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.
New! 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.
Featured
Testing Business Ideas with David Bland
Tue, Aug 11, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Bloom Workspaces in Sacramento
The second workshop in the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy’s five-part series features startup expert David Bland, co-author of Testing Business Ideas. Participants will learn how to identify critical assumptions, prioritize risks, and design practical experiments to validate their business ideas before investing significant time and resources. Read more.
Discovering Your Customers: Who They Are and What They’ll Pay For
Thu, Aug 13, 11 AM – 1 PM, Online
Learn how to identify your ideal customers, validate their needs, and develop a value proposition that people will pay for in the second session of CleanStart and StartupSac’s Summer Small Business Power Series. Participants will gain practical tools for customer discovery, market sizing, and testing assumptions before building their business. Read more.
Plan Ahead! Sacramento Summer Startup Party
Thu, Aug. 20, 5:30 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Connect with founders, investors, startup teams, and ecosystem leaders at one of the region’s largest annual startup networking events. Attendees can explore the Resource Expo, discover emerging startups through the Silent Pitch competition, and build connections across Sacramento’s entrepreneurial community. Use promo code STARTUPSAC for $10 off! Read more.
Summer Startup Party Silent Pitch Competition
Applications Open | Deadline: Aug 14
Early-stage startups, student entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners are invited to apply to showcase their ventures at the Silent Pitch Competition during the Sacramento Summer Startup Party on Aug 20. Participants compete for cash and startup resource prizes while connecting with founders, investors, and the regional innovation community through one-on-one conversations instead of a live stage presentation. Read more.
Pitch Elk Grove 2026
Thu, Sep 3, 4:30 – 8 PM, The Center at District56 in Elk Grove
Watch 10 of Northern California’s most promising startups compete live for $20,000 in prize money at the region’s premier startup pitch competition. Meet founders, investors, and innovation leaders while discovering some of Northern California’s most promising startups. Admission is free, with appetizers and local wine and beer provided. Read more.
This Week
Biotech Mixer
Tue, Aug 11, 6 – 9 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Connect with scientists, founders, investors, students, and other members of the region’s biotechnology community at this networking mixer. The event offers an opportunity to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore collaborations across Sacramento’s growing life sciences ecosystem. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Savvy Scratch LLC
Wed, Aug 12, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear an early-stage startup present its business and receive live feedback from the community. This week’s presenter is Savvy Scratch LLC, a platform that provides lottery scratch-off game data and analytics to help players make more informed decisions. Read more.
Office Hours with Mariah Lichtenstern
Wed, Aug 12, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, Online
Get an investor’s perspective on fundraising readiness, pitch decks, capital options, early go-to-market strategy, and traction. Venture capitalist Mariah Lichtenstern will help founders understand what investors look for and determine the most appropriate next step for funding their businesses. Read more.
AI for Business 101: Practical Tools for Small Business
Wed, Aug 12, 6 – 8 PM, Frequency Coworking & Events in Rancho Cordova
Kick off this new AI for Business workshop series with an introduction to practical AI tools that can help small businesses improve marketing, customer communications, and day-to-day operations. Designed for beginners, the session requires no technical background. Read more.
AI Immersion Bootcamp
Wed, Aug 12, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State in Sacramento
Explore today’s leading AI tools in this hands-on workshop designed for founders, business owners, and operators. Participants will learn practical prompting techniques, experiment with real business use cases, and leave with a plan for applying AI in their own organizations. Read more.
MIX: Dignity through Design
Thu, Aug 13, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Explore how thoughtful design can improve access, dignity, and outcomes across healthcare, nonprofits, startups, and other organizations. Through lightning talks and facilitated discussions, attendees will examine how human-centered design can create more effective systems and services. Read more.
Design Like a Pro (w/ The AI Collective)
Thu, Aug 13, 5:30 – 9 PM, Rancho Cordova
Create professional branding and marketing assets using AI in this hands-on workshop for business owners, marketers, creators, and entrepreneurs. Participants will learn practical design principles while building real projects with their preferred AI tools, then leave with a finished brand asset, an AI-built website, and skills they can continue using. Limited to 50 attendees. Read more.
AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Aug 14, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Founders can bring real startup challenges and receive candid, practical feedback on what is working, what may be wasting time, and what to try next. The conversation is especially useful for those seeking their first customers, testing their value proposition, building meaningful traction, or preparing to raise capital with credible metrics. Read more.
AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Aug 14, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Founders can bring real startup challenges and receive candid, practical feedback on what is working, what may be wasting time, and what to try next. The conversation is especially useful for those seeking their first customers, testing their value proposition, building meaningful traction, or preparing to raise capital with credible metrics. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Office Hours with Dr. Brian Gladden
Mon, Aug 17, 3 – 4 PM, Online
Founders can pressure-test their business models and get expert guidance on customer validation, unmet market demand, and turning strategy into measurable action. Bring a specific challenge or idea to refine with Dr. Brian Gladden, an experienced innovation strategist who has coached hundreds of founders in building validated, fundable businesses. Read more.
Folsom AI Meet Up: Vibe Coding Panel Discussion
Tue, Aug 18, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
Explore the growing practice of “vibe coding” at this monthly AI meetup featuring a panel of local AI practitioners and developers. The discussion will cover emerging approaches to AI-assisted software development, with opportunities to network with fellow builders and technology enthusiasts. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento at Sacramento Running Company
Wed, Aug 19, 8:30 – 10 AM, Sacramento Running Company in Sacramento
Join our monthly in-person hybrid meetup to hear two early-stage businesses receive live feedback from the community. This month’s presenters are Sacramento Running Company, a locally owned running and walking retailer, and The Basket, which is developing reusable shopping baskets and accessories as an alternative to disposable bags. Read more.
Motion to Momentum: EOS
Thu, Aug 20, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Carlsen Center at Sac State in Sacramento
Founders and early-stage teams will learn how to use the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to turn busy weeks into focused, measurable progress. This hands-on session covers setting 90-day priorities, creating an effective weekly meeting rhythm, tracking essential business metrics, and clarifying ownership so the founder does not become the team’s bottleneck. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour with Rich Foreman
Tue, Aug 25, 5 – 7 PM, Ebisu Sushi in Elk Grove
Connect with founders, entrepreneurs, and innovators at this monthly networking event hosted by StartupSac and the Carlsen Center. The evening includes an informal AMA with Rich Foreman, COO of IGH Naturals and winner of Pitch Elk Grove 2025, along with complimentary appetizers and plenty of opportunities to meet others in the Sacramento startup community. Read more.
GrowTECH FEST 2026
Thu–Fri, Oct 8–9, Sierra Nevada Big Room in Chico
Connect with founders, investors, and innovators from across the North State during this two-day entrepreneurship conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, networking, and the GrowTECH Startup Pitch Showcase. Entrepreneurs interested in pitching can apply through Aug 14 for the opportunity to present on Oct 8. Read more.
Applications
GrowTECH FEST Startup Pitch Showcase
Applications Open | Deadline extended to August 14
North State startups are invited to apply for the opportunity to pitch at GrowTECH FEST on Oct. 8 in Chico. Finalists will present to a panel of judges for cash prizes, making this a valuable opportunity to gain visibility, receive feedback, and compete for funding. Read more.
Build Up Sacramento 2027 Applications Open
Rolling Admission Begins Sep 1 | Final Deadline Nov 30
Established Sacramento businesses 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, and qualified applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Sept. 1, so early application is encouraged. Read more.
Startup Legal Garage – Fall 2026
Applications Open | Rolling Admission Until Full
Pre-Series A startups are invited to apply for this pro bono legal program from UC Law San Francisco. Participating founders receive legal support from law students under attorney supervision to help establish a strong legal foundation for growth, fundraising, and intellectual property needs during the August–November cohort. 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 $20K in non-dilutive funding and culminates in a $100K SPV Investment Showcase. Read more.
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
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.
