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 Challenge
Fri, Sep 26, 5:30 PM – Sun, Sep 28, 8:30 PM, at the Carlsen Center at Sac State in Sacramento
Stop thinking and start doing! This weekend-long event brings aspiring founders together to form teams, build real startups, and make progress fast—no business experience required. Open to anyone 18+. This is a 3-day event. Read more.
Info Session for Startup Challenge is Tomorrow, Sept 9
Want to learn more? Join the Startup Challenge Info Session on Tue, Sep 9 from 12-12:30 PM online. RSVP here.
This Week
AI Lab: Cowork & Collaborate
Tue, Sep 9, 9:30 AM – 2 PM, The Commons at Granite City, Folsom
A full day of hands-on AI coworking for founders, hackers, and technologists building with AI. Includes coffee, snacks, and lunch. Expect lightning demos (Ragnar AI, Liquid Metal AI, and more), breakout collabs, and an evening ticket to the Folsom AI Meetup. Not a conference, not a pitch—just smart people doing real work side by side. Read more.
UCD Venture Catalysts Knowledge Exchange: Go-to-Market Strategies
Tue, Sep 9, 10 – 11 AM, Online
Learn proven strategies to engage customers and build partnerships. Pat Flynn, tech founder and former CMO of Hazel Technologies, will share insights on targeting audiences, crafting value propositions, and approaching partners with confidence. Read more.
Drop-in 1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Sep 9, 12 – 3 PM, at Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Have a startup idea or small business? Meet with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for personalized guidance. Intake form required before attending. Sessions are focused on helping founders move forward, not for pitches or investment solicitations. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with GeoLanes
Wed, Sep 10, 9 – 10 AM, Online
A weekly coffee-fueled event where entrepreneurs present their startups for feedback. This week: GeoLanes, a location-based engagement platform that blends tech, community, and storytelling for immersive real-time experiences. Read more.
Raising Venture Capital: A Multi-Part Series
Wednesdays, Remaining Sessions Sep 10 – Oct 1, 1 – 2:30 PM, Online
Tech Futures Group presents a free 5-part series to help founders prepare for raising venture capital. Learn what top investors expect before you pitch. Remaining 4 sessions: Product-market fit, SBIR/STTR grants, GTM strategy, and Pitch readiness. Designed for pre-seed to Series A startups across industries. Read more.
UC Davis & Beyond: Venture Insights in Food + Health
Wed, Sep 10, 10 – 11 AM, Online
Explore market trends and venture opportunities in food and health innovation. Speakers include Dr. Harold Schmitz (The March Group), Irina Adler (Sawaya Partners), Tom Andriola (UC Irvine), and Christian Brix Tillegreen (BioInnovation Institute). Read more.
MIX: Monthly Innovation Exchange – Roots & Revolutions in Food Systems
Thu, Sep 11, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs by Wexford, Sacramento
Join entrepreneurs, researchers, creatives, and community leaders for an evening of lightning talks, roundtables, and networking. This month’s theme explores how to balance tradition and innovation in food systems. Read more.
Live Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab – JDM + Cam
Fri, Sep 12, 12 – 1 PM, Online via LinkedIn
Bring your real questions to JDM and Cam Law, co-founders of Traction Lab, for sharp, evidence-backed feedback. This isn’t startup theater—it’s Traction Science. Whether you’re chasing your first 10 customers, testing value, or prepping to raise, get clarity on what works (and what’s a waste). No slides, no coddling—just frameworks, fire, and receipts. Read more.
Sacramento AWS Hackathon: GenAI Knowledgebase Challenge
Sat, Sep 13, 10 AM – 4 PM, at 1610 R St, Sacramento
Build Generative AI-powered knowledgebases using AWS cloud tools and Streamlit. Work in teams (or join one onsite), get hands-on with a GitHub starter app, and access mentors, workshops, and AWS credits. Open to students, developers, and professionals of all levels. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Startup Policy Seminar: Startup Access to Federal Funds
Thu, Sep 18, 9 – 10 AM, Online
The SBIR and STTR programs—key federal funding sources for startups—require reauthorization by Congress this fall. Join Engine for a policy-focused discussion on how recent shifts affect startup access to federal funds, why SBIR/STTR matter for innovation, and what founders should know when navigating federal grants. Read more.
MedStart: Journey with VocalMD
Wed, Sep 17, 6 – 8 PM, The Urban Hive, Sacramento
Join MedStart for a conversation with Drs. Benjamin Bergman and Arnold Lee, co-founders of VocalMD. Their patient-centered healthcare platform connects individuals with doctors and care teams through voice, video, and chat—redefining how care is delivered. Read more.
Building Championship Culture: Lessons in Leadership from the Court to the Boardroom
Fri, Sep 19, 12 – 2 PM, Carlsen Center, Sacramento
Coach Greg Clink, longtime Chico State head basketball coach, shares his “Ten-Point Championship Culture Framework” — proven principles to transform underperforming teams into high-performing powerhouses. Learn how clarity, trust, mindset, and communication drive success in startups, nonprofits, and enterprises. Read more.
NASA International Space Apps Challenge Sacramento
Sat–Sun, Oct 4–5, Folsom Lake College, Folsom
Join innovators of all ages and backgrounds to tackle real-world challenges using NASA’s open data. No coding experience needed—anyone can participate. Free event, advance registration encouraged. Read more.
Applications
Applications Open: Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy 2026
SEA’s 2026 cohort runs from Jan–May in Sacramento, offering mentorship, business planning, and access to a powerful alumni network. Early-bird and student discounts available. 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 openings to pitch are on September 11, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read more.
Traction Lab Venture Accelerator
Applications Open Now
Fast-track your startup’s growth! This accelerator, powered by The Right Box and the Carlsen Center, helps pre-seed and seed-stage founders in tech-enabled sectors reach product-market fit and get funding-ready—twice as fast. 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.
