Join us for CreativeMornings as we welcome Kyra Klopp, a digital marketing leader known for building high-performing teams, thoughtful strategies, and workplaces where people thrive. From leading omnichannel campaigns to creating systems that bring clarity to complexity, Kyra believes great results start with strong communication, intentional leadership, and a people-first approach. Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or looking to sharpen your own leadership style, you'll leave with fresh insights on building work that performs as well as the people behind it.

Register HERE

No stage. No mic. No nerves.

We're doing something new at this year's Sacramento Summer Startup Party — and we think you're going to love it.

Instead of standing in front of a crowd and pitching, startups display a foam board poster showcasing their idea. Think of it like a science fair for startups — attendees wander the room, discover what people are building, and vote for their favorite. Two winners are crowned at the end of the night — one chosen by judges, one chosen by the crowd — with $10,000+ in prizes up for grabs.

Applications open July 23 on Eventbrite. Entry is just $25.

Sacramento's legendary Summer Startup Party is back. Founders, builders & investors unite on August 20 for Sacramento's biggest startup night.

Are you an entrepreneur, programmer, investor, or creative looking to connect to others like you and get connected to the organizations and people who can get your next big idea off the ground or otherwise just hang out and meet a bunch of great new like-minded people?

Hosted by The Urban Hive, Startup Grind Sacramento.

Presented by Amazon Web Services.

Sponsored by Minfy Technologies (an AWS Partner), The Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Witan Law, Traction Lab Accelerator, and The City of Sacramento.

In partnership with Sac Tech Week, StartupSac and SacTech Social (SacTech, Inc).

Additional Ecosystem Partners: AgStart, Aggie Square (Wexford Labs), CLTRE, Growth Factory Nonprofit, MedStart, Startup Folsom, and Playful Programming.

Founded in 2014 as a partnership between Startup Grind Sacramento and The Urban Hive, the Sacramento Summer Startup Party has been the region's premier summer gathering for founders, programmers, builders, investors, creatives and community leaders. We're back on Thursday, August 20 — and this year we're going big.

What to expect:

VIP Reception - Sponsored by Minfy Technologies, an AWS Partner: Startup Expo participants, Resource Expo participants, ecosystem partners, and Silent Pitch competitors are invited to the VIP Reception from 4:30 to 5:30 PM for early access, complimentary drinks, and a chance to connect before the doors open to everyone else.

Food + Cash Bar: Light food included with your ticket. Cash bar all night.

Silent Pitch Competition - Presented by Amazon Web Services: No stage. No mic. No nerves. Startups display a poster showcasing their idea, and attendees vote for their favorite throughout the evening. Two winners crowned at the end of the night — one chosen by judges, one chosen by the crowd — with $5,000+ in cash and in-kind prizes up for grabs, provided by The Urban Hive, Traction Labs, Traction Lab Accelerator, the Carlsen Center for Innovation, and more!

Resource Expo: Discover the organizations, accelerators, programs, and resources fueling Sacramento's startup ecosystem. Tables are active from the time doors open until voting closes.

Open Mic: Ecosystem partners on the floor all night. Grab the mic anytime to point people to your table and get back to the party.

Door Prizes: Three Urban Hive memberships drawn from attendees who cast a vote. Must be registered to win.

After Party with SacTech Social: When the official event wraps, we're heading a block away to La Cosecha for the official after-party, hosted by SacTech Social (SacTech Inc) and sponsored by The Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship.

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 special morning fireside chat with Brandon Brown, co-founder of GRIN, the leading influencer marketing platform transforming how brands like Gymshark, Vital Proteins, and Mejuri connect with creators. Hosted by Brandon Weber, founder of The Urban Hive, this conversation will explore Brandon Brown’s entrepreneurial journey from Red Bull marketer to startup founder, scaling a company in the creator economy, and raising over $150M in funding along the way. Connect with founders, marketers, and creators over coffee and espresso for a morning of honest insights, meaningful conversations, and practical lessons on spotting opportunities, navigating pivots, and building what’s next in the digital economy.