Things are a little quieter this week with the Independence Day holiday, but there are still a few great opportunities coming up for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list of events 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 Summer Party
Tue, Jul 22, 5:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Celebrate summer with Sacramento’s startup community! Connect with founders, innovators, and ecosystem champions at The Urban Hive for an evening of networking and fun. Hosted by AgStart, the Carlsen Center, CleanStart, Growth Factory, Growth Factory Ventures, MedStart, Sactown Makers, Startup Folsom, Startup Grind, StartupSac, The Urban Hive, and 1 Million Cups Sac. Read more.
Pitch Elk Grove
Thu, Sep 4, 4:30 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Elk Grove
Watch Northern California’s top startups compete live for $20,000 in prize money at this high-energy pitch competition. Hosted by Invest Elk Grove, StartupSac, and Explore Elk Grove, Pitch Elk Grove is a celebration of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community—complete with local beer, wine, and bites. Read more.
Patent and Trademark Basics via USPTO
On Demand
Did you know the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers free resources to help entrepreneurs understand how to protect their intellectual property? Their site for inventors and startups includes guides, tools, and videos on the patent and trademark process—perfect for founders navigating IP for the first time. Learn More.
This Week
1-on-1 Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Jul 1, 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.
AgStart Learn from a Local: Ryan Dowdy, PhD – Founder & CEO of READYBAR
Thu, Jul 3, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Woodland
Join AgStart for their monthly Learn from a Local series featuring Ryan Dowdy, PhD, founder of READYBAR. A former NASA food systems manager, Ryan brings deep technical insight into building a shelf-stable, high-performance meal bar inspired by space nutrition. Connect with others in AgriFoodTech and hear his entrepreneurial journey. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Folsom AI Meetup featuring aurus.ai Founder Uday Ayyagari
Tue, Jul 8, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for their monthly AI Meetup at Granite City Coworking. Enjoy pizza, networking, and a featured talk from Uday Ayyagari, founder of aurus.ai, which develops AI solutions for the enterprise. Come for the tech, stay for the conversation. Read more.
Startup Pitch Workshop
Thu, Jul 10, 5:30 – 7:00 PM, Online via Zoom
Join StartupSac, Startup Folsom, and Startup Grind Sacramento for this monthly virtual workshop where venture-ready startups pitch and get expert feedback. One spot is still open—apply here to be considered! Observers welcome. Designed for founders planning to raise capital within the next year. Read more.
MedStart: How to Get Insurers to Pay for Innovation
Wed, July 16, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, In-person in Folsom
Hear Foodom CEO Reneta Jenik share how she secured insurance reimbursement for medically tailored meals. Network with fellow founders and explore the future of health innovation. Read more.
Applications
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.