Sacramento Startup Digest October 26
Techstars Startup Digest Sacramento
A round up of the best events for founders and entrepreneurs in the Greater Sacramento region!
If you have questions about any of the events listed below, please contact the event organizer directly.
Featured
Startup Happy Hour with Dennis Delgado
Tomorrow! Tue, Oct 27, 5 – 7 PM, LogOff Brewing in Rancho Cordova
Connect with fellow founders, entrepreneurs and startup community members for an evening of networking and conversation. This month's Ask Me Anything (AMA) guest is Dennis Delgado, a product design and technology leader with experience building B2B platforms, developing AI-powered workflows and mentoring startups. Dennis is one of the founders of Sac Tech Week. Bring your questions about product development, AI and turning ideas into working solutions. Read more.
Startup Challenge
Fri–Sun, Nov 13–15, Carlsen Center at Sacramento State
Turn an idea into a business in one action-packed weekend of learning by doing. Work with a team to develop, test and pitch a new business idea with guidance and support from Sacramento's startup community. No idea or prior business experience required. Read more.
Applications Open: Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy 2027
Aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage founders can gain hands-on business education, mentorship and connections to Sacramento's entrepreneurial community through the Academy's 2027 cohort. The program runs January–May, with Saturday morning sessions covering customer research, marketing, finance, business planning and pitching. Learn more.
This Week
EIR Office Hours with Dr. Brian Gladden
Mon, Oct 26, 4 – 5 PM, Online
Founders struggling to turn a promising idea into a workable business can get practical help refining their model and identifying unmet customer demand. Bring a specific challenge or listen in to learn how low-cost experiments, Blue Ocean Strategy, and clear objectives can move a startup from uncertainty toward execution. Read more.
IP for AI Startups: How Founders Can Create a Defensible Moat
Mon, Oct 26, 5:30 – 6:30 PM, Online
Learn how to protect your AI startup's intellectual property and build a competitive advantage that's difficult to copy. Former U.S. Patent Examiner Kathryn Vatt will discuss common IP mistakes founders make when sharing ideas, demonstrating products and pitching investors, along with practical strategies for protecting innovations, navigating patents and preparing for investor due diligence. Read more.
Grow Sales on Purpose
Mon, Oct 26, 6 – 7 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Build a repeatable sales process, improve customer retention and lifetime value, and set up referral systems that turn happy customers into new ones. This free Sierra SBDC workshop builds on the first series; advance registration required. Read more.
ProBiz Procurement Fair – Sacramento
Tue, Oct 27, 9 AM – 1 PM, SBA Office in Citrus Heights
Meet representatives of federal, state and local government agencies in person and learn how to sell to the public sector. Hosted by the Sacramento Valley SBDC. The venue is a federal facility: bring a REAL ID or U.S. passport and arrive early for screening. Read more.
Brand Therapy Breakfast
Tue, Oct 27, 8:30 – 10 AM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Learn how to build a brand that connects with the right customers. Brand strategist Zuza Hicks will cover the customer journey, what branding means beyond a logo, and how to make sure your website is helping rather than losing potential customers. Free breakfast; spots are limited. Read more.
Sounding Board Workshop
Tue, Oct 27, 10 AM – 12 PM, SBA Office in Citrus Heights
Get guidance and feedback on your sales or marketing challenges in a small group of three to five owners, led by SCORE mentor Mark Seidman. Open to pre-launch founders aiming to maximize early revenue as well as owners looking to grow. Seating is very limited; bring a REAL ID or U.S. passport to enter the federal building. Read more.
1 Million Cups Sacramento with Duotail
Wed, Oct 28, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear from Duotail, a startup developing a new approach to email security that gives users greater control over who can reach their inbox. Instead of relying on spam filters, Duotail uses separate email addresses and customizable rules for different relationships to block unwanted messages before they arrive. The founder will give a six-minute presentation followed by questions, feedback and advice from the community.Read more.
Construction and Trade Financing
Wed, Oct 28, 9 AM – 12 PM, SBA Office in Citrus Heights
Contractors and construction businesses can learn how SBA-backed financing may help cover labor and materials between payments, purchase equipment, acquire owner-occupied property, and obtain bonds for larger contracts. The free session will cover Builders CAPLine, SBA 504 financing, bonding requirements, application preparation, and questions from attendees. Read more.
QuickBooks Online Series: Accounts Payable, Banking Reconciliations and Reports
Wed, Oct 28, 10 AM – 12 PM, Online
Learn to enter expenses and bills, pay bills, handle undeposited funds and reconcile your accounts in QuickBooks Online, then read your Profit & Loss statement and Balance Sheet. Part of a NorCal SBDC webinar series on running your books. Read more.
EIR Office Hours with Mariah Lichtenstern
Wed, Oct 28, 12:30 – 1:30 PM, Online
Founders preparing to approach investors can learn how to strengthen their pitch, identify what may be missing from their deck, and present early traction more convincingly. Bring a fundraising question for direct feedback on investor expectations, timing your raise, and choosing among venture capital, grants, or revenue-funded growth. Read more.
Empowered Entrepreneur: Essential Tools for New and Existing Founders
Wed, Oct 28, 12:45 – 2 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Build a stronger foundation for starting or growing a business in this practical workshop hosted by ChicoSTART and the City of Roseville. Explore essential startup resources, assess your entrepreneurial readiness and participate in a creative exercise designed to help you identify actionable next steps for your business. Read more.
Trademark Basics: What Every Small Business Should Know Now, Not Later
Wed, Oct 28, 1 – 2:30 PM, Online
Learn how to protect your brand with a federal trademark, directly from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in this NorCal SBDC webinar. Read more.
SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program for Small Businesses
Thu, Oct 29, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Small contractors seeking larger public- or private-sector projects can learn how SBA-backed guarantees may help them secure required bid, performance, and payment bonds. Participants will review eligibility requirements, application steps, and practical ways to build long-term bonding capacity when traditional surety options are limited. Read more.
Doing Business with NASA SEWP: Small Business Strategies & Insights
Thu, Oct 29, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
Small businesses interested in federal contracting can learn practical strategies for pursuing opportunities through NASA’s Solutions for Enterprise-Wide Procurement program. Participants will gain insight into navigating the NASA contracting environment, strengthening their approach, and expanding potential government-business opportunities. Read more.
AI Basics
Thu, Oct 29, 1 – 2 PM, Online
Learn how AI can help your small business save time, lower costs and make better decisions. This one-hour NorCal SBDC webinar covers AI fundamentals, demonstrates practical tools and lays out steps for getting started; no technical experience required. Read more.
AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Oct 30, 12 – 1 PM, Online
Founders questioning whether their startup metrics truly demonstrate progress can get candid feedback on traction, fundraising readiness, and the assumptions behind their strategy. Join live or submit a question in advance to uncover weak spots, sharpen priorities, and avoid spending time on efforts that will not move the business forward. Read more.
Plan Ahead
EIR Office Hours with Dr. Brian Gladden
Mon, Nov 2, 4 – 5 PM, Online
Founders unsure whether their strategy reflects real customer demand can learn how to challenge assumptions and design simple experiments before committing more resources. Bring a specific obstacle for guidance on business-model refinement, overlooked market opportunities, or translating a broad vision into focused goals and measurable action. Read more.
Grow Your Business: Introduction to Federal Contracts
Tue, Nov 3, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Small-business owners interested in government contracting can learn the fundamentals of finding and pursuing federal opportunities. This introductory session will explain how federal contracts can support business growth, offer practical tips for getting started, and provide time for participant questions. Read more.
Digital Marketing Series: Laying the Digital Marketing Foundation & Crafting Your Buyer Persona
Tue, Nov 3, 10:30 AM – 12 PM, Online
Learn the fundamentals of digital marketing and how to build a buyer persona that guides where you spend your marketing effort. Instructor Ramin Ramhormozi opens this three-part NorCal SBDC webinar series for emerging entrepreneurs; later sessions cover SEO, paid search and social ads, and email and social media marketing. Read more.
How to Do Business with Sacramento County
Wed, Nov 4, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Learn how Sacramento County buys goods and services, how to register as a vendor, and where to find contracting opportunities. Useful for founders and small business owners who want a practical introduction to government procurement and a chance to connect with procurement professionals. Read more.
CLTRE Coffee & Conversation
Wed, Nov 4, 9 – 11 AM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Entrepreneurs, creatives, investors, and community builders can expand their networks, exchange ideas, and discover opportunities for collaboration across Sacramento. The informal gathering also features Old Soul Coffee and a live pop-up podcast in a welcoming, conversation-focused setting. Read more.
EIR Office Hours with Mariah Lichtenstern
Wed, Nov 4, 12:30 –1:30 PM, Online
Founders deciding how and when to fund their growth can gain an investor’s perspective on fundraising readiness, early traction, and available capital options. Bring questions about your pitch, go-to-market strategy, or whether venture funding, grants, or revenue-based growth makes the most sense for your business. Read more.
From Zero to AI: Funding Research & Application Writing
Wed, Nov 4, 5:30 – 7 PM, Made Studio & Makerspace in Sacramento or Online
Learn how to use AI to research funding opportunities and prepare stronger grant and loan applications. This free, hands-on workshop from the Alliance for Community Development covers analyzing funding requests, drafting application responses and creating a reusable toolkit to streamline future funding applications. No technical experience required. Read more.
Learn from a Leader: Matt Ferry, Frido Silva and Meghan Poon
Wed, Nov 4, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, AgStart, Woodland
AgStart’s session covers how Food+Ag startup founders can structure commercial partnerships, evaluate agreements, and avoid terms that may limit financing, future partnerships, or exit options. Attendees can also gain practical guidance on IP, manufacturing, distribution, exclusivity, and negotiating with stronger corporate partners. Read more.
AI for Business Workshop: Building an AI Product That Benefits Your Business
Wed, Nov 4, 6 – 8 PM, Roseville Venture Lab, Roseville, CA
Learn how to judge whether an AI idea is worth pursuing, what to design before writing code, and why many AI projects fail after the demo. Glissando AI founder Amin Rabinia shares systems he has built for businesses and founders, and what to prepare before hiring a developer. Part of the free monthly AI for Business series supported by the City of Roseville. Read more.
SBA Surety Bond Guarantee Program for Small Businesses
Thu, Nov 5, 9 –10 AM, Online
Small contractors can learn how SBA-backed guarantees may help them secure the bid, performance, and payment bonds required to pursue larger public- and private-sector projects. The webinar will explain eligibility, the application process, and practical steps for strengthening long-term bonding capacity. Read more.
MedStart CEO Roundtable: Featuring Dr. Brandon Zipp
Thu, Nov 5, 6 – 8 PM, The MarkeTech Group, Davis, CA
A small, in-person roundtable for medical and life science startup leaders to discuss market realities, founder challenges, and practical next steps with peers. Founders can use it to pressure-test ideas, compare notes on clinical and regulatory hurdles, and build relevant local connections. Read more.
AMA with Cam and JDM
Fri, Nov 6, 12 –1 PM, Online
Founders testing whether customers truly value their idea can receive candid feedback on early traction, customer acquisition, and the assumptions shaping their business. Join the live discussion or submit a question in advance to identify weak spots, sharpen priorities, and avoid spending time on strategies that are not producing results. Read more.
EIR Office Hours with Dr. Brian Gladden
Mon, Nov 9, 4 – 5 PM, Online
Founders competing in crowded markets can learn how to identify unmet demand and build a more distinctive business strategy. Bring an idea or current roadblock for practical guidance on refining your model, testing customer interest with low-cost experiments, and turning strategic priorities into clear next steps. Read more.
Startup-Tech Connect
Mon, Nov 9, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Hop Gardens in Sacramento
Connect with startup founders, entrepreneurs and tech professionals from across the Sacramento region. This informal networking event brings together people building new businesses and technologies to exchange ideas, meet potential co-founders and collaborators, and strengthen relationships within the local startup community. Read more.
Legal Grounds: Practical Legal Conversations for Founders
Tue, Nov 10, 8 – 9:30 AM, Moneta Ventures in Folsom
Get practical answers to the legal questions that come up while starting and growing a company. This monthly gathering from StartupSac and Witan Law begins with a brief discussion of a timely legal topic, followed by an informal, founder-driven conversation with an experienced startup attorney. Bring your questions and learn from other entrepreneurs. Read more.
Grow Your Business: Introduction to Federal Contracts
Tue, Nov 10, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Small-business owners looking to diversify their revenue can learn how federal contracting opportunities work and what it takes to begin pursuing them. The session will cover essential concepts, practical starting tips, and common questions about entering the government marketplace. Read more.
Applications
CAP-BIO Acceleration Program
Apply by Oct 30
Biotech startups ready to scale their fermentation process can apply for a one-year, no-cost residency at Lab@AgStart in Woodland. Only two companies will be selected for technical support, lab access, and bioreactor equipment. Apply by Fri, Oct 30. Read more.
Build Up Sacramento 2027 Applications Open
Rolling Admission Open Now through Nov 30
Sacramento businesses are invited to apply for this no-cost accelerator designed to help companies scale sustainably. Over four months, participants receive expert advising, peer learning, office hours, and practical strategies for strengthening operations, expanding customers, and preparing for long-term growth. Only 20 businesses will be selected, and qualified applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged. Read more.
Winter 2027 NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Program
Apply by Thu, Jan 14 | Online program, Jan 28 – Feb 23, 2027
Learn how to evaluate the commercial potential of a STEM-based innovation through customer discovery. This free UC Davis Venture Catalyst program helps early-stage technology teams identify target customers, test value propositions and explore scalable business models through workshops and customer interviews. Teams of 2–4 people are eligible, including those without university affiliations. No prior business experience required. Read more.
Traction Lab: Investment Readiness Engine
Applications Open
Apply for this 9-month go-to-market acceleration program supporting Sacramento-area founders with B2B sales development, enterprise pilot strategy, investor readiness, and traction-building support. Led by Traction Lab in partnership with Right Box and the Carlsen Center, the program includes a $20K non-dilutive experimentation pool shared across the cohort, with $500–$2,000 grants for validated pilots and culminates in a $100K SPV Investment Showcase. Read more.
GFN Office Hours – Apply for 1:1 Mentorship
Applications Open | Roseville
Apply for a free one-on-one session with a GFN Entrepreneur-in-Residence and get personalized feedback on your startup idea or business challenges. Sessions are held at the Roseville Venture Lab. Read more.
Sacramento Startup Events App Startup Digest volunteer curator Manoj Keechilot of Gilentic Technologies has created a free Android app to help entrepreneurs discover Sacramento startup events, accelerator opportunities, and application deadlines. Browse upcoming events, filter by date, add events to your calendar, and access registration links—all in one place. Download Sacramento Startup Events free on Google Play.
This Techstars Startup Digest newsletter is curated by Laura Good, Emilie Sholomytska, Harmeen Kaur, and Manoj Keechilot.
Copyright © 2026 Techstars Startup Digest Sacramento, All rights reserved.
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