Sacramento Startup Ecosystem - Network Recon
Event: SacStartup Tech Connect
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026 | 5:30-7:30 PM
Location: Hop Gardens, Sacramento
Purpose: Investor & collaborator networking intelligence
Priority Targets
These are the most valuable contacts to identify and engage at Sacramento startup events:
Faces to Know
Memorize these faces before the event. Photos sourced from official profiles.
Lokesh Sikaria
Moneta Ventures
Mark Haney
HaneyBiz / Growth Factory
Rick Spencer
Growth Factory Ventures
Laura Good
StartupSac CEO
Cameron Law
Carlsen Center
Rich Foreman
Startup Grind Sac
Legend: Blue border = Investors | Green border = Connectors
Tier 1: Direct Investor Potential
| Name | Role | Why They Matter | Approach Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lokesh Sikaria | Founder & Managing Partner, Moneta Ventures | $250M+ fund, B2B software focus, Sacramento-based | Early-stage enterprise software. Mention your B2B shop dashboard and recurring revenue model. |
| Mark Haney | Founder, HaneyBiz & Growth Factory | 50+ local portfolio companies, hosts major podcast | Local entrepreneur story. He loves founder stories - lead with Era Automotive background. |
| Rick Spencer | Managing Partner, Growth Factory Ventures | Pre-seed fund ($25K checks), 70+ portfolio companies | Perfect stage fit. Growth Factory specifically targets pre-seed Sacramento founders. |
| Sacramento Angels Members | Angel network (100+ members) | $300K-$1M+ check sizes, 94 investments since 2000 | Next application deadline: Feb 18, 2025. Recent exits include Gluware (Jan 2025). |
Tier 2: Ecosystem Connectors
These people don't write checks but control deal flow and introductions:
| Name | Role | Why They Matter | What Makes Them Tick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Good | CEO & Co-founder, StartupSac | Walking encyclopedia of Sacramento startups since 2008. Routes founders to right investors. | Grassroots community builder. Prefers "50 $20M companies" over 1 unicorn. Values founders who create local jobs. |
| Cameron Law | Executive Director, Carlsen Center (Sac State) | Central hub for regional entrepreneurship, runs GEW, 1 Million Cups organizer | Young (27 when hired), former SVP Sacramento director. Social impact + entrepreneurship intersection. |
| Rich Foreman | Founding Director, Startup Grind Sacramento | Monthly events with major founders, KidneyLuv founder, Cordico exit (2020) | Naval officer background, engineering mindset. Had successful exit to Lexipol. |
| Brandon Weber | Chapter Director, Startup Grind Sacramento (I/O Labs) | Co-runs Startup Grind events | Technical co-working background. |
Tier 3: Notable Founders to Know
Successful Sacramento founders who may mentor, co-invest, or make introductions:
| Name | Company | Background | Relevance to Piston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Otero | Azra Games (CEO) | Sold KlickNation to EA ($35M), raised $68M for Azra from a]16z & Pantera | Sacramento State grad, started in storage room above yogurt shop. Proof that mega-raises happen from Sacramento. |
| Hayes Barnard | GoodLeap (Founder & CEO) | $12B valuation, largest sustainable home fintech, former SolarCity CRO | Roseville HQ. Kelly Resendez (CPO) is on Growth Factory advisory - potential warm intro path. |
| D.J. Stephan | SkySlope (CEO) | Real estate transaction software | On Growth Factory advisory committee. Real estate tech success story. |
Sacramento Investor Landscape
Venture Capital Funds
| Fund | Check Size | Focus | Key Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneta Ventures | $250M+ fund | Early-stage enterprise software, West Coast + Texas | Lokesh Sikaria |
| Growth Factory Ventures | Up to $25K | Pre-seed, Sacramento region founders | Rick Spencer, Mark Haney |
| Winning Streak Ventures | Variable | Sacramento-based, various sectors | Research needed |
| Flaming Dao | $200K-$7M | Unique ideas, diverse sectors | Research needed |
Angel Networks
| Network | Check Size | Application Deadlines 2025 | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Angels | $300K-$1M+ | Jan 7, Feb 18, Apr 15, Jun 3, Jul 15, Sep 2, Oct 14 | Founded 2000, 100+ portfolio companies, recent exit: Gluware (Jan 2025) |
| Davis Funding Club | Variable | Rolling | UC Davis IP commercialization focus |
| Black Angels Tech Fund | $150K-$2.5M | Rolling | Most active network in city, early-stage tech focus |
Accelerators & Programs
| Program | Focus | Investment | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growth Factory | Pre-seed startups | Up to $25K + 12-month support | Member of Global Accelerator Network (Techstars network) |
| FourthWave | Women-led tech | Non-dilutive (no equity) | Alumni raised $150M+. Partners with Carlsen Center. |
| Carlsen Center | Regional entrepreneurship hub | Educational, no direct investment | Sacramento State. Runs 1 Million Cups, GEW. |
Key People - Deep Dives
Laura Good - The Hub
"I'd rather see fifty $20 million dollar companies grow here. I think it would be better overall for our economy."
- Role: CEO & Co-founder, StartupSac
- Background: Worked at tech startup from early stage to exit. In Sacramento ecosystem since 2008.
- Also: Consulting for Sacramento Angels, Marketing at CleanStart, Startup Weekend organizer, Startup Digest curator
- Education: Santa Clara University
- Philosophy: Grassroots community building over unicorn hunting. Values founders who create local jobs.
- Approach: She knows everyone. Ask for specific introductions after establishing rapport.
Mark Haney - The Media Mogul
"HaneyBiz is designed to help entrepreneurs be entrepreneurs by providing one-stop access to capital, expertise, and a strong community."
- Role: CEO, HaneyBiz; Founding Partner, Growth Factory
- Background: Video rental (12 locations) → Surveillance tech ($400M revenue, 300 employees) → Led merger of two largest US security distributors
- Portfolio: 50+ Sacramento companies across media, tech, consumer, real estate, construction, transportation
- Media: The Mark Haney Podcast - attracts NorCal millionaires, billionaires, founders
- Gives Back: Past President of EO Sacramento, Allegiant Giving (military veterans)
- Approach: Lead with your founder story. He's drawn to scrappy entrepreneurs who've built real things.
Lokesh Sikaria - The VC
"From his humble beginnings in Assam, India to his current mission of transforming Sacramento's funding landscape."
- Role: Founder & Managing Partner, Moneta Ventures
- Background: UC Berkeley EECS. Started career at PwC San Francisco.
- Exits: Founded Sparta Consulting ($100M+ in 5 years, acquired by KPIT Cummins). COO at Rapidigm ($250M revenue, acquired by Fujitsu 2006).
- Fund: Started with $25M in 2014, now $250M+ across 45+ companies
- Focus: B2B software, enterprise customers - reflects his operational background
- Approach: He's an operator turned investor. Emphasize your unit economics and enterprise sales potential.
Rick Spencer - The Pre-Seed Guy
- Role: Managing Partner, Growth Factory Ventures
- Background: Startup founder/exec with exit (Briotix - sold to public company)
- Mission: Help 5,000 founders launch companies by 2026
- Fund I: 70+ startups in Big Data, Cloud, B2B SaaS, AI
- Fund II: Launching Q4 2025, includes venture studio
- Approach: Perfect fit for your stage. Be direct about what you need and your traction.
Cameron Law - The Academic Hub
- Role: Executive Director, Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Sac State)
- Background: Former Executive Director of Social Venture Partners Sacramento. Hired at 27.
- Runs: 1 Million Cups Sacramento, Global Entrepreneurship Week regional hub
- Boards: City of Sacramento Inclusive Economic Development Committee, Square Root Academy, Neighborhood Wellness Foundation, Culture LabX
- Approach: He's the bridge between Sac State talent pipeline and startup ecosystem. Good for interns, academic partnerships.
Sacramento Success Stories
Reference these when discussing the strength of the Sacramento ecosystem:
| Company | Outcome | Founder Connection |
|---|---|---|
| GoodLeap | $12B valuation, $1.1B+ raised | HQ in Roseville, CPO Kelly Resendez is Growth Factory advisor |
| Azra Games | $68M raised from a16z, Pantera | Mark Otero - Sac State grad, started above yogurt shop in Midtown |
| Elve Speed | $22M raised, $15M CA tax credit | FourthWave alumni - aerospace communications |
| Gluware | Acquired Jan 2025 | Sacramento Angels portfolio company |
| Cordico | Acquired by Lexipol 2020 | Rich Foreman (Startup Grind director) was founding CTO |
Conversation Starters
For Investors
"I run an auto repair shop and built software to solve my own retention problem. Now I'm productizing it for the $130B automotive aftermarket. We're raising $325K pre-seed."
For Ecosystem Connectors
"I'm new to Sacramento's startup scene but I've been building a telematics product for auto repair shops. Who should I be talking to about the B2B SaaS investor landscape here?"
For Fellow Founders
"What's your experience been with the Sacramento investor community? I'm trying to figure out who's actively writing checks for pre-seed B2B."
Key Organizations
| Organization | What They Do | Website |
|---|---|---|
| StartupSac | Nonprofit accelerating Sacramento startup ecosystem | startupsac.com |
| Sacramento Angels | Angel investor network since 2000 | sacangels.com |
| Growth Factory | Pre-seed fund + accelerator | growthfactory.us |
| Moneta Ventures | $250M+ VC fund | moneta.vc |
| Carlsen Center | Sac State entrepreneurship hub | csus.edu/center/carlsen |
| FourthWave | Women-led tech accelerator | fourthwave.io |
| Startup Grind Sacramento | Monthly founder events | startupgrind.com/sacramento |
Tonight's Checklist
- Identify: Look for Laura Good, Mark Haney, Rick Spencer, Cameron Law, Rich Foreman
- Ask about: Sacramento Angels application process, Growth Factory Fund II timing
- Collect: Business cards/LinkedIn connections from anyone at Moneta, Growth Factory, Sac Angels
- Mention: Era Automotive background, B2B SaaS for auto repair, $325K raise
- Avoid: Over-pitching too early. Build relationships first.
- Follow up: Send LinkedIn requests within 24 hours with personalized note
Sources
- StartupSac
- Sacramento Angels
- Growth Factory
- Moneta Ventures
- Carlsen Center
- Startup Grind Sacramento
- FourthWave
- HaneyBiz
Revision History
| Date | Changes |
|---|---|
| 2026-01-12 | Initial document - SacStartup Tech Connect prep |