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
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.
Startup Happy Hour
Tue, Jan 29, 5-7 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Connect with entrepreneurs, founders, and ecosystem supporters in a relaxed setting. Startup Happy Hour offers a chance to network, share ideas, and build relationships in the local startup community. 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.
SizeUp Sacramento Virtual Demo
Thu, Jan 30, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM, Online via Zoom
SizeUp Sacramento is a free, robust business analytics tool designed to support businesses at any stage—from aspiring entrepreneurs to seasoned owners expanding their customer base. Sign up for the City of Sacramento’s info session to learn how SizeUp can help your business thrive RSVP here. Learn more here.
This Week
SBIR & STTR Workshop
Tue, Jan 28, 9 – 10:30 AM, Online
Discover funding opportunities through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs in this 90-minute hands-on workshop. Read more.
Weekly Drop-in Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Jan 28, 11 AM – 1 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.
1 Million Cups Sacramento
Wed, Jan 29, 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: Market, Business, and Technology Validation: Building Your Commitment
Wed, Jan 29, 12 – 1:30 PM, Online
Learn how to validate your market, business, and technology ideas in this Big Bang! workshop. Explore strategies for building a strong commitment to your venture while gaining practical insights to refine your approach. Read more.
Startup Grind Sacramento: CFO Basics for Startups
Wed, Jan 29, 5 – 6 PM, Online
Join seasoned CFO Bob Wang for a virtual session on startup financial strategies. Bob will cover the accounting essentials for early-stage startups and share advice on preparing your business to be investment-ready Read more.
Plan Ahead
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.
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.
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
Economic Gardening 2.0 Program
Apply by January 31
The City of Sacramento offers local businesses up to 40 hours of market research consulting and up to $50,000 in matching funds for growth. Eligible companies must be established in Sacramento for at least 5 years, have 5-99 employees, $1M-$50M in revenues, and generate 50% of revenue from outside the county. Learn More
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.
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.
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.
