There’s a lot going on this week and next for entrepreneurs and startup founders. We’ve curated a short list 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!

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Featured

Lean Startup Bootcamp
Fri, Dec 5, 5:30 PM – Sat, Dec 6, 3 PM, In-person at the Carlsen Center in Sacramento
Turn your idea into a launch-ready venture in this two-day bootcamp covering Lean Canvas, value propositions, design thinking, and testing business ideas. Learn how investors evaluate startups, strengthen your pitch, and connect with mentors and fellow founders. Food provided at both sessions. Read more.

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Annual Startup Holiday Party – Don’t Miss It! (New Date)
Tue, Dec 9, 5 – 8 PM, In-person at The Urban Hive in Sacramento
Wrap up the year with Sacramento’s startup community at a cross-organization holiday meetup hosted by StartupSac, CleanStart, The Urban Hive, Carlsen Center, Startup Folsom, Startup Grind, MedStart, 1 Million Cups, VETS, Growth Factory, SEA, and AgStart. Connect, celebrate, and recharge for the year ahead. Read more.

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Applications Open: Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy 2026
SEA’s 2026 cohort runs from Jan–May in Sacramento, offering mentorship, business planning, and access to a powerful alumni network. Apply now. Learn more.

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This Week

CleanStart Perspectives | Automating Clean Energy Incentives with AI
Tue, Dec 2, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Hear from Sam Ruderman, founder of Resolv Rebates, on how AI is streamlining clean energy incentives to make adoption faster, fairer, and more accessible. Learn how automation and data intelligence are transforming the path to decarbonization. Read more.

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Marketing in a Digital World
Tue, Dec 2, 9:30 – 11 AM, Online
Learn how to stand out online by reaching core audiences, strengthening your digital presence, and building community across platforms. Led by Pablo Solares of Chase Business Banking, this workshop offers practical strategies you can apply right away. Hosted by the Women’s Business Center. Read more.

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Office Hours with Growth Factory EIRs
Tue, Dec 2, 12 – 3 PM, Roseville Venture Lab in Roseville
Get guidance on your startup or small business from Growth Factory’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Sessions are scheduled for 30–60 minutes based on your needs; registration and an intake form are required. Read more.

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1 Million Cups Sacramento
Wed, Dec 3, 9 – 10 AM, Online
Join this weekly Zoom meetup where founders present their early-stage businesses and get questions, feedback, and advice from an audience of peers. Networking starts at 8:45 AM, with presenters TBD. Read more.

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AgStart Learn From a Local: Dr. Justin Siegel
Thu, Dec 4, 5:30 – 7 PM, In-person at the AgStart Event Center in Woodland
Join AgStart for an evening with Dr. Justin Siegel of UC Davis, who will share how research-driven innovation is creating new opportunities in food and health. Hear insights from his work leading interdisciplinary programs and co-founding multiple ventures at the intersection of food, biotech, and sustainability. Read more.

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Sacramento’s Got Talent
Thu, Dec 4, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Watch Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy alumni pitch bold ideas to a tough panel of judges in a fast-paced, high-energy competition. Come cheer, vote, connect, and see who can stand the heat in the hot seat. Read more.

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Traction Lab – Live Office Hours
Fri, Dec 5, 12 – 1 PM, Virtual
Join JDM and Cam Law for Live Startup Office Hours where founders get sharp, evidence-based feedback on growth, validation, and traction. No slides, no fluff—just real questions and real answers to help you move forward. Read more.

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Plan Ahead

SEGA Health & Life Science Pitch Showcase
Tuesday, December 9, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Aggie Square in Sacramento
Watch leading health, biotech, and life-science startups pitch for a $50K non-dilutive Accelerate CA grant. Finalists span digital health, diagnostics, therapeutics, and med-tech, with special visiting companies from South Korea. A great chance to connect with innovators shaping Sacramento’s growing life-science ecosystem. Read more.

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Year-End Practices & Document Gathering for Small Businesses
Wed, Dec 10, 10 – 11:30 AM, Online
Learn how to organize essential financial records, identify vendors needing 1099s, and understand the critical documents CPAs require for accurate tax filing. We’ll discuss actionable tips for gathering and managing key records like bank statements, payroll reports, and major purchase receipts, along with best practices for reconciling accounts and simplifying the tax process. Hosted by the Women’s Business Center. Read more.

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MIX: Monthly Innovation Exchange
Thu, Dec 11, 5 – 7 PM, Connect Labs at Aggie Square in Sacramento
Join innovators, founders, creatives, and community builders for December’s MIX, focused on “Gratitude Works: Giving, Living, & Being Well.” Enjoy lightning talks, roundtable conversations, and networking centered on wellness, generosity, and staying grounded through year-end transitions. Read more.

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Applications

NSF I-Corps Customer Discovery Course
Multiple Sessions – Ongoing, Online
Validate your startup idea inNorthwest Region NSF I-Corps Hub courses. Use Lean LaunchPad to explore customers and value. Eligible teams may qualify for a $50K NSF grant and $5K in AWS credits. Learn more.

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UC Law SF Startup Legal Garage
Apply Now for Free Legal Assistance!
The Startup Legal Garage is accepting applications for its Spring 2026 cohort. Spots are limited and filled on a rolling basis—apply early. Visit Startup Legal Garage to learn more and apply.

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Traction Lab Venture Accelerator
Applications Open Now
Fast-track your startup’s growth! This accelerator, powered by The Right Box and the Carlsen Center, helps pre-seed and seed-stage founders in tech-enabled sectors reach product-market fit and get funding-ready—twice as fast. Read more.

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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.

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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.