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: What Makes a Winning Startup Pitch
Tue, May 19, 5 – 7 PM, Old Town Pizza and Tap House in Elk Grove
Connect with founders, startup supporters, and ecosystem leaders for a conversation about what makes an early stage startup stand out to judges and investors. Learn how to sharpen your pitch, better communicate your vision, and prepare for opportunities like Pitch Elk Grove 2026. Read more.
Big Bang! Awards Celebration & Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Tue, May 19, 5 – 8 PM, UC Davis Conference Center (Davis)
Celebrate the finale of the UC Davis Big Bang! Business Competition as winners are announced and nearly $100K in prizes are awarded. Includes startup networking, finalist showcases, and an ice cream sundae bar. Read more.
This Week
How to Tell Stories That Win Clients and Investors
Tue, May 19, 9 – 10:30 AM, Online
Learn how to use storytelling to build trust, explain your startup clearly, and connect with investors and customers. Includes practical frameworks and AI-assisted techniques from storyteller and founder Lubna Forzley. Organized by Founder Institute. Read more.
Build Your Own AI Chatbot for Your Business
Tue, May 19, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, HUMANBULB Innovation Center in Sacramento
Learn how to build a custom AI chatbot for your business using no-code tools that can automate customer responses, capture leads, and improve customer experience. This hands-on workshop is designed for business owners and founders looking to explore practical AI tools they can implement quickly. Read more.
Folsom AI Meetup featuring Core Envision Founder Mauro Sica
Tue, May 19, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces (Folsom)
Join this monthly AI meetup for pizza, networking, and conversation around practical AI applications and collaboration. This session features Core Envision founder Mauro Sica. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with CartPathAI and Move To City
Wed, May 20, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear two early-stage founders share what they’re building and get live feedback from the community. This week features CartPathAI, an AI-powered grocery decision platform, and Move To City, a data-driven relocation and travel resource platform. Read more.
EY x Frequency Lunch for Deal & Exit Readiness
Thu, May 21, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, Frequency Coworking in Rancho Cordova
This founder-focused lunch session explores what investors and buyers look for during financial due diligence and how startups can prepare for future fundraising, partnerships, or acquisitions. The discussion will also include healthcare-specific insights and current market perspectives. Read more.
Weekly Startup Reality Check with JDM
Fri, May 22, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Join this live AMA session from Traction Lab for direct, candid feedback on startup challenges like customer discovery, value proposition testing, and fundraising preparation. Founders can ask questions in real time and get practical advice without the usual startup fluff. Read more.
Plan Ahead
How to Use Influencers to Grow Your Business
Wed, May 27, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, HUMANBULB Innovation Center in Sacramento
Learn how to approach influencer marketing strategically to build partnerships that drive real business results. This workshop covers how to identify the right creators, structure effective collaborations, and measure what actually converts. Read more.
SacTech Social Meetup
Thu, May 28, 6 – 8 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with Sacramento-area developers, technologists, founders, and tech-curious community members at this casual networking meetup hosted by SacTech Social. It’s a welcoming space to meet collaborators, exchange ideas, and build relationships across the local tech ecosystem. Read more.
Weekly Startup Reality Check with JDM
Fri, May 29, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Bring your toughest startup questions to this live AMA session hosted by Traction Lab and Josh David Miller. Founders can get direct feedback on traction, customer discovery, fundraising readiness, and other early-stage startup challenges in a candid, no-fluff discussion. Read more.
Applications
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.
SMUD Clean Tech AI Startup Accelerator
Applications due June 1
Program runs June 15 – Aug 8
Organized by HUMANBULB, this 8-week accelerator helps founders build AI-enabled clean tech solutions focused on energy efficiency, electrification, and affordability. Participants will work through customer discovery, MVP development, and live product validation while building toward a demoable prototype and traction plan. Read more.
FourthWave 2026
Applications due June 5
Program runs Aug 5 – Nov 10
Apply for this accelerator supporting women-led technology startups with mentorship, startup education, and investor access. The hybrid program combines an in-person kickoff in Sacramento with virtual programming designed to help founders scale and raise capital. Read more.
Pitch Elk Grove 2026
Applications due June 8 by 5 PM
Apply to Northern California’s premier startup pitch competition, open to tech-driven startups across the Greater Sacramento region. Up to eight finalists will compete live for a $20K prize pool, plus exposure, feedback, and connections to help accelerate growth. Read more.
Roseville Rising Food Founders
Apply by Jun 21
Apply for this 10-week program supporting food entrepreneurs ready to launch or scale. Open to restaurateurs, chefs, and food product founders, the program offers mentorship, practical tools, and a final pop-up showcase. No cost to participate. Read more.
Traction Lab: Investment Readiness Engine
Applications Open
Apply for this 9-month go-to-market acceleration program supporting Sacramento-area founders with B2B sales development, enterprise pilot strategy, investor readiness, and traction-building support. Led by Traction Lab in partnership with Right Box and the Carlsen Center, the program includes $20K in non-dilutive funding and culminates in a $100K SPV Investment Showcase. Read more.
GFN Office Hours – Apply for 1:1 Mentorship
Applications Open | Roseville + Sacramento
Apply for a free one-on-one session with a GFN Entrepreneur-in-Residence and get personalized feedback on your startup idea or business challenges. Sessions are held at the Roseville Venture Lab or Connect Labs at Aggie Square. 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.
