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
Weekly Drop-in Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Feb 4, 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.
Applications Open for Kings Capitalize Pitch Contest
Apply by Fri, Feb 7
The 10th Annual Sacramento Kings’ Capitalize: Technology contest offers local startups a chance to win $10,000, plus mentorship and exposure. Open to startups within 70 miles of Golden 1 Center. Learn more and Apply.
UC Davis Little Bang Pitch & Poster Competition
Apply by Feb 6, at 1 PM Competition on Feb 12.
Competition open to all currently enrolled students at the high school, community college, undergraduate or graduate level. $12,500 in prizes. Learn more.
Applications Open for StartupSac FastTrac Bootcamp
Apply by Wed, Feb 5, Starts Feb 19
This 12-week program is for aspiring entrepreneurs ready to turn their business idea into reality while gaining the skills, resources, and mentorship needed to launch and grow their businesses. Open to City of Sacramento residents only. Learn more and Apply.
This Week
Folsom AI Meetup Featuring HuLoop CEO Todd Michaud
Tue, Feb 4, 6 – 8 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join Startup Grind Sacramento at Granite City Coworking for an evening of pizza and conversations on AI. Todd Michaud, CEO of HuLoop, will share insights on combining human decision-making with AI automation. All are welcome! Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento
Wed, Feb 5, 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.
UCD Big Bang! Workshop: The Pitch: Telling Your Story
Wed, Feb 5, 12:00 – 1:30 PM, Online
Hosted by the UC Davis Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, this workshop helps entrepreneurs craft compelling narratives to pitch their ideas effectively to investors and stakeholders. Read more.
Perspectives on Climate Forecasting and Risk Assessment
Thu, Feb 6, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hosted by CleanStart, this event will delve into the latest advancements in climate forecasting and methodologies for assessing associated risks. Attendees will gain insights into predictive models and strategies to mitigate climate-related challenges.Read more.
Cleantech Open 2025 Tri-Valley Kick-Off Event
Thu, Feb 6, Noon – 2 PM, In-person in Livermore
Join CTO and Daybreak Labs to connect with colleagues at this mid-day event bringing together alumni, mentors, prospective entrepreneurs, partners and volunteers. Learn about Cleantech Open’s 2025 Accelerator Program. Read more. Use promo code CTO2025 when registering.
Agstart Learn from a Local: Ashish Malik, CEO Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT)
Tue, Feb 6, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Woodland
Ashish Malik, CEO of Bee Vectoring Technologies (BVT). Ashish will share his perspective on opportunities for innovation in the biologics sector, drawing from his extensive experience in crop biologics and leadership roles at Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, and AgraQuest.Read more.
Founders First Fridays
Fri, Feb 7, 10 AM – Noon, In-person in Roseville
Exclusive monthly gathering for entrepreneurs who have previously met with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs). Provides a space for founders to exchange ideas and insights with peers working towards product-market fit. To attend, complete the intake form; an EIR will follow up with you. Read more.
Plan Ahead
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plan Way Ahead
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
Alchemist Microenterprise Academy
Apply by February 9
Alchemist Microenterprise Academy is a 12-week business training course designed to simplify the complexities of starting a food business. The next cohort runs from Feb 25 to May 14. Attendance at a mandatory information session is required before applying. Learn more.
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.
