Pitch Elk Grove Startup Pitch Competition in California
This competition provides financial rewards and mentorship opportunities to innovative tech startups in the Sacramento region, encouraging local entrepreneurial growth.
Pitch Elk Grove is an annual startup pitch competition initiated by the City of Elk Grove in collaboration with StartupSac. Originally launched in 2022, this initiative was designed to highlight and support innovative startups in the Sacramento region, reinforcing its status as a burgeoning hub for entrepreneurship and technology. The program fosters local entrepreneurial growth by providing mentorship opportunities and financial rewards for emerging tech startups. For its fourth year, Pitch Elk Grove returns in 2025, offering a competitive platform for up to eight of the region's most promising tech startups. Participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ventures live on stage before a panel of expert judges and a live audience. The culminating event is scheduled to take place in-person on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at The Center at District56 in Elk Grove, California. The competition offers a total of $20,000 in prize money distributed among winners in several categories: $10,000 for First Place, $5,000 for Second Place, $2,500 for Third Place, and a $2,500 prize designated for the Best Elk Grove Startup. Applications for the competition open on May 12, 2025, and will be accepted through the F6S platform until 5:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 23, 2025. Applicants must create an F6S account to apply. The selection process includes an initial review to identify up to 16 semi-finalists who will compete in a private virtual pitch-off on July 31, 2025. This round will determine the final eight startups that will present in person at the main event in September. Finalists will be announced by July 10, 2025. Eligible applicants must be for-profit startups operating in a technology vertical and must be based in one of eight counties in California: El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sutter, Yolo, or Yuba. Candidates should have a working prototype or MVP, be generating or close to generating revenue, and must submit a pitch deck and website URL. Attendance at the in-person event is mandatory, and participants must consent to the use of their images by the City of Elk Grove and StartupSac. Companies that have previously won a first-place prize at Pitch Elk Grove in 2022, 2023, or 2024 are not eligible to compete in 2025 but are welcome to attend the event.
Award Range
$2,500 - $10,000
Total Program Funding
$20,000
Number of Awards
Not specified
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
$10,000 for First Place, $5,000 for Second, $2,500 for Third, and $2,500 for Best Elk Grove Startup. Startups must participate in a virtual semi-final and an in-person final to be eligible for prizes.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Must be a for-profit tech startup in a commercialized tech vertical, located in one of eight eligible counties, have a prototype or MVP, be revenue-generating or close, attend in-person on September 4, 2025, submit a pitch deck and website URL, and allow image use. Previous first-place winners from 2022-2024 are ineligible.
Geographic Eligibility
Elk Grove