Posted:06/30/2026
Premier regional pitch program receives record-setting 109 applications, will award $20,000 to four winners.
Elk Grove, Calif, June 29, 2026 – The City of Elk Grove, in partnership with StartupSac and Explore Elk Grove, is proud to announce the 17 semi-finalists for the Fifth Annual Pitch Elk Grove startup competition. Celebrating its fifth anniversary as a leading platform for early-stage, tech-driven companies, the competition received a record-breaking 109 applications from startups across Sacramento, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba counties.
The 17 semi-finalists will compete in a virtual pitch-off on July 23rd, where experienced judges will determine the startups advancing to the live finals. Finalists will receive one-on-one mentorship and coaching from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts before taking the stage at the Fifth Annual Pitch Elk Grove live event on September 3rd at District56 in Elk Grove. There, they will compete for a $20,000 non-dilutive prize pool, including $10,000 for Best Startup, $5,000 for Second Best Startup, $2,500 for Third Best Startup, and $2,500 for Best Elk Grove-based Startup.
Launched in 2022 as a cornerstone of the city's Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program, Pitch Elk Grove has evolved into one of the Sacramento region's premier startup competitions, helping early- stage companies transform innovative ideas into thriving businesses. The multi-stage program provides entrepreneurs with mentorship, funding opportunities, investor exposure, and valuable business connections, strengthening the region's innovation ecosystem while positioning Elk Grove as a destination for innovation.
"This year's record number of applications reflects the incredible entrepreneurial momentum happening throughout our region," said Darrell Doan, Economic Development Director for the City of Elk Grove. "Pitch Elk Grove is a vital launchpad for founders to refine their ideas, connect with investors, and gain the visibility needed to grow. By investing in innovation and supporting entrepreneurs, we're creating opportunities that strengthen Elk Grove and the entire region."
"Pitch Elk Grove embodies StartupSac's mission to help entrepreneurs move from idea to impact," said Laura Good, CEO of StartupSac. "Each year we're inspired by the caliber and diversity of founders participating in the competition. Through mentorship, coaching, and community support, we're helping build the next generation of innovative companies that will drive economic growth throughout the Sacramento region."
The 17 Semi-Finalists
5D Therapeutics, Inc. (Davis): Developing a new class of metabolic therapies that reduce fat while preserving muscle without appetite suppression.
Anchor Point Health (Sacramento): Building the trusted operating environment for intelligent care delivered safely in every home.
BillDecoder (Lodi): Physician-founded AI app that analyzes medical bills, flags potential errors, and writes dispute letters for patients.
Core Envision Inc. (Folsom): AI-powered 3D modeling and layout tapes for home framing, delivering prefab speed on-site without factory overhead.
EnlitenAI (Tracy): Transforming epilepsy care through Neuroliten™, an AI- enabled cloud platform for continuous clinical intelligence.
First Bite (Davis): A non-adhesive, more reliable device that secures breathing tubes for neonatal and pediatric ICU patients.
GuLP AAC (Sacramento): A communication app for nonspeaking children.
Insta Brow (Elk Grove): A patent-pending 30-second brow stain pen that eliminates the daily brow routine for up to five days.
Krokos Bio (Davis): Growing high-value botanicals like saffron via plant cell culture — scalable, regional, and climate-independent.
Lilypay (Lincoln): A B2B2C funeral financing platform, helping homes say "yes" while giving families dignity, time, and relief.
My HR Confidant (Sacramento): A secure platform empowering employees to speak up anonymously — organizations respond with clarity and accountability.
Pheronym, Inc. (Woodland): Developing a new kind of pheromone to control agricultural pests in the soil so farmers can grow more food.
Purple Door Finders (Sacramento): Making it easy to find and compare senior living and care options on one trusted platform.
Sage Atlas (Elk Grove): Building local first, private AI systems that don't hand sensitive business data to third-party cloud tools.
Secure Scribe (Sacramento): Helps psych nurses chart faster with safer AI clinical notes.
The Mindful Five (Elk Grove): Interactive platform delivering five-minute daily practices for intentional living—even if meditation isn't your thing.
Yeast Bay Bio (Davis): Replaces toxic insecticides in the home with a yeast-based alternative, safe for people, pets, and planet.
As Pitch Elk Grove celebrates its fifth anniversary, this year's event will also recognize past participants and winners, highlighting companies that have continued to grow, secure partnerships, create jobs, and reach significant milestones since competing. Their success reflects the lasting impact of the program and its role in building a stronger regional innovation ecosystem.
Through partnerships with organizations including StartupSac, Explore Elk Grove, Kaiser Permanente, Republic Services, and the Sacramento Business Journal, the City of Elk Grove combines financial investment, public visibility, youth engagement, and ecosystem development to address multiple community challenges simultaneously: supporting startups, retaining talent, diversifying the economy, and building a sustainable model for regional innovation.
Attend this year’s Pitch Elk Grove event on September 3rd
For more information on the contest criteria, visit the Pitch Elk Grove Landing Page.
About the Contest
The contest is proudly produced by the City of Elk Grove in collaboration with StartupSac, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting regional entrepreneurial success, and Explore Elk Grove, the city’s official tourism marketing organization. We’re grateful to Kaiser Permanente, Republic Services, and the Sacramento Business Journal for their generous sponsorship and support, and to all the judges and mentors who continue to support the program.
About the Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program
The Startup Elk Grove Incentive Program provides technical and financial assistance to launching and scaling technology and innovation-based startups, and to co-working and incubator facilities that support them. To qualify, companies must be emerging or scaling and commercializing innovative products or platforms in Elk Grove. For more information, visit investelkgrove.org.
About Elk Grove
Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city of 188,319 people located in the dynamic and affordable Sacramento metropolitan region, the capital of the 4th largest economy in the world. Incorporated in 2000, Elk Grove is a family- and business-friendly community with low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks, elevated dining and shopping options, lively events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year. With its highly educated workforce, modern facilities and infrastructure, and pro-business attitude, it's clear why major corporations and institutions such as Apple, Cardinal Health, Amazon, UC Davis, AllData, and Kubota call Elk Grove home. Our dedicated staff of economic development professionals are ready to help you plan, finance, and fast-track your next business expansion or relocation project. For more information, visit investelkgrove.org.
About StartupSac
StartupSac is a nonprofit organization supporting Sacramento’s entrepreneurs from idea to impact. Originally launched in 2016 and officially incorporated in 2017, StartupSac accelerates the greater Sacramento region’s startup and innovation ecosystem by informing, educating, empowering, and connecting startup founders and innovators. For more information, visit startupsac.com.
About Explore Elk Grove
Explore Elk Grove is a non-profit organization that inspires locals and visitors alike to visit, shop, dine, meet and gather at our local businesses, parks, attractions, hotels, and venues in order to foster positive economic development for Elk Grove. For more information, visit exploreelkgrove.com.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente proudly serves over 960,000 members in Greater Sacramento and employs nearly 19,200 dedicated physicians and staff who work tirelessly to keep our communities healthy. But commitment extends far beyond the walls of care delivery. Health happens everywhere — where we live, work, learn, and play — and we are committed to advancing it in every space possible. That’s why we’re proud to support City of Elk Grove’s Pitch Elk Grove. For more information, visit kaiserpermanente.org.
About Republic Services
Republic Services is the industry-leading environmental services company that hauls and processes the trash, recycling, and organic waste for all 52,000 homes in Elk Grove. Republic Services’ vision is to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, visit republicservices.com.
About The Sacramento Business Journal
The Sacramento Business Journal is a leading source of local business news, providing in-depth coverage of economic trends, startups, and major industries across the Sacramento region. For more information, visit bizjournals.com/sacramento.
Contact
Sara Rodrigues
916-627-3308
[email protected]
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