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.
New! Sacramento Startup Events App Startup Digest volunteer curator Manoj Keechilot of Gilentic Technologies has created a free Android app to help entrepreneurs discover Sacramento startup events, accelerator opportunities, and application deadlines. Browse upcoming events, filter by date, add events to your calendar, and access registration links—all in one place. Download Sacramento Startup Events free on Google Play.
Featured
Testing Your Business Idea: Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability
Thu, Sep 10, 11 AM – 1 PM, Online
Learn how to test whether a business idea can succeed before investing significant time or money. This StartupSac and CleanStart workshop covers practical experiments founders can use to evaluate customer demand, their ability to deliver the product or service, and whether the economics can support a sustainable business. Read more.
AI and Value Creation: Strategic Considerations for Business Leaders
Thu, Sep 10, 3:30 – 6:30 PM, Sacramento State Alumni Center in Sacramento
Explore how businesses can use AI to create value while navigating its limitations and risks at Weintraub Tobin’s 12th Annual Business Focus. Keynote speaker Kavita Ganesan, author of The Business Case for AI and founder of Opinosis Analytics, will share insights on AI strategy, implementation, growth, and its impact on enterprise value. The complimentary event is designed for executives, founders, and business leaders. Read more.
Startup-Tech Connect
Mon, Sep 14, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with startup founders, entrepreneurs, developers, and other members of Sacramento’s technology community at this casual networking meetup. Startup-Tech Connect brings the business and tech communities together to meet potential collaborators, exchange ideas, and build relationships across the region’s startup ecosystem. Organized by StarutpSac. Read more.
This Week
Biotech Mixer
Tue, Sep 8, 6 – 8 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Connect with founders, investors, scientists, engineers, and others working in Sacramento’s growing biotech community. This casual mixer offers an opportunity to build relationships, discuss new research and business opportunities, and meet others involved in the region’s life sciences ecosystem. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Dig Moon and Revoscape
Wed, Sep 9, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Join 1 Million Cups Sacramento for presentations from two early-stage startups. Dig Moon is developing affordable hiring compliance and applicant tracking tools for small and midsize businesses, while Revoscape provides property management companies with GPS- and time-stamped maintenance records designed to verify completed work. Each founder will present their business followed by audience questions, feedback, and advice. Read more.
AI for Business: How Real Business Owners Use AI
Wed, Sep 9, 6 – 8 PM, Frequency Coworking in Rancho Cordova
Hear how local business owners are using AI in their day-to-day operations and what they’ve learned along the way. Panelists Michelle De La Campa Martinez, Jenifer Namestka, and Dr. Jordan Plews will share practical workflows for areas such as marketing, finance, and customer service, along with examples of what’s working, what isn’t, and how to use AI responsibly. Read more.
Weekly AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Sep 11, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Founders can bring their toughest startup questions and receive candid, experience-based feedback on what to prioritize and what may be wasting time. The open discussion is especially useful for those seeking their first customers, testing their value proposition, building meaningful traction, or preparing to raise capital with credible metrics. Read more.
Startup Redding Startup Games 2026
Fri–Sun, Sep 11–13, Win-River Resort & Casino in Redding
Turn a business idea into a validated startup over an intensive three-day weekend of customer discovery, prototyping, and pitching. Participants work in teams alongside experienced founders, investors, and mentors to test ideas, build business models, and compete for awards. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Folsom AI Meetup: Using AI to Automate Your Business
Tue, Sep 15, 6 – 8 PM, Granite City Workspaces in Folsom
Learn how AI can be used to automate business operations with Jennifer Jones, founder of Ohana Dwellings. This monthly AI meetup includes networking followed by a presentation and discussion focused on practical ways entrepreneurs can put AI to work in their businesses. Read more.
2026 CAPBIO Summit
Wed, Sep 16, 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Explore Greater Sacramento’s growing biotech and life sciences ecosystem at the inaugural CAPBIO Summit. The event will bring together researchers, startups, industry partners, and workforce leaders to strengthen connections, explore Sacramento’s role in California’s biotech landscape, and identify opportunities to grow the region’s life sciences sector. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento at The Sacramento Observer
Wed, Sep 16, 8:30 – 10 AM, The Sacramento Observer in Sacramento
Join the monthly in-person edition of 1 Million Cups Sacramento, with the option to participate via Zoom. This month’s presenters are Disc Golf Light, which is developing solar-powered LED lights for disc golf baskets, and Jay The Cheesecake Queen, a Sacramento company building a wholesale and retail distribution business for grab-and-go cheesecakes. The founders will present their businesses followed by audience questions, feedback, and advice. Read more.
Where to Find the Money: Grants, Equity, Debt, and Retained Earnings
Thu, Sep 17, 11 AM – 1 PM, Online
Explore the four primary ways to fund a business and which options make sense at different stages. This StartupSac and CleanStart workshop covers grants, angel and venture investment, loans and other debt, and using revenue to fund growth, with guidance on what each funding source requires and when to consider it. Read more.
AI Startup Office Hours
Thu, Sep 17, 11 AM – 1 PM, HMCI in Rancho Cordova
AI and technology founders, professionals, students, and researchers can receive practical feedback on an idea or venture—no pitch required. Drop in to discuss validating demand, finding initial customers, turning a side project into a business, preparing for investor conversations, or connecting with regional startup resources. Read more.
GrowTECH FEST 2026
Thu–Fri, Oct 8–9, Sierra Nevada Big Room in Chico
Connect with founders, investors, and innovators from across the North State during this two-day entrepreneurship conference featuring keynote speakers, workshops, networking, and the GrowTECH Startup Pitch Showcase. Read more.
Applications
NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program – Fall 2026 Planetary Health
Apply by Wed, Sep 9 | Online program
Early-stage teams developing STEM-based technologies can participate in this free UC Davis Venture Catalyst customer discovery program, with a fall theme of Planetary Health. Teams of 2–4 will conduct customer interviews, identify target customers, refine their value proposition, and evaluate product-market fit. University affiliation is not required. The program begins with orientation Sep 24, followed by workshops Oct 1, 8, 15 and 22.Read more.
Build Up Sacramento 2027 Applications Open
Rolling Admission Begins Sep 1 | Final Deadline Nov 30
Established Sacramento businesses are invited to apply for this no-cost accelerator designed to help companies scale sustainably. Over four months, participants receive expert advising, peer learning, office hours, and practical strategies for strengthening operations, expanding customers, and preparing for long-term growth. Only 20 businesses will be selected, and qualified applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning Sep 1, so early application is encouraged. 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 a $20K non-dilutive experimentation pool shared across the cohort, 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.
