The City of Sacramento’s Office of Innovation and Economic Development is now accepting applications for the 2026 Innovation Grant Program, which provides $1 million in funding to organizations that support local entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
“A prosperous Sacramento needs new ideas and thriving local businesses,” said Mayor Kevin McCarty. “We are working to support entrepreneurs right here in our city.”
The program is designed to create a pipeline of support for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey, offering three grant categories that help founders build skills, access resources, and advance to the next stage of growth.
“Sacramento is home to bold entrepreneurs and scalable small businesses ready to grow,” said Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso. “These grants will connect them with the training, mentorship, and resources they need to turn ideas into thriving companies that drive our local economy.”
Category A: Entrepreneurship Education and Access Grants
This category funds standalone or progressive workshops, business training series or open lab coaching hours that help entrepreneurs develop ideas or strengthen skills, with an emphasis on tech-enabled and scalable businesses.
- Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $15,000, with a maximum of $3,000 per workshop or training hosted within the city limits.
Category B: Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants
This category funds programs that support cohorts of early-stage business participants to start or grow their businesses, spur innovation and stimulate economic development.
- Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $100,000 to host incubator or accelerator programs in the city of Sacramento. Programs may include mentorship and coaching, training sessions, product development support, marketing and branding support, strategic connections, access to funding and office space.
Category C: Innovation and Investment Readiness Grants
This category funds programming that connects established startups and tech businesses to funding opportunities and customers. Programs may focus on technology commercialization, access to capital or customer acquisition for businesses ready to grow.
- Companies and nonprofits can apply for up to $100,000 to host programs in the city of Sacramento that connect high-growth startups and companies to capital or customers.
By structuring funding across these three categories, the program creates a continuum of support that enables entrepreneurs to build skills and advance toward high-growth ventures that strengthen Sacramento’s economy.
Programs must be completed within a 12-month contract period. Applicants for an Innovation and Investment Readiness Grant are not eligible to also apply for or receive an Entrepreneurship Education and Access Grant or an Incubator and Accelerator Grant.
Grant funding comes from the City’s Innovation and Growth Fund. Complete program guidelines are available on the City’s website. Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Dec. 22.
