There’s a lot going on this week and next for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list below; for a full listing of everything that’s going on this week and next, check out this week’s Startup Digest! While you’re there, you can sign up to receive the digest in your inbox every Monday morning!
Featured
1 Million Cups Sacramento In-Person at Granite City Coworking
Wed, Feb 19, 8:30 – 10 AM, In-person in Folsom
Start your morning with coffee, connection, and startup presentations at 1 Million Cups Sacramento! Two early-stage founders will present their businesses, followed by Q&A and community feedback. A great way to network with fellow entrepreneurs! Read more.
AngelConnect Happy Hour
Thu, Feb 20, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Roseville
Accredited investors are invited to a happy hour event featuring discussions with experienced angels. The gathering will also introduce the upcoming NorCal AngelCon, an investment education program launching its second year in Spring 2025. Read more. The event page defines the requirements for an accredited investor.
Folsom Tech Week 2025
Mon-Fri, Feb 24-28, In-person in Folsom
Organized by the Granite City Entrepreneurship Foundation, this inaugural event showcases local innovations and fosters professional connections. Activities include a 24-hour hackathon on governmental efficiency, expert panel discussions, a startup pitch contest, and a job fair. Read more.
Startup Challenge Spring 2025
Fri-Sun, Mar 21-23, In-person in Sacramento
Hosted by the Carlsen Center, this 3-day event is designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs explore, test, and launch their business ideas. Participants will collaborate, receive mentorship, and pitch their ideas in a supportive environment. Read more.
This Week
Weekly Drop-in Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Feb 18, 1 – 3 PM, In-person in Roseville
Growth Factory Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs) host drop-in 1-on-1 office hours to guide startup founders and small business owners. Get advice on starting, accessing resources, and building momentum—not a pitch event. Read more.
UC Davis Big Bang! Workshop: Business Model: Defining a Sustainable Enterprise
Wed, Feb 19, 12 – 1:30 PM, Online
This workshop guides participants through the process of developing a sustainable business model, emphasizing the importance of defining value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams. Attendees will engage in interactive sessions to apply these concepts to their ventures. Read more.
Veteran Entrepreneur Tribe of Sacramento- inaugural Networking Event
Thu, Feb 20, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join fellow military veterans to share experiences and build valuable relationships. This event offers an opportunity to network, collaborate, and grow your business with like-minded individuals. Be part of a supportive community that understands the unique challenges and triumphs of veteran-owned businesses. Read more.
Women in Tech Social
Thu, Feb 20, 6 – 8 PM, In-person in Sacramento
The Social offers women and allies in tech a space to connect, network, and gain insights from IT recruiters on industry trends and opportunities. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Investor Valuation Basics: How to Assess Your Startup’s Worth
Mon, Feb 24, 10:00 – 11:30 AM, Online
Join the Founder Institute for a session with Neil Shah on startup valuation fundamentals. Learn about pre- and post-money valuation, equity distribution, and methods to determine your startup’s worth. For early-stage founders preparing for fundraising. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour
Tue, Feb 25, 5 – 7 PM, In-person in Roseville
Entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts are invited to network and join an “Ask Me Anything” with Jerremy Spillman, co-founder of Hank Virtual Engineering. Connect, exchange ideas, and gain tech industry insights. Sponsored by the City of Roseville, organized by StartupSac and the Carlsen Center. Read more.
Virtual Entrepreneurship Toolkit 5-Part Series
Weds, Feb 26 – Mar 26, 12 – 2 PM, Online
Build a strong startup foundation with hands-on activities led by the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship. This series equips early-stage founders with essential tools and insights for success. Session 1: Customer Segments, Customer Problems, Culture, and the Founding Team. Read more.
CleanStart Power Up
Wed, Feb 26, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Power Up convenes professionals and innovators to explore advancements in clean technology. Attendees will engage in discussions on sustainable solutions, emerging trends, and opportunities in the sector while networking with industry leaders and entrepreneurs. Read more.
SacTech Social Meetup
Thu, Feb 27, 6 – 9 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Join the SacTech community for an evening of networking and tech discussions. Connect with local professionals, share ideas, and explore collaborations. Complimentary pizza provided, thanks to the sponsor, the Carlsen Center. Read more.
Applications
Scout Academy’s NIH Grant Writing Cohort
Apply by February 26
This four-week intensive program starts March 2, and is designed to guide healthcare and biotech startups through the NIH SBIR Phase I grant application process. Participants will receive expert-led sessions, hands-on support, and access to proprietary grant writing tools to accelerate submission quality and success rates. Learn more.
UC Davis Big Bang Business Competition
Register by Mar 3 at 1 PM, Final competition on May 14.
Teams must have at least one founder affiliated with a California-based institution of higher education. This includes all California-based universities, colleges, city colleges and state schools. $100,000+ in prize money. Learn more.
2025 Circular Economy Innovation Competition
Apply by February 21
The Western Placer Waste Management Authority (WPWMA) invites you to apply for the 2025 Circular Economy Innovation Competition! Showcase your solutions for transforming waste into valuable resources, compete for $20,000 in cash awards, and receive mentorship to bring your vision to life. Learn more.
NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Course
Apply by February 28 for Next Session
Program Dates: Mar 17, 20, & Apr 2, 5 – 8 PM, Online
Have a STEM-based startup idea? Join UC Berkeley’s free, remote NSF I-Corps course to validate your idea using Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad method. Learn to identify customer segments, value propositions, and accelerate product-market fit through customer discovery. Eligible teams may qualify for a $50,000 NSF customer discovery grant and $5,000 in AWS credits. Learn more.
SEGA Innovation Grant Competition
Apply by March 31
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.
2025 Cleantech Open Accelerator
Apply by April 13
The Cleantech Open is the world’s largest cleantech accelerator, helping early-stage startups refine business models, connect with investors, and gain visibility. Participants receive mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. The program runs June to October. RSVP here for an online info session Feb 25 at 8 AM. 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.