From babymoon pitches to big wins, this Sacramento startup success story was years in the making—with key milestones powered by local programs and community support.
Sacramento startup success story alert!
ValleyMatch, an Elk Grove-based matchmaking startup founded by Rebecca Nguyen, has been acquired by national matchmaking platform DateSpot—marking a major milestone for a company that got its early traction through programs and events supported by the Sacramento region’s startup community.
While the acquisition headlines focus on ValleyMatch’s innovative use of AI and affordable matchmaking model, the story behind the story is one of hustle, bold moves, and strategic engagement with local resources—including several that StartupSac helps organize or amplify.
A Startup That Grew With Its Community
Rebecca first connected with Sacramento’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through a Startup Happy Hour, where she learned about FourthWave, an accelerator for women-led tech startups. Though she didn’t join that year, she did the following year—and it paid off.
“I was able to 2x my business throughout the course of the program,” she says.
Before officially launching ValleyMatch, Rebecca presented during 1 Million Cups Sacramento—an event known for its supportive, low-pressure vibe, which gave her both visibility and valuable connections. One of those connections? Sara Rodrigues at the City of Elk Grove’s Economic Development team, who pointed her to the Elk Grove Startup Incentive Program, where startups are eligible to receive grant money to help them launch.
“I presented while seven months pregnant, just 12 hours after flying back from our babymoon in Hawaii,” Rebecca recalls. “That’s how welcoming the community was—I felt safe to show up and share my vision.”
ValleyMatch then participated in the Startup Challenge, an intensive weekend program powered by the Carlsen Center and co-facilitated by StartupSac. The founders brought serious energy—and walked away with first place and a $1,000 prize. That win helped validate the business and provided an early cash infusion that supported marketing tests and product development.
“The Startup Challenge removed our excuses. We executed fast, tested our ideas, and even announced our startup publicly for the first time—which brought in a wave of traffic.”
Later, Rebecca pitched at the Pitch Elk Grove competition, which StartupSac organizes on behalf of the City of Elk Grove. Not only did she win a prize, she credits the exposure and credibility gained through the event as one of the reasons ValleyMatch was selected to receive a $30K grant from the city.
Acquisition News: A Dream Match
On April 17, 2025, DateSpot announced the acquisition of ValleyMatch in a move that expands its AI-powered, pay-per-match model to a broader national audience. The acquisition is more than a business win—it’s a win for the region, for female founders, and for startup ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs to grow and scale.
Rebecca and her husband, Loc Nguyen—who joined as cofounder—launched ValleyMatch just before becoming new parents. Their journey through early startup challenges while balancing family life is an inspiring example of what’s possible with grit, community support, and smart execution.
“This is a dream scenario,” Rebecca said in the press release. “DateSpot was our first choice to take over because of their database size and values. I’m proud of what we’ve built together and excited to continue to lead the industry and help people find love.”
She’ll stay on part-time with DateSpot through August to support the transition.
The Takeaway
From presenting at a coffee-fueled 1 Million Cups while pregnant to scaling with support from local accelerators, pitch events, and grant programs, ValleyMatch’s journey is everything we love to see in Sacramento’s startup community. It’s a reminder that early-stage support, connections, and yes—capital—can make all the difference.
Congratulations to Rebecca, Loc, and the whole ValleyMatch team! You’ve built something impressive—and we’re proud to have been a part of your journey.
Interested in more Startup Stories? Check them out here.