There’s a lot going on this week and next for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list below. For the full rundown of what’s happening this week and next, check out this week’s Startup Digest. While you’re there, be sure to subscribe to get it in your inbox every Monday morning!
Featured
Startup Summer Party
Tue, Jul 22, 5:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Celebrate summer with Sacramento’s startup community! Connect with founders, innovators, and ecosystem champions at The Urban Hive for an evening of networking and fun. Hosted by AgStart, the Carlsen Center, CleanStart, Growth Factory, Growth Factory Ventures, MedStart, Sactown Makers, Startup Folsom, Startup Grind, StartupSac, The Urban Hive, and 1 Million Cups Sac. Read more.
Pitch Elk Grove
Thu, Sep 4, 4:30 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Elk Grove
Watch Northern California’s top startups compete live for $20,000 in prize money at this high-energy pitch competition. Hosted by Invest Elk Grove, StartupSac, and Explore Elk Grove, Pitch Elk Grove is a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community—complete with local beer, wine, and bites. Read more.
This Week
1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Jul 8, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, In-person in Roseville
Got a startup idea or early-stage company? Meet with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for personalized guidance. Intake form required before attending. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup featuring aurus.ai Founder Uday Ayyagari
Tue, Jul 8, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for their monthly AI Meetup at Granite City Coworking. Enjoy pizza, networking, and a featured talk from Uday Ayyagari, founder of aurus.ai, which develops AI solutions for the enterprise. Come for the tech, stay for the conversation. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with CaseStudies.club
Wed, Jul 9, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Online
CaseStudies.club, a platform that creates decision-focused business case studies to improve strategic thinking, presents their venture and gets feedback from the community. Join this weekly peer support meetup for founders. Doors open at 8:45 AM for networking. Read more.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Thu, Jul 10, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Online via Zoom
Join StartupSac, Startup Folsom, and Startup Grind Sacramento for this monthly virtual workshop where venture-ready startups pitch and get expert feedback. Observers welcome. Designed for founders planning to raise capital within the next year. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Startup Grind Sacramento: An Evening with Elizabeth Connelly
Wed, Jul 16, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Join Elizabeth Connelly—co-founder of Trifecta and founder of Katsu—for a candid conversation about her journey from scaling one of the nation’s largest organic meal delivery companies to launching an AI startup. Includes networking, a fireside chat, and open Q&A. Learn More.
MedStart: How to Get Insurers to Pay for Innovation
Wed, July 16, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Folsom
Hear Foodom CEO Reneta Jenik share how she secured insurance reimbursement for medically tailored meals. Network with fellow founders and explore the future of health innovation. Read more.
CleanStart Perspectives | Winner of UC Davis Big Bang: Splash Tech
Thu, Jul 17, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Online via Zoom
Hear from Gabriel Sigala, CFO and co-founder of Splash Tech, winner of the UC Davis Big Bang! business competition. Learn how his startup is revolutionizing pool maintenance with continuous monitoring and smart alerts. Part of CleanStart’s Perspectives series on clean tech innovation. Read more.
Applications
UC Law SF Startup Legal Garage
Apply Now for Free Legal Assistance!
Startup Legal Garage is currently accepting applications for its free legal assistance program aimed at supporting startups. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until all spots are full. Applications are for Fall 2025 cohort. Visit Startup Legal Garage to learn more and apply.
NSF I-Corps STEM Innovator Customer Discovery Course
Apply by Jul 17 for Next Session
Program Dates: Aug 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Online
Validate your STEM startup idea in UC Davis’s free NSF I-Corps course. Use customer discovery to explore customers, refine your business model, and prepare for follow-on NSF funding. Learn more.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Applications Open for this Monthly Event
Refine your startup pitch and get feedback from experienced coaches. Two founders will pitch and receive insights—apply in advance to pitch. Next session is July 10, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read more.
Tomorrow’s Innovators Design & Tech Accelerator
Apply by July 19
This free 10-week program equips aspiring entrepreneurs—especially from BIPOC and underserved communities in Sacramento—with hands-on training in design thinking, 3D printing, and business strategy. Starts Aug 1. Must live or have a business in Sacramento city limits. Apply Now.
SEGA Innovation Grant Competition
Apply by August 1
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.
