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
It’s Folsom Tech Week 2025!
Mon-Fri, Feb 24-28, In-person in Folsom
Organized by the Granite City Entrepreneurship Foundation, this week-long event showcases local innovations and fosters professional connections. Activities include a 24-hour hackathon on governmental efficiency, expert panel discussions, a startup pitch contest, a job fair, and so much more! 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.
UC Davis Big Bang! Info Session with Q&A
Wed, Feb 26, 12:00 – 1:00 PM, Online
Learn about UC Davis’s Big Bang! Business Competition, including how to participate and the benefits of joining. To be eligible, at least one team member must be affiliated with a California higher education institution. Get your questions answered in this interactive session. 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.
Startup Challenge Spring 2025 – Early Bird Ends Tonight
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. Early bird pricing ends at midnight on Feb 24. Read more. Note: there is an info session on March 4 if you’d like to learn more about the event.
This Week
Weekly Drop-in Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Feb 25, 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.
MedStart: Scout Launch Academy Info Session (NIH SBIR)
Tue, Feb 25, 3:00 – 4:00 PM, In-person in Folsom & Online
Learn how the NIH SBIR program can help fund your life science or medical startup. Benjamin Cadranel, Founder of Advocacy Chiefs, will cover key topics, including registration, timelines, and strategies to strengthen your application. Attend in person or via Zoom. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with MINGL
Wed, Feb 26, 9:00 – 10:00 AM, Online
Join this weekly Zoom meetup where entrepreneurs present their early-stage businesses for advice and feedback. This session features MINGL, a platform connecting travelers with future travel companions before their trip. Zoom doors open at 8:45 AM for optional networking. 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.
Plan Ahead
Folsom AI Meetup Featuring Plum Identity CEO Jon Coss
Tue, Mar 4, 6 – 8 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for an engaging evening with Jon Coss, CEO of Plum Identity, as he discusses advancements in artificial intelligence and its applications in identity verification. This meetup offers a unique opportunity to learn from an industry leader and network with fellow AI enthusiasts. Read more.
AgStart Learn from a Local: Dr. Block, Director UCD iCAMP
Thu, Mar 6, 5:30 PM, In-person in Woodland
Join AgStart for an evening with Dr. David E. Block, Director of UC Davis iCAMP, as he shares insights on alternative proteins, cultivated meat, and sustainable food innovation. A great opportunity to learn and network, Read more.
Business Model Refresh
Fri, Mar 7, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Join the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship for a hands-on workshop on rethinking and revitalizing your business model. Connect with fellow entrepreneurs and explore strategies for long-term success in a changing market. Read more.
Founders First Fridays
Fri, Mar 7, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, In-person in Roseville
Join fellow entrepreneurs at this monthly gathering hosted by Roseville Venture Lab. Designed for founders who have previously met with Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EIRs), this event offers a collaborative space to exchange ideas and insights while working towards product-market fit. 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.
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.
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. Note: there is an online Info Session on Feb 26 at Noon.
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.
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 March 13, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read 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.