Over $450,000 awarded to support Sacramento start-up businesses and entrepreneurs

The Sacramento City Council approved awards for six projects last Tuesday to fund organizations that help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in Sacramento.

The "Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants" are focused on supporting early-stage businesses located in the city of Sacramento. The goal is to help participants start or grow their own businesses, spur innovation, and stimulate economic development.

"The City's investments are not just an investment in supporting startups, but an investment in Sacramento's future," said Denise Malvetti, Deputy Director of the Office of Innovation and Economic Development. "These programs will empower a diverse group of entrepreneurs and spur innovation."

Six innovation and entrepreneurship organizations were selected from 70 applicants, with their programs slated to begin in the first quarter of 2025. Selected programs aim to make measurable impacts, such as business launches, revenue growth, job creation, and increased access to Sacramento's innovation ecosystem.

The awardees and their projects include:

• Alchemist Kitchen CDC ($88,100): Supports food entrepreneurs from underserved communities through training, mentorship, and access to commercial kitchens.

• AMW Design ($57,906):Provides BIPOC entrepreneurs with skills in technology, design, and engineering to power their businesses. 

• Atrium 916 ($50,000):Fosters sustainable micro-manufacturing and eco-friendly innovation through mentorship and workshops.

• Carlsen Center at Sacramento State ($99,560):The Traction Lab Venture Accelerator will help startups refine business models, achieve product-market fit and prepare for pre-seed funding. 

• CleanStart ($100,000):The Deep Dive Accelerator helps clean-tech startups refine their business models and scale for growth.

• StartupSac ($57,304): The FastTrac program offers comprehensive business training and mentorship to aspiring entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities.

"Our organization is at the intersection of arts, the environment and economic development," Atrium 916 CEO Shira Lane said. "We help local creatives make products that are sustainable and design out waste. We thank the City of Sacramento for their support of the arts and our incubator and accelerator efforts."

The approved projects align with the City's "ScaleUp" plan, an inclusive economic development action agenda, which emphasizes creating pathways to economic mobility for all residents.

Furthering innovation investments

The incubator and accelerator grants are funded by theCity's Innovation Growth Fund, established by City Council in 2016 to support innovation initiatives,entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. Awarded projects in the four previous rounds of grants haveincluded support for incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, makerspaces, training programs, events, and marketing activities that serve and foster Sacramento's innovation ecosystem.

Examples from last year's awardees include the Startup World Cup business pitch competition that had 350 attendees and a winner that went on to place 10th in a worldwide competition. Another project, the Startup Challenge, has helped businesses launch in just one weekend, including a homebuyer co-pilot app now on the App Store. The City is also currently funding free online generative artificial intelligence training courses for up to 1,000 Sacramento residents to bridge the digital divide and advance tech skills for all.

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