Title
2026 Sacramento Innovation Grant Award Recommendations
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FileID
File ID: 2026-00899
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: Pass a Motion authorizing the City Manager or designee to execute 17 Sacramento Innovation Grant Program grant agreements for a total amount not-to-exceed $1,000,000.
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Contact
Contact: Michael K. Young, Development Project Manager, (916) 808-5298, mkyoung@cityofsacramento.org; Aubree J. Taylor, Development Project Manager, (916) 808-7191, ajtaylor@cityofsacramento.org; Denise Malvetti, Deputy Director, (916) 808-7064, dmalvetti@cityofsacramento.org; City Manager's Office of Innovation and Economic Development
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Presenter
Presenter: None
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Grant Funding Recommendations
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: On June 21, 2016, Council amended the Innovation and Growth Fund Policy to authorize the creation of new programs to expand the startup pipeline and engage the innovation ecosystem (Resolution 2016-0240). In doing so, Council approved a framework for the Sacramento Innovation Grant Program, which included an annual allocation of $1 million to support the programming.
Awarded projects in the five cohorts of the Sacramento Innovation Grant Program (formerly known as RAILS Grant Program and SUTL Innovation Grant Program) included support for incubators, accelerators, co-working spaces, makerspaces, training programs, events, and marketing activities that serve and foster Sacramento's innovation ecosystem.
The 2026 Innovation Ecosystem 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 creat...
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