Innovation Grants
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
The Application Period is Closed.
The 2026 Innovation Grant Program is designed to create a pipeline for entrepreneurs at different stages of their journey. Sacramento’s entrepreneurial ecosystem thrives when new participants are welcomed, early-stage founders are nurtured, and growth-ready companies have the support needed to secure customers and capital.
By structuring funding across three grant categories, the program creates a continuum of support that enables people to enter the ecosystem, build skills, and advance toward high-growth ventures that strengthen Sacramento’s economy.
The grant categories are Entrepreneur Access and Education Grants, Incubator and Accelerator Grants, and Innovation and Investment Readiness Grants.
A complete list of the 2026 Sacramento Innovation Grant awardees are listed in the City Council report below.
Includes a full list of the 2026 Innovation Program Grantees
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
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.
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.
Past funding opportunities
2025 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.
2023/2024 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.
2023/2024 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
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