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.
Featured
Startup Happy Hour with Strived.io CEO Shweta Gandhi
Tue, Mar 24, 5 – 7 PM, Tres Hermanas in Davis
Join founders and builders for an evening of networking and an AMA with Shweta Gandhi, CEO of Strived.io. A strong opportunity to connect with the local startup community in a relaxed setting with real conversations and peer insight. Read more.
Startup Challenge Spring 2026
Fri, Apr 10 – Sun, Apr 12, Carlsen Center at Sac State
A full weekend of building. Form a team around a new idea on Friday, then spend the weekend bringing it to life—getting out of the building, talking to real people, and shaping something that could actually work. Come with an idea or not—either way, you’ll learn by doing and leave with real progress. Info session on Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 6 PM (online). Ready to rock? Read more.
Sacramento Inno Awards 2026
Applications due Fri, Apr 3
Nominate your company or a standout innovator for recognition across the region. Winners are featured by the Sacramento Business Journal and celebrated at a September event. Read more.
This Week
SBA: Brand Development Towards Monetization
Tue, Mar 24, 9 – 11 AM, Citrus Heights
Learn how to stand out in a crowded market and build a brand that drives revenue. Focused on positioning, differentiation, and growth strategy. Read more.
Zero-Emission Aviation Investment Discussion
Tue, Mar 24, 10 – 11 AM, Online
Hear from CARB on how California is investing in clean transportation through initiatives like SHIFT. Relevant for cleantech founders tracking funding and policy trends. Read more.
Startup Challenge Information Session
Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 6 PM, Online
Get a breakdown of how Startup Challenge works, what to expect, and how to participate. Ideal if you are considering joining but want more clarity before committing. Read more.
Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy Fireside Chat
Wed, Mar 25, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Aggie Square
Hear from founder Christy Serrato on building a business and leveraging community support. A solid session for early-stage founders looking for real-world perspective. Read more.
Shaping the Future of AI in Sacramento
Wed, Mar 25, 6 – 8:30 PM, Sacramento
A working session to help define what the local AI ecosystem should look like. Share input, meet others in the space, and help shape future programming. Read more.
SacTech Social
Thu, Mar 26, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
An informal meetup for developers, designers, and tech enthusiasts. A consistent place to build relationships and stay plugged into the local tech scene. Read more.
Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Mar 27, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Bring your toughest startup questions and get direct feedback from experienced operators. No slides, just practical advice on traction, customers, and growth. Read more.
Plan Ahead
SBA Microloan Program Workshop
Mon, Mar 30, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Learn how to access up to $50,000 in funding for your business. Covers eligibility, use cases, and how to navigate the application process. Read more.
Federal Contracts Intro
Tue, Mar 31, 9 – 10 AM, Online
An overview of how to enter government contracting. Useful for founders exploring new revenue channels through public sector work. Read more.
BBB AI for Your Business Series
Thu, Apr 2, 12 – 2 PM, Sacramento
A practical AI workshop focused on using tools to drive business growth while maintaining trust and compliance. Read more.
Startup Grind Fireside Chat with Sandy Paige, Seabright Ventures Fund
Wed, Apr 15, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Join a fireside chat with investor Sandy Paige on building and scaling X-as-a-Service businesses and how family offices evaluate long-term opportunities. Read more.
Northern California Venture Conference
Thu, May 7, Redding
A regional conference bringing together founders and investors, with startup pitch opportunities and a $10K prize. Read more.
Applications
Accelerate CA Grant Opportunity
Applications due March 30
Up to $300,000 in non-dilutive funding for startups in AgriFood Tech, Health and Life Sciences, and Clean Tech. Designed for pre-seed to pre-Series A companies in the region. Read more.
Northern California Venture Conference Pitch Applications
Apply for May 7 event
Pitch your startup in front of investors and regional leaders. A chance to gain visibility, feedback, and compete for funding. Read more.
Economic Gardening 2.0 – City of Sacramento
Applications due Apr 20
Support for companies with traction looking to scale through market research, strategy, and data-driven growth planning. Read more.
NorCal AngelCon 2026
Applications due May 27
A multi-month investor program culminating in a $100K investment. Open to startups across sectors with additional support for deep tech companies. Read more.
UC Davis NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program
Applications due May 28
A short program for STEM founders to validate ideas through customer discovery and refine their value proposition. Read more.
MealPro Food Incubator – Citrus Heights
Applications open
Access a licensed kitchen and operational support to turn a food concept into a scalable business. A strong option for culinary founders ready to grow. 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.
