There’s a lot going on this week and next for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list below; for a full listing of everything that’s going on this week and next, check out this week’s Startup Digest! While you’re there, you can sign up to receive the digest in your inbox every Monday morning!
Featured
Startup-Tech Connect
Mon, Feb 10, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and industry professionals at this monthly meetup. Engage in discussions, share ideas, and explore potential collaborations in a relaxed setting. Read more.
Business Blend – Heart and Hustle: Managing Co-Founder Challenges
Wed, Feb 12, 3:30 – 5 PM, In-person in Roseville
Join Roseville Venture Lab for an interactive discussion with Chris Russell and Meaghan Nelson, Partners at Stoel Rives, on navigating co-founder challenges, from ownership disputes to potential breakups. Read more.
This Week
Weekly Drop-in Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Feb 11, 1 – 3 PM, In-person in Roseville
Growth Factory Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) host drop-in 1-on-1 office hours to guide startup founders and small business owners. Get advice on starting, accessing resources, and building momentum—not a pitch event. Read more.
Motivated Entrepreneur- Work Less, Earn More: The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Automation
Tue, Feb 11, 1 – 3 PM, In-person in Sacramento
This engaging session takes a deep dive into automation and shows how it can revolutionize your business and sales process. Learn how to integrate automation tools like CRMs to save time, improve efficiency, and enhance customer interactions. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento
Wed, Feb 12, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Join the Sacramento startup community at 1 Million Cups, a weekly event where entrepreneurs share their stories and receive feedback. Connect, learn, and collaborate with fellow innovators and community members. Read more.
Startup Folsom: The Art of Storytelling with Jamie Perez
Wed, Feb 12, 6 – 8 PM, In-person in Folsom
This session explores the power of storytelling in shaping an organization’s identity. Attendees will learn how to craft compelling narratives that highlight purpose and impact, moving beyond just describing what they do to effectively connect with audiences. Read more.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Thu, Feb 13, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Online
Refine your startup pitch and get feedback from experienced coaches. Three founders will pitch and receive insights—apply in advance to pitch. Observers welcome. Read more.
UC Davis Little Bang! Pitch + Poster Event
Thu, Feb 13, 6 – 8 PM, In-person at UC Davis
Aspiring entrepreneurs will showcase their innovative ideas through pitches and posters, receiving feedback from a panel of judges. This event offers an opportunity to refine concepts, gain insights from experienced professionals, and compete for prize money to support their ventures. Read more.
Plan Ahead
1 Million Cups Sacramento In-Person at Granite City Coworking
Wed, Feb 19, 8:30 – 10 AM, In-person in Folsom
Start your morning with coffee, connection, and startup presentations at 1 Million Cups Sacramento! Two early-stage founders will present their businesses, followed by Q&A and community feedback. A great way to network with fellow entrepreneurs! Read more.
UC Davis Big Bang! Workshop: Business Model: Defining a Sustainable Enterprise
Wed, Feb 19, 12 – 1:30 PM, Online
This workshop guides participants through the process of developing a sustainable business model, emphasizing the importance of defining value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams. Attendees will engage in interactive sessions to apply these concepts to their ventures. Read more.
Veteran Entrepreneur Tribe of Sacramento- inaugural Networking Event
Thu, Feb 20, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join fellow military veterans to share experiences and build valuable relationships. This event offers an opportunity to network, collaborate, and grow your business with like-minded individuals. Be part of a supportive community that understands the unique challenges and triumphs of veteran-owned businesses. Read more.
Folsom Tech Week 2025
Mon-Fri, Feb 24-28, In-person in Folsom
Organized by the Granite City Entrepreneurship Foundation, this inaugural event showcases local innovations and fosters professional connections. Activities include a 24-hour hackathon on governmental efficiency, expert panel discussions, a startup pitch contest, and a job fair. Read more.
Startup Challenge Spring 2025
Fri-Sun, Mar 21-23, In-person in Sacramento
Hosted by the Carlsen Center, this 3-day event is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs explore, test, and launch their business ideas. Participants will collaborate, receive mentorship, and pitch their ideas in a supportive environment. Read more.
Applications
UC Davis Big Bang Business Competition
Register by Mar 3 at 1 PM, Final competition on May 14.
Teams must have at least one founder affiliated with a California-based institution of higher education. This includes all California-based universities, colleges, city colleges and state schools. $100,000+ in prize money. Learn more.
Berkeley SkyDeck Accelerator
Apply by February 14
Berkeley SkyDeck offers $200,000 in funding, mentorship, and resources to help startups scale. The next program runs May 5–Oct 3, 2025, ending with a Demo Day for investors. Learn more.
2025 Circular Economy Innovation Competition
Apply by February 21
The Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) invites you to apply for the 2025 Circular Economy Innovation Competition! Showcase your solutions for transforming waste into valuable resources, compete for $20,000 in cash awards, and receive mentorship to bring your vision to life. Learn more.
NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Course
Apply by February 28 for Next Session
Program Dates: Mar 17, 20, & Apr 2, 5 – 8 PM, Online
Have a STEM-based startup idea? Join UC Berkeley’s free, remote NSF I-Corps course to validate your idea using Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad method. Learn to identify customer segments, value propositions, and accelerate product-market fit through customer discovery. Eligible teams may qualify for a $50,000 NSF customer discovery grant and $5,000 in AWS credits. Learn more.
SEGA Innovation Grant Competition
Apply by March 31
SEGA’s Accelerate CA Hub is awarding $150,000 in non-dilutive grants to support AgriFoodTech, Health & Life Sciences, and CleanTech/ZEV innovation clusters, with $50,000 per cluster. Learn 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.
