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Innovation and Grants

Innovation Grants

People working with electrical components at a crowded table. open_in_full

Sacramento Innovation Grant Program

The Sacramento Innovation Grant Program (previously RAILS Grant Program) offers multiple funding opportunities from the City’s Innovation and Growth Fund. This annual funding supports the development of Sacramento’s entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystem through “startup enablers” – community-based initiatives and programs that help entrepreneurs take their startup from initial idea to viable company. 

The program grants are designed to achieve the following objectives:

  • Expand the reach of entrepreneurial support organizations
  • Increase opportunities for startups to grow Increase the number and viability of startups
  • Increase VC investment in Sacramento
  • Marketing broadly to change the perception of the ecosystem
  • Foster and facilitate high-growth startups
  • Encourage targeted collaborations 
  • Build key industry verticals

2026 Sacramento Innovation Grant Program

Accepting Applications Through Monday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m.

All open grant opportunities can be found on the City's Grants Management System

Register to attend optional information session, November 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM PDT on Zoom

Entrepreneur Education and Access (Category A)

Entrepreneurship Education and Access Grants aim to fund standalone or progressive workshops, business seminar training series, open lab coaching hours focused on specific topics that help entrepreneurs develop ideas or skill up. Grants in this category are intended to serve entrepreneurs at any stage but be especially accessible to those who are just beginning their journey, may not yet identify as entrepreneurs, be business owners, or lack access to traditional support. Programming should focus on building awareness, confidence, and fundamental skills such as business formation, branding, licensing, and digital readiness.

Funded programming in this category should focus specifically on skilling up entrepreneurs in tech or scaleable startup entrepreneurship. Each class or session should be at least 60 minutes in length and may be in-person or hybrid with the grantee based in Sacramento city limits

Apply Now

Application closes December 22, 2025 at 2:59pm

View Guidelines

Review Grant Guidelines

Incubator and Accelerator Grants (Category B)

The Incubator and Accelerator grants are focused on nurturing and supporting early-stage businesses with an end goal of the participants of the funded incubator and accelerator programs starting or growing their own business, spurring innovation, and stimulating economic development in Sacramento. Companies and non-profits are invited to apply to fund incubator and accelerator programs for a cohort of participants with high growth potential and innovative solutions. These programs should provide support to businesses through a combination of the following services:

  • Mentorship and Coaching: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and mentors on business development, strategy, marketing, fundraising, and more. 
  • Educational Programs: Training sessions or workshops on topics such as business planning, market research, product development, and financial management.
  • Product Development Support: Assistance or guidance on prototyping, testing, iteration, and product refinement based on market research. 
  • Legal and Administrative Support: Assistance with legal, accounting, and administrative tasks such as business incorporation, intellectual property protection, and contracts. 
  • Marketing and Branding Support: Assistance in identifying and reaching target audiences and customers through marketing and public relations strategies. 
  • Strategic Partnerships: Connections with other startups, industry leaders, corporate entities, and business support organizations to expand access to resources and expertise. 
  • Access to Funding: Pitch training and hosting pitch events, demo days, and introductions to investors including venture capital firms, angel investors, and government grants.
  • Office Space: Access to shared office space for startups to work and collaborate.

Proposed incubator or accelerator programs must be hosted in the Sacramento city limits. 

Apply Now

Application closes December 22, 2025 at 2:59pm

View Guidelines

Review Grant Guidelines

Innovation and Investment Readiness Grants (Category C)

Innovation and Investment Readiness grants aim to encourage connection to funding opportunities for established startup and tech businesses. Programs funded in this category could include programming around technology commercialization, access to capital or grants, or customer acquisition for businesses ready to grow. Programming does not have to be cohort based.

Apply Now

Application closes December 22, 2025 at 2:59pm

View Guidelines

Review Grant Guidelines

Past funding opportunities

Incubator and Accelerator Grants

The Incubator and Accelerator grants are deisgned to fund organizations that help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in Sacramento.

Awarded grantees will nurturing and supporting early-stage businesses located in the City of Sacramento with the goal of the cohort participants starting or growing their own businesses, spurring innovation, and stimulating economic development.

These programs should provide support to businesses through a combination of the following services:

  • Mentorship and Coaching: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and mentors on business development, strategy, marketing, fundraising, and more. 
  • Educational Programs: Training sessions or workshops on topics such as business planning, market research, product development, and financial management.
  • Product Development Support: Assistance or guidance on prototyping, testing, iteration, and product refinement based on market research. 
  • Legal and Administrative Support: Assistance with legal, accounting, and administrative tasks such as business incorporation, intellectual property protection, and contracts. 
  • Marketing and Branding Support: Assistance in identifying and reaching target audiences and customers through marketing and public relations strategies. 
  • Strategic Partnerships: Connections with other startups, industry leaders, corporate entities, and business support organizations to expand access to resources and expertise. 
  • Access to Funding: Pitch training and hosting pitch events, demo days, and introductions to investors including venture capital firms, angel investors, and government grants.
  • Office Space: Access to shared office space for startups to work and collaborate.

Programs must be completed within a 12-month contract period, and at least 90% of cohort participants must have either a residence or business within the Sacramento city limits. 

Innovation Event Grants

Innovation Event Grants Innovation Event Grants of up to $15,000 can be used to fund a one-time or a series of events focused on fostering knowledge and ideas that inspire entrepreneurship and the growth of innovative businesses and programs. Example events could include: Regularly scheduled meetups to connect entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts; Startup weekends gathering entrepreneurs to kick-start new companies; and Business pitch competitions where startups present their companies and business models for funding and promotion.

Ecosystem Building Grants

Ecosystem Building Grants are designed to catalyze innovation in the startup community and build pipelines for entrepreneurs into key industry verticals. Grant funding can be used for projects that include:

  • Incubator and accelerator programs that provide mentorship, networking, and education to raise capital, grow their business, and create new jobs
  • Programs that accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies
  • Companies making it easier to work with and in Sacramento
  • Co-working spaces and non-profit organizations bringing together the innovation community in Sacramento
  • Educational programs training our next entrepreneurs in technology and business principles to build Sacramento-based startups

To be notified when these and other funding opportunities open up, subscribe to our email list.

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