking a distributed approach to developing a network of lean, thematically oriented business incubators both on-campus and off-campus. DRIVE will consist of a network of start-up incubation facilities (the DRIVE™ Network Innovation Centers) to be facilitated through the Office of Research by Venture Catalyst with management of the actual incubation facilities handled by the physical facility owners. Startups will enter into leases directly with the Innovation Center landlord.
Learn more about Venture Catalyst DRIVE™
Entrepreneurs Showcase
Velocity Venture Capital presents an annual Entrepreneurs Showcase and Demo Day, an invitation only forum that provides a unique opportunity for angel, corporate, venture and institutional investors from the Sacramento and Silicon Valley regions to hear pitches from promising seed stage technology startups from Velocity’s Entrepreneurs Showcase Accelerator program.
Learn more about Velocity Venture Capital’s Entrepreneurs Showcase
Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy
The Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy helps develop successful entrepreneurs by providing real world mentoring, training and a network of support from local business leaders.
Learn more about Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy
I/O Labs
I/O Labs, a new downtown innovation space will house Sacramento’s largest community of innovators, along with technology, design, civic innovation, urban prototyping and media labs. I/O Labs will be additionally supported by several leading companies and organizations in the region with a focus on innovation and growth.
AgStart
A former program of the now defunct SARTA, AgStart opened its doors in Woodland in November 2015 serving as a shared office space for ag startups, with an eye toward turning it into incubator space and eventually a business accelerator.
CleanStart
CleanStart, a former program of the now defunct SARTA, has relaunched as an independent nonprofit to support green technology companies and startups. The nonprofit will focus on supporting businesses and technologies that focus on developing forms of sustainable energy. CleanStart will be housed in the new downtown Sacramento co-location offices of Velocity Venture Capital.
MedStart
Another former program of the now defunct SARTA, MedStart is the Sacramento region’s virtual medtech incubator. MedStart represents over 140 entrepreneurs and startup companies and boasts an active advisory and mentor network focusing on the nine-county Sacramento region
Davis Roots
Davis Roots is a non-profit start-up incubator dedicated to growing the entrepreneurial community in Davis and Sacramento.
HM.Clause Life Science Innovation Center
The UC Davis-HM.CLAUSE Life Science Innovation Center is a 3,100 square-foot, off campus facility that is administered and owned by HM.CLAUSE, a global leader in the production and sale of vegetable seeds. It is equipped with biochemistry, molecular biology and chemistry lab space, and also offers 1,800 ft² of contiguous greenhouse space.
As a business incubator, the center provides the technical services and support needed in order to turn viable ideas into successful businesses. The shared goal of UC Davis and HM.CLAUSE is to create an environment that breeds innovation, fosters creativity and inspires synergy. As is common for incubators such as this, tenants are able to lease space for a maximum term of two years in order to allow others to benefit.
Learn more about HM.Clause Life Science Innovation Center
Area52
Billed as a “heavy incubator,” Area 52 is geared towards building products and starting a manufacturing business. The space features office space acccessible to a full fabrication facility, as well as experienced engineers and fabricators.
Founder Academy
Founder Academy is a Sacramento-based Silicon Valley training and mentoring program for entrepreneurs. The Founder Academy is being launched by experienced entrepreneurs and business leaders who are filling a critical need in the local ecosystem by providing training, tools and mentorship to Sacramento’s best and brightest entrepreneurs. Founder Academy is a 12-week, hands-on, mentor driven, intensive launch program designed to take an idea to market or relaunch an existing product with market traction. Our program is designed to bring a structured iterative design, marketing and sales process to startups and small businesses in an intense, short period of time, culminating with a product launch at demo day. Come work with a group of talented founders who will have your back and help you build an enduring business in the Yolo/Sacramento region
Learn more about Founder Academy
Startup Hustle
Startup Hustle, a program from Hacker Lab and Sierra College, is an 8-Week Lean Startup Incubator designed to help participants launch a new startup.
Learn more about Startup Hustle
Green Screen Institute
The Green Screen Institute is a collaborative initiative to spur innovation in the emerging virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) markets, incorporating an accelerator and investment program for startups, a co-working space for established corporations, and planned programs including vocational training.
Learn more about Green Screen Institute
Glue Factory
The Glue Factory is shaping Roseville’s future with a three-fold approach.
1. Entrepreneurial Development: We provide space, education and connections for the next generation of entrepreneurs to begin building their businesses.
2. Community Building: We offer professional training and networking connections to create growth opportunities for local professionals.
3. City-Wide Health: Through a partnership with The Health Education Council, we offer health-focused events and programs to inspire city-wide wellness.
