Sacramento entrepreneurs, small-business owners and high school students can apply for training and mentorship opportunities designed to help them develop business skills, launch new ventures and grow existing businesses.
The opportunities are offered by two organizations that received funding through the City of Sacramento’s 2026 Innovation Grant Program, which awarded $1 million to 17 organizations earlier this year.
Programs include business accelerators, entrepreneurship education and individual advising, with free services and scholarships available to eligible participants.
“Starting or growing a business takes hard work, and having someone to turn to for guidance can make a real difference,” said Development Project Manager Michael Young. “The City continues to support these opportunities because helping local entrepreneurs succeed means more jobs, stronger neighborhoods, and a healthier Sacramento economy over time.”
Current opportunities include:
EO Accelerator for business founders
Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Sacramento is accepting applications for its EO Accelerator, a year-round program that helps business founders strengthen their strategy, operations and leadership.
Participants attend quarterly learning sessions, meet monthly with small groups to discuss progress and challenges, and receive individual mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs.
Eligible businesses must generate $250,000 to $1 million in annual revenue or be venture-backed companies that have raised $250,000 to $1 million in private funding. Founders or majority owners should apply directly.
Applications are open, and scholarships are available through the City’s grant funding.
Learn more and apply on the EO Sacramento website.
Growth Factory Nonprofit programs
Growth Factory Nonprofit offers three free, City-funded programs that provide entrepreneurship training, mentorship and individual business guidance for students and business owners.
1. Atlas entrepreneurship program for high school students
Applications are open for the spring 2027 session of Atlas, a free, three-month after-school program for Sacramento-area students in grades nine through 12.
Students will learn how to identify community needs, develop ideas and test potential solutions through interviews, prototypes and coaching from local business founders. The program concludes with a community showcase where students present their work.
Sessions will be held from 4:30–7 p.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 27 through April 28, 2027, at Aggie Square Connect Labs. Meals and parking are provided, and students who complete the program will receive a $200 stipend.
Learn more and apply on the Atlas website.
2. Build Up Sacramento accelerator
The Build Up Sacramento accelerator offers free training and individual guidance for CEOs and owners of established small businesses preparing to grow.
The program runs from January through May 2027 at Aggie Square Connect Labs. Participants will attend sessions weekly or every other week and have access to individual advising during office hours to evaluate growth opportunities and strengthen their business operations.
Preferred applicants will have operated for at least one year, have at least three employees and maintain a base of operations within the city of Sacramento.
Learn more and apply on the Build Up Sacramento website.
3. Free office hours for entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs can receive individual business guidance through Growth Factory Nonprofit’s Entrepreneurs-in-Residence office hours.
The free, one-hour advising sessions cover topics such as reaching customers, developing products and services, finding funding, hiring employees and bringing products or services to market.
Sessions are offered from noon to 3 p.m. every other Tuesday at Aggie Square.
Registration is open to everyone through the office hours website.
About the City’s Innovation Grant Program
The Sacramento Innovation Grant Program supports entrepreneurs at different stages of business development. Funded projects include incubator and accelerator programs, training initiatives and other services that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.
The program supports the City’s ScaleUp Sacramento inclusive economic development strategy, which focuses on expanding economic mobility, increasing access to entrepreneurship resources and creating opportunities for historically underserved communities.
