Image is of the 2024 finalists for Pitch Elk Grove held September 2024.

StartupSac is proud to collaborate with the City of Elk Grove on Pitch Elk Grove 2025.
The City just announced the 16 semi-finalists—selected from a record-breaking 70 applications across the region. We’re excited to help these founders move from pitch to progress.

Semi-Finalist Judges

  • Jateen Bhakta, Open Innovation Centers

  • Brian Gladden, Carlsen Center

  • Oleg Kaganovich, Sustineri Ventures

  • May Kolchak, Growth Factory

  • Allan Liu, Sacramento Angels

Below is the official announcement from the City of Elk Grove with all the semi-finalist company details.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        Contact: Sara Rodrigues
July 14, 2025                                                                                     916-627-3308
srodrigues@elkgrove.gov

City of Elk Grove Announces 16 Semi-Finalists for Pitch Elk Grove Competition

Pitch Elk Grove 2025 sets new records with 70 applications, startup from San Joaquin
County breaks new ground, and City of Elk Grove introduces “One-Minute Pitch” format

Elk Grove, Calif, July 14, 2025 – Today, the City of Elk Grove announced the 16 semi-finalists for the Fourth Annual Pitch Elk Grove startup competition. The competition received a record-breaking 70 valid applications from startups based in Sacramento, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties. Notably, this is the first year a San Joaquin County business has advanced to the semi-finalist round, marking an exciting expansion of the competition’s regional reach.

From this competitive pool, 16 semi-finalists were chosen to advance in the competition. These semi-finalists will first compete in a virtual pitch-off on July 31, 2025, to determine at least eight finalists. Those finalists will then be paired with expert mentors for personalized coaching as they prepare to present live to a distinguished panel of judges at the Pitch Elk Grove event on September 4, 2025. The event will take place at District56 (8230 Civic Center Dr #100, Elk Grove, CA 95757) with $20,000 at stake: $10,000 for Best Startup, $5,000 for Second Best Startup, $2,500 for Third Best Startup and $2,500 for Best Elk Grove-based Startup.

“Pitch Elk Grove is more than a competition. It’s a catalyst for building a stronger regional innovation ecosystem,” said Darrell Doan, Economic Development Director for the City of Elk Grove. “By spotlighting talented founders and supporting early-stage companies, we’re not only fueling growth in Elk Grove, but also creating opportunities that benefit the surrounding counties and the region as a whole. When we invest in innovation, we all win.”

“Pitch Elk Grove reflects exactly what we strive to do at StartupSac—support entrepreneurs from idea to impact,” said Laura Good, CEO of StartupSac. “It’s exciting to see such a diverse mix of founders, industries, and solutions coming out of this region. We’re proud to help cultivate the next wave of innovation that’s shaping the Sacramento region and beyond.”

The 16 Semi-Finalists

  • Anchor Point Health (Sacramento): Shaping the future of healthcare at home through advanced spatial intelligence technologies.

  • Core Envision Inc. (Folsom): Uses AI to turn blueprints into digital models and custom layout tapes, so builders can frame 4x faster and save 25%.

  • Demotu (Cameron Park): AI training platform powered by movement analysis for gyms and sports teams.

  • EnlitenAI (Tracy): Powering personalized neurology care through AI-driven decision support for treatment optimization.

  • IGH Naturals (Sacramento): Patented electrolyte mix that helps reduce chemo-related vomiting, diarrhea, and mouth sores.

  • Invasive Species Corporation (Davis): Discovers, develops, and deploys nature-positive solutions to control invasive species in agriculture and water.

  • NutraCompass (Sacramento): A nutritional app that recommends and tracks food for clients.

  • Pheronym, Inc. (Woodland): Uses a new kind of pheromone to control agricultural pests in the soil.

  • Purple Door Finders (Folsom): Helps families find senior housing—fast, easy, and without the sales pitch.

  • Red Line Safety, Inc. (Greenwood): Builds wearable technology that protects firefighters, enhances operations, and helps safeguard property.

  • Rely (Sacramento): Verifies renter data once so you can share anywhere—while operators lease faster with built-in intelligence.

  • Resolv (Truckee): Automates clean energy rebates with cutting-edge AI to unlock billions for contractors and incentive providers.

  • SeeMedX (Sacramento): Provides continuous, noninvasive heart monitoring to improve patient care and outcomes.

  • Soar Optics (Elk Grove): Developing products for the rapid and cost-effective detection of microplastics.

  • Splash Tech (Davis): Simplifies pool care with smart daily readings and clear chemical guidance, all from one app.

  • Stealth Talent Solutions (El Dorado Hills): AI meets recruiting. An outcome-based hiring platform with agency-level service at software speed and scale.

To broaden opportunities this year, Elk Grove introduced a new initiative for applicants who were not selected as semi-finalists. These founders were invited to submit short video pitches, and seven will be selected to deliver live one-minute elevator pitches on stage at the event. This unique chance allows founders to gain crucial exposure and connect with potential mentors, partners, and investors, extending the impact of Pitch Elk Grove beyond just the semi-finalist group.

Pitch Elk Grove is a key component of the Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program, which offers technical and financial support to both startups and the spaces that help them grow. At last year’s Pitch Elk Grove event on September 19, 2024, ten startups competed for top honors. LogRx took home the $10,000 first-place prize, followed by Happy Ladders with the $5,000 second-place award. Japa Inc. earned the $2,500 third-place prize, and ValleyMatch received the $2,500 Best Elk Grove Award.

Additional Information

To attend this year’s Pitch Elk Grove event on September 4th, REGISTER HERE.

For more information on the criteria of the contest, visit the Pitch Elk Grove Landing Page.

The contest is proudly produced by the City of Elk Grove in collaboration with StartupSac, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting regional entrepreneurial success, and Explore Elk Grove, the city’s official tourism marketing organization. We’re also grateful to Republic Services for their generous sponsorship and support.

About the Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program

The Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program provides technical and financial assistance to launching and scaling technology and innovation-based startups, and to co-working and incubator facilities that support them. To qualify, companies must be emerging or scaling and commercializing innovative products or platforms. For more information, visit www.investelkgrove.org.

About Elk Grove

Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city of 182,842 people located in the dynamic and affordable Sacramento metropolitan region, the capital of the 4th largest economy in the world. Incorporated in 2000, Elk Grove is a family- and business-friendly community with low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks, elevated dining and shopping options, lively events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year. With its highly educated workforce, modern facilities and infrastructure, and pro-business attitude, it’s clear why major corporations and institutions such as Apple, Cardinal Health, Amazon, UC Davis, AllData, and Kubota call Elk Grove home. Our dedicated staff of economic development professionals are ready to help you plan, finance, and fast-track your next business expansion or relocation project. For more information, visit  www.investelkgrove.org.

About StartupSac

StartupSac is a nonprofit organization supporting Sacramento’s entrepreneurs from idea to impact. Originally launched in 2016 and officially incorporated in 2017, StartupSac accelerates the greater Sacramento region’s startup and innovation ecosystem by informing, educating, empowering, and connecting startup founders and innovators. For more information, visit startupsac.com.

About Explore Elk Grove

Explore Elk Grove is a non-profit organization that inspires locals and visitors alike to visit, shop, dine, meet and gather at our local businesses, parks, attractions, hotels and venues in order to foster positive economic development for Elk Grove. For more information, visit www.exploreelkgrove.com/.

About Republic Services

Republic Services is the industry-leading environmental services company that hauls and processes all the trash, recycling, and organic waste for all 52,000 homes in Elk Grove. Republic Services vision is to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, visit www.republicservices.com .

 

Image is of the 2024 finalists for Pitch Elk Grove held September 2024.