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!
Big Day of Giving May 1
Big Day of Giving is this Thursday, May 1! This annual 24-hour giving event is a chance to support hundreds of nonprofits across the Sacramento region that are making a difference in our community. You can explore all the participating organizations here.
If you’d like to support StartupSac’s work helping local entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses, you can make a donation here.
Featured
Aggie Square Grand Opening Ceremony
Fri, May 2, 9:30 AM–4:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Celebrate the launch of Aggie Square, a new hub for innovation, research, and community on the UC Davis Sacramento campus. Enjoy a ribbon cutting, open house with tours, food trucks, music, and hands-on experiences. Read more.
Founders First Fridays
Fri, May 2, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, In-person in Roseville
An exclusive monthly meetup for founders who’ve met with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Connect with peers, share insights, and build momentum toward product-market fit. Read more
Capital Region Small Business Week
May 4–10, Various locations in the Capital Region
SAVE THE DATES! A full week of events to celebrate and support local entrepreneurs. Highlights include networking mixers, resource fairs, mentorship sessions, awards, and a small business pop-up market. Learn more.
Mentor Sprint: Fast-Paced Mentoring for Entrepreneurs
Wed, May 7, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Part of Capital Region Small Business Week, this high-energy event connects early-stage entrepreneurs and small business owners with experienced mentors in rapid 15-minute sessions. Get expert advice, fresh insights, and new connections — all before lunch! Free, but space is limited. Read more.
This Week
Drop-in 1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Apr 29, 1:00–3:00 PM, In-person in Roseville
Got a startup idea or early-stage business? Get personalized guidance from Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence during these weekly office hours. Complete the intake form before attending. Registration required and subject to approval. Read more
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Asha AI and LevrAge LLC
Wed, Apr 30, 9:00–10:00 AM, Online
Hear from Asha AI, a secure AI health companion for chronic care patients, and LevrAge LLC, a professional network optimization platform. Join this weekly Zoom meetup for founder presentations and feedback. Read more.
2025 UC Davis Research Expo
Wed, Apr 30, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM, In-person in Davis
Explore research tools, connect with collaborators, and gain insights at the UC Davis Research Expo. Featuring exhibits, workshops, and networking for researchers across disciplines. Read more.
AgStart Learn from a Local: Anvita Gupta – CEO, AINovo Biotech
Thu, May 1, 5:30–7:30 PM, In-person in Woodland
Hear how AINovo Biotech is using Generative AI to accelerate drug and genome design. Founder Anvita Gupta shares insights from her AI-driven work in biopharma and agtech. Read more.
Plan Ahead
SacBiz Connect: Small Business Week Resource Expo and Kickoff
Mon, May 5, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM, In-person in Elk Grove
Kick off Capital Region Small Business Week at this resource-packed expo! Connect with 30+ support organizations, discover tools to grow your business, and network with fellow entrepreneurs. Food available for purchase. Read more.
SEA 2025 Showcase
Thu, May 8, 5 – 8 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Celebrate the next generation of entrepreneurs as fellows from the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy present their ventures. Network with local leaders, investors, and innovators at this annual showcase. Read more.
Applications
Virtual Incubator for Green Entrepreneurs (FlexPath)
Applications Open Now
FlexPath is a free, virtual incubator for SEDI (Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals) entrepreneurs in California’s green economy. Run by HumanBulb and funded by Empower California, the program offers customizable workshops, consulting, and resources to support your business growth. Apply now.
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.
Scout Launch Academy – SBIR Training + Scholarships
Apply now for May 2025 cohort
Scout helps early-stage startups win SBIR/STTR grants with expert-led training, coaching, and AI tools. Full-tuition scholarships available for high-potential teams. Cohort starts May 1. 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 open spots on May 15, Online. Read more.
SEGA Innovation Grant Competition
Apply by August 1
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.
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.