Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, creating new opportunities, and changing how businesses grow. Join Five Star Bank and Growth Factory for Funders & Founders: AI in Action, an evening featuring founders, investors, venture capitalists, and industry experts exploring how AI is driving innovation across Northern California. Expect practical insights, candid conversations, and meaningful connections with the people building what's next.

Join us for CreativeMornings as we welcome Sacramento-based content creator Maddy Edmunds for a conversation on the art of authentic storytelling. From hidden food spots to unforgettable local adventures, Maddy has built a community by showcasing the best of Northern California through genuine, engaging content. Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, or simply looking for fresh inspiration, you'll leave with new ideas for telling stories that spark connection, build community, and make people want to explore what's next.

Join us for CreativeMornings as we welcome Chase, a writer and communications leader with more than 15 years of experience turning complex ideas into stories people actually connect with. From product launches to emerging AI, Chase will explore how thoughtful communication can make technology feel more human, more accessible, and more meaningful. Whether you're a marketer, founder, creative, or simply curious about the future of AI, you'll leave with fresh insights on the power of clear storytelling in an increasingly technical world.

Join us for the launch of Better Money Studio for Creatives, a hands-on experience designed to help creative entrepreneurs rethink their relationship with money, growth, and access to capital. Hosted by CEFN in partnership with Capitol Creative Alliance, CLTRE, Art Tonic, and The Atrium, this event brings together artists, founders, and community leaders to explore practical tools built around the realities of creative businesses. Expect honest conversations, peer-powered learning, and strategies to help creatives build stronger financial futures without the jargon or guesswork.

Watch the next generation of AI startups take the stage as founders pitch bold ideas to a panel of experts from AWS, nClouds, AllCode, and the California Capital Women's Business Center. More than a competition, this event is a front-row seat to innovation in action, where emerging companies receive real-world feedback, strategic guidance, and the chance to compete for up to $25,000 in AWS Partner Funding. Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of AI, you'll experience the ideas shaping what's next.

Join Growth Factory Ventures for the GFX Founder Forum, a working-style gathering designed for founders, builders, operators, and advisors to connect, collaborate, and tackle the real challenges of building companies. This is not a pitch night or a demo day, but a space for honest conversations, shared experiences, and meaningful relationships that strengthen the founder ecosystem across the region. Through focused discussions on growth, funding, AI, operations, and founder wellbeing, attendees will walk away with practical insights, new connections, and a stronger community of people building what's next.

Join Sacramento’s startup community for an evening built around connection, collaboration, and the ideas shaping what’s next. Presented by The Urban Hive in partnership with Startup Grind, this gathering brings together founders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and ecosystem leaders from across the region to spark new relationships and create momentum heading into 2026. Come ready for meaningful conversations, fresh perspectives, and the chance to connect with the people helping build Sacramento’s future.

Join Startup Grind at The Urban Hive for a fireside chat with futurist Sadie St. Lawrence, exploring the evolving relationship between humans and technology. Hosted by Brandon Weber, this conversation will dive into the future of AI, robotics, and human-machine collaboration through the lens of a leader helping shape how we think about innovation. Connect with founders, entrepreneurs, and creatives for an evening of thoughtful discussion, fresh perspectives, and conversations about what's next.