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
1 Million Cups Sacramento (In-Person + Hybrid)
Wed, Apr 15, 8:30 – 10 AM, California Bank of Commerce + Online
Join this weekly founder meetup for live startup presentations and community feedback. This session features Cotton Candy Dreams and Social 6, with in-person networking and a Zoom option. Read more.
Startup Grind Fireside Chat with Sandy Paige, Seabright Ventures Fund
Wed, Apr 15, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Join a fireside chat with investor Sandy Paige on building and scaling X-as-a-Service businesses and how family offices evaluate long-term opportunities. Read more.
Mentor Sprint
Wed, May 6, 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM, Carlsen Center (Sacramento)
A fast-paced speed mentoring event where founders meet one-on-one with experienced mentors in 15-minute sessions. Get targeted advice, fresh perspectives, and new connections in just 90 minutes. Organized by the Carlsen Center and StartupSac. Read more.
This Week
AI for Good Happy Hour (SVP + AI Collective)
Wed, Apr 15, 5:30 – 8 PM, Frequency Coworking (Rancho Cordova)
Connect with nonprofit leaders, technologists, and founders exploring how AI can drive social impact. Expect networking, idea sharing, and practical conversation around real-world uses of AI. Read more.
Startup Reality Check: AMA with JDM + Cam
Thu, Apr 16, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Join this weekly AMA for direct, no-BS feedback on your startup. Ask questions on traction, customers, and fundraising and get practical advice from JDM and Cam. Read more.
Veteran Small Business Mentorship Exchange
Thu, Apr 16, 6 – 8 PM, Venture OfficeNow (Sacramento)
A focused mentorship session connecting small business owners with experienced leaders for practical advice, real-world insight, and meaningful connections. Read more.
Plan Ahead
From Idea to Pitch Using AI
Mon, Apr 20, 9:30 – 11 AM, Online
Learn how to go from raw idea to polished pitch using AI tools—covering validation, product development, and storytelling. Walk away with practical frameworks and tools to build and launch faster as a solo founder. Organized by Founder Institute. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup featuring Pooli Founder Kevin Weiler
Tue, Apr 21, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces (Folsom)
Join this monthly AI meetup for pizza, networking, and practical insights on using AI to automate your business. This session features Pooli founder Kevin Weiler. Read more.
Sac Valley SBDC: Food Based Workshop with Sac County
Thu, Apr 23, 10 – 11:30 AM, In-person in Sacramento
Dreaming of starting a food-based business? Join this workshop to explore the application and permitting process from Sacramento County Environmental Management Department and learn how to bring your vision to life! Read more.
AWS AI Pitch Competition
Thu, Apr 23, 5:30 – 8:30 PM, The Urban Hive, Sacramento
Watch AI founders pitch live and hear how experts evaluate real products. Expect sharp feedback, real-world insights, and a front-row seat to what it takes to build and scale AI today. Read more.
SacTech Social Meetup
Thu, Apr 23, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens (Sacramento)
Join this inclusive tech meetup for developers, designers, and the tech-curious to connect, talk shop, and build community. Expect casual conversation, networking, and a welcoming vibe. Read more.
Plan Way Ahead
UC Davis Research Expo 2026
Wed, Apr 29, 9:30 AM – 2 PM, UC Davis Conference Center
Explore the latest research opportunities, tools, and resources at UC Davis’s annual Research Expo. Hear from leading speakers, attend workshops, and connect with collaborators across academia and industry. Includes exhibits, networking, lunch, and more. Read more.
Startup Workshop: From Idea to Action
Tue, May 5, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Roseville Venture Lab
A beginner-friendly workshop to help aspiring founders move from idea to action. Learn how to clarify your concept, take first steps, and connect with others exploring entrepreneurship. Organized by the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy in partnership with the City of Roseville. Read more.
Northern California Venture Conference
Thu, May 7, Redding
A regional conference bringing together founders and investors, with startup pitch opportunities and a $10K prize. Read more.
Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy Showcase
Tue, May 12, 5 – 8 PM, Elks Tower (Sacramento)
Join the Academy 2026 Fellows as they present their ventures and compete in a live pitch competition. The evening includes a keynote from Mac Clemmens, an alumni panel, and networking with founders, investors, and community leaders. Read more.
Applications
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
AWS AI Pitch Competition – Call for Startups
Applications Due April 16
Building something in AI? Apply to pitch at the AWS AI Pitch Competition and get in front of technical experts from AWS and partners. Selected startups receive hands-on feedback on architecture, data strategy, and scaling—plus a chance at up to $25K in AWS Partner support. Read more.
Northern California Venture Conference Pitch Applications
Applications Due April 17
Pitch your startup in front of investors and regional leaders. A chance to gain visibility, feedback, and compete for funding. Read more.
Economic Gardening 2.0 – City of Sacramento
Applications due Apr 20
Support for companies with traction looking to scale through market research, strategy, and data-driven growth planning. Read more.
NorCal AngelCon 2026
Applications due May 27
A multi-month investor program culminating in a $100K investment. Open to startups across sectors with additional support for deep tech companies. Read more.
UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program
Applications due May 28
A short program for STEM founders to validate ideas through customer discovery and refine their value proposition. 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.
