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
Last Day to Apply! 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.
Founders First Fridays
Fri, Apr 4, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM, In-person in Roseville
A monthly meetup for entrepreneurs who’ve previously connected with Growth Factory’s EIRs. Share ideas, challenges, and peer support with other founders working toward product-market fit. Registration required and subject to approval. Read 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 1, 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
Folsom AI Meetup: Building an AI-Powered Agent Workshop
Tue, Apr 1, 6 – 8 PM, In-person in Folsom
Join Startup Folsom for a hands-on workshop building an AI-powered Next.js app using Cursor and Vibe Coding. Enjoy pizza, connect with fellow devs, and explore AI-assisted development tools. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento: LogRx and Campus Mind
Wed, Apr 2, 9:00–10:00 AM, Online
Two early-stage startups present their businesses and get live feedback from fellow entrepreneurs. LogRx: App for tracking narcotics inventory in emergency services. Campus Mind: Platform improving college support for students and families Read more.
AgStart Learn from a Local: Carola Dowd, PhD, MBA – Senior Director Research Ops
Thu, Apr 3, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, In-person in Woodland
Hear Carola Dowd, Senior Director at GreenVenus, discuss innovations in plant propagation and breeding technologies. Connect with the AgriFoodTech community and explore advances in sustainable food production. Read more.
Plan Ahead
Startup Board Development Series
Tue, Apr 8, 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, Online
Led by seasoned board director Kim Box, this 3-part workshop series helps founders unlock the power of startup and advisory boards. The April 8 session covers board structure and function at different startup stages, from seed to IPO, and guides founders in building the right board for their journey. 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.
AgStart Learn from a Leader: Startup Strategies for Attracting Venture Capital
Wed, Apr 9, 12:00–2:00 PM, In-person in Woodland
Dr. Chris Holly and Dr. Dan Knauss of Cooley LLP will share insights on building strong IP strategies and navigating fundraising to attract venture capital. Ideal for AgriFoodTech founders seeking to scale. Read more.
MedStart: ARIZ Precision Medicine CEO Brad Niles
Wed, Apr 9, 6:00–8:00 PM, In-person in Sacramento
Join MedStart for a conversation with Brad Niles, Founder and CEO of ARIZ Precision Medicine, a Davis-based startup developing targeted therapies to destroy cancer cells without harming healthy tissue. Networking followed by presentation and Q&A.. Read more.
Applications
CleanStart Deep Dive Accelerator
Apply by April 16, Cohort begins April 23.
The Deep Dive Accelerator is a six-month program for post-seed cleantech startups ready to scale. Participants receive intensive biweekly training, expert mentorship, and peer support to achieve product-market fit and prepare for growth investment. Program runs April to October. 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.
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 April 10, 5:30-6:30 PM, Online. Read more.
NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Course
Apply by April 18 for Next Session
Program Dates: May 12, 15, & 22, 5 – 8 PM, Online
Validate your STEM startup idea in UC Berkeley’s free NSF I-Corps course. Use Lean LaunchPad to explore customers and value. Eligible teams may qualify for a $50K NSF grant and $5K in AWS credits. 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.