The Sacramento City Council has approved over $450,000 in grants to six organizations focused on aiding start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in the city. Known as the "Innovation Incubator and Accelerator Grants," this funding is aimed at fostering economic growth, innovation, and job creation among early-stage enterprises. The selected organizations, chosen from a competitive pool of 70 applicants, will launch their programs in the first quarter of 2025, with a focus on measurable outcomes such as business launches and revenue growth. Among the recipients, Alchemist Kitchen CDC will support food entrepreneurs from underserved communities, while CleanStart will assist clean-tech startups in refining their business models. Denise Malvetti, Deputy Director of the Office of Innovation and Economic Development, highlighted the significance of these investments as a commitment to Sacramento’s future.

This initiative aligns with the city's "ScaleUp" plan, which emphasizes creating pathways for economic mobility for all residents. The grants are funded by the Innovation Growth Fund, established in 2016 to support innovation initiatives. Previous rounds of funding have successfully fostered co-working spaces, training programs, and events that enhance Sacramento's entrepreneurial ecosystem.