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
Startup Grind Sacramento featuring Sonny Mayugba, CMO of Hundred Health
Tue, Jun 17, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Startup Grind relaunches its live events at the Urban Hive with guest Sonny Mayugba, CMO of Hundred Health, a platform democratizing longevity through personalized, preventative healthcare. Read more.
1 Million Cups: Flip the Glitch + ProdShot (Hybrid)
Wed, Jun 18, 8:30 – 10:00 AM, In-person in Sacramento + Online
Join Sacramento’s startup community in person at Connect Labs at Aggie Square—or tune in via Zoom. This week’s presenters: Flip the Glitch, focused on mental health and community healing, and ProdShot, an AI-powered tool for e-commerce product photos. Read more.
Pitch Elk Grove Applications Due!
Applications Due Monday, June 23
Applications are now open for Northern California’s premier startup pitch competition, offering $20,000 in total prize money. Open to tech startups based in El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba County, this high-impact event connects founders with investors, mentors, and community leaders. Finalists will pitch live on September 4 in Elk Grove. Apply now.
This Week
1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Jun 17, 1:00 – 3:00 PM, In-person in Roseville
Got a startup idea or early-stage company? Meet with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence for personalized guidance. Intake form required before attending. Read more.
Get Free Student Consulting Support from Sac State
Thu, Jun 19, 12:00 – 12:30 PM, Online
Discover how Sac State’s Center for Small Business can support your startup with free consulting from upper-division and grad students. Past projects include strategy, data analysis, marketing, and app development. Read more.
Veteran Networking + Tribe Talk with Mirtha Villarreal-Younger
Thu, Jun 19, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Connect with fellow veteran entrepreneurs at this community event hosted by the Veteran Entrepreneur Tribe. Hear from Agile Construction founder Mirtha Villarreal-Younger about her journey from military service to business ownership. Food, drinks, and networking included. Read more.
Live Startup Office Hours: Traction Lab with JDM + Cam
Fri, Jun 20, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Online
Get real-time feedback on your startup from Josh David Miller and Cameron Law of Traction Lab. Bring your questions on traction, customers, pitching, or fundraising — no slides, no fluff, just actionable advice. Read more.
Sactown Makers Demo Night
Fri, Jun 20, 5:30 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Celebrate local entrepreneurship and creativity at Sactown Makers Demo Night! Meet emerging founders from the accelerator program and hear a guest pitch from Auth Hero, a healthcare tech startup tackling administrative burdens. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Perspectives: Rethinking Business Processes with GenAI
Tue, Jun 24, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Online
Learn how cleantech startups and resource-conscious founders can apply GenAI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot to streamline operations, reduce costs, and manage risk. Featuring Jessica Carius, Senior GenAI Consultant at Baker Tilly. Read more.
Startup Happy Hour + AMA with The Better Meat Co. Founder Paul Shapiro
Tue, Jun 24, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, In-person in West Sacramento
Connect with fellow founders over drinks and appetizers at Startup Happy Hour. Hear from Paul Shapiro, CEO of The Better Meat Co. and author of Clean Meat, as he shares insights on food tech, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Read more.
SacTech Social: June Meetup
Thu, Jun 26, 6:00 – 9:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
An inclusive community meetup for developers, designers, and the tech-curious to connect, collaborate, and talk tech. Read more.
Applications
NSF I-Corps AgTech Customer Discovery Course
Apply by Jun 20 for Next Session
Program Dates: Jul 8, 15, 22, 29, 2:00 – 4:00 PM, Online
Validate your AgTech startup idea in UC Davis’s free NSF I-Corps course. Use customer discovery to explore market fit and value. Open to university and independent STEM innovators. Learn more.
NSF I-Corps STEM Innovator Customer Discovery Course
Apply by Jul 17 for Next Session
Program Dates: Aug 5, 12, 19, 26, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Online
Validate your STEM startup idea in UC Davis’s free NSF I-Corps course. Use customer discovery to explore customers, refine your business model, and prepare for follow-on NSF funding. 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 session is July 10, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read more.
Tomorrow’s Innovators Design & Tech Accelerator
Apply by June 27
This free 10-week program equips aspiring entrepreneurs—especially from BIPOC and underserved communities in Sacramento—with hands-on training in design thinking, 3D printing, and business strategy. Starts Jul 11. Must live or have a business in Sacramento city limits. Apply Now.
Roseville Rising Food Founders 2025
Apply by Mon, July 7
Turn your food passion into a business! This free 10-week program at Roseville Venture Lab helps aspiring culinary entrepreneurs refine strategy and grow with support from mentors and peers. Open to startups in restaurants, mobile food, cottage foods, and packaged goods. Apply now.
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.